News / Community
Olympia on a mission to make hall accessible for everyone
Brunswick church community seeks to raise $120,000 for new lift
Mark Phillips
WHEN Olympia Raptis found herself struggling to climb the stairs to the St Vasilio’s Church community hall in Brunswick, she made a vow that she would do whatever she could to make the building accessible for everyone.
The lifetime worshipper at the Greek Orthodox parish has set herself a fundraising target of $120,000 to install an elevator inside the hall within two years.
She has almost reached her first milestone of $40,000, which would then trigger a matching grant from Merri-bek Council.
Engineering plans have already been drawn up for the installation of the lift in an existing brick void within the building, which is tucked behind the church on Staley Street, with its front entrance on Blyth Street.
The lift would convey passengers from the basement to the first floor, making events such as a weekly senior citizens social meeting accessible to a wider range of people.
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Raptis said she did not fully understand the limitations of the building until she was unable to climb the two flights of back stairs into the hall after surgery on her back about 18 months ago.
“After the surgery I had to use a four-wheel frame for six months and during that time a family friend passed away and I wanted to attend [the funeral],” she said.
“The church was okay because it’s only one or two steps but how would I reach the wake? It was sad I had to experience that to understand the problems.
“I made an oath and said ‘God, make me get better and back on my feet and I will get a lift put in’.”
St Vasilio’s Church was established in 1962, while the hall was built in the 1970s before contemporary accessibility requirements were in place.
Its main entrance is only accessible by climbing 11 steps, which is a challenge to many elderly parishioners. It is no easier by the back entrance and there is no ramp at either entrance for wheelchairs, mobility devices or prams.
The church hall is used for Greek school several days a week, for wedding receptions, christenings, birthdays and other life events, and is available for public hire. But one of its most important roles is as the venue for the Greek senior citizens social club gathering every Monday.
About 45 people attend each week with the oldest member aged 94. For some, it is their main social outing of the week.
Raptis said she often heard people complaining about how difficult it was for them to climb the stairs into the hall.
Raptis’ older sister, Fotini Kalantzis, works in the aged care sector and said the improvements to accessibility could double the number of people attending the senior citizens club.
The total cost of installing the lift will be about $120,000. So far, the parish has raised $33,000 and once it gets to $40,000, it will be able to apply for a grant of an equal amount from Merri-bek Council.
Raptis said she was working towards having the lift installed by 2025-26.
To raise awareness for her cause, she has launched a petition on change.org, which has more than 6300 signatures. Individual donations can be made through a GoFund page.
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