By CAM LUCADOU-WELLS
PRAISE to Greater Dandenong’s leaders was given in spades and served on plates, songs and speeches at an annual thanksgiving breakfast on 30 May.
The Dandenong Ministers Fellowship and Momentum co-sponsored event gathered parishioners to fete their guests-of-honour – their serving mayor, councillors, charity heads, police, CFA, ambulance and SES members – as well as RSL representatives.
Pastor David Owen of Noble Park Christian Church said it was important to appreciate the work of the guests and their institutions.
“I’m sure the mayor and our councillors cop a lot of flak for various things,” Mr Owen said.
“How often do people come up and say ‘good job’.
“We might not agree on everything but it’s not easy to run a big city.
“I thank God for the councillors we have.”
A moved Sergeant Melissa Blair of Victoria Police told the audience she appreciated the feeling in the room.
“A lot of people in the community don’t like us.
“They don’t really appreciate us for the people we are. If they thought of us as people the world would be a happier place.”
She told a story of helping an elderly migrant woman without local family who hadn’t left her house for a long time. She was neglected, without food and water.
“We saved her life,” Sgt Blair said.
“I’m thankful for the opportunity to change her life.”
Energetic band United Praise and a choir from Springvale Evangelical Community Church provided a suitably elevating musical backdrop.
