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VOSA Sydney — Your Weekly Window into Slovenian Life
News, culture, community updates and more —online and on air.
If you would like to send a special message to a family member or friend, or listen to your favourite song on the next show, email vosaradio@outlook.com, or call 0400 533 009 no later than 5 pm every Tuesday.
Voice of Slovenian Australians Sydney is live every Saturday on 89.3 FM.
On this day in Slovenian History- 9th October
On 9 October 1857, Josef Ressel, a pioneering forester and inventor of the ship propeller, died in Ljubljana. Although born in Bohemia, Ressel spent much of his professional life in the Slovene lands, including Kostanjevica ob Krki. He patented his ship propeller in 1827, an invention that would become fundamental to modern marine propulsion.
Ressel also made an important contribution to forestry, promoting improved forestry practices and reforestation in the Karst region. His legacy reflects the diverse scientific and technological contributions connected to the Slovene lands during the 19th century.
The Latest: Key Features and Community Updates
- Kucler Event Recap and Words by Jelena Brežnik read by her sister Mari Lenarsic
- Oktobefest: A Celebration of Food, Music and Good Company
- Referendum Slovenian October 11
Slovenian Organisations / Regular Weekly Updates
- Club Triglav Mounties
- St Raphael’s Slovenian Mission Merrylands
- Slovenian Consulate NSW
- Slovenian Australian Association Canberra
- Slovenian Language Association QLD
Kucler Event Recap: Vrhnika Slovenia – Saturday 26th September 2026
Katarina Vrisk
On the 26th September in Vrhnika, Slovenia, an important Slovenian heritage event took place.
A little about the story first….
The Kucler Family, who were based in Lesno Brdo, a few kilometres away from the event, were the first manufacturers of button accordions (frajtonerce) in Slovenia. Ivan Kucler began manufacturing these as a small cottage industry but when his son, Franc, became involved, he took it to a serious business level. Two of Franc’s sons, Anton and Leopold (Tone and Polde), also learnt the trade and it became an international business with exports of accordions taken by train to Trieste and then shipped to France, Germany, Canada and the USA.
When Katarina Vrisk came to Slovenia in 2024, Jure invited Katarina to Vrhnika, where they met up with Sonja Žakelj, the Director of the Cankarjeva Library in Vrhnika. That was where the idea to stage an event to highlight this story and success of the Kucler’s came to light.
Click the link below to read the full recap written by Katarina Vrisk.
Nearly two years since that time, a cultural evening explaining, presenting and demonstrating the creativity, the tenacity and the industry of these people has taken place.
The event was held in Cankarjev dom in Vrhnika, and the program professionally constructed by Dr Rebekah Kunej from ZRC SAZU. There were a number of accordions from the Brežnik Family displayed on the stage, along with others which are proudly owned by Slovenians across the country. The aim of the occasion was to tell the largely forgotten story of the Kučler Family and their accordions, which helped to create the love for this instrument throughout time, and still is much loved and played today.
Talented accordion player, Gal Suhadolnik, began the program with a solo piece on a Kucler. The sound rang out to enthral the audience and highlight what this now circa 100 year old instrument sounded like. There were speeches from the Director of the Vrhnika Library, Sonja Žakelj, family representative, Jeni’s half sister Marija Lenarsic and Katarina Vrisk, who had made the long journey from Australia to Slovenia, to attend.
Urban Peterle, a 15 year old Kucler enthusiast, also played on his Kucler accordion to much acclaim. A descendant of the Železnik Family, Janez Železnik, also performed on one of his own accordions, a ‘Janez’ accordion which he made and is one of 800 accordions he manufactured in his own workshop in Vrzdenc.
This was an important event to highlight the cultural significance of the Kuclers and the link between Slovenia and Australia. After all the planning and organisation, the night was a great success.
Images: Sebastjan Auser
Words from Jelena Brežnik and Her Family, Read by Mari Lenarsic.
Cankarjev dom, Vrhnika, 26th September 2026
Click the link below to read the full speech by Jelena Brežnik (nee Kucler)
The Brežnik Family- Mark, Alfred, Jeni and Alfred.
Left: Mari Lenarsic and Katarina Vrisk.
Right: Mari Lenarsic reading some words prepared by Jelena ( Jeni) Brežnik, who is the daughter of the late Tone Kucler, which is the Australian link to this story and makes it even more special, with someone closer to home in Australia.
Oktoberfest: A Celebration of Food, Music and Good Company
October means Oktoberfest — a time for food, lively music, traditional dress and, of course, raising a stein with friends. While the world-famous celebration originated in Munich, the Oktoberfest spirit has spread well beyond Germany, including to Slovenia and Australia.
Oktoberfest is also being celebrated across Slovenia this month. In Bled, Blejska hiša hosted Oktoberfest celebrations on 2 and 3 October with live music, food and a raffle, while Maribor’s Beer Fest will take place on 16 and 17 October, offering beer, food and an Oktoberfest-inspired atmosphere.
And closer to home, Club Triglav Mounties is getting into the spirit this Sunday, 11 October from 12pm! The club will host its own Oktoberfest celebration featuring live music from Alpine Echos, a beer-guessing competition and plenty of fun. So get into the Oktoberfest spirit, bring your friends and enjoy an afternoon of good food, music and community!
Referendum Slovenia – October 11
Image and text provided by The Embassy of the Republic of Slovenia Canberra
On Sunday, 11 October 2026, Slovenia will hold one legislative referendum and three consultative referendums.
The questions concern amendments to the Parliamentary Inquiry Act, conditions applying to financial social assistance for able-bodied persons, voting rights in local elections for non-EU citizens, and the mandatory contribution for Radiotelevizija Slovenija (RTV Slovenia).
Slovenian citizens who have their permanent residence registered in Australia may vote in person at the Embassy of the Republic of Slovenia in Canberra on 11 October 2026.
Vote by post from Australia, but they must notify the National Electoral Commission (DVK) no later than midnight Slovenian time on 25 September 2026.
Slovenian citizens permanently resident in Australia who will be in Slovenia on referendum day may instead apply to vote at a special OMNIA polling station, with notification required by midnight Slovenian time on 7 October 2026.
Applications for voting by post, at a diplomatic mission or consulate, or at an OMNIA polling station are available through the e-Uprava portal: https://e-uprava.gov.si/si/podrocja/drzava-druzba/volitve-referendumi/posebne-oblike-glasovanja.html?lang=si.
Further information about the referendums is available from the National Electoral Commission (DVK): https://www.dvk-rs.si/volitve-in-referendumi/referendumi/volitve-referenduma/zakonodajni-referendum-o-zppre-b-in-posvetovalni-referendumi-lokalne-voliltve-socialni-prejemki-in-rtv/
Keep Updated with what’s happening in Slovenia
and local organisations in Sydney
Triglav Mounties Group
Contact details
Email: triglav.reception@mountiesgroup com.au
Phone: (02) 9426 1000
Octoberfest Club Triglav – Sunday 11th October
Your Special Events
Triglav Mounties is available to host your family celebrations, including birthdays, baptisms and other special occasions.
Bookings are essential.
(02) 9426 1000
St Raphael’s Slovenian Mission Merrylands
Email: slomission.sydney@gmail.com
Phone: 0455 444 912
Sunday 11th of October is the 28th Sunday of the year. There will be no Holy Mass at Merrylands on Sunday.
Slovenian Mass will then be celebrated on the first Sunday of each month at 9.30 am as well as on other occasions when announced, with an exception for November where Holy mass will be held on the 22nd of November.
On All Saints’ Day, November 1, there will be Holy Mass at the Mausoleum in Rookwood at 10.00 am. The Mass will be celebrated by Provincial, Father Stephen Bliss OFM who will also bless the newly renovated chapel.
For the funerals of our deceased loved ones, please contact Fr Simon Peter Berlec OFM on 0455 444 912. He will provide you with the necessary information and take the details for MISLI. Funeral arrangements will be made with him and with the priests in your local parishes.
Holy Mass St Raphael’s October 4
Last Sunday parishioners gathered to celebrate Father Simon Peter’s first Holy Mass at St Raphael’s following Father Darko’s departure. The Mass was a beautiful celebration of faith, warmth and community, as we joyfully welcomed Father Simon Peter Berlec OFM, who now leads all the Slovenian Missions across Australia- Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide.
During Mass, Father Simon Peter shared the wonderful news that Father Darko arrived safely in Brnik, Slovenia.
After Mass, everyone gathered in the Father Valerijan Jenko Memorial Hall for coffee, cakes and conversation. It was a lovely opportunity to catch up, connect and enjoy the strong sense of community that makes St Raphael’s so special.
Slovenian Consulate NSW
Honorary Consuls and Vice Consuls serve as Slovenia’s official representatives. They work under the supervision of the Slovenian Embassy in Canberra, unpaid and part time.
For General Information and queries related to Slovenia, please send an email to ConsulateSlovenia.Sydney@gmail.com.
Alternatively, call Honorary Consul Aleks Lajovic on 0407 678 578 or Honorary Vice Consul Mark Stariha on 0404 464 727.
Slovenian Australian Association Canberra
Email:admin@slovenianclubcanberra.org.au
Phone: (02) 6282 1083
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Cherry Picking in Young A Day Trip in November
We’ve been asked by members whether Slovenian Australian Association Canberra is organising a cherry picking trip to Young this November.
It’s something our community has enjoyed in the past, and we’d love to see if there is enough interest to bring this old Club tradition back!
So, before we start making arrangements, we want to know how many people would be interested in coming along.
A day trip to Young
Cherry picking
Good company
A chance to get together outside the Club
Bringing back an old Club tradition
INTERESTED?
Please register your interest by emailing: admin@slovenianclubcanberra.org.au
Slovenian Language Classes are Back!
Our first round of Slovenian Language Lessons was a huge hit, with our Beginners class filling quickly.
For more information on how you can join, contact Natasha.
Introducing Naša Miza: The Slovenian Australian Cookbook
We’re inviting Slovenian Australians from every state and territory to help create something truly special—a cookbook that celebrates our food, our families, and the stories that have travelled from Slovenia to Australia.
Contact Natasha via the admin email address to contribute to Naša Miza: The Slovenian Australian Cookbook.
SLCA – Learn Slovenian Let’s Preserve our Language!
Email: slovenianlanguage.qld@gmail.com
Slovenian Language and Culture Association QLD (SLCA QLD)
offers 7 engaging online classes,
including two for young learners.
7:00 a.m. Sunday (QLD time): For beginners—kids learn Slovenian through songs, games, and basic grammar.
8:00 a.m. Sunday: For children aged 9+ with some Slovenian knowledge.
Adults: can choose from two advanced beginner classes, one intermediate class, or a 60-hour intensive beginner course.
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