Three generations of Croatian patriots and community leaders from all parts of Australia descended upon the nation’s capital on a typical cold, wet and windy Canberra evening on Monday to commence the week long celebrations marking the 20th anniversary of Croatian independence.

The Australia/Croatia Parliamentary Group in conjunction with the Embassy of the Republic of Croatia, hosted a cocktail function at Parliament House to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Croatian independence and the 20th anniversary of Australia’s recognition of Croatia’s independence.

South Australian Senator and Chairwoman of the Australia/Croatia Parliamentary Group, the Honourable Senator Annette Hurley, opened the evening’s proceedings by welcoming her fellow federal parliamentarians, ACT state government officials, diplomatic staff from the Republic of Croatia from Canberra, Melbourne and Sydney and distinguished representatives of the Australian Croatian community. Senator Hurley spoke of her admiration for the contribution that the Croatian community has made to Australia and her pride that Australia was the first non-European country to recognise Croatia’s independence.

Senator Hurley then introduced the Ambassador of the Republic of Croatia, His Excellency Mr Vicencije Biuk, who thanked the members of the Australian Parliament for welcoming the Croatian community into the home of Australian democracy to commemorate this significant milestone in Croatia’s history.

Mr Biuk went on to say that :

“This celebration in the Australian Federal Parliament is recognition for the loyalty and love that Croatian settlers have shown to Australia as their new homeland. The presence of a large number of Croats from all parts of Australia is also proof of their loyalty and love for their old homeland, Croatia. So, Australian Croats are people with two homelands and people with two hearts. One heart beats for Croatia and one heart beats for Australia. Each and every one of them were the first Croatian ambassadors to Australia!”.

Mr Biuk continued by recognising the impact of the persistent lobbying by the Croatian community, which resulted in Australia recognising Croatia’s independence only one day after many European countries:

“Recognition happened during the fiercest aggression against Croatia and it was a big victory for the Croatian people. It was a gesture of understanding and friendship. So, I take this opportunity, almost 20 years later, to thank the Australian Government, at that time led by Prime Minister Paul Keating and Foreign Minister Gareth Evans, and the Australian people for their support in those difficult and important moments for the people of Croatia.”.

The Federal Member for Werriwa and Secretary of the Australia/Croatia Parliamentary Group, the Honourable Laurie Ferguson MP, acknowledged the positive contribution of the Croatian community to the evolution of a multicultural Australian society over the last 150 years since the first arrivals of Croatians to Australia, which has built the bridge of friendship and confidence between the two countries and the two people.

“Twenty years ago you were on the front steps of this Parliament, demanding recognition for Croatia, and today you are inside one of the most beautiful Parliaments in the world and together we are celebrating 20 years of independence!”

Much to the delight of everyone present, Mr Ferguson also told the story of an immigrant Croatian vigneron from Dubrovnik, who in 1871 developed and trade marked the interesting design features of the Australian Coat of Arms on his wine labels, which involved a kangaroo and an emu, with a barrel in between.

Mr Ferguson then introduced a young, second-generation Australian Croatian, Mr Josip Živko, who spoke on behalf of the Australian Croatian community, echoing the sentiments of those present that the 20th anniversary of independence is a truly joyous occasion. Mr Živko continued by saying that:

“It is also a great opportunity to reflect on the significance of an independent Croatia from the perspective of an Australian of Croatian background. Australia is truly the best country in the world in which to live, and I wish that the rest of the world was so fortunate. It is the best characteristics of Australia that I wish for Croatia to have as well: freedom, opportunity and security!”.

Mr Živko also paid his respects to the first-generation immigrants, concluding:

“Many have enabled my generation to have opportunities they only could have wished for and now their grandchildren have the good fortune to live and grow in Australia with their grandparents free of the burden they carried for much of their lives – because Croatia is free!“.

To close proceedings, the Federal Member for Corio, the Honourable Richard Marles MP, took the floor and extended the apologies of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Honourable Kevin Rudd MP, who was unexpectedly called away on urgent business and was unable to attend the evening’s festivities.

Mr Marles wrapped up the formal part of the evening by expressing his pride at being involved in the coordination of only the second celebration of the national day of a foreign country to be held in Parliament House.

“That this rare honour should fall upon the Croatian community was entirely appropriate, given the significant contribution that Croatian people have made to Australian society!” concluded Mr Marles.

As the function at Parliament House drew to a close, many of the guests made the short trip to the Croatia Deakin Soccer Club to continue the festivities well into the early hours of the morning.

The festivities will continue on Friday, 24 June with the Embassy of the Republic of Croatia hosting an official reception for foreign diplomats and distinguished members of the Canberra Croatian community, and the weeks festivities will be concluded with a dinner dance on Saturday, 25 June at the Croatia Deakin Sports and Social Club. Both functions will feature Klapa Patria and the Kralj Tomislav tamburitza orchestra from Auckland, New Zealand, who will make a special journey to Canberra to mark this auspicious occasion.

Mladen Leko