VINKO OVIJAČ je 1958. leta po trinajstih letih povojnega begunstva v Venezueli z družino prispel v Avstralijo. Dom so si ustvarili v Yagooni, Sydney.

Že v Venezueli je občutil kulturno praznino in isto je občutil, ko je prispel v Avstralijo. Izvedel je, da se je želja Slovenskega društva Sydney, da bi ustanovili svoj dom, izblinila v nič, in da je med rojaki prevladovala velika malodušnost.

V razočaranju je napisal pismo »Javni poziv Slovencem«, kar je februarja 1964 poslal za objavo v mesečnik Misli in kar je rodilo dolgoročne sadove.

Zbrala se je skupina ljudi, ki je, navdušena, da Slovenci dobijo svoj dom, ustanovila odbor »Akcija za dom«. Naloga »Akcije za dom« je bila zbirati denar za nakup zemljišča, na katerem se ustanovi slovenski dom. Prvih 50 funtov v novi sklad je daroval Vinko.

»Seme njegove besede je sicer pocasi poganjalo, vendar so se le prikazale iz ne preveč rodovitne zemlje prve zelene bilke,« je takrat v Mislih zapisal sodelavec, Rudi Brežnik. Vinko je hodil prosit denarja od ene slovenske družine do druge in v naslednjih 5 letih ga je družina, ki ga je vedno podpirala, videla zelo malo doma. 1969. leta je bilo kupljeno zemljišče v Horsley Parku, kjer je na »slovenskem gričku« zrastel slovenski dom za rojake v Sydneyu in okolici.

Vinko je poleg predsedniškega, tajniškega in zaupniškega dela opravljal tudi druga dela: tedensko čistil stranišča, pomival okna, urejal vrt, nadzoroval gradbena dela, poleg tega pa vodil pisarniška dela – brez računalnika.

Vinko Ovijac je pionir, ki mu je še danes, kljub visokim letom in slabemu zdravju, slovenska skupnost globoku pri srcu. Njegovo 20 letno neumorno in nesebično delo za skupnost vsekakor zapušča izreden pečat v zgodovini kluba in slovenske skupnosti nasploh. Gospod Vinko, hvala za delo, hvala za vztrajnost. Kot tak boste za vedno ostal kot žareča luč Slovencem v Sydneyu in v Avstraliji. Bog vas živi.

Vinko Ovijac in Dany Munk

VINKO OVIJAC – came to Australia with his family in 1958 after spending 13 year in Venezuela. They made their home at Yagoona.

Being very homesick for his beloved Slovenia, he felt a cultural void in Venezuela and again in his new adopted country, Australia. Learning that an attempt by the Slovene Association Sydney to own its own premises had failed left him very frustrated. In February 1964 he wrote an open letter to the periodical MISLI, which had a long-term effect in the history of the Slovenian community in Sydney.

As a result, a small group of dedicated Slovenians set up a new forum, “Akcija za dom – Action for Home”. Its purpose was to collect money to buy suitable premises and to establish a slovenian home – club. The first 50 pounds in the fund came from Vinko.

In next five years, Vinko went from one Slovenian home to another begging for money. In 1969 the premises were bought at Horsley Park, where in years that followed, the first Slovenian club was built. Apart from being a treasurer, a president or a trustee, he has also cleaned the toilets and windows, maintained gardens, oversaw the building of the club, and did the club’s book-keeping – without the computer!

His ceaseless and selfless work for the community for 20 years had a significant impact on the history of the club and the community generally. Today, in his 86th year and dwindling health, he is still a regular visitor and a strong supporter of the activities in the community. His work has never been recognised officially before.

Dear Vinko, thank you for many years of unselfish and hard work. As such, you will always remain a bright light in the history of the Slovenians in Sydney and Australia. God bless you!