Canterbury City Community Centre (also known as 4cs) marks their 50-year anniversary of continuous service to the community.

What started from very humble beginnings in Lakemba has developed into a leading social service organisation offering a wide variety of programs and services in Canterbury Bankstown and in the Inner West.

Over the years, 4cs has received strategic assistance from the (former) Canterbury Council and now Canterbury Bankstown Council, Inner West Council, various Members of Parliament, funding bodies, partner organisations and so many staff and volunteers who have supported the work and allowed the opportunity for the organisation to continue serving the community over a sustained period of time.

Chief Executive Officer at 4cs, Esta Paschalidis-Chilas, reflected on the milestone by saying that “So much has changed in the community during the 50 years, both in the service sector and in the organisation as well. What has not changed at the Canterbury City Community Centre (4cs), is our focus on the needs of the community, doing the best work we can with the resources we have and doing our work in genuine partnership with like-minded people and organisations from all walks of life.

“What has not changed at the Canterbury City Community Centre [during the 50 years], is our focus on the needs of the community, doing the best work we can with the resources we have and doing our work in genuine partnership with like-minded people and organisations from all walks of life.”

Our initiatives all place the community at the centre of our efforts, they come from a place of strength and in a belief that the diversity of the community is something to enjoy. We are confident in our contribution to the collective impact of the community and sector. We know that our work builds on the work of others and does not happen in isolation. Partnership and collaboration have been in our DNA from the very foundation 50 years ago.”

Esta went on to say that, “I am very conscious that my role as CEO is to steer us through the next stage of our development while maintaining a commitment to our core vision, mission and values. Our organisation is the service of choice for many people as they progress through the various stages of their life. That is something we take very seriously, and we thank the many individuals, families and carers who entrust us to walk alongside them.”

LCSA congratulates 4cs for their ongoing commitment to serve and strengthen their community through a wide range of activities and programs as well as providing opportunities for local people to connect, engage and participate - promoting harmony, social inclusion, improved quality of life, sustainability and resilience.


Visit the Canterbury City Community Centre (4cs) website to find out more about their great community programs, activities, and services.

This LCSA Member Story was published with permission from Canterbury City Community Centre (4cs).