The Sorrowful parish was founded in 1952, and the church dedicated to the Icon of the Mother of God 'Joy of All Who Sorrow' was consecrated in 1958. Since the establishment of the parish and to this day, parishioners actively support its activities as well as the work of the church school. In 2002, the parish celebrated its 50th anniversary.

After the serious illness and death of Archpriest Simeon Kichakov, which occurred on July 25, 2018, regular services were not held in the church of the Icon of the Mother of God 'Joy of All Who Sorrow' for almost two years.

Metropolitan Hilarion appointed Archpriest Yaroslav Belikov as the new rector. After obtaining a work visa, Father Yaroslav arrived in Geelong, and in September 2019, services resumed.

Now the church community has united and under the guidance of the new rector strives to return to a full parish life. They plan to conduct a complete cycle of church services, develop the parish school, organize spiritual talks, and other activities characteristic of parish tradition abroad.