The Orthodox church, a means of bringing together the older, non-English speaking members of the community, was not without its antagonists.
In October 1964, one adversary, in a letter to the Shepparton News signed only “Onanamus Reader” following publication of news in September that the church was proposed, claimed that only about 10 families of the 150 backing the building of the church were Greek, the rest were Macedonians or, as he called them, Massadonos.
“Onanamus” sent two £1 notes with his letter to ensure its publication.
The News declined the money, saying it would donate it to the Mooroopna Base Hospital if unclaimed within seven days, and agreed — despite the rule not to publish anonymous letters — to run its main points.
The other main argument was that there were 400 other Macedonians who did not understand why the church should be built, and did not see the need for their children to learn the Greek language, ending with: “We all want our children to be Australians, not Greek.”
The church, of course, went ahead regardless.
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