On Sunday 19 December 1954 at 3.30 pm, 52 people attended the inaugural general meeting, which was held in the Catholic church hall at Theodore Street, St Albans. Slovenians at the meeting were enthused at the prospect of developing closer ties and a committee was formed to organise the next dance. This humble beginning laid the groundwork for the establishment of the first Slovenian organisation in Melbourne, Victoria.On 5 December 1954 the first meeting of the club’s preparatory committee was held at 36 Prentice Street, East St Kilda with 26 people in attendance. The group prepared a list of regulations and decided on the name Slovenski klub Melbourne – Slovenian Club Melbourne (SCM). The first Minutes of the Meeting announced the club’s statement of purpose: • to assist migrants of Slovenian origin; • to assist assimilation to the Australian way of life; • to help Slovenian migrants in every possible way, especially financially; • to help Slovenian refugees in Europe, especially those who wanted to find a a new and free life in Australia; • to offer members and their friends healthy intellectual and physical activities in the cultural, social and sports arenas; and • to cultivate a Slovenian cultural heritage while also making contributions to their Australian community.A sepia photo of the Slovenians attending the first meeting in St. Albans, 1954 Some in attendance included: Ljubo Pirnat, Paule Postarenko, Ivan Gerbec, Tinka Verbic, Zladko Verbic, Viktor Ferfolia, Tusek, Joze Pekolj, Mrs Potocnik, Joze Potocnik, Janezic, Fanc Novina, Joze Golenko.first slovenian club, slovenians in melbourne, slovenian club, regulations of first slovenian club

The performers of the first Slovenian comedy in Australia performed in 1957 at the Kensington Town Hall. The actors names are as follows:The continuation of Slovenian culture and language in AustraliaActors of the first Slovenian Drama group in 1957, performing at the Kensington Town Hall with the comedy Županova Micka. Performers include: Ivan Jenc, Zorka Boletova, Srecko Kosir, Tinka Verbic, Tone Wergles, Ludvik Pirnat, Elka Pirnat, Erik ZdrazilThe costumes were are made by the members or hiredslovenian drama group, first drama group, slovenian club melbourne

Slovenians love to play soccer and the first team was established in 1956 to play at the Boxing Day picnic at Wandin EastBlack and white photograph. From left to right: Marijan Persic, Martin Sustaric, Marijan Krajnc, Vlado, Anton Serek, Tone Sercer, Ivan Mihelj, Darko Hribernik, Damian Jovanovic, unknown, Marinac, Valter Jelenic, slovenian soccer team, slovenian club melbourne, sport

Slovenians enjoyed cultural items and performances by the drama group. The Slovenian drama group was formed in 1957 with the director Srečko Košir. They performed at the Kensington Town Hall on November 22nd 1957 at 8pm. The program was of 3 hours duration. The play was entitled Županova Micka - The Mayer's Mary.Hand illustrated newsletter typed on an old typewriter owned by the Slovenian Club MelbourneA newsletter to the Slovenian Club members inviting them to the First Slovenian Cultural Evening with the performance of the Slovenian Drama group in 1957Names of actors and the director clearly presented

Slovenian Club Melbourne were issuing the money boxes to collect extra donations and encouraging young people to save for the Slovenian cause - the Slovenski Dom, the first Slovenian Centre in MelbourneInviting Slovenians to donate and thanking them for their kindnessCard, flat box to be folded into the money box to use for the collection and saving of money to be donated to the Slovenian Club Melbourne for the Slovenski Dom in 1957Drawing of the traditional Slovenian window with the carnations and Slovenian proverbs and instructions for foldingslovenski dom, slovenian centre in melbourne, money box, slovenian proverbs

Slovenian Club Melbourne participated many times at the Royal Melbourne Show with the musicians, dancers, folk dances, art and craft exhibitions. They were always warmly welcomed.The second Slovenian children of the first generations keeping up the traditionsColour photo of the large decorative heart with the Slovenian children in national costumes and boys playing piano accordions at the Royal Melbourne Show. The children are:Young generation of Slovenians, born in Australia, keeping the Slovenian traditionsslovenian traditions, slovenian national costume, slovenian music, slovenian polka

The Slovenian Home in Carlton was purchased partially by donations and personal members loans. The Dom had comfortable rooms for meetings, drama group practices, welcoming ceremonies, some sporting activities, singing and poetry recitals.Being the first Slovenian Home in AustraliaBlack and white photo of the Blessing at the opening of the Slovenian Centre - Slovenski Dom in Carlton by Fr Basil in 1960. Slovenians were very proud to have achieved the goal and purchased a building, the very first Slovenian centre in Australia.Blessing of the Slovenian Domslovenski dom, slovenian centre in carlton, slovenian club melbourne, blessing of the centre

Slovenian (Club) Association Melbourne first home in Carlton 1960 symbolic presentation of the key to the then president.Black and white photo of the ceremony of presenting the key to the newly aquired Slovenski Dom - Slovenian Centre in Carlton in 1960. The President Vinko Molan, left, is being presented with the key by Marjan Oppelt, Marjan Lauko at the back and ? holding the pillowSignificant event in Slovenian history in Australiaslovenian association melbourne, key, presentation