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The Slovenian Community in Australia Slovenian, which has a very complex grammar, belongs to the Slav group of languages. Once part of Yugoslavia, Slovenia is bordered by Italy to the west, Croatia to the south, Hungary to the east and Austria to the north. The geographical location of the country has led to many residents being able to speak several languages, including English, which has eased their settlement in Australia. Arrival and Settlement The first Slovenians to arrive were seamen with the Austrian Navy in the mid 1850s. They returned to Slovenia with stories of their Australian experiences, a country they described as the land of gold. But despite Australia's natural wealth, most Slovenians preferred to look for new lives in Western Europe or the United States. One early Slovenian migrant was France Miklavcic, who published his impressions of Australia in V Avstralijo, or To Australia, a collection of travel sketches. Slovenians started to migrate to Australia in larger numbers when America restricted immigration in 1921 and with the rise of Fascism in Italy from around 1924. Mass migration commenced with political refugees, who left their homeland to escape the Communist regime of post-Second World War Yugoslavia. At the time, Australia needed workers for the Snowy Mountains Hydro Scheme and other large engineering projects. Slovenians, among many other European migrants, easily found work. Slovenian migration to Australia reached a peak during the 1950s and 1960s as so-called economic migrants fled Communist Yugoslavia. In 1966, official contact was established between the Australian and Yugoslav governments and an Australian Migration Office was opened in Belgrade, easing the dangers of illegal migration. In The Australian People, edited by James Jupp, Slovenia is reputed to have extremely low levels of illiteracy. It places a strong emphasis on education and has recorded some of the world's highest per capita levels of books sales. These social advantages have been continued by Slovenians in their adopted home. One of the main community events of the year, in New South Wales, is the Higher School Certificate Ball, which celebrates the end of school and congratulates new graduates who come from a Slovenian background. Although scattered throughout Australia, the Slovenian community has established a strong network of religious and cultural centres and clubs. Most Slovenians live in the capital cities, particularly Melbourne and Sydney. There are also communities in Adelaide and the industrial centres of Wollongong, Newcastle and Geelong. Community Contacts There are many organisations connected to the Slovenian community in Australia. This Website lists most of them www.glasslovenije.com.au Glas Slovenije: Sticisce avstralskih Slovencev, Slovenians in Australia Federation of Ethnic Communities' Councils of Australia, PO Box 344 Curtin, ACT 2605 Phone:02 6282 5755 Fax: 02 6282 5734 Special Events Calendar SBS Radio's Slovenian Program presents special coverage of these and other community events throughout the year. February 8 Slovenian Cultural Day "Presernov dan" February Slovenian Carnival, New South Wales March Beekeeping Festival April Easter April/May Slovenian Biennial Festival May Mothers' Day June 25 National Day September Fathers' Day Old Vine Festival October Slovenian Youth Concert November St Martin's Traditional Wine Tasting Festival December St Nicola's Day Christmas Recommended Websites www.ijs.si A guide to Virtual Slovenia www.delo.si Daily newspaper, Delo www.kabi.si Electronic newspaper www.sta.si Slovenian Press Agency www.ognjisce.si A Catholic Church site www.thezaurus.com Institute for Slovenian Studies of Victoria site Publications Glas Slovenije The Voice of Slovenia Fortnightly newspaper for Slovenians abroad. Misli Thoughts A religious and cultural monthly publication. |
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