The Slovenian Cultural Day, marking the death of Slovenia's greatest poet, Dr. France Prešeren is celebrated every year on the 8 February. This particular day is also a national holiday in Slovenia. The Slovenian Community in Melbourne marked this special event with Holy Mass in the Saints Cyril and Methodius Slovenian Church in Kew, followed by a rich cultural program in the church hall. The Slovenian Drama Group in Melbourne, along with other well known performers within the Slovenian Community participated in the program, which was capably organized and led by Mrs Draga Gelt OAM. During the event, there was also a book launch for the new book OD TU DO TAM, NIKJRE DOMA by author, Mrs Cilka Žagar from Lighting Ridge in NSW. Prešeren Day was also marked at the Slovenian Assocation Planica in Melbourne with a short program and an afternoon of great music and entertainment by the world button accordion champion, Denis Novato. He was accompanied on guitar by John Ferfolja from Canada. Katarina Vanderlinden, one of the broadcasters for the Slovenian Program on SBS Radio organized the cultural program, in which she also performed by reciting Prešeren's world famous poetry and singing a number of popular Slovenian songs. We were fortunate enough to speak with two special guests from Slovenia, who were present at the event held at Kew. Jasmina Ilič-Drakovič is the main secretary for the organization of the Slovenian Emigrant Society. Barbara Suša has a masters in Slovenian Literature and has visited Australia numerous times. We also spoke to artist, Stephanie Jakovac from Wadonga in Victoria about her work as a painter. Helena Leber, who was a former broadcaster on the Slovenian Program on SBS and 3EA and a popular member of the Slovenian Community in Australia also joined us for a chat.    - Prešernov Dan, slovenski kulturni praznik, je 8. februarja, Ta dan je tudi državni praznik v Sloveniji. Slovenci v Melbournu smo ga praznovali v nedeljo, 3. februarja pri sveti maši v slovenski cerkvi, svetih bratov Cirila in Metoda v Kewju, in nato s posebnim kulturnim programom v dvorani pod cerkvijo. Ob enem je bila tudi predstavitev pesniške zbirke Cilke Žagar iz Lightning Ridge NSW z naslovom OD TU DO TJA, NIKJER DOMA. Slovenska igralska skupina Melbourne ter posamezni glasbeniki, pevci in plesalci so pod odličnim vodstvom Gospe Drage Gelt OAM pripravili bogat kulturni program. Gostji iz Slovenije, Jasmina Ilič Draković – glavna tajnica Združenja Slovenska izseljenska matica ter Barbara Suša – magistra slovenske književnosti  sta prav tako sodelovali pri predstavitvi Cilkine pesniške zbirke. V Slovenskem Društvu Planica so na isti dan prav tako obeležili slovenski kulturni praznik kjer se je zbralo lepo število obiskovalcev. Nastopal je svetovni prvak diatonične harmonike, Denis Novato ob spremljavi kitarista, Johna Ferfolija iz Kanade. Katarina Vanderlinden, radijska napovedovalka slovenske oddaje na Radiu SBS je organizirala ta nastop s kulturnim programom, v katerem je tudi sama nastopila.  Po proslavi,  smo se pogovarjali z Gospo Jasmino Ilič Drakovič, ki je glavna tajnica Združenja Slovenska Izseljenska Matica. Gospa Barbara Suša, magistra slovenske književnosti, se je prav tako predstavila našim poslušalcem.. Umetnica in slikarka, Gospa Stephanie Jakovac iz Wadonge v Viktoriji je tudi predstavila njeno umetniško delo. Na zadnje se je oglasila nam vsem priljubljena Gospa Helena Leber, ki je več kot 20 let delala kot radijska napovedovalka na Radio 3EA in SBS.

The Slovenian Cultural Day, marking the death of Slovenia's greatest poet, Dr. France Prešeren is celebrated every year on the 8 February. This particular day is also a national holiday in Slovenia. The Slovenian Community in Melbourne marked this special event with Holy Mass in the Saints Cyril and Methodius Slovenian Church in Kew, followed by a rich cultural program in the church hall. The Slovenian Drama Group in Melbourne, along with other well known performers within the Slovenian Community participated in the program, which was capably organized and led by Mrs Draga Gelt OAM. During the event, there was also a book launch for the new book OD TU DO TAM, NIKJRE DOMA by author, Mrs Cilka Žagar from Lighting Ridge in NSW. Prešeren Day was also marked at the Slovenian Assocation Planica in Melbourne with a short program and an afternoon of great music and entertainment by the world button accordion champion, Denis Novato. He was accompanied on guitar by John Ferfolja from Canada. Katarina Vanderlinden, one of the broadcasters for the Slovenian Program on SBS Radio organized the cultural program, in which she also performed by reciting Prešeren's world famous poetry and singing a number of popular Slovenian songs. We were fortunate enough to speak with two special guests from Slovenia, who were present at the event held at Kew. Jasmina Ilič-Drakovič is the main secretary for the organization of the Slovenian Emigrant Society. Barbara Suša has a masters in Slovenian Literature and has visited Australia numerous times. We also spoke to artist, Stephanie Jakovac from Wadonga in Victoria about her work as a painter. Helena Leber, who was a former broadcaster on the Slovenian Program on SBS and 3EA and a popular member of the Slovenian Community in Australia also joined us for a chat.    - Prešernov Dan, slovenski kulturni praznik, je 8. februarja, Ta dan je tudi državni praznik v Sloveniji. Slovenci v Melbournu smo ga praznovali v nedeljo, 3. februarja pri sveti maši v slovenski cerkvi, svetih bratov Cirila in Metoda v Kewju, in nato s posebnim kulturnim programom v dvorani pod cerkvijo. Ob enem je bila tudi predstavitev pesniške zbirke Cilke Žagar iz Lightning Ridge NSW z naslovom OD TU DO TJA, NIKJER DOMA. Slovenska igralska skupina Melbourne ter posamezni glasbeniki, pevci in plesalci so pod odličnim vodstvom Gospe Drage Gelt OAM pripravili bogat kulturni program. Gostji iz Slovenije, Jasmina Ilič Draković – glavna tajnica Združenja Slovenska izseljenska matica ter Barbara Suša – magistra slovenske književnosti  sta prav tako sodelovali pri predstavitvi Cilkine pesniške zbirke. V Slovenskem Društvu Planica so na isti dan prav tako obeležili slovenski kulturni praznik kjer se je zbralo lepo število obiskovalcev. Nastopal je svetovni prvak diatonične harmonike, Denis Novato ob spremljavi kitarista, Johna Ferfolija iz Kanade. Katarina Vanderlinden, radijska napovedovalka slovenske oddaje na Radiu SBS je organizirala ta nastop s kulturnim programom, v katerem je tudi sama nastopila.  Po proslavi,  smo se pogovarjali z Gospo Jasmino Ilič Drakovič, ki je glavna tajnica Združenja Slovenska Izseljenska Matica. Gospa Barbara Suša, magistra slovenske književnosti, se je prav tako predstavila našim poslušalcem.. Umetnica in slikarka, Gospa Stephanie Jakovac iz Wadonge v Viktoriji je tudi predstavila njeno umetniško delo. Na zadnje se je oglasila nam vsem priljubljena Gospa Helena Leber, ki je več kot 20 let delala kot radijska napovedovalka na Radio 3EA in SBS.

The Slovenian Cultural Day, marking the death of Slovenia's greatest poet, Dr. France Prešeren is celebrated every year on the 8 February. This particular day is also a national holiday in Slovenia. The Slovenian Community in Melbourne marked this special event with Holy Mass in the Saints Cyril and Methodius Slovenian Church in Kew, followed by a rich cultural program in the church hall. The Slovenian Drama Group in Melbourne, along with other well known performers within the Slovenian Community participated in the program, which was capably organized and led by Mrs Draga Gelt OAM. During the event, there was also a book launch for the new book OD TU DO TAM, NIKJRE DOMA by author, Mrs Cilka Žagar from Lighting Ridge in NSW. Prešeren Day was also marked at the Slovenian Assocation Planica in Melbourne with a short program and an afternoon of great music and entertainment by the world button accordion champion, Denis Novato. He was accompanied on guitar by John Ferfolja from Canada. Katarina Vanderlinden, one of the broadcasters for the Slovenian Program on SBS Radio organized the cultural program, in which she also performed by reciting Prešeren's world famous poetry and singing a number of popular Slovenian songs. We were fortunate enough to speak with two special guests from Slovenia, who were present at the event held at Kew. Jasmina Ilič-Drakovič is the main secretary for the organization of the Slovenian Emigrant Society. Barbara Suša has a masters in Slovenian Literature and has visited Australia numerous times. We also spoke to artist, Stephanie Jakovac from Wadonga in Victoria about her work as a painter. Helena Leber, who was a former broadcaster on the Slovenian Program on SBS and 3EA and a popular member of the Slovenian Community in Australia also joined us for a chat.    - Prešernov Dan, slovenski kulturni praznik, je 8. februarja, Ta dan je tudi državni praznik v Sloveniji. Slovenci v Melbournu smo ga praznovali v nedeljo, 3. februarja pri sveti maši v slovenski cerkvi, svetih bratov Cirila in Metoda v Kewju, in nato s posebnim kulturnim programom v dvorani pod cerkvijo. Ob enem je bila tudi predstavitev pesniške zbirke Cilke Žagar iz Lightning Ridge NSW z naslovom OD TU DO TJA, NIKJER DOMA. Slovenska igralska skupina Melbourne ter posamezni glasbeniki, pevci in plesalci so pod odličnim vodstvom Gospe Drage Gelt OAM pripravili bogat kulturni program. Gostji iz Slovenije, Jasmina Ilič Draković – glavna tajnica Združenja Slovenska izseljenska matica ter Barbara Suša – magistra slovenske književnosti  sta prav tako sodelovali pri predstavitvi Cilkine pesniške zbirke. V Slovenskem Društvu Planica so na isti dan prav tako obeležili slovenski kulturni praznik kjer se je zbralo lepo število obiskovalcev. Nastopal je svetovni prvak diatonične harmonike, Denis Novato ob spremljavi kitarista, Johna Ferfolija iz Kanade. Katarina Vanderlinden, radijska napovedovalka slovenske oddaje na Radiu SBS je organizirala ta nastop s kulturnim programom, v katerem je tudi sama nastopila.  Po proslavi,  smo se pogovarjali z Gospo Jasmino Ilič Drakovič, ki je glavna tajnica Združenja Slovenska Izseljenska Matica. Gospa Barbara Suša, magistra slovenske književnosti, se je prav tako predstavila našim poslušalcem.. Umetnica in slikarka, Gospa Stephanie Jakovac iz Wadonge v Viktoriji je tudi predstavila njeno umetniško delo. Na zadnje se je oglasila nam vsem priljubljena Gospa Helena Leber, ki je več kot 20 let delala kot radijska napovedovalka na Radio 3EA in SBS.

Author of her first book of poetry "Pesmi je ime svetlova' Danica Ozvaldič visited SBS on 8th February, Slovenian cultural day, Prešernov dan. She told us more about her journey to publishing her first book, about the book itself and how it became a family affair.

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Na slovenski kulturni praznik, Prešernov dan, 8. februarja je avtorica prve pesniške zbirke"Pesmi je ime svetlova' Danica Ozvaldič obiskala SBS. Povedala nam je več o vsebini knjige, kako so jo doslej ljudje sprejeli in o obisku v Avstraliji. 

 

Jasmina Ilič Drakovič, Secretary of Združenje Slovenska izsljenska matica in Ljubljana is currently visiting Australia. On Wednesday 30th January, she met with representatives of the Slovenian organisations from Sydney, Wollongong and Newcastle at Triglav Club in Sydney, before heading to Brisbane and Melbourne. She told us more about the current working of the organisation and how they can help us rekindle our ties in the future.

https://www.zdruzenje-sim.si/

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V sredo, 30. januarja, so se predstavniki slovenskih organizacij v NSWu v Klubu Triglav v Sydneyu, srečali z Jasmino Ilič Drakovič, glavno tajnico Združenje Slovenska izsljenska matica v Ljubljani. V pogovoru je opisala več o današnjem delu organizacije in kako lahko ponovno sodelujemo z njimi v bodoče.

https://www.zdruzenje-sim.si/

Ivan Petelin was a popular musician within the Slovenian Community in Australia, who was the accordion player in the now legendary Quintet Bled for 16 years. He passed away after a long illness at the Caritas Christi Hospice in Kew, Victoria on the 5th of January 2019. Ivan was born in the town of Krško in the Dolenjska region of Slovenia on the 29th of August, 1940. He was a very passionate, genuine and friendly person and a proud Slovenian who loved his family with all his heart! Ivan's funeral was held on the 14th of January 2019 at the Saints Cyril and Methodius Slovenian Church in Kew where his band mates played one last Avsenik song at his open coffin. Ivan's nephew, Frank Petelin, along with Frank's brother in law, Peter Grivic and Ivan's long time friend and band member, Branko Kojc also played another Avsenik song next to his open grave as a final farewell to a man who was loved and respected by so many! We dedicate this special tribute to Ivan Petelin, who is regarded by many as one of the pioneers of Slovenian folk music in Australia. He and his fellow band members in Quintet Bled brought so much joy to the new Slovenian migrants arriving in Australia half a century ago, who so longed to here Slovenian music being played under the Southern Cross! We extend our sincerest condolences to the Petelin Families in Melbourne, Ivan's wife Jožica, twin daughters, Susie and Jenny and their families. May Ivan rest in God's peace. -                                                                                                                                                                                5. januarja letos, je v Caritas Christi Hospice v Kewju po dolgi bolezni umrl znan glasbenik med slovensko skupnostjo v Melbournu, Ivan Petelin. Ivan se je rodil 29. avgusta v Krško na Dolenjskem. Pokojni Ivan je bil harmonikar v sedaj legendarnem Kvintetu Bled. Ivan je bil vedno prijazen in nasmejan, tudi ko je bil zelo bolan in resnično trpel. Njegovo zadnje slovo s pogrebno sveto mašo je bilo v ponedeljek, 14. januarja v slovenski cerkvi svetih bratov Cirila in Metoda v Kewju. Njegovi glasbeni prijatelji, Branko Kojc, Alojz Dominko, Franc Verko, Peter Grivic in nečak Frank Petelin so v cerkvi, ob njegovi odprti krsti zaigrali avsenikov valček Kmetič praznuje.  Znana Avsenikova pesem, Tam kjer murke cveto je tudi zadonela pri njegovem odprtem grobu na pokopališču Keilor. Tam sta v duetu na harmoniko zaigrala Frank Petelin in Peter Grivic.  Branko Kojc, znan glasbenik v Melbournu, je bil Ivanov dober prijatelj več kot 50 let.  Katarina Vrisk, znana in aktivna med slovensko skupnostjo v Avstraliji je avtorica knjige Antologija Slovenskih Avstralskih Glasbenikov se je spomnila človeka, ki je prinašal toliko veselja k slovenski skupnosti, ko so na veliko prihajali novi slovenski priseljenci v Avstralijo, ki so tudi hrepeneli po domači slovenski glasbi. Dragi Ivan,  hvala za vaš velik doprinos k slovenski glasbi pod južnim križem. Iskreno sožalje ženi Jožici, hčerki Susie z možem Georgem in sinom Xavierom, hčerki Jenny z možem Davidom in sinom Thomasom, družini  pokojnega brata Franca Petelina ter ostalim sorodnikom in prijateljem. Dragi Ivan Petelin, počivaj v Božjem miru, in naj ti bo lahko avstralska zemlja.…

 

Button accordion world champion Denis Novato is living his dream by presenting his instrument in a different way than most of his fellow musicians in Slovenia.

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Denis Novato je svetovni prvak v igranju na diatonicno harmoniko, skladatelj in glasbenik, ki ustvarja drugacno glasbeno pot kot vecina harmonikarjev v domovini. Potuje po vsem svetu, igral je celo papezu! Kmalu bo po nekaj letih spet zabaval Slovence v Melbournu in Sydneyu.

 

Button accordion world champion Denis Novato is living his dream by presenting his instrument in a different way than most of his fellow musicians in Slovenia.

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Denis Novato je svetovni prvak v igranju na diatonicno harmoniko, skladatelj in glasbenik, ki ustvarja drugacno glasbeno pot kot vecina harmonikarjev v domovini. Potuje po vsem svetu, igral je celo papezu! Kmalu bo po nekaj letih spet zabaval Slovence v Melbournu in Sydneyu.

With the start of the school year in Australia, we spoke with teachers on both sides of the globe, Slovenia and Australia to see if there are any similarities in the schooling systems. You will hear from two teachers who have spent their lives teaching and developing young minds, Jasmina Mazej in Slovenia and Katarina Vrisk in Australia.

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Čez dober teden se bo v Avstraliji začelo novo šolsko leto, za nekatere malčke in starše prvič, za večino pa se bo ponovila že utečena rutina. Za učence avstralskih sol so se končale glavne poletne počitnice, v Sloveniji pa so že skoraj na polovici šolskega leta 2018/2019. Zanima nas, kako zelo se šolski sistem med državama razlikuje in ali so med njima tudi kakšne podobnosti. Pogovarjali smo se z dvema učiteljicama, Jasmino Mazej iz Slovenije in Katarino Vrisk iz Avstralije. Obe sta svoji življenji posvetili poučevanju in vzgajanju mladine.

Cilka Žagar is a well known author and poet who lives in the town of Lightning Ridge in NSW. Cilka is also the author a a new book titled OD TU DO TJA, NIKJER DOMA, The book was launched during a special cultural program at the Slovenian Mission in Kew on Sunday, 3rd February 2019. This program will also mark the Slovenian cultural day, Prešeren Day, which is a public holiday in Slovenian on February 8th. The program was prepared by Draga Gelt OAM with the help of other members of the Slovenian Community in Melbourne.

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Cilka Žagar, iz mesta Lightning Ridge v NSW je avtorica, pesnica in predvsem zelo prijazna gospa, ki je dobro poznana med slovensko skupnostjo v Avstraliji. Cilka je tudi avtorica nove pesniške zbirke z naslovom OD TU DO TJA, NIKJER DOMA, ki je bila predstavljena v dvorani Slovenskega Misjona v Kewju v nedeljo, 3. februarja. Kulturni program, ki je tudi obeležil Prešernov dan, slovenski kulturni praznik je pripravila Draga Gelt OAM s pomočjo članov slovenske skupnosti v Melbournu.