HFS Croatia’s Annual Fundraiser Brings Together Community to Celebrate Croatian Tradition and Heritage

Croatian communities across Australia have a strong tradition of coming together to celebrate their heritage, and the recent annual fundraising event hosted by HFS Croatia in Canberra was no exception. The evening was �illed with music, dance, and the warm friendship that characterises these events.

Happy 70th Anniversary Melbourne Knights from Croatia

How did your move to Melbourne Croatia/ Knights come about?

was a Melbourne Croatia Junior where I started playing with the club from U13 - U16. After my U16 Season, I was given my �irst Contract with theMelbourne

Croatia Senior Team

Do you remember your �irst appearance?

My First appearance was V Green Gully in the Dockerty Cup in 1988

Your most memorable game for Melbourne Knights?

My most memorable game v South Melbourne Hellas in the Dockerty Cup Final which we won

Your most memorable goal scored for Melbourne Knights?

Most memorable goal was the goal I scored in the (1988 Dockerty cup) Final vs South Melbourne

Who were your coaches whilst you played for Melbourne Knights?

First Coach was Andrew Albert, Ivan Ražnjević, Ante

Grgić Ken Worden. Josip Bebić (youth coach in between)

Which club did you enjoy playing against the most?

South Melbourne

Who was the most talented player you played with at Melbourne Knights?

Zeljko Adžić

Which trophies did Melbourne Knights win whilst you played for the club?

Doherty Cup, NSL Australian Youth Championship

When did you play your last game for Melbourne Knights and against which club?

Heidelberg United in the NSL League Cup minding us that these events are not only a celebration of Croatian heritage but also a chance to come together and enjoy each other’s company.

From 1 to 10, how would you rate your time at Melbourne Knights and why?

The Club was my life as a junior, youth and moving into a young adult. All my football memories and foundation was built with the Melbourne Knights. I witnessed the club’s development over many years and culturally will always remain a very special part of my football journey and life.

The evening concluded with the drawing of a raf�le, which had proved to be a popular attraction throughout the night. The prizes were diverse, ranging from bottles of Croatian beer to various pamper packages as well as a mini-bar fridge.

The night began with Ante Jurković, the MC for the evening and President of HFS Croatia, welcoming guests and outlining the schedule of upcoming events over the next month. It was clear from the start that this would be a busy time for the community, with numerous events planned in the lead-up to Croatian Statehood Day on 3 June.

The junior, intermediate, and senior dance groups then took to the stage to perform the Australian and Croatian anthems. The power and emotion in their voices left no doubt as to the pride these young dancers felt in their heritage. Each group then proceeded to perform a medley of dances from Slavonija, a region in Croatia known for its vibrant folk traditions.

As the evening progressed, MC Jurković invited Gabriella Kovač, a long-time dancer and former teacher, to the podium to announce that this would be her �inal performance after 25 years, as she was taking a break to have her �irst child.

Gabriella received a generous ovation from the crowd, who recognized her immense contribution to the community and HFS Croatia.

The mood then shifted as Ivica Majetić, another long-term dancer and Vice-Captain of the Canberra Croatia FC Under 23 men’s team, was welcomed to the stage to celebrate his 18th birthday. The crowd erupted into song with a raucous rendition of ‘Happy Birthday’, re-

Finally, local Canberra-based band Ekipa took to the stage to entertain the crowd until the early hours of the morning. The band’s lively music and infectious energy kept everyone on their feet, dancing and singing along with the catchy tunes. The event hosted by HFS Croatia in Canberra was a testament to the vitality and richness of Croatian culture in Australia. It demonstrated the importance of coming together to celebrate our heritage and shared values, and the power of music and dance to bring people together.

As the community prepares for Croatian Statehood Day on 3 June, events like the one hosted by HFS Croatia in Canberra serve as a reminder of the strength and vibrancy of Croatian communities across Australia. In a world that can often feel divided and fragmented, events like these remind us of the importance of coming together to celebrate our shared values and heritage.

As the night drew to a close and the last notes of music faded away, it was clear that this event had been a resounding success. Members of the community had come together to celebrate their heritage, share their traditions, and create new memories that would last a lifetime.

It was a reminder that, no matter where we come from, we are all connected by a common bond of culture and tradition, and that by coming together, we can create something truly special.