On October 10, 2012, The Australia Lebanon Chamber of Commerce & Industry, in conjunction with Zouki for Lebanon, organized a ceremony to recognize the contribution made to the bilateral relationship between Lebanon and Australia by His Excellency Mr. Alex Chernov AC QC, Governor of Victoria and Reverend Father Hady Mahfouz, President of the Holy Spirit University of Kaslik.

The ceremony was attended by a high level representation of the political, diplomatic and military corps as well as high level USEK figures.

Following the Lebanese and Australian National Anthems, the presenter of the ceremony, Ms. Lea Yahchouchi, welcomed the crowd and gave the floor to the Dean of the Faculty of Business and Commercial Sciences, Dr. Nehme Azoury, who expressed his gratitude to the organizers, stating that they were honoring two exceptional individuals.

The Chair of Lebanon Australia Chamber of Commerce & Industry and the Chair of Zouki for Lebanon, Mr. Faddy Zouky, praised the two honorees, saying that “His Excellency Mr. Chernov has always encouraged the youth in Australia and urged them to make a change in the world”, adding that “Reverend Father Hady Mahfouz, as the University rector, has built bridges of communication between Lebanon and the rest of the world through education”.

The Honorary President of the Chamber, Mr. Louis Fleyfel, welcomed the Governor to Lebanon and praised his achievements.

The Governor of Victoria, His Excellency Mr. Alex Chernov AC QC, expressed his deep gratitude for the event organizers, praising the success of the Lebanese people who worked in Victoria and stating “…there are numerous commonalities between Lebanon and the State of Victoria”.

The President of the Holy Spirit University of Kaslik, Reverend Father Hady Mahfouz, talked about the joint project between the University and Zouki for Lebanon, which has successfully launched the “Green Restaurant” on campus. He added that “…this is the first important step towards transforming the University into the first green University in the Middle East”. Rev. Fr. Mahfouz concluded by thanking Zouki for Lebanon for its contribution and help towards such an occasion.

Finally, Mr. Fleyfel presented Shields of Honor to the two honorees and everyone ‘raised their glasses’ in appreciation to them, within the internal courtyard of the University.