80-84 Brisbane Road, St Johns Park NSW 2176
Contact details
Phone: 02 9426 1000,
Fax: 02 9823 2522
Email: triglavinfo@mountiesgroup.com.au
Web:
www.mountiesgroup.com.au
Trading Hours
Sunday to Thursday: 10.00am - 12.00am -
Friday & Saturday: 10.00am - 3.30am
TRIGLAV MOUNTIES CLUB NEWS FROM 30.JUNE.2024
Saturday, 20. July At 8.00 PM ELVIS LIVE PERFORMANCE
Reunion of all generations
Sunday 18 August – 12.00pm
Join us for an afternoon, reminiscing on years past. Come along and meet the second and third generation of Slovenians.
Life music by Alpine Echos.
The Triglav Mounties club is open every day from ten in the morning until late in the evening.
Bingo: MONDAY,TUESDAY AND THURSDAY MORNINGS 10 AM
Trivia: WEDNESDAY EVENING
Meat Raffle: FRIDAY EVENING
Triglav Mounties is available to host your family celebrations such as birthdays, baptisms and the like. Booking’s Essential Tel.(02) 9426 1000
See you at Triglav Mounties!
NOVICE IZ cluba TRIGLAV MOUNTIES od 30.JUNE.2024
SOBOTA ,20.JULIJA OB 8.00 pmELVIS, V ŽIVO
Srečanje vseh generacij
Nedelja, 18. avgust – 12.00
Pridružite se nam za popoldne in obujajte spomine na pretekla leta. Pridite in spoznajte drugo in tretjo generacijo Slovencev.
Živa glasba Alpski odmevi.
Klub Triglav Mounties je odprt vsak dan od desete ure dopoldne do pozne ure zvečer.
Bingo: PONEDELJEK, TOREK IN ČETRTEK ZJUTRAJ Ob 10 h
- Zanimivosti (Trivia ): SREDA ZVEČER
- Mesna loterija: PETEK ZVEČER
Triglav Mounties je na razpolago za organizacijo vaših družinskih praznovanj, kot so rojstni dnevi, krsti in podobno.
Rezervacije se nujne : Tel.(02) 9426 1000
Slovenian National Day
govor Stephanie FabjanČIČ
Predsednice organizacijskega odbora za podelitev priznanj uspeŠnim Slovenkam in SloveNcem za leto 2022 — 2023
Good afternoon and a warm welcome to all present at today’s NSW Slovenian Community Awards presentation. My name is Stefanie Fabjancic, and I’m honoured to stand before you as a proud third-generation Slovenian, and the newly appointed Chairperson of the Slovenian Community Awards Committee.
As we gather here for this moment of celebration, I want to quickly reflect on the recent history of this event. Many of you would know my father, Branko Fabjancic, whose name has become synonymous with today. For over a decade, he has been at the helm of these awards, nurturing them from a humble gathering among family and friends, to the beloved event we gather for today.
His commitment has not only been to honour excellence, but also to ensure the involvement of our younger generations is strengthened and encouraged. His understanding that our future strength lies in embracing the thoughts and views of our younger generations, inspired me to take on a larger role in our community.
So, on behalf of Triglav Mounties, I extend my gratitude to Branko, and thank him for a decade of leadership and service to the Slovenian Community Awards.
I hope as the baton is passed down to us young’ens, we honour the legacy and responsibility of these awards and push forward Branko’s vision of robust, multi-generational community, that is inclusive and vibrant.
And it’s that vibrant community that brings us back to the reason we’re gathered here today – to celebrate the presentation of our community awards to four outstanding individuals.
Now these awards not only acknowledge achievement, they recognise the passion, the dedication and love the individuals pour into their cultural work. The awards are not just a symbol of appreciation, but they are held up for us as powerful motivators.
They tell us that dedication to our cultural identify and community is not only valued, but celebrated. They stand to energise the recipients to remain committed to their work, and most importantly, inspire others to follow in their footsteps. By celebrating these outstanding individuals, we are giving testimony to their role in maintaining the vibrancy and strength of our shared cultural heritage.
Active participation in our community activities solidifies our shared identify but also cultivates an environment where every member feels valued. When we work together, we foster a shared sense of purpose.
Because being engaged is more than just being present. It’s sharing our talents, and offering our services for the good of the community.
These are the very qualities that our four recipients today have demonstrated over many many years, across various pursuits and achievements. They are not only ensuring the preservation of our cultural community, but encouraging it to flourish.
We owe it to ourselves and future generations to continue recognising and empowering each of us who stands up and dedicates their time to our evolving cultural heritage.
I hope today, in listening to the achievements of our award recipients you are all inspired to embrace your role in our community, adapt to it, challenge yourself within it, but most of all, live for it.
For in doing so, we forge an identity that is not only as enduring as the legacies we inherited, but is as vibrant as the future we’re building together.
So without further ado, let’s jump straight into the first award presentation.
Nagovor veleposlanika Marka Hama
ob praznovanju Dneva državnosti
Triglav Mounties Club
Sydney, 16. junij 2024
Spoštovani predsednik Pododbora kluba Triglav Mounties gospod Peter Krope,
ostali člani Pododbora, člani Odbora direktorjev Triglav Mounties, vice častni konzul
Republike Slovenije v NSW gospod Mark Stariha, upokojeni častni generalni konzul
Republike Slovenije gospod Alfred Brežnik, član Sveta vlade Republike Slovenije za
Slovence v zamejstvu in po svetu gospod Walter Suber, the Honorable Dai Le, MP
Federal Member for Fowler, Honorable Tri Vo, MP State Member for Cabramatta,
spoštovane članice in člani kluba, drage rojakinje in rojaki in drugi udeleženci. V veliko čast mi je, da vas lahko nagovorim danes, na vaši proslavi ob dnevu
državnosti vsem nam ljube Slovenije.
It is a great honor for me to be able to address you today at your celebration of the
National Day of our beloved Slovenia. It is a pleasure to see all of you gathered here
to remember the birthday of independent Slovenia.
Dan državnosti je slovenski državni praznik, ki se ga praznujemo 25. junija.
Obeležuje spomin na 25. junij 1991, ko je Slovenija formalno postala neodvisna. Na ta
dan sta bili sprejeti Deklaracija o neodvisnosti Slovenije in Temeljna ustavna listina o
samostojnosti in neodvisnosti Slovenije, sicer slavnostno razglašeni naslednji dan, 26.
junija, na Trgu republike v Ljubljani.
National Day is a Slovenian national holiday celebrated on June 25th. It
commemorates June 25th, 1991, when Slovenia formally became independent. On
this day, the Declaration of the Independence of Slovenia and The Basic Constitutional
Charter on the Sovereignty and Independence of the Republic of Slovenia were
adopted. They were solemnly proclaimed the next day, June 26th, in the Republic
Square in Ljubljana.
Ko se v teh dneh spominjamo dogodkov 1991, razglasitve neodvisnosti, 10 dnevne
vojne, ki je sledila ter nato mednarodnih priznanj in odhoda zadnjega vojaka JLA iz
Slovenije, se spominjamo tudi zgodovinskega trenutka, v katerem je bil takrat mentalno
slovenski narod. Govorim o stanju duha, saj se je zgodila brez precedenčna enotnost
v sicer po več ločnicah razdeljeni slovenski družbi.
These days, when we remember the events of 1991, the declaration of independence,
the 10-day war that followed, and then international recognition and the departure of
the last Yugoslavian soldier from Slovenia, we also remember the historical moment in
which the mindset of the Slovenian nation was at that time. I'm talking about the unity
of the Slovenian society, which is otherwise divided along several lines.
Ta enotnost, ni prežemala zgolj Slovencev in Slovenk v Sloveniji, marveč se je
pojavila tudi v slovenskih izseljeniških skupnostih po svetu, tudi v Avstraliji. To
sodelovanje je sicer številčno majhen slovenski narod naredilo na nek način večjega,
močnejšega in prepričljivejšega v njegovi legitimni zahtevi po zasedbi enakopravnega
mesta med neodvisnimi nacijami tega sveta. Enotno ste nastopili tudi avstralski
Slovenci in s tem izposlovali zgodnje priznanje neodvisne Slovenije s strani Avstralije.
Iskrena hvala, saj je bila zaradi vas Avstralija v prvi skupini prekomorskih držav, ki so
priznale Slovenijo le dan za takratno Evropsko skupnostjo.
This unity did not only pervade Slovenian men and women in Slovenia, but also
appeared in Slovenian emigrant communities around the world, including in Australia.
This cooperation made the numerically small Slovenian nation in a way bigger,
stronger, and more convincing in its legitimate demand to occupy an equal place
among the independent nations of this world. The Australian Slovenes also stood
united, and thus obtained an early recognition of independent Slovenia by Australia.
Sincere thanks, since because of you, Australia was in the first group of overseas
countries that recognized Slovenia just a day after the European Community.
Avstralija je imela vedno posluh za promocijo in obrambo demokracije in človekovih
pravic, tudi v oddaljeni Evropi, najsi gre za boj na strani Zaveznikov v 2. sv. vojni,
priznanje neodvisne Slovenije ali pa v zadnjih letih politično, vojaško in humanitarno
pomoč napadeni Ukrajini. Slovenija ji je zato zelo hvaležna in njeno pomoč ceni.
Australia has always had an ear for the promotion and defence of democracy and
human rights, even in distant Europe, be it during WW2, the recognition of independent
Slovenia or, in recent years, with political, military and humanitarian aid to the invaded
Ukraine. Slovenia is therefore very grateful to Australia and Australians, and
appreciates their help.
Več kot trideset let je minilo od tistih zgodovinskih dni in Slovenija je v tem času
dosegla veliko. Ravno letos smo obeležili 20. obletnici članstva v Evropski uniji in zvezi
NATO, ki sta bila strateška cilja mlade slovenske države.
More than thirty years have passed since those historic days, and Slovenia has
achieved a lot in that time. Just this year, we have celebrated the 20th anniversary of
membership in the European Union and NATO, which were the strategic goals of the
young Slovenian country.
Naše članstvo v obeh še nikoli ni bilo bolj pomembno. Omogoča nam, da z drugimi
evropskimi partnerji in čezatlantskimi zavezniki na enakopravni osnovi aktivno
sooblikujemo prihodnost evropskega kontinenta, ki je tudi naš. Izzivov s katerimi se
soočata Slovenija in Evropa je kar nekaj, večina je podobnih tem, s katerimi s sooča
Avstralija, najsi gre za obrambo na mednarodnih pravilih temelječega mednarodnega
reda, zeleni prehod, digitalizacijo, uporabo umetne inteligence ipd. Prepričan sem, da
nam bo uspelo, kot je namreč zapisal slovenski pisatelj Alojz Rebula, "Biti Slovenec,
to ni krst iz vode, ampak iz ognja."
Our membership in both has never been more important. It enables us to actively coshape
the future of the European continent, which is also ours, on an equal footing
with other European partners and transatlantic allies. There are quite a few challenges
faced by Slovenia and Europe, most of them are similar to those faced by Australia, be
it the defence of the rules based international order, green transition, digitization, use
of artificial intelligence, etc. I am convinced that we will succeed, since the Slovenian
writer Alojz Rebula wrote, "Being a Slovene is not a baptism of water, but a baptism of
fire."
Prva priložnost, kjer sem prepričan, da bomo to kot narod ponovno dokazali, bo že
čez nekaj tednov v Parizu, kjer bodo potekale 33. poletne olimpijske igre. Prepričan
sem, da se bomo lahko zopet veselili uspehov slovenskih športnic in športnikov, ki
nikoli ne razočarajo. Zmaga Pogačarja letošnjem na Giro d'Italia je dobra popotnica.
Držimo vsi skupaj pesti za naše športnike!
The first opportunity where I am sure that we will prove this again as a nation will be in
a few weeks in Paris, where the 33rd Summer Olympic Games will be held. I don't
have any doubt that we will again be celebrating the successes of Slovenian athletes,
who never disappoint. Pogačar's victory at this year's Giro d'Italia is a good sign. Let's
keep our fingers crossed for our athletes!
Hvala za povabilo in lepo praznovanje Dneva državnosti!
Distinguished guests, ladies, and gentlemen,
On this special occasion, it is with great Honor and gratitude that we acknowledge the presence of a truly exceptional individual who has dedicated nearly five decades of unwavering commitment, hard work, loyalty, friendship, and support to Club Triglav and the Slovenian Community at large. Today, we extend our heartfelt thanks to none other than Marta Magajna.
For those who may not yet know her, Marta's name resonates deeply within the fabric of our community. To recount all she has accomplished for our beloved Club and the Slovenian Community would not suffice for a mere speech; indeed, it would require volumes, perhaps even a novel.
Dear Marta, please accept this bouquet of flowers as a token of our appreciation for the countless years of service you have devoted to us. We wish you continued health and prosperity in the years ahead. Even amidst challenges, your unwavering determination and passion for what you believe in have inspired us all. Marta Thank you !
Once again, our sincerest gratitude to Marta, and to all of you gathered here today.
Flowers to be presented by Walter Suber ----
Ladies and gentlemen, Club Triglav Mounties takes immense pride in supporting two vital organizations within the Slovenian-Australian community for nearly two decades. These organizations are the Religious and Cultural Bi-Monthly Magazine "Misli – Thoughts" and the Historical Archives for Slovenian Australians (HASA) in NSW.
These institutions play a crucial role in preserving and documenting the rich history and achievements of Slovenian Australians over the past seventy years. It is now my pleasure to invite representative from "Misli – Thoughts" Mr. Joseph Marinc and Mrs. Olga Lah Vice President from Historical Archives for Slovenian Australians – NSW to join us on stage..
Additionally, I would like to extend a warm welcome to the stage Mrs. Lorraine Dean Director from the Mounties Group for the presentation of donation from Triglav Mounties Club.
Thank you.
MATEYA SLOBODNIK
Slovenian Outstanding Individual Award
Born in Slovenia and having lived in Bela Krajina, Notranjska, and the Stajerska regions, Mateya boasts a rich tapestry of mixed Slovenian dialects. Relocating to Sydney as a young child, she attended the Slovenian Saturday Language School in Merrylands, where she embraced her heritage while forging a new life in Australia.
During her earlier years in Slovenia, Mateya had developed her love for the diversity and importance of Slovenian history through participating in folk dance group Ivan Navratil where she played the ‘tamburica’ instrument. Today, she is a devoted mother to her 4-year-old daughter, Gigi, and is engaged to Gavin, partner of seven years.
She is a Member of Women on Boards, and actively participates in various other professional avenues, proving her commitment to leadership and governance.
Additionally, Mateya has been a regular interviewer of commerce keynote speakers at the Slovenian Australian Academic Associations’ annual conferences and has served as both the Secretary and NSW Coordinator for the SAAA association, fostering dialogue and knowledge exchange in the Slovenian-focused business and academic world.
In 2022, Mateya chaired the Slovenian Australian Chamber of Commerce (SloAusCham), and secured collaborations for numerous events with the broader European Chamber of Commerce community in NSW, strengthening ties and promoting the Slovenian banner deeper, such as the Luncheon event with the Hon. Josh Frydenberg MP, the then Treasurer, on Federal Budget 2022/23 and represented the SloAusCham at the Dubai EXPO at the Slovenian Pavilion.
Notable community engagement, Mateya co-led the Cycling Experience "Meet & Ride" with world-renowned cyclist Tadej Pogacar and his team, an event that highlighted the successes of the Slovenian talent on this side of the globe.
That same year, Mateya graduated from the great institution that is the University of Sydney with a Master of International Relations, specialising in Peace and Conflict with a focus on Digital Sovereignty and its impact on the social contract, adding academic rigor to her practical experience.
In 2023, continuing her role as President of SloAusCham, Mateya led various initiatives, including the Australia-wide flood relief fundraiser to support Slovenians, demonstrating her commitment to humanitarian efforts in times of crisis with the larger Australian Slovenian community.
That year, Mateya was also appointed Executive Manager of the United Nations Association of Australia (NSW Division), a position she continues to hold. Her community contributions extend to assisting the VOSA team when needed, as part of her unwavering dedication to our Slovenian community and its development.
JOSEPH MARINC
Slovenian Outstanding Volunteer Award
Joseph was born in Sydney to Slovenian parents and is the eldest of his three brothers, Stan and Tony. Like many second-generation Slovenians, he participated in Slovenian School, attending each Saturday morning in Bankstown from 1984 to 1989. He still speaks excellent Slovenian at home with his mother Danica and has made four trips to Slovenia to visit his aunts and cousins.
Joseph has enjoyed a long and successful 32-year career with the Westpac Bank, working in various roles. He is currently a Supplier Manager, responsible for the cheque processing and logistics categories.
He has been an active member of the St Raphael’s Slovenian Church, Merrylands community for most of his life. He has a deep care for the Slovenian Church community and enjoys being able to help others.
Jospeh has been the acolyte at St Raphael’s Slovenian church in Merrylands since May 2019. He takes on various responsibilities in his role, including serving at the alter and distributing Holy Communion, especially during the holy times of Easter and Christmas masses. He will also read prayers and readings during mass in both English and Slovenian whenever it is required. Apart from the COVID lockdowns of 2020, Joseph has rarely missed a Sunday mass service.
In July 2022, Joseph was appointed as Treasurer and Secretary for the St Raphael’s Church, taking over the role from Mihelca Šušteršič who served as Secretary for 20 years. This important role involves the weekly counting of proceeds from mass collections, cake sales and drink sales in the church hall. He also ensures Church funds are safely taken to the bank each week and finances are well-managed.
Additionally, Joseph took over the management of the Church Hall bar. He ensures the bar is always stocked with local and Slovenian drinks to serve on Sunday’s post Church services. For many of our community who attend Church, the time to connect and socialise after services is sometimes one of the few opportunities they have to meet. Joseph, through his management of the hall and bar, ensures that experience is valuable and enjoyable for our community members. He also supports the running of functions held in the Church Hall, including serving food, cakes, and drinks.
Joseph has played the role of Sveti Miklavž (St Nicolas), At St Raphael’s Church Hall, a Slovenian tradition where presents are handed out to children on the first Sunday of December. He enjoys the joy this brings to children and how the tradition brings together many Slovenian generations.
His volunteer work at the Church is tirelessly done without any assistance and organised in between his full-time work. It is a true testament to Joseph’s character, as someone committed to serving their community without reward. A true volunteer in every sense, Joseph is an invaluable member of the Slovenian community.
NICOLE SAMSA
Slovenian Outstanding Sporting Achievement Award
Nicole Samsa was born in 1998 to parents Dusan and Sandra Samsa, two 2nd generation Slovenians. Nicole grew up in the Bankstown area, excelling in academics, sport, and music. Following school, she got accepted into the Conservatorium of Music with a scholarship, where she completed a Bachelor of Music Education degree. Nicole now works as a high school music teacher.
As a third generation Slovenian, she has been actively involved in the Slovenian community her whole life, an interest fostered through her grandparents and parent’s involvement. Nicole’s grandfather, Karlo Samsa, was the lead builder of the Triglav Club.
It was during her first trip to Slovenian in 2007, that she was introduced to the sport of Bocce. During her family’s travels, she curiously watched her grandfather play in a Bocce competition in his village, Javorje. Taking an interest in the game, she returned home to Australia and joined her grandfather, along with her brother Daniel to some social games at the Triglav Club to see what it was all about and see how they could get involved.
After a few years of watching her brother starting to train more seriously and compete in National competitions, Nicole decided it was time for her to take the sport more seriously and start training with her brother. At 15 years of age, she competed in her first Junior National Championships. Fast forward 10 years and Nicole has represented NSW in 9 Junior National Championships and 7 Senior National Championships, in which she has won many titles. She is currently the NSW Singles and Bowl Throw Champion, and the Australian Singles Champion.
Nicole has also represented Australia in 5 World Championships, with her greatest achievement being placing 5th in the Doubles event in Alassio, Italy. Nicole has also competed in various International Competitions, particularly the Denis Ravera Invitational Competition held in Monaco each year. In this competition in 2019, Nicole and her brother Daniel won Bronze in the Doubles event.
Nicole has a strong passion for playing Bocce and it is now a part of her life. It also connects her to her Slovenian culture and heritage, and she hopes to one day pass this down to her children and grandchildren, just as her grandparents did for her. She has had outstanding achievements in this sport and hopes to continue winning more National titles. Her goal is to one day win a medal at the World Championships.
Nicole fosters a strong interest in her Slovenian culture, enjoys eating Slovenian food cooked by her grandparents, listening to Slovenian music, or learning the Slovenian language through talking with her grandparents. Since her first trip in 2007, she has travelled to Slovenia a further 5 times, a place she now calls a second home.
ANDREW SUBER
Slovenian Cultural Community Achievement Award
Andrew Šuber is the son of Valter and Kristine and the youngest of 3 siblings. Andrew graduated with a Bachelor of Commerce, Majoring in Accounting and Business Law at the University of Wollongong, soon after he also completed his Certified Practicing Accounting qualification also known as CPA.
In 2017 Andrew started Bovec Group, which was named after the village in Slovenija where his grandfather grew up in. Andrew leads the Capital and Asset Management side of the company. Andrew is also a joint Managing Director of Endeavour Health Group & Endeavour Radiology.
Andrew interestingly works as a forensic accountant of the Financial Crimes Squad, State Crime Command of the NSW Police, specialising in cases on financial crimes, including complex fraud, money laundering, proceeds of crime, extortion, and unexplained wealth.
Andrew not only is a big supporter of the Slovenian community but is an advocate and promoter of progressing and ensuring its success in the future. He has been a well-known and recognised face in the community for many years, from the time he was a child, and understands the importance of having third-generation involvement in the community. Andrew is always willing to lend a hand with various Slovenian activities and functions, such as the 30th anniversary of Slovenian independence and various functions at St Raphael’s church, Merrylands.
Andrew has played a critical role in re-establishing Slovenian Community Radio, now called Voice of Slovenian Australians Radio Sydney or VOSA Radio for short. He volunteered his time to contribute to the establishment of the new studio headquarters and used his financial knowledge to support the confirmation of ongoing funding. Andrew will be well recognised to those who listen as one of the founding VOSA radio presenters. He also assists the executive producer and production team with content development and input from pre- to post-production for every weekly show.
Prior to VOSA Radio, Andrew was part of the creation of the online presence for Voice of Slovenian Australians and has continued to organise events and gatherings for the community through the channel. As part of this community, he has taken on the responsibility to manage and lead the Triglav Social Club.
Recently, Andrew was nominated to the advisory committee of Club Triglav Mounties, St John’s Park. He plays a pivotal role in providing direction of the club including social events, programs and takes a lead on progressing funds applications that would benefit Triglav members and the wider Slovenian community.
In 2022, he was appointed to the Treasurer role at the Slovenian Australian Chamber of Commerce (SloAusCham). He draws on his education and expertise to support the SloAusCham build strong business ties with companies looking to grow and thrive in both Slovenian and Australia. He has an aptitude for networking and connecting with people, a skill the SloAusCham community greatly benefits from.
Andrew is a proud Slovenian and has a deep love for the motherland. He enjoys spending time with his grandparents, listening to their stories, already has his next trip to Slovenia booked this year, and is also finding the time to put a together a family tree involving family members all over the world.
Foto utrinki prireditve
SPOMINSKI ANZAC DAN V Klubu TRIGLAV MOUNTIES.
Piše Martha Magajna
Anzac Dan, praznik, ki ga s spoštovanjem slavi vsak v Australiji , je
z množico ljudi napolnil tudi prostore Kluba Triglav Mounties.
Sredi popoldneva se je zbrala množica članov in gostov na
dvorišču pred spomenikom slovenskega pesnika Ivana Cankarja,
da bi pokazali spoštovanje padlim vojakom vseh svetovnih vojn.
S prelepimi besedami , cvetjem, venci, molitvami in pesmijo smo
prikazali hvaležnost in spoštovanje za žrtve, ki so padle skozi
stoletja.Besedo smo dali mnogim pomembnim gostom .
Med njimi je imel besedo tudi Flight Seargeant Royal Australian Air Force , Gary Brown, ki že več desetletij sodeluje pri tem prazniku.
Gary je poudaril tudi vlogo Slovenije v zgodovini prve svetovne vojne , kjer so na Soški fronti izgubili mlada življenja številni Slovenski fantje na obeh straneh fronte.
Ladies and gentlemen,
Today, we gather to commemorate Anzac Day, a day of remembrance, reflection, and reverence for the sacrifices made by the brave men and women who served and continue to serve our nations. On this day, we honour the Anzacs - the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps - and all those who have served in conflicts past and present.
Anzac Day holds a special place in our hearts, not only for its historical significance but also for what it represents - courage, resilience, and mateship. It's a day to pay tribute to those who left their homes and loved ones, who faced unimaginable challenges, and who made the ultimate sacrifice for the freedoms we enjoy today.
As we stand here today, let us remember the soldiers who fought on the shores of Gallipoli, in the muddy trenches of the Western Front, in the jungles of the Pacific, on the hills of Korea, in the deserts of the Middle East, and in countless other theatres of war. Let us remember their valour, their dedication, and their unwavering commitment to duty.
But Anzac Day is not just about the past; it's also about the present and the future. It's about recognising the ongoing service and sacrifice of our servicemen and women, both at home and abroad. It's about acknowledging the toll that war takes on individuals, families, and communities, and reaffirming to uphold the values they fought and died for – freedom, democracy, and justice.
On this Anzac Day, let us also reflect on the lessons of history - the importance of diplomacy over conflict, the value of cooperation over division, and the power of hope over despair. Let us strive to build a world where the ideals of freedom, justice, and equality are upheld, where conflicts are resolved through dialogue and understanding, and where the sacrifices of the past are honoured by creating a better future for generations to come.
In conclusion, let us pledge to never forget the sacrifices of the ANZACs and to strive for a world where peace reigns supreme. May their legacy live on in our hearts, guiding us in times of darkness and inspiring us to build a future worthy of their sacrifice, by cherishing the freedoms they fought to defend, and by working tirelessly for peace in our world.
Lest we forget.
Gary Brown
Flight Sergeant
Royal Australian Air Force
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
In a few days, the world will celebrate International Women's Day, which this year focuses on the importance of investing in women for faster progress for the benefit of all. The theme for International Women’s Day 2024 is Count Her In: Invest in Women. Accelerate Progress.
While important progress has been made, globally women still face significant obstacles to achieving equal participation in the economy. We must ensure women and girls are given equal opportunity to build their capabilities and strengthen their capacity to learn, earn and lead. The fact is that gender equality remains one of the biggest human rights challenges, which limits the possibilities for economic and social progress.
The series of global crises and the spread of conflicts around the world have strengthened inequalities in and between societies, the number of people living in extreme poverty is increasing, and at the same time, there is also an increasing proportion of women and girls among them. The global increase in food and fuel prices have negative consequences for public spending in the following years, and austerity measures often affect access to essential public services and social protection.
The vicious cycle of poverty among women and girls stems from their unequal access to quality education, unequal employment conditions, as well as unequal pay for equal work. Around the world, women and girls do up to three times more unpaid work than men and boys. The monetary value of this unpaid work is estimated at US$10.8 trillion globally, which is three times the value of the entire technology industry worldwide. At the same time, this work is not shown with an economic value, as it is not included in indicators such as gross domestic product.
International and non-governmental organizations that advocate for women's rights and greater social equality play an important role in solving poverty and discrimination against women and girls, so it is important to support them, including financially in their work. Slovenia pledged that by 2030, at least 85% of development projects and programs would include activities for gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls.
Slovenia has witnessed a progress in political representation of women in the last two years. Women are occupying some of the highest and most prestigious positions in our politics: President of the Republic, Speaker of the Parliament and a record high number of the MPs - 37,8%, which is still under 50%. Slovenia’s Vice Prime minister and Foreign minister is a woman along with other 6 colleagues, meaning 7 out of 20 members of the current government are women. Australia is doing even better: Women make up 44.5 per cent of the 47th Australian Parliament and 43.5 per cent of Cabinet. Both countries are doing better that the OECD average which in 2023 was 33.8 percent.
For Foreign ministry gender equality is a priority, so my Minister decided to join the initiative of a group of progressive countries that have formally incorporated feminism into their foreign policy strategy. Slovenia has always been committed to equal opportunities, gender equality and human rights. However, feminist foreign policy will now be officially enshrined as a modern, future-oriented policy promoting gender equality at home and abroad.
In the organisational structure of the Ministry, feminist foreign policy is already reflected in the gender balance of the heads of directorates; the secretariat is headed by a female Secretary-General and Slovenia ranks high among EU member states in terms of the number of female ambassadors.
Feminism is also a cross-cutting theme in the new foreign policy strategy being developed by the Ministry. In this way, Slovenia will further strengthen its bilateral and multilateral relations to promote respect for the rights of women and girls and their economic, political and social empowerment, including through development and humanitarian aid.
My Minister last said: "When we talk about a feminist foreign policy, we also think about girls and women around the world who cannot use public toilets for fear of being sexually harassed; We “see” girls in Syria, Palestine, Afghanistan, Ukraine and too many war-torn countries who cannot go to school; who are forced to marry; We “see” women who suffer horrific sexual violence, rape used as a weapon of war. Addressing these real problems of women all around the world is a feminist foreign policy".
According to analysis conducted by the World Economic Forum, it would take at least another 130 years to close the gender gap. "We must all strive for equality and justice. Together. Global social justice IS achievable. But for these efforts to succeed, it is vital to create a different culture of dialogue and cooperation, a different way of leading and building partnerships – between men and women, between civil society and politics, between countries around the world".
That is why we must raise our voices, not only on International Women’s Day, but every day, for all those women and girls – at home and around the world who are discriminated against, who are scorned, who are invisible.
Govor Stefanie FabjanciČ Članice posvetovalnega odbora Kluba Triglav na proslavi
Mednarodnega Dneva Žena v Klubu Triglav Sydney .
Good afternoon everyone and welcome to today’s International Women’s Day celebration at Triglav Club Mounties. My name is Stefanie Fabjancic, and I’m not only one of the newest members of the Triglav Mounties sub-committee, I’m also the only woman – which makes being asked to give an address in this room today, extra meaningful.
On this particular day, we should first take a moment to identify those waves of change across history that enabled the cause of equality to surge forward.
For me personally, I think of the late 1800’s and early 1900’s, when women began the fight for the right to vote and for equal pay for equal work. I can’t even begin to imagine a world where those rights did not exist. I now have the freedom to follow my passions, work where I want, and vote for whom I want.
But in my view, I believe another wave of change is building again. We saw a report released only recently, that highlighted the gender pay gap across organisations in this country, indicating that men are still more likely to be in higher paying positions than women. We know, society produces better outcomes when we have a diversity of views in positions of power, so equalling the playing field in areas of power, like boards and government is still a job to be done.
The challenge I see now, is to envision not just how we achieve equality, but how we champion equity. While gender equality is simply focused on providing men and women with the same equal opportunities, gender equity works to correct historical and structural wrongs that have left women behind.
A focus on equity bridges the gaps in equality through laws and policies and gender-focused programs that don’t just level the playing field, but also work to change the culture to be more supportive of women.
Equity is a little more difficult, because it asks us to put ourselves in the shoes of another and understand how their experience in the world is different to yours. The tools and opportunities that have led to success for men for decades past, are not necessarily going to propel women in the same way.
Women are more likely to take time out of work to care for family members, they can spend anywhere from two to ten times more time on unpaid care work than men, one in seven women in Australia have lost their job while on maternity leave, and women on average lose 7 years’ worth of full-time earnings over their lifetime to account for all these additional responsibilities.
Equality is offering the same pay for the same job to a male and female worker. Equity is understanding that these workers will go through the world in completely different ways, and the tools in place to support their success should not only reflect that but be as diverse as the experiences themselves.
Achieving equity is about being an ally for the difference experiences and world women face. But don’t forget, being an ally is not a static role. It’s an active, iterative process, a choice we all must make every day, and one that happens not just by doing what we think is best, but by listening to others, understanding their needs and following their lead.
To end I’d like to share a quote by Sheryl Sandberg, a woman who has worked hard against the existing societal and structural barriers still in place for women, and achieved extensive career success. She said, “In the future, there will be no female leaders. There will just be leaders.”
I believe when we reach that day, we know we will have truly achieved equity for women.
So on that note, please never stop taking pause to consider how the important women in your life experience the world around you, and never stop listening and being an ally for their causes. Thank you.
OBISKI IZ DOMOVINE
Vsak od nas vam bo povedal, kako veseli smo bili obiskovalcev iz domovine, ki jih je bilo kar večje število. Denis Novato, Helena Blagne in drugi, še posebno smo pa bili veseli našega starega prijatelja, Patra Cirila Božiča, misionarke Marije Anžič in ne nazadnje novega prijatelja, dr. Renata Podbersiča.
Dr Renato Podbersic, Martha Magajna in Peter Krope Pri Ivanu Cankarju v Klubu Triglav,
Dr Renato Podberšič je prtšel na pogovor s Petrom Kropejem in menoj v soboto v klub Triglav in moram priznati, da nisem bila pripravljena na pogovor, Naša zgodovina .- osebna in klubska je bila zapletena in je zavzemala dolga leta’.’ in več knjig,
Drugi dan smo prisostvovali sveti maši pri svetem Rafaelu, katero je vodil pater Ciril z lepo pridigo za tem smo najprej imeli v dvorani malo maškarade in krofov, kosilo pa nas je čakalo v klubu Triglav,, skupaj z večjim številom starih prijateljev patra Cirila.
Po stari navadi smo se vsi skupaj slikali pred kipom Ivana Cankarja in dr Podberšič je napravil še nekaj pomembnih pogovorov, nakar so se gostje odpravili v Wollongong, kjer jih je pričakovala naslednja slovenska skupnost.
Predsednik Peter Krope z gosti
Ivan Cankar in vsi gostje in prijatelji
ODBOR KLUBA TRIGLAV MOUNTIES:
LOJZE MAGAJNA ODBORNIK,
SILVO PAHOR ODBORNIK,
JASON WOODS GENERAL MANAGER -HOSPITALIY,
PETER KROPE PREDSEDNIK ODBORA ,
STEFANIE FABJANČIČ ODBORNICA,
JORDAN COVIC ODBORNIK,
JOHN RAPINETTE PODPREDSEDNIK
WALTER SUBER PODPREDSEDNIK
Peter Krope
Martha Magajna