Celebrating faith, culture and community at St Sava College Spring Fair
Macarthur Memorial Park (MMP) was proud to join the Serbian community for the St Sava College Spring Fair and Patriarchal Visit held in Varroville, NSW, on 17-18 October 2026 – a memorable weekend celebrating faith, cultural heritage and community connection.
The festivities brought together more than 4,000 people each day, with families and visitors from across Sydney, interstate and overseas enjoying a vibrant celebration of Serbian traditions and community spirit.
The weekend held special significance for the College, with the visit of His Holiness Patriarch Porfirije, head of the Serbian Orthodox Church, accompanied by His Eminence Archbishop Siluan, Metropolitan of Australia and New Zealand.
His Holiness consecrated the College Chapel and laid the foundation stone for Stage 3 of the College’s development. These milestones marked an important chapter in the College’s history and its ongoing commitment to future generations.
NSW Premier Chris Minns and Opposition Leader Kellie Sloane also addressed the gathering, acknowledging the valuable contribution of the Serbian community to NSW and recognising the College’s growth as a testament to the community’s commitment to faith, culture and quality education.
As a Diamond Sponsor of the event, Catholic Cemeteries + Crematoria (CCC) was represented at the official luncheon attended by His Holiness and members of the clergy, by our CEO Lauren Hardgrove and John Dickinson from Community Engagement, whose ongoing efforts have been instrumental in building and strengthening CCC’s valued relationship with the Serbian community.
Throughout the weekend, visitors enjoyed traditional food, hospitality and entertainment, with students of all ages proudly showcasing their Serbian heritage through traditional dancing and singing in colourful national costumes. Children’s rides and carnival treats added to the festive atmosphere.
The MMP team welcomed many visitors to our stall, which proved particularly popular with children enjoying the fair. It was also a valuable opportunity to connect with families and share information about the dedicated Serbian burial lawn available at MMP.
Many of our visitors were already familiar with MMP, located nearby on St Andrews Road, while others shared their personal experiences of family burials at the park. These conversations reinforced the importance of providing meaningful places of remembrance that respect the faith, traditions and cultural heritage of the communities we serve.
CCC and MMP congratulate St Sava College on a wonderful celebration and thank the organisers, volunteers, families and students whose dedication and enthusiasm made the weekend so memorable.
We are proud to support Sydney’s diverse faith and cultural communities, building lasting relationships and providing peaceful places of remembrance for generations to come.
Honouring every life forever.
