Speech by H.E. Marko Ham, Ambassador
of the Republic of Slovenia to Australia on the occasion of the International Women's Day Triglav Mounties Club Sydney, 4th March 2024
Ms Smuk is an Australian-Slovenian dual national and an active member of the Australian expatriate community in Slovenia. She is an accomplished businessperson in the fields of real estate and property development and has been dedicated to community service for more than 25 years.
Ms Smuk brings to the role a depth of knowledge of Australian culture, society and politics as well as strong professional networks in Slovenia.
Ms Smuk maintains a deep connection with her Australian home, Sydney, to where she first migrated in 1984.
As Australia’s Honorary Consul Ms Smuk will provide consular services to Australians in Slovenia in accordance with the Consular Services Charter, and is authorised to conduct interviews for Australian travel documents.
More than 45,000 Australians visit Slovenia each year, and approximately 150 Australians are living and working in Slovenia.
Patri obiskujejo slovensko skupnost
na poti po Avstraliji
V sredo, 7. februarja 2024, smo se vsi patri - p. Simon Peter, p. Darko, p. David, p. Ciril - zbrali skupaj s slovenskim občestvom v Avstraliji
Srečanje v Sydneyu v nedeljo, 11. februarja 2024
40. obletnica blagoslovitve cerkve v Figtree v Wollongongu, 11. 2. 2024
Srečanje v Klubu Triglav
Mednarodni romarski kraj Ta Pinu, uro vožnje zahodno iz Melbourna.
V sredo, 7. februarja 2024, smo se vsi patri - p. Simon Peter, p. Darko, p. David, p. Ciril - zbrali skupaj s slovenskim občestvom na romarskem kraju Marian Valley, uro vožnje z avtom (šoferka Marija) zahodno z Gold Coasta (Surfers Paradise).
Ob 11. uri dopoldne smo darovali sv. mašo, se po maši v procesiji napotili do slovenske kapelice Marije Pomagaj in se po fotografiranju ob spomeniku sv. Janezu Pavlu II. odpeljali v bližnje mesto, kjer je vodstvo slovenskega društva Planinka vse romarje počastilo s kosilom, med katerim smo nazdravili p. Davidu, ki je ta dan dopolnil 60 let. Seveda smo se ga spomnili že tudi prej pri sveti maši in seveda že tudi z vigilijo.
Moram seveda tudi povedati, da niso prezrli mojih 70 let in me presenetili z darom.
Z nami potuje tudi prof. dr. Renato Podberšič ml., ki snema pričevalce.
Mislim, da se imamo vsi lepo in da smo prinesli precej veselja rojakom. Tako nam zatrjujejo. Mi pa smo jim hvaležni za prisrčno dobrodošlico.
Z rojaki v Južni Avstraliji pa smo prejšnjo nedeljo, 4. februarja 2024, obhajali sveto daritev v adelaidski slovenski cerkvi Svete Družine v West Hindmarsh in po sveti maši še praznično kosilo v dvoranci, seveda s praznično torto in zapisanimi leti: 49, 60, 70: Marija, p. David, p. Ciril. Hvala vsem dobrim ljudem, ki nas spremljate na poti življenja.
Vsem prisrčen pozdrav in ponosno; 8. februar je danes: Bog našo nam deželo, Bog živi ves svet!.
Oj, Triglav, moj dom! - But I still call Australia home!
Bog živi!
pater Ciril A. Božič OFM OAM
AN IMPORTANT LETTER TO THE SLOVENIAN COMMUNITY!
I received an important message from three important people in Slovenian community.
It says:
3 January 2024 ,Sydney
Dear Community, We are writing to announce our resignation as members of the Slovene Association, Sydney Committee.
As many of you know, this association has been a deeply important part of our lives for many decades. Alfred was among the founders of the association and the subscribers to its memorandum of association, as was Olga’s mother and father, Marija and Vinko Ovijach. Jože and Olga have served as President and Secretary of the association respectively, in addition to holding many volunteer roles.
Coming together to support our fellow Slovene Australians and celebrate our cultural heritage has brought us immeasurable joy. For many years, we have proudly served this association as an expression of our commitment to the purposes for which it was founded. In turn, we are incredibly fortunate to have built lifelong friendships within this vibrant and wonderful community.
It has been an honour and privilege for us to be a part of the leadership of the association. It is with great sadness that we have decided to leave the Committee.
As always, we wish the association and its leadership the very best.
Yours sincerely, Olga Lah Jože Lah Alfred (Fredi) Brežnik
Reported by: Martha Magajna Public relations for Slovenian comunity