The Australian Slovenian Review
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The Australian Slovenian Review Inside Why have two Clubs in Sydney? this by Robert Suber issue.:. This is a question which has been a source of lively debate within the Slovenian Community for sometime. The position which the Slovenians Does the in Sydney find themselves in should not be considered a problem, but a Second tremendous opportunity to increase awareness of Slovenia and its Generation culture in Australia. count? In order to understand the potential of the two clubs, Triglav and the Slovene Association Sydney, it is important to understand the where they could meet as this premises was made available to Fund development of the clubs from their Slovenians amongst people with a Slovenians. This place became raising, early days to the present. It is also common background with familiar pivotal in early relationships which important to see the direction the circumstances, and escape from Slovenians developed amongst the first clubs are taking in the future for a the realisation that they were themselves. rapidly changing Slovenian 16,000 kilometres from home. step community. In the late 1950's a significant The first Slovenian gathering took meeting place occurred once a Why did the settling Slovenians in place in Queen Street, Woollahra month in Leichhardt for the sole Australia need a piece of Australia in the 1950's. The meeting point purpose of meeting Slovenians and Regional to represent everything that Slovenia was in a house which was owned enjoying the basics, such as fine was? The isolation and the lack of by the Croatian Religious Centre, food and drink, dancing and singing. profile: understanding of the English and it was through a relationship This was initiated by six gentlemen language were factors, but the which Father Bernard (a Slovenian which organised and kept the BLED strongest motive was to have a place priest) had with the Centre, that function going until the early sixties. Simultaneously, Father Bernard, Father Odilo and Father Mikola organised monthly dances in Father Paddington for a similar purpose, that is Slovenians enjoying each Valerijan, other's company. a profile It was during this period that "Slovensko Drustvo Sydney" or what today is known as the Slovene Association Sydney (SAS) was Comparing being stnictured with the charter of providing the Slovenian community with a social and cultural centre in the Sydney. In April 1969, the SAS costs (Continued on page 3) Page 2 Editorial/Writing • ^jj j? Irene Stariha Dorothy Kobal Mia Smith RobertPecovnik Renata Susanj ^MiriamStariha ~WP* MR. PaulLukezic . ^| JTPf,"*F Walter Suber * Jfi"" <EcfitoriaC JudeBavcar Sylvia Kuznikk jKatarinaVrisk ' Late night, junky TV show distractingly blaring in the background and feeling brain dead after a Marketing / Public Relations hard day at work. Not a good combination for creating an editorial for another issue ofASR. RobertSuber ''' HoweverI havejust completedmy harassing phone calls to writers who are always late with their . lanMakovec assignments, and I felt hypocritical when I had not begun on mine! Sometimes (like with Jude Sowar* anything we take on) it is difficultto keep up the inspiration and commitment that it takes to Mark Stariha keep a projectlikethis moving. The ASR team are all very committed to this publication, but 4enny Stariha-Bleesing more importantly to the growth of our dwindling Slovenian community. We find ourselves called upon regularlyto sit on committees, co-ordinateprojects and represent the "youth" of Australian Slovenians. f1 Production ": ^jCirilKosoroi • •• 'Henry Stariha* We stretch ourselves as thinly as we possibly can and although we get worn, we continue ".'. 4pohnKobar because we feel that our perspective is fresh and young and sometimes quite innovative. However, recently it has come to our attention that because our opinions are offered in English "-.J*fc EditorialConsuBaht rather than broken Slovenian, we are offendingand in some way alienating organisations that ^OlgaLah% portray themselvesas co-ordinatorsof our sometimesdivided community. I don't know how many ofyou have heard of The SlovenskiNarodni Svet (SNS). This organisation claims to have Administration representation from all organisations within our community, and co-ordinate these to ensure that Renata Susanj , they are working towards common goals rather than pulling it in separate directions. ASR were originally invitedto be a part of this group. The Australian Slovenian Review is a non profit venture, which aims to publish We sent representation, offered suggestions, and mingled with other representatives. It seems quarterly. Production and distribution costs are funded by sponsorship and advertising. though, that our invitation was simply tokenistic. Apparently we deeply offended an official of the SNS by not formally introducingthem to other delegates at a meeting (even though it was not our roleto do so). To make matters worse, we submitted some suggestions in the inferiortongue The ASR is not a platform for any particular of ENGLISH! Offence has been so deep that there is some talk of a need for a formal written interestgroup and does not represent any apology to be sent by us to the President of SNS. I wonder if this editorial will be considered group or organisation within the Slovenian one? Ifyou want to know more, then read the article further on in this issue. community. t. Unfortunately too oftenour parents' generation asks for our opinion,yet are not willing or able to opentheirminds to the responses wegive. Doweallowthis to continue? Dowe sit by and say The ASR team believe that there should be a it's too hard to breakdownthe wall? Not any longer! We've aged enoughto stand on our own forum available to inform and discuss issues two feetand fightfor our rights! IT'S TIMEFORA REVOLUTION! Jointhe organisations that that are ofinterest to first and second are controlling the future ofthe Australian Slovenian community and makechangehappen! generation Australians with a Slovenian heritage. Well, now I'm welland truly awake, so let's get onto something less controversialand much more interesting. Ourcommunity is submitting applications to access somefunding! Articles for publications are most welcome. (FINALLY) Yes wecan makepositive change. Olga Lah's articlefrom a few issues ago They maybe presentedhand written,typed or inspired a group ofyoung Australian Slovenians to give funding a try. Wedo not as yet know of preferrably ona MS-DOS format floppy disk. the resultsbut if theyare successful, our SydneyDramaGroupand Folkloric Dancegroup will Articles can be sent to: stand to benefit fromtheirefforts. Witha littlemoreexperience the sky willbe the limit. If you are interested in beinginvolved withthis project(or future ones)let us know and we willput you ASR, intouch with therelevant people. P.O.BoxKL806 Kings Langley 2147 Before I forget why I am in front of this computer, I had better look at what this issue has to offer you. Our feature article is looking at why we have two clubs in Sydney (perhaps some of our or faxed to: (02) 674 4583 Melbourne readers could enlighten us on why they have many more than this?). Robert Suber is muftitalented! Not only does he inviteour sponsors to advertise in this space, but he can also Sponsorship or advertising enquiries should .. ,'• writea coverarticle- and on time!!! We also haveour regular features (I hope as these are not be directed to: i!j,' on time) and somelightreadingabout productcost comparisons(if my husband does his bit). II T« We have an interestingprofileon our belovedFather Valerijan which should make interesting Robert Suber on (02) 829 1303 reading. I could go on for hours, but a new junky show is blaring on the TV and it has won the war with my concentration. Enjoy the edition, don't let the winter weather get you down, and remember... If you are interested in joining our team or join the revolution NOW!* finding out more about the ASR please contact us at the above address or Fax. Page 3 (Continuedfrom page 1) clubs' social events regularly appear in the minding facilities, sporting facilities, dance social calendar of the Australian Slovenian parties, theatre, restaurants and bars are some celebrated its opening at Horsley Park, a Review, and they advertise regularly on the of generic features which will ensure property of seven acres in the western suburbs Slovenian program on SBS radio. continued patronage. of Sydney. In the spirit of co-operation, both clubs have One must appreciate that most of the work In the preceding years a split in the SAS as a been making efforts to ensure that they do carried out at the clubs is done voluntarily, result of political convictions saw a splinter not schedule major social events on the and the people which give up their time group grow and become an integral part of same day. However, this has also become a should be commended. Unfortunately, today's Slovenian community. It was this matter of survival, as the enthusiasm of the voluntary work has a short life span and it is group of Slovenians that in the early 1970's Slovenian community to support the clubs not a strategy which the Slovenian clubs can formed Club Triglav Limited and purchased a has dwindled. An aging community finds it rely on for the future. In addition, any five acre property in St Johns Park in the increasingly difficult to make its way to the organisation which is established is created to Western Suburbs ofSydney which consisted clubs and a demanding new generation has make a profit, and this is the rationale for one of a farmhouse and a shed. much higher expectations of entertainment of the clubs renting their premises to other and facilities which should be offered at ethnic communities. The irony behind this In 1984, Club Triglav opened the doors of its social clubs. concept is that the clubs were built to newly built club at Brisbane Road, St Johns entertain Slovenians, instead other Park.