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

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

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

Slovenians Performing at a concert in 1962/63 at St Brigit"s Hall in Fitzroy north "VESELI VECER"Slovenian function in 1962/63Black and white photo of Slovenians in Melbourne performint at a concert VESELI VECER 1962 or 1963 at St Brigits Hall, Fitzroyslovenians in melbourne, slovenian association melbourne

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

Embroidered emblem of the HUnters and Anglers section of the Slovenian Association Melbourne, worn on their dark green uniform for competitions and paradesSDM - Slovenian Association Melbourne LRD - Hunters and Anglers Groupemblem, slovenian association melbourne, hunters and anglers

Preliminary sketch for the future building structures of Slovenian Association MelbourneDrawing of the building - the future Slovenian Association Melbourneslovenian association melbourne, building sketch

Slovenian Association Melbourne - Hunters and Anglers badge was worn by the group members at competitions and parades.SDM - Slovensko društvo Melbourne Slovenian Association Melbourne LRD - Lovska ribiška družina - Hunters and Anglersbadge, slovenian association melbourne, hunters and anglers

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 melbourne - 25th Anniversary badge from 1979. It was a great and important milestone, celebrated at the new premises in Research, MelbourneSlovenian Association Melbourne Silver Jubilee -S.D.M. 25 - Srebrni jubilej, 1954 - 1979badge, slovenian association melbourne, 25th anninversary

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

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

Golden Jubilee Anniversary of the Slovenian Association Melbourne was an unforgettable event for members, friends and visitors. The Slovenian hill at Research became alive with song, rainbow colours, dances, choir, poetry, sporting competitions, exhibitions, great food and drinks, children entertainment and many happy people.Slovenian Association Melbourne 2004 Golden Jubilee 50th Est. 1954badge, slovenian association melbourne, golden jubilee

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 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,

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

30th Anniversary badge of Slovenian Association Melbourne, celebrated in 1984 with a rich cultural program, showcasing choir singing, music, childrens, youth and adult folk dancing groups, poetry, narrating organised by Draga Gelt and exceptional finale item by 30 marching girls choreohraphed by Magda Pišotek.SDM (Slovensko društvo Melbourne - Slovenian Association Melbourne) 30 - 1954-1984bagde, slovenian association melbourne, 30th 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

Every year the Slovenian Association Melbourne selected Mother of the Year. Sometimes the school children wrote essays and the author's mother of the best essay became Mother of the Year, receiving a sash and flowersRed satin sash with gold tassle1989 S.D.M. (Slovensko društvo Melbourne - Slovenian Association Melbourne) Mother of the Yearslovenian mother of the year, 1989, slovenian association melbourne,

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

Slovenians performing at Veseli Vecer in 1962/63 St Brigit's Hall, Fitzroy North organized by Slovenian Association MelbourneSlovenian function Veseli VecerBlack and white photo of Slovenian performers at a concert VESELI VECER organized by Slovenian Association Melbourne. Performers amongst others are Slavko Kregar, trumpeter, in the centre Lojze Markic dancing with Jenny ?slovenian function, slovenian association melbourne

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

Plaque on a spinning wheel, from year 1896, presented to Slovenian Association Melbourne at the occassion of the Kmečka Ohcet - Peasants Wedding in Ljubljana, 1974. At the special wedding were married Magda and Darko Hribernik.Inscription in Slovenian language: Kolovrat - 1896 v spomin SDM na kmečko ohcet 1974 v Ljubljani Darko in Magda Hribernik The spinningwheel - 1896 as a memento to the Slovenian Association Melbourne, of the Peasant Wedding 1974 in Ljubljana, Darko and Magda Hribernikplague, spinning wheel, slovenian association melbourne, kmecka ohcet

Monument to the deceased members at the Slovenian Association Melbourne slovenian association melbourne, monument

Colour photo of childrens' playground at the Slovenian Association melbourneslovenian association melbourne, children's playground

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

Colour photo of the presentation of the Perpetual Trophy to the hunters of Slovenian Association Melbournetrophy, hunter group, slovenian association melbourne

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

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