Melbourne hosts Croatian community meeting in Australia

(Photo: Private album)

The Croatian Catholic Centre St. Nikola Tavelić in Clifton Hill, Melbourne was the venue for the latest gathering of Croatian societies in Australia under the Australian-Croatian Congress (AHK).

The formal session was opened by host Ante Radić on behalf of the Victoria branch of AHK.

The meeting began with the Croatian national anthem and a minute of silence in honour of those who are no longer with us, as well as for fallen Croatian soldiers who played a crucial role in establishing the modern Republic of Croatia.

Among the distinguished guests, Croatian Consul General in Melbourne, Joseph Gene Petrić, and Monsignor Bosiljko Rajić, parish priest of St. Nikola Tavelić, addressed the attendees and wished them a productive meeting.

(Photo: Private album)

Monsignor Rajić also gave a special blessing. AHK President Stjepan Asić presented a comprehensive report on the organisation’s activities.

Strengthening Ties Between Australian and North American Croatians

This year’s meeting stood out due to the presence of Nada Pritisanac Matulić, President of the American-Croatian Congress and Croatian civil representative at the UN in New York.

(Photo: Private album)

As a member of the National Board of Directors of ACAP, she was the first representative from North America to attend the event, aiming to further strengthen collaboration between the Croatian communities in Australia and the USA.

Pritisanac Matulić introduced several projects involving Australian Croatians, including the Croatians United by the Cravat initiative by Branka Bezić Filipović. She also presented ACAP’s Domovina project and the ACAP Foundation. Additionally, she showcased the Monograph of Croatian Emigrant Poetry in New York and invited attendees to the 25th-anniversary celebration of this literary organisation in New York.

(Photo: Private album)

Milestone Anniversaries and Future Projects

Dr Damir Čulić from Adelaide announced preparations for the 75th anniversary of the first Croatian society in Australia, founded in 1950. He also discussed several projects underway to commemorate this milestone.

The event also welcomed poet Ruža Bučak Dabić from Melbourne, representing the Croatian Emigrant Poetry of New York. She surprised attendees with a heartfelt recital of her poem about Županja. So far, she has published four poetry books.

Dr Ivica Ivo Josipović, a political scientist from Melbourne, made his debut at the AHK meeting, presenting his extensive work, which includes eight books, covering topics such as the Franciscans in Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatian statehood.

Preparations Begin for the 6th Croatian World Games

Ivan Jurinović, a football coach at La Trobe University and head coach for Victoria’s U17 girls’ team, presented his strategy for preparing Australia’s team for the 6th Croatian World Games in 2027.

While the host city is yet to be announced, Australia is already organising scouting visits to Croatian clubs across the country to select young male and female football players (16+ years) to represent Australia at the Games.

(Photo: Private album)

Ivan Perkov from Geelong highlighted the successful work of HKUD Lado, which operates within the Geelong Croatian Community Centre. Sergio Marušić, editor and host at Croatian Radio Melbourne, emphasised the importance of the Croatian World Games in connecting the Croatian diaspora with their homeland.

Joining remotely from Lastovo, Ivan Škratulja, President of the Victoria branch of AHK, updated attendees on life and work on the remote Croatian island and mentioned upcoming projects planned in both Australia and Croatia.

The Croatian Catholic Centre St. Nikola Tavelić in Clifton Hill, the oldest Croatian Catholic centre in Australia, proved to be an outstanding host. Monsignor Bosiljko Rajić and his team received well-deserved praise for organising a memorable and impactful event that further strengthened the unity of the Croatian community in Australia and beyond.