FATHER DILLON A PILLAR OF SUPPORT TO GEELONG

IT was interesting to read Keith Fagg’s column (GA 31/7) in regard to Fr Kevin Dillon.

Fr Kevin has, as Keith said, been an amazing influence in the Geelong community during his tenure here and will be sadly missed by many.

It was good to see Diane Wright acknowledged for her good work in initially proposing a hospice centre in Geelong and working to carry it through and Fr Kevin’s generosity in vacating the large, mostly unused Catholic Presbytery for the establishment of Anam Cara House.

This work is now to be expanded and funded by the Government. Samaritan House and St Mary’s Pantry evolved in a similar way to Anam Cara House, with a couple of St Mary’s parishioners, who were experienced in welfare, in Geelong, seeing a need, and asking for his support to assist the homeless and refugees.

Samaritan House owes much to Gary McIlvena and Bisinella Developments who, together with the Lino Bisinella family, funded this enterprise most generously.

A bequest of $200,000 from another source also helped seed Samaritan House, which is now well funded. Lawrie Miller’s expertise provided another driving force as the first board chairman for Samaritan House Gee- long. This committee and board worked very hard for years before the house finally opened.

The newly opened Lazarus Community Centre, again, was proposed by two people from the Wesley Centre, who gathered a group together, including clergy, and worked hard over many, many months to bring this facility to it’s recent opening. Lazarus Community Centre, which opens during the day for homeless and disadvantaged people, in Geelong is still seeking funding.

To each of these Fr Kevin gave his enthusiastic support, both in small and larger measures.

His help to Vietnam veterans is also well documented and to be applauded. Anzac Day at Eastern Beach is also one of his newer initiatives.

However surely Fr Kevin’s most significant contribution, nationwide, was to the survivors of sexual abuse and their families, and it is good to know that he will continue this work from his new parish. He is wished well and I am sure in his humble way he would be the first to acknowledge the work put in on the above enterprises by so many others in the community. Sheila Mansfield