Over 80 pieces carved by Tom were on display at the First Maronite Lebanese Sculpture Exhibition, ‘To Lebanon with Love’.
The exhibition was presented by The Maronite Eparchy of Australia, The Maronite Centre for Studies and The Australian Lebanese Christian Federation and hosted at St. Charbel’s College (Punchbowl, NSW). Held between 31 October-4 November 2014, it celebrated the visit of His Eminence and Beatitude Mar Bechara Boutros Cardinal Rai, Patriarch of Antioch and all the East, his first to Sydney.
On the opening night, the exhibition brought together church leaders, including His Excellency Bishop Antoine-Charbel Tarabay, Maronite Bishop of Australia, as well as dignitaries, members of the Maronite community, and art enthusiasts alike.
Following the Australian and Lebanese national anthems were a number of performances by students of St. Charbel’s College. His Beatitude Patriarch Mar Bechara Boutros proceeded with a stirring speech that stressed the need for a united Lebanese people of all faiths for the strength, proseprity, protection and survival of Lebanon as a nation.
After the Patriarch’s speech, Tom proceeded to present the Patriarch with an elaborately carved staff of cedar wood.
