At the urging of His Grace Bishop Irinej, the Diocesan Council of the Diocese of Australia and New Zealand rendered a decision last August in Perth to form a Federation of Circles of Serbian Sisters which would be Melbourne-based. This was envisioned in wake of the forthcoming administrative unification of both Dioceses in Australia and New Zealand in order to accommodate a new united Federation of the Circles of Serbian Sisters.

At present a Melbourne area Federation was formed with the blessings of His Grace and under the spiritual leadership of Archimandrite Lazar (Caran). This newly-created Federation has assumed as its immediate task to assist in the life of the Diocese in the Melbourne area as is centred at the Monastery of St. Sava in Elaine.

The newly-incepted Federation, together with the Federation of the Circles of Serbian Sisters from the New Gracanica Metropolitanate, under the presidency of Dusanka Timotic, met with His Grace Bishop Irinej at the historic and beautiful St Sava Monastery in Elaine, Victoria on Saturday, 19 June 2010 to discuss refurbishing the existent Monastery Camp facilities and to plan the forthcoming Summer Camp Program.

The Monastery is located in a magnificent pastoral setting which is perfect for both monastic life and for a tremendous camping experience for our youth. The Sisters have decided to sponsor two weeks of Summer Camp, Teenage Week from 26 December 2010 – 1 January 2011; and Children's Week from 9 January 2011 – 15 January 2011. The Camp Director will be Fr Sasa Radoicic from Mona Vale and Camp Secretary, Mrs Angela Jankovic.

The first order of business, however, is to ready the facilities. A large room with two divisions is being prepared for housing the boys, while a number of flats are being readied for the girls and the camp staff. His Grace has issued an appeal to all Church-School Congregations and Mission Parishes to support this endeavour, which is estimated at $50,000 for materials. Many volunteers have already began working on the facilities and donating their time and labour as a sign of their love for the Monastery in which they themselves attended camp programs and retreats.

All of us need to join this effort, as there is no price which is too high for our children and for the future of our Church in the Fifth Continent!