Conceived of 23 years ago by the Knights of the Southern Cross (KSC) as an evening to get together and raise funds for struggling families, the annual Archbishop’s Dinner has become, the most eagerly awaited, elegant and supported event.

Money raised from the event helps not only families, but hundreds of young Catholic seminarians from countries across Africa, South America and South-East Asia.

Bishops, priests and important figures from each of the state’s four dioceses never miss the opportunity to catch up with friends and relatives from distant parts of Victoria, and this evening was no exception with over 450 people in attendance.

“Emotion and enthusiasm” were the words used by KSC chairman Carmine Miranda to describe the event during the conclusion of the wonderful evening held in the immense reception hall of the Moonee Valley Racecourse in Moonee Ponds.

Miranda then announced the extraordinary sum raised - $77,000.

“This means,” Miranda continued with a wide smile as he thanked the firms that sponsored the evening, “that together, over all these years, the Order has managed to raise and donate over $1.5 million which has been entirely donated to charitable initiatives, including some support for elderly priests in nursing homes and for the support of maintenance and study of young seminarians from halfway around the world”.

The Order’s enthusiastic State Secretary, Andrew Vaccaro, had a heart filled with joy after the two-year hiatus of the initiative due to the pandemic.

Vaccaro was smiling and embracing fellow organisers from other sections such as Mildura, Colac, Wodonga, Sale, Bendigo and Ballarat. He said that the evening was a success that far exceeded expectations.

“This evening is for all of us in the Order the most eagerly awaited, demanding and important event of the year,” said Vaccaro.

“It is the evening that allows us to bring [everyone] together … and to plan and reciprocate visits and social and cultural initiatives that spur us to do more for those who await our help.

“At the same time,” he continued, “for us it is a great moment of joy, of fraternity that allows us to nurture more and more that vast and wonderful circle of friendship with people who, like us, do their utmost in a thousand ways to assist others less fortunate than ourselves.”

Vaccaro also gave special mention to the guest who attended after having travelled the farthest, Supreme Knight Vincent Granahan. He flew into Melbourne from Brisbane the morning of the event.

The social event began after all the diners had settled into their seats. The master of ceremonies, Bryan Martin, invited the Archbishop of Melbourne, Peter Comensoli, to welcome those present and thank the members of the organising committee, sponsors, management, kitchen and service staff of the Moonee Valley Racecourse before concluding with a blessing of the dinner.

Among the guest speakers of the evening was the new rector of the Corpus Christi Catholic Seminary in Carlton, Rev. Cameron Forbes. He was followed by former Carlton footballer Matthew Kennedy, who was born and raised in a family with strong Catholic values and was interviewed onstage by Father Michael Gallacher.