Mihelca Šušteršič, rojena v Ljubljani in po preživetih mladih letih v Lescah na Gorenjskem, se je po prihodu v Avstralijo 1959. leta s pokojnim možem Ivotom prvo naselila v Woollahri, kjer je takrat živelo veliko Slovencev.

Prvih slovenskih prireditev sta se udeleževala v dvorani sv.Frančiška v Paddingtonu, kjer sta spoznala druge aktivne Slovence, ki so že sodelovali pri organiziranju slovenske skupnosti.

1962. leta se je na povabilo Ivana Koželja pridružila igralski skupini, kjer še danes sodeluje kot igralka, šepetalka, koordinator odra in garderobe, blagajničarka, skrbi za reklame, vabila, vstopnice, programme, in še kaj.

1964. leta se je vključila v ustanvovni odbor “Akcija za dom”, organizacija, ki je začela zbirati sredstva za nakup zemljišča za prvi “Slovenski dom” v Sydneyu. Aktivno je tudi sodelovala v času osamosvajanja Slovenije.

Mihelca je vedno sodelovala ob pomembnih obletnicah slovenske cerkve, društev in slovenske skupnosti na splošno.

Bila je del majhne skupine, ki je pripravila številne razstave in publikacije, kot so razstava “Building Blocks” v okviru Olimpijade 2000, deseta obletnica nezavisnosti Slovenije, 45-ta obletnica Slovenskega društva, zlata maša p. Valerijana in petdeset letnica Misli.

Leta 2002 je postala ustanovni član Historičnega arhiva za slovenske Avstralce v NSW, HASA na kratko, kjer še danes pridno in prostovoljno sodeluje kot raziskovalka in delavka pri zbiranju in urejanju arhivskega gradiva. Istočasno vodi blagajniška dela HASE. V zadnjem letu dela tudi kot delna računovodkinja pri cerkvi sv. Rafaela.

Mihelca Šušteršič was born in Ljubljana and grew up at Lesce in the Gorenjska region.

She arrived in Sydney Australia with her husband Ivan in 1959. They soon found contact with other Slovenians, who were already very active within the Slovenian community.

In 1962 On invitation by Ivan Kozelj, Mihelca became a member of the Slovenian drama group. She is still today a performer and one of the main driving forces in the Group. Mihelca plays a major role in the co-ordination of the drama group, within the wardrobe department, as well as looking after all of the group’s various requirements. She does the bookwork, promotional activities and is instrumental in the planning of the events and the invitations of its guests.

Since 1964, as a member of the Slovenian Association Sydney, she has helped with various cultural events, celebrations, presentations and fundraisings.

In 1990 she assisted with collecting money and assistance for a new Slovenia, and was one of the first members of the Slovenian National Council for NSW.

Mihelca has also been involved with the St. Rafael’s Slovenian Church at Merrylands, assisting with various presentations throughout the years. She was part of the 10th anniversary of the Slovenian independence, the Golden Jubilee Mass for Father Valerian and the 50th Anniversary of the Slovenian Religious magazine “Misli” or “Thoughts”.

In 2002 Mihelca was instrumental in the establishment of HASA, the Historical Archives for the Slovenian Australian for NSW, where she is still active as a volunteer researcher and collector of the information for the archives. She is also acting treasurer for HASA.

This year Mihelca has also taken on the position of volunteer weekly bookkeeper for the St. Rafael’s Slovenian church at Merrylands.

Mihelca is one of those essential quiet forces, who keeps our community going and we wish she will continue doing this for a very long time to come. Congratulations and thank you for a job well done.