Association of Zgharta celebrates the Our Lady of Zgharta Feast Day and 50th Anniversary
The Association of Zgharta (Youssef Bey Karam Batal Lebnan) Australia celebrated the Our Lady of Zgharta Feast Day by holding a church service at Our Lady of Lebanon Church, Sydney followed by the celebration of the association's 50th anniversary at the church's hall.
Hundreds of community leaders and members attended including MP Tony Issa, Lebanon Consul-General George Bitar Ghanem, Coordinator of El Marada Australia Mansour Azizi and the Independence Movement Coordinator Asaad Barakat.
Reverend Fr Sleiman Yammine headed the mass and delivered a great homily. He was assisted by Monsignor Shora Marie, Monsignor Emanuel Sakr, Fr Wakim Njeim, Fr Yuhana Azizi and Fr Tony Sarkis. Boutros Wakim read the Arabic reading and Chris Raheb the English. Offertory was carried by Alice Saade, Alia Halabi, Hawa Gittany, Rose Doueihi, Salma Karam, Julia Akle and Leila Issa. Prayers of the faithful were read by Peter Bacha, Anthony Makari, Joseph Antoun, Youssef Maksisi, Sayed Barakat, Jacinta Mawad and Boutros Iskandar.
Following mass, the 50th anniversary took place with all of the presidents who served the association since 1962 receiving recognition. MCs were Anthony Geaitani and Peter Naoum. Raymond Mokdassi and Sayed Halabi received the long serving association members awards.
Presidents' appreciation awards were received by the families of the late Mohsen Doueihi, Youssef Yammine, Antoine Raheb, Sleiman Saade and Sarkis Maksisi. Family members also received awards on behalf of George Gittany, Joseph Finianos, Rene Mokdassi and Jamil Antoun who are in Lebanon. Son of Joseph Mokdassi received award on behalf of his father while Sarkis Karam and Joseph Mekary received awards on behalf of Joe Symond and Riad Mouawad. Boutros Wakim, Fahd Gittany, George Yammine, Asaad Akle, Antoine Halabi, George Doueihi and Antoine Gittany received their awards. A cocktail followed the presentation.
Joe Symond Mouawad with appreciation award in presence of Joe Raheb & Sarkis Karam 
News
The Association of Zgharta (YBKBL) Australia held a very successful family evening-BBQ to open the new section in the Zgharta House, Sydney. In attendance were Granville MP Tony Issa, Star singer Elissar Finianos, Lebanese Police Colonel Ronni Bitar Ghanem, Lieutenant Gerard Rehban and Poet Assad Makary.
The Association of Zgharta (YBKBL) Australia hosted dinner in honour of the visiting Lebanese Police delegation at Port Bar Restaurant, Parramatta, in the presence of Consul General of Lebanon George Bitar Ghanem and his mother Mrs Claude Thabet. The delegation consists of Colonel Roni Bitar Ghanem, Captain Mohamed Kamara, Cpatin Ziad Jamal and Lieutenant Gerard Rouhban.
The Association of Zgharta (YBKBL) Australia organised the "Ehden, history & People" Lecture at Zgharta House, Guildford Sydney.
In attendance were numerous community members.
Speakers included Rev Fr Sleiman Yammine who spoke about Ehden's Churches. Rev Fr Yuhanna Azizi who spoke about the Venerable Patriarch Estephan Doueihi and Sarkis Karan who spoke about the political history of Ehden-Zgharta.
تتقدم جمعية بطل لبنان يوسف بك كرم الزغرتاوية اوستراليا بأحر التهاني من الأب الرئيس انطوان طربيه بمناسبة تعيينه مطراناً على أبرشية اوستراليا المارونية.
لقد عمل سيدنا المطران طربيه وما زال يعمل من ضمن رسالة القديس شربل فحقق الأنجازات التربوية والعمرانية والثقافية ، وكسب محبة الجالية بفضل شخصيته الشامخة بتواضعها والكبيرة بفكرها المنفتح وبثقافتها وبحيويتها التي عززت وتعزز الروابط بين أبناء الجالية وبين لبنان واوستراليا على مختلف المستويات. وقد أثبت سيدنا مراراً انه
