It was a memorable moment when the Slovenian Club Melbourne Coat of Arms was introduced to use on the letterheads, badges and invitations. It represents the Slovenian community under the Southern Cross.Coat of Arms of the Slovenian Club MelbourneBlack and white photo of the Committee members of the Slovenian Club Melbourne in 1958. They are photographed with the Slovenian Club Melbourne Coat of Arms.Slovenian Club Melbourne Coat of Armscoat of arms of slovenian club melbourne, slovenians, southern cross

Slovenian Club Melbourne held an AGM every year of its existence since the establishment. The past Committee was dissolved and a new Committee was elected with the President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer. Each Committee members was given a job to fulfil.The AGM meetings were taken very seriously by the Slovenian Club Melbourne membersBlack and white photo of the members of the Slovenian Club Melbourne at the Annual general meeting in 1958 inThe great attendance at the AGM meetingslovenian club melbourne, annual general meeting, 1958,

Slovenian Club - Slovenian Centre building in Park Street Carlton purchased and opened in 1960. The Slovenians have gathered for the official openingslovenski dom, carlton, 1960

Vestnik - Messenger was established in 1955 and it brought news and cultural events to the members of Slovenian Club Melbourne and other subscribers. There were various editors, among them the longest term was by Marjan Persič. The issue in this file was edited by K. Kodrič.Vestnik is full of current and historical news, advertisements, notices and articles.Front page of the Vestnik - MessengerThe page introduces the establishment of the Chess and Hunters groups at the Slovenian Club Melbournevestnik, messenger, slovenian newspaper, slovenian club melbourne

The proud Slovenians in melbourne celebrated their important day, a milestone in the history of Slovenians in AustraliaSymbolic logo depicting Southern Cross and the second logo depicting Ljubljana, capital of Slovenia, performing arts: literature, stage performances, music, dance, entwined with flowers above the boomerang. The invitation also includes a proverbAn official invitation to the members, special guests and friends to the official opening of the Slovenski Dom in Carlton, on 4th September1960 at 4pm.Symbolic logo depicting Southern Cross and the second logo depicting Ljubljana, capital of Slovenia, performing arts: literature, stage performances, music, dance, entwined with flowers above the boomerang. The invitation also includes a proverbsymbolic slovenian logo, opening of slovenian centre, slovenski dom

Authority Certificate for the Building Fund for Slovenian Club House issued to Mr Gomizel of Essendon, signed by the then president Zlatko VerbičStamped and signedslovenian association melbourne, building fund authority certificate

Slovenian Club Melbourne Cultural program with many participants dressed in the national costumes, Slovenian music band and poetry recitalsslovenian association melbourne, cultural program

The members and non-members of the Slovenian Club Melbourne collected money for the purchase of the Slovenski Dom. The fundraising began in 1957.The receipt has donors address, signature of the collector and dateHonorary Receipt for a Donation or a Loan to the Slovenian Club Melbourne for its Building Fund in 1957, signed by M. LaukoA promise to donate with the donators address, date and collectors signaturehonorary receipt, 1957, slovenian club melbourne

The photo was taken at either Station or Princes Pier in Port Melbourne. President Verbič talked to the migrants in Slovenian language making them welcomed and helping them to overcome the trauma of leaving behind parents, relatives and friendsFor Slovenians the meeting of another Slovenian in a foreign land is very significant, especially with the promise of help and understandingBlack and white photo of the President Zlatko Verbič welcoming Slovenian migrants at Port Melbourne. The Slovenian Club welcomed as many migrants arriving as possible to make their stay in Australia more friendly and homely.slovenian migrants, port melbourne, president zlatko verbic, slovenian language, migrants, trauma

Slovenian Association Snooker group was competing with other Slovenian clubs in Victoria and with German club. They won many trophies. The emblem was worn on thier uniform.Slovenian club Melbourne Snooker Groupemblem, slovenian association melbourne, snooker

Audiences enjoyed all the cultural performances of the Slovenian Club Melbourne and attendance was always very wellBlack and white photograph Some members in audience include: Viktor Lauko senior, Frank Fekonja senior, Zladko Verbic, Mici Hartman. Held at St Bridget's hall North Fitzroy.audience at cultural evenings, slovenian club melbourne, enjoying

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

Slovenians always celebrate Easter and special celebrations were well attended: the church service and the Easter Monday picnicsKeeping the Slovenian traditions alive in AustraliaEaster celebrations invitation to the members of Slovenian Club Melbourne in 1958 with a cute illustrationslovenian easter, slovenian traditions, easter monday picnic

Beautiful Slovenian tradition of awaiting St Nicholas and his entourage: angels and devilsTraditional dress, decoration and the hatSt Nicholas giving gifts to the children of Slovenian Club Melbourne and their friends in 1959Traditionaly dressed St Nicholas with his Bishop's stickslovenian st nicholas, slovenian tradition, angels, devils, angeli, parkelji

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

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

Slovenians loved to participate at the cultural and multicultural events and have proudly displayed their traditional national costume of Gorenjska region in Slovenia. The dancers have entertained the visitors with the lively Polka and waltz dancing and the musician on a piano accordion expressed his joy. traditional Slovenian national costume of Gorenjska region - SloveniaGroup of Slovenian musicians and dances participation at the Royal melbourne Show in 1956. The Slovenian Club Melbourne was always in favour of participating at the Australian and multicultural events.The heart was a sign of love for this beautiful and welcoming country Australiaslovenian national costume, gorenjska, slovenia, piano accordion, polka, slovenian songs

Performance by the Drama GroupInvitation to the Cultural performance on Boxing Day in 1960, organised by the Slovenian Club Melbourne. The venue: St Brigid's Hall, 378 Nicholson Street, North Fitzroy, Melbourne.Hand drawn symbolic presentationinvitation, cultural performance

Slovenians love Shrovetide carnivals. People come dressed in costumes and masks, dance, select the best masks and are preparing for the LentBlack and white photograph Masquerade ball held at Broadmeadows Town hallpustovanje, pustni ples, shrovetide carnival, slovenian club melbourne, carnival masks

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

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

The Slovenians loved to organised dances for various occasions and May Evening was another one. The invitation clearly states the venue, date and time of the function in both languages: Slovenian and English.Slovenians love to dance and they organised dances for different occasions, among them the May Evening Dance. The invitation was to the dance at the Prahran Town Hall, Greville Street, starting at 7pm on Saturday, May 12, 1956typeset and printed invitationslovenian may evening dance, prahran town hall slovenian dance, slovenian club melbourne

Slovenians are very proud of their mountain Mt Triglav, towering 2864m high in the Alps region of Slovenia. It is their symbol of greatness, might, power and strength. They love to sing songs about Mt Triglav, they used the mountain as the emblem and in many ways culturally.The Aljaž tower was built with card and painted for the occasionBlack and white photo of some participants of the Mountaineers dance in 1955 held at Prahran Town hall. Some people who attended: Mici Hartman, Max Hartman senior, Mima Adamic, Martin Adamic, Marijan Persic, Franc Hartman, Tinka Verbic, Zladko Verbic, Zerdoner Vekoslav, Mrs Potocnik.The photo showcases the Aljaž tover, which stands on top of Mt Triglav, the highest mountain in Slovenia (2984m) and the participants enjoying the eventmt trigla, aljaž tower, slovenian alps, slovenian club melbourne

The happy Slovenian can find any reason to dance, sing and enjoy Slovenian music. For occasions they were very quite innovative and used every opportunity to get together and speak in their bellowed Slovenian language, meet friends, some who met life partners.The innovative design of the Winter themeSlovenians love to dance in Winter, or in the heat of the Summer. The invitation invites Slovenians to a Winter Dance on Saturday, August 10, 1957 at the Prahran Town Hall, Melbourne.Hand lettered and decorated title of the dancewinter slovenian dance, slovenian club melbourne, slovenian music

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

Slovenians love gatherings and picnics. In 1959 buses took Slovenians to Mt Macedon, where they had a picnic with traditional Slovenian foods, game of volleyball, singing and having conversation in Slovenian language as well as meeting new friendsslovenian club melbourne, slovenian association melbourne, slovenian picnic, mt macedon

Black and white photo of Slovenian children playing games and competing at the Slovenian picnic in Wandin East in 1959. The picnics were organised by the Slovenian Club Melbourne on Easter Mondays and Boxing Day.The large attendance of Slovenian childrenslovenian picnic, wandin east

Invitation was sent to all the members of Slovenian Club Melbourne and friends.An important event for the Slovenians, who wished to have as many interactions with other SloveniansInvitation to the outing to Mt Macedon, Victoria on Sunday, February 22nd, 1959. The invitation tells of the meeting place in front of the State Cinema on Flinders Street, from where the buses will take the Slovenians and friends via Diggers Rest, Gisborne to village Macedon and than to Mt Macedon.Hand drawn illustration of trees, title and typed textinvitation, slovenain association melbourne

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

Slovenians of the Slovenian Club Melbourne loved to organise cultural evening with songs, poetry, dances and drama. The audience enjoyed every performance.Preservation of the Slovenian culture, language and traditionsBlack and white photograph Some members in the audience include: Fr Bazili Valentin, Leopold Jalikslovenian cultural evening, slovenian poetry, slovenian songs, slovenian drama, slovenian music