The Good Friday Procession here at Horsley Park originated from the initiative taken by the Parish priest Fr Phillip Gambin and the positive and enthusiastic response it received from the parishioners and the Maltese Community in New South Wales. In November 1986 Fr Phillip expressed his wish to Mr Joe Fenech to have a devotional procession organised with the statue of Our Lady of Sorrows, being fully aware that the people would appreciate such an initiative.

They discussed the project for about an hour, Providence works in mysterious ways. In a crypt of a convent in Melbourne stood a statue of Our Lady of Sorrows collecting dust. The community was happy to see the statue put to a better use. Fr Phillip was aware of this. So, after the necessary contacts and arrangements, he sent some parishioners to pick it up and bring it to Horsley Park. Fr Phillip got together some interested people to serve as an organising group. Preparations were underway for the first procession. Time was limited, but the late Joe Borg worked hard to see the pedestal (bradella) for the statue completed.

In 1987, a week before Good Friday, the statue was set up in the Church. Some young boys expressed their desire to participate in the procession, dressed up as Roman soldiers. Therefore some costumes were hired. Many people from outside the parish joined the numerous parishioners in an aux flambeaux procession, reciting prayers. That same afternoon a parishioner told Fr Phillip that he would like to donate the money to have another statue made. It was decided that the next statue would be the Crucifixion consisting of the crucified Jesus, flanked by his Mother and St John the Evangelist. This set the pattern for the growth of the pageant / procession: each statue was donated and other benefactors paid for the banners, costumes etc. In May of that year Giuseppe Giansiracusa, a sculptor from Melbourne was commissioned to make the statue. The 1988 procession had two statues and quite a few new costumes.

The concept seemed to have struck the right chord in the hearts of the community. They were motivated by the strong ties with their religious traditions. More benefactors came forward to donate money to have more statues made. This time the organising group decided to commission Cav.Alfred Camilleri Cauchi, a Maltese sculptor of international fame, to make the next two statues. Mr Camilleri Cauchi comes from a family of artists, his father Wistinu being a renowned sculptor and his two brothers, Michael a sculptor and Paul a painter, both well known.

Thus 1989 turned out to be one of our busiest years. For the first time an exhibition of the Last Supper Table showing food and utensils used, was set up and opened to the public. The seven richly embroided velvet banners depicting the words Jesus spoke on the cross were made. These and the rest of the banners are the artistic result of loving work of Charlie and Jessie Grech. Throughout the year, successful negotiations were underway with the Maltese Government to sponsor the freight of the statues made in Malta. The two statues, Jesus praying in the Garden being comforted by an Angel and Pilate presenting Jesus to the public - Ecce Homo, arrived only a few days before the Good Friday; however the organising group made sure that these would be part of that years procession. Meantime a commentary was prepared and read on the day to help those present understand and appreciate better the proceedings.

July 20, 1990 saw the arrival of three other statues from Malta. These were the Scourging at the Pillar, The Veronica and Jesus carrying the cross, thus completing the set. The then prime minister of Malta, Dr Eddie Fenech Adami, accompanied by the minister Dr Louis Galea, was on an official visit to Australia. The organising group took the opportunity to invite the dignitaries to Horsley Park, and the Prime Minister to unveil the statues. Father Phillip Gambin, parish priest of Horsley Park, was to bless them. A mass was concelebrated in the Marion Hall on August 18, followed by the unveiling and blessing. In 1991 two big banners, the PASSIO DNJC and the SPQR were made and used for the first time that year. More costumes were made and female participants took part for the first time.

Our Lady Queen of Peace Maltese Band has a long and close association with the Good Friday Procession. In fact, the band has been taking part since the very beginning. The band plays Funeral Marches. The choir of the Maltese Cultural Association started taking part at an early stage and has continued to do so every year.

In 1992 the organising group focused on embellishing the procession. Lanterns were made - some in Malta and some in Australia by Angelo Colerio. More costumes were made, thus making the occasion more spectacular, but more importantly more meaningful.

1992 saw the beginning of the construction of the majestic temple in honour of Our Lady of Victories.The building was completed in 1993 and the statues adorned the church during the Lenten Season of that year. People came from all corners of the state to see the statues set up and adorned with flowers, and the exhibition of the Last Supper. The size of the church made it easier to organise the procession. That year the crowd was huge, estimated to be well over 10 000 people. People came from all over the state of NSW, some 8 coaches came from Victoria and others from other states.

In 1997, the Good Friday Procession celebrated its tenth anniversary. A special programme was organised which consisted of a Musical style drama, originally written and produced by Mr Eddie Busuttil in conjunction with The Theatrical and Cultural Group Ic-Cittadini, called "I am the way, the truth and the life" (Programme: Page 1 | Page 2). A concert of sacred music was also conducted by the then Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish Band (Programme). The programme was held under the patronage of Bishop David Cremen.

Since 1999, the organising group have been concentrating on improving the procession. Many new costumes for children and adults have been made. Some of the costumes expanded the current scope of the procession to include figures from Old Testament times, such as Moses and Aaron. In 2002, the organising group has commissioned the sculptor Alfred Camilleri Cauchi to create a statue depicting Jesus in the tomb.

The organising group are proud to have been associated with and involved in bringing to a relatively young church in Australia an old and meaningful tradition, which is now attracting people from varied backgrounds. We are also proud to have added another colourful piece to the multicultural mosaic of this our beloved country of adoption.

Written by Joseph Mangion, Member of the Organising Group