On Saturday 19 October, during the Egyptian Cultural Festival 2024, our Parish hosted the highly anticipated Banquet Lunch, expertly presided over by Master of Ceremonies, Jaklen Shehata. This event welcomed an array of distinguished guests and has become an integral tradition within the festival’s 40 year history in the City of Darebin.
The Banquet Lunch serves as a key platform for fostering meaningful dialogue, collaboration, and unity among leaders from diverse religious, cultural, governmental, and community sectors. The 2024 theme, "United by Heritage - A Celebration of Unity" perfectly encapsulated the spirit of the event, celebrating the rich heritage of the Coptic Orthodox faith and the Egyptian community in Australia.
Before the Lunch, our distinguished guests were given a tour of our Coptic Orthodox Church, where they received an insightful explanation of its history, traditions, and significance. Following the tour, Deacon Rafik Karas and Deacon Isaac Soliman delivered a captivating presentation of Coptic hymns, showcasing the unique tradition and heritage of our faith.
Throughout the event, attendees also had the opportunity to hear from each other, on their perspectives on multiculturalism, unity, and contributions of communities to the broader Australian society. These discussions further highlighted the significance of cultural exchange and community-building in today’s diverse society. Guests were treated to a traditional Egyptian cuisine lunch, which allowed them to enjoy the rich and authentic flavours of our culinary heritage.
This gathering not only highlighted the deep cultural roots of the Coptic Orthodox tradition and Egyptian culture but also underscored the importance of multiculturalism in shaping a cohesive and inclusive Australian society. By bringing together leaders from various sectors, the event reinforced the invaluable contributions of different communities in fostering harmony and understanding.
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the many guests, the Victorian Multicultural Commission, the Egyptian Consulate in Melbourne, Darebin Council and our cherished friends of the Parish who supported and visited throughout the weekend. Your presence contributed immensely to the success of this blessed event. A special thank you is extended to the following esteemed guests for their attendance:
His Excellency Mr. Haitham Mokhtar – Consul-General of Egypt in Melbourne
His Excellency Mr. Ahmad Raafat – Consul of Egypt in Melbourne
Vivienne Nguyen AM – Chairperson of the Victorian Multicultural Commission
Mohamed Mohideen OAM JP – Commissioner of the Victorian Multicultural Commission
Councillor Susanne Newton – Mayor of Darebin Council
Imam Alaa El Zokm OAM – Imam of the El Sedeaq Mosque
David Toscano – Chair of the Darebin Interfaith Council
First Constable Andrew Moreton – Victoria Police Youth Resource Officer
Mrs Ansam Sadik – Victoria Police Community Liaison Officer
Fr. Michael Gali – Founder of Manna4Life
Fr. Phillip Papagiannopoulos – Greek Orthodox Archdiocesan District of Northcote
Welcome Speech by MC Jaklen Shehata
“Distinguished Guests,
It is with great honour and joy that I welcome you all to our Banquet Lunch, hosted during the Egyptian Cultural Festival 2024. We are truly privileged to be joined today by such esteemed individuals.
St Mark’s Church has had the privilege of being a vibrant part of the City of Darebin since December 1974, when the late Fr. Victor Rophael OAM of blessed memory established Melbourne’s second Coptic Orthodox parish in the suburb of Northcote. It was in a rented bluestone Uniting Church on High St that the seeds of our community were first planted.
As our parish grew and flourished, it outgrew that space and by August 1986, land was acquired on Gilbert Rd in Preston, leading to the construction of the first purpose-built Coptic Orthodox Church in Victoria. The completion of the church in July 1990 was a milestone moment, culminating in its consecration by the late His Holiness Pope Shenouda III of blessed memory, alongside six visiting Bishops on Sunday, 24 February 1991.
Since then, our Parish has not only expanded, but has also deepened its engagement with both the local and wider communities. Through numerous renowned annual festivals and vital services to the underprivileged within the City of Darebin, as well as to immigrants and refugees from Egypt, we have remained steadfast in our mission to serve.
For 40 years, this annual festival has been a treasured tradition for our parish and for the City of Darebin. It is a moment of celebration, where we share our rich Egyptian heritage while inviting the broader community to join us. Through this festival, we showcase not only our culture and traditions but also the Coptic Orthodox faith, which is at the heart of everything we do. Our guided tours provide insight into our ancient faith, allowing visitors to experience its history and spirituality.
Our church is deeply committed to supporting the community through a range of welfare and engagement programs. We collaborate with partners such as Foodbank, Darebin Council, and Manna4Life to provide essential services. These include free weekly dinners, accommodation, and work assistance for newcomers and refugees from Egypt, helping them integrate smoothly and find stability in their new lives.
Today's Banquet Lunch represents more than just a meal; it serves as a platform for leaders from various faiths, cultures, organisations, and government sectors to come together. Through this gathering, we create space for meaningful dialogue, fostering unity and building stronger relationships between our communities.
As we celebrate today, I would like to emphasise the important role that multiculturalism plays in shaping our great nation. Australia’s diversity is one of its greatest strengths, and festivals such as this one remind us of the beauty found in our shared values. Though we may come from different backgrounds, we find that we share many common threads - family, faith, community, and the desire to contribute positively to society.
Engaging with each other across cultural lines allows us to appreciate not only the differences but also the deep similarities that bind us as human beings. Through events like this, we strengthen the fabric of our multicultural society, ensuring that we remain a united, cohesive, and inclusive nation.
Thank you all for being here today, and may this lunch mark the beginning of even deeper connections and collaborations across our communities.”