The Slovenians enjoyed participation at the Royal Melbourne Show 1959 where they could showcase the Slovenian traditions, arts and crafts, and at times,culinary goodies as well.Traditional Slovenian crafts, national costume and the tourism jewel Lake BledSlovenian couple dressed in Slovenian national costume of Gorenjska region at the Royal Melbourne Show in 1959. The painting shows the tourist attraction Lake Bled and many traditional items of craft were placed in the exhibition as well. The man in the photo is Leopold Jalk.Couple dressed in Slovenian national costume, painting of Lake Bled and Slovenian traditional craftsslovenian national costume, slovenian crafts, lake bled, royal melbourne show

An invitation to Slovenians to visit the Slovenian exhibition at the Royal Melbourne Show on September 28 to October 7, 1961.In Slovenian - Slovenians, visit the Slovenian exhibition at the Royal Melbourne Show and dates, beautifully decorated with a family in Slovenian national costumes.invitation, royal melbourne show

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

Next step Slovenian refugees moving on from refugee camp in Latina to a new start in Australia end of September 1960 with the ship FlaminiaSlovenian refugees ready to leave Latina camp, ItalyBlack and white photo of a group of Slovenian refugeesslovenian refugees in italy, slovenian association melbourne

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

Slovenian Mass was offered to Slovenians only at special occasions in the early 50s for there was no priest stationed in Melbourne until 1956. They sang Slovenian hymns, met new friends and spoke in Slovenian language. This mass occurred in Clifton Hill.slovenian mass,

Group of young Slovenians in an Italian refugee camp

Miss Slovenian Community was selected every year at the Slovenian Association Melbourne. Young girls of Slovenian origin participated and collected donations, used for a known charity in Victoria.White satin sash awarded to the Miss Slovenian Community in 1985 Miss Angelique Van De Laak. She was selected among a group of other young ladies, being of one or two Slovenian parents. Angelique was tragically killed in a car accident years later. The sash is inscribed with the text: Miss Slovenian Community, 1985, Slovenian Association Melbournemiss slovenian community, angelique van de laak, 1985, white satin sash

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 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 Participating at Melbourne Moomba festival in 1969 or 1970Slovenians in Slovenian national costume, Moomba festival MelbourneColour photo of Anica (Anne) Markic and Alojz (Lojze ) Markic in Slovenian national costume in front of the home of Slovenian Association Melbourneo priort o participating in a dance at Moomba festival melbourneslovenians, slovenian association melbourne

Slovenians performingSlovenian function in MelbourneBlack and white photofunction, performance

Slovenians on the move to a new countryMoving onBlack and white photoimmigration

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

A gathering of Slovenians at the refugee camp in Italy, Latina prior to sailing to AustraliaSlovenians Moving on from the camp in Latina, Italy to a new future in AustraliaBlack and white photo slovenians in latina, slovenian association melbourne

Slovenian waited a long time to have the opportunity to purchase a building for their Slovenski Dom. Many hours of asking, collecting donations, organising fundraising paid off, and they could not be more proud of their achievement.A very important dayLadies singing at the cultural program celebrating the opening of the Slovenski Dom in Carlton in 1960. The performers were dressed in Slovenian national costumesThe opening of the Slovenian centre in Carlton 1960slovenski dom opening, slovenian centre in carlton, slovenian songs, slovenian national costumes

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

When St Nicholas visits every year, the angels help him to give presents to the good children and the naughty are taken and frightened by the red-clothed devils with chains. Slovenians all over the world keep this tradition.A special tradition, adapted in every nations to their need and possibilietsBlack and white photo of St Nicholas with Slovenian children (and adults) held every year in first week of December. He was accompanied by the angels and devils.Traditional Slovenian customs celebrated every yearst nicholas, sv miklavž, celebration, angels, devils

Wooden plates a traditional Slovenian item for various souvenirs and celebration items. The plates were produced for the 25th Anniversary of the Slovenian Association MelbourneCelebrated anniversaryWooden carved plate with the carved text -Slovenian Association Melbourne, Silver Anniversary and some floral and geometrical ornamentsSlovensko društvo Melbourne v priznanje in spomin ob 25. letnici - Slovenian Assocaition Melbourne in appreciation at the time of Silver Jubillee. SDM 1954-1979wooden carved plate, slovenian association melbourne, silver jubillee

Every Miss Community winner received a trophy with the inscription of the year and the Association presentingTrophies were kept by the entrant - winner as a memento of the year entered the quest and the winning title.Miss Slovenian Community 1985 gold plated trophy1985, Miss Slovenian Community Slovenian Association Melbournetrophy, miss slovenian community 1985, angelique van de laak

Emblem of the Slovenian Bocce Association of Slovenian Association Melbourne, being a part of Slovenian Bocce Association of Victoria, worn by the competitors for the Victorian, interstate and overseas competitions.SDM - Slovenian Association Melbourne S:B:Z: - VIC. - Slovenska balinarska zveza Viktorije - Slovenian Bocce Association Victoriaemblem, slovenian association melbourne, bocce

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

Slovenian Association Melbourne - 35th Anniversary badge in the shape of a Linden leaf, an old Slovenian symbolic tree. The linden tree is a tree of friendship, love and loyalty. During the period of the Slovenian national awakening and the Slovenian people's increasing national awareness, the linden tree became one of the symbols of the Slovenian nation.Slovensko društvo Melbourne 35 - 1954 - 1989 Slovenian Associationbadge, slovenian association melbourne, 35th anniversary, linden leaf

Slovenian Association Melbourne 35th Anniversary keyring in Slovenian flag colours, Southern Cross, Mt Triglav and Slovenian national flower, the red carnation. The keyring was available to all members of the SAM.Slovenian Association Melbourne S:D:M: 35th EST. 1954slovenian association melbourne, keyring, 35th anniversary

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

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

Gathering of Slovenians at a dance in Prahran Town Hall in early 1960sSlovenian function at Prahran Town hallBlack and white photo of young Slovenians Attending a Slovenian dance in Prahranslovenians in melbourne, slovenian association melbourne

Exhibition panel of the Slovenian Exhibition at the Melbourne Immigration MuseumA New Beginning V novo bodocnost (in Slovenian)

Slovenian Association Melbourne 40th Anniversary badge, značkaSlovenian Association Melbourne 40 S:D:M: 1954 - 1994badge, značka, slovenian associoation melbourne, 40th anniversary

Medallion was presented to the foundation members of the Slovenian Association Melbourne commemorating the commencement of the building of the new Slovenian centre - presented to the then Committee members onlyIt was a great honour to be presented with the gold Foundation Member medallionGold Foundation Member round metal medallion was presented to the then Committee members of Slovenian Association Melbourne at the time of building of the Slovenian CentreSlovensko društvo Melbourne and a blue symbolfoundation member, committee members, slovenian association melbourne, new slovenian centre