Slovenes in Australia

The Slovenian population of Australia has been estimated to total about 25,000. It is widely dispersed in all the states of Australia, with largest groups residing in Melbourne, and followed by Sydney. This excludes the second generation of Australians whose parents are of Slovenian origin. There are now twenty-five Slovenian organizations in Australia.

The major wave of migration to Australia occurred around 1950. The Slovenian community soon established social organisations. These were a place for social, community and cultural activities. In Melbourne, the first Slovenian club, Melbourne, was formed in 1954. In the following years other associations were established in various parts of Melbourne and Geelong, providing social, recreational and school facilities: Jadran, Ivan Cankar, Planica, Snežnik, Veseli Lovci. In time they formed The Council of Slovenian Organisations of Victoria, which is a coordinating body. The Slovenian National Council of Victoria was formed to represent the Slovenian community and promote Slovenian cultural activities and programmes.

The associations hold cultural, sporting and social functions throughout the year and contribute to the awareness of Slovenian cultural heritage. The associations organize cultural events with: art and craft displays, performances in music, drama, dancing, by the local and wider community, and guest performers from Slovenia and other countries.

The Slovenian Franciscan order came to Australia in 1951 and has established churches in Adelaide, Melbourne, and Sydney. It has played a vital role in the religious and cultural life of the Slovenian community. The Slovenian Religious and Cultural Centre in Melbourne, SS. Cyril and Methodius Mission, was founded in 1960, the first of Slovenian religious and cultural centres in Australia. The centre is a complex of: the Church of SS. Cyril and Methodius, Baraga House, Baraga Library, the Mother Romana Hostel for the Aged, and Slomšek Primary School. Cultural events and concerts for the community are held in the church hall. 

The community voice is heard in the media and printed press. In Melbourne the Slovenian programme is broadcast on SBS radio and 3ZZZ weekly. Since 1975, Slovenian has been broadcast on the radio, and is heard in all capital cities of Australia. On Channel 31 television, “Slovenian Magazine” is presented every fortnight; first sponsored by the Slovenian National Council of Victoria, and donations. In Melbourne the Slovenian Franciscan Friars issue the monthly journal “Misli -Thoughts” established in 1952. It is a religious and cultural magazine in Slovenian, with articles and detailed information about community activities and events. It is distributed throughout Australia and overseas, with online archives. In Sydney, the Slovenian Network in Australia is a media web service for Slovenes and community groups news, usually published in Slovenian. It started in 1993 as the Australian Slovenian monthly news journal "Glas Slovenije", and was published on the Web as Slovenian Media House from 1996.
 

In Australia there have been over a time twelve Slovenian newspapers in circulation and over one hundred Slovenian books and periodicals published in Australia.

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