Wayside gets a kick along from ‘St Kev’

The Federal Government has agreed in principle to inject a life-saving $3 million to rebuild the Wayside Chapel in Potts Point.

Up to 40 per cent of the 1930s building is uninhabitable and several years of fund raising for the $7 million project had been held back by the global financial crisis.

Infrastructure Minister Anthony Albanese announced the funding at the Chapel last Friday, saying it would come from the economic stimulus package. The project would create 50 jobs in construction, with opportunities for apprenticeships.

“I first came to this facility as a student volunteer,” he said. “Since it was begun in 1964 some parts of it have remained untouched – you could say the place has been touched by God but it has not been touched by man.”

Pastor Graham Long said: “This is not a good day for the Wayside Chapel; this is a great day, in fact it is THE day – It’s the luckiest Friday the 13th that ever was.”

Mr Albanese spoke about his Catholic upbringing and the culture of volunteerism encouraged in Catholic schools.

“I don’t like talking about religion publicly, but a society can be judged by how well it treats its most vulnerable members,” he said.

“No-one gets turned away from this place because of their race, religion or ethnicity.”

He acknowledged $2 million already promised by the State Government, and the personal support of the Chapel by Opposition Leader and local member Malcolm Turnbull and his wife Lucy.

Asked about Mr Turnbull’s proposals for tougher immigration laws, Mr Albanese said: “Compassion and humane treatment is required for all human beings no matter where they come from or where they are going.”

He said the Opposition had not opposed changes to immigration policy including the abolition of Temporary Protection Visas, which he said were not successful as the number of boat arrivals increased after their introduction.

Mr Long stressed that more fund raising was needed for the new building, although the project would now go to tender.

“We could call the place St Kev’s,” he said referring to Prime Minister Kevin Rudd’s support for the funding. “St Albo’s doesn’t quite work – although we could call the area out the front St Albo’s Gazebo!”

Tanya Plibersek, Minister for Housing, also attended the announcement.

It will be business as usual at the Chapel during construction except that the administration staff will need alternative office accommodation nearby. Mr Long said any offers would be gratefully accepted

by Michael Gormly