1 ANTIOCHIAN COMMUNITY SUPPORT ASSOCIATION SOUTH EAST MELBOURNE
The Beginnings
In late 2002, some members of Saint Paul Antiochian Orthodox Church in Dandenong started meeting together to establish a body which would provide a range of community services for Arabic speaking people in the south-eastern suburbs of Melbourne. This body, known as the Antiochian Community Support Association (ACSA), gained incorporation on 11 September 2003. Since that time it has applied for and managed funds received from governments and private bodies to offer services on a non-sectarian and non-political basis.
ACSA's mission
ACSA's mission is to serve Arabic-speaking families and individuals (children, youth, women, men, elderly, and disabled people) living in the south-eastern region of Melbourne.
ACSA seeks funds to offer a range of services such as language and educational classes, information sessions, employment assistance and skills, counselling services, health services, and for sporting, recreational and cultural activities.
In offering these programs and services, ACSA respects the ethnic, cultural and religious diversity of Arabic-speaking people, and encourages their full participation in Australian society.
Projects
In its short history, ACSA has shown itself willing to offer guidance and assistance to any organisation who may request it. To date, these have included the Antiochian Orthodox churches of Saint George Melbourne, and Saint Elias in Adelaide.
Activities and services are publicised among the Arabic speaking community in the south-eastern region.
ACSA has already been successful in obtaining funding grants as outlined below:
ACSA Projects Index (June 2005)
Project Funding Source AwardDate Contract Finish Date
AP-001 Parenting Groups 1 & 2
Moreland
2003 Mar
2003 Jun
AP-002 ACSA Administration Costs
Dandenong
2003 Aug
2003 Oct
AP-003 Parenting Groups 3 & 4
Moreland
2003 Sep
2003 Nov
AP-004 Women & Youth
Dandenong
2003 Dec
2004 Dec
AP-005 Migrant and Refugee Women
VMC
2004 Jun
2005 Sep
AP-006 Multicultural Senior Citizens
VMC
2004 Jun
2006 May
AP-007 Orthodox Youth Conference
VMC 2004
Jun
-
AP-008 Women's Health
A.C.C
2004 Jun
-
AP-009 ABCD Parenting Groups
Anglicare
2004 Aug
2004 Nov
AP-010 Transport and Hall Hire
Dandenong
2004 Sep
2005 Jun
AP-011 Small Equipment Grant
Dept of FCS
2005 Jun
2005 Jul
AP-012 ACSA Building Grant
VMC
2005 Jun
-
2 SAINT NICHOLAS PUNCHBOWL, NSW
Saint Nicholas Punchbowl Sunday School celebrated its 25th anniversary this year. A birthday party was held at Campbell Hill Reserve, Campbell Hill Road, Guildford on Sunday 12th June 2005.
After Sunday school classes and Divine Liturgy concluded at Saint Nicholas Punchbowl, all invited made their way to Campbell Hill Reserve. Members and supporters of all parishes were invited too.
There was a barbeque with lunch and drinks provided, plus entertainment, activities and prizes.
Cost was $5 per child, $10 per adult, or $30 per family.
Archdiocesan News 
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