News - 32nd Anniversary of Croatian Statehood Day

Proud to celebrate the 32nd anniversary of CROATIAN STATEHOOD DAY, as well as continuing the celebrations of the 30th anniversary of Australia recognizing Croatia and setting up diplomatic relations all held at Perth Stadium on Monday 30th May 2022. To acknowledge our heritage and to pay tribute to the republic of Croatia. For the people of Croatia and those of us of Croatian heritage, statehood day represents the day on which the country of our ancestors became a sovereign nation in its own right, free from communist rule.

As part of the European union, Croatia has been collaborating with the diaspora world wide, inviting them to look at the opportunities which are in Croatia. Our chamber was formed back in 2004 with the aim of promoting business and trade with the republic of Croatia. We have taken several trade delegations to Croatia and we have hosted several delegations from Croatia here in Perth.

Prior to covid - European Union delegations have travelled to Perth supported by Dept of Foreign Affairs and WA European business council. I’m proud that the WA Croatian Chamber of Commerce has presented to them our members capabilities here in WA as well as promoting WA businesses with opportunities to export.

We are also promoting opportunities for special projects with our foundation president Brian Rakich across the ASEAN region as well as in discussion with international Croatian Chambers in United States, Canada and South America on initiatives. Also with our chambers across Australia in promoting new national initiatives.

Lidia Kukulj was our Master of Ceremonies at the Perth Stadium and welcomed the Consul of the Republic of Croatian Mr Zoran Sangut and his wife Mrs Vanja Sangut. Also Mr Ivor Condic from the Consul office.

Representing the Hon Dr Tony Buti, Minister for Finance; Racing and Gaming; Aboriginal Affairs; Citizenship and Multicultural Interests – Hon Klara Andric MLC.

On behalf of THE REPRESENTATIVE OF THE LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION AND Liberal member for Cottesloe, HON Dr David HONEY MLA - Chief of Staff Mr Michael Huston.

John Vidovich - Office of Multicultural Interests.

With members of the consular corps across Europe and the United States of America, we also had invited councillors of local WA governments Tony Krsticevic, Karlo Perkov, George Sekulla, Michelle Sutherland and former member of Mt Lawley – Michael Sutherland.

Our local priest velečasni Nikola Čabraja St Annes Croatian Church, North Fremantle, including leaders and members of the Croatian community and sports organisations were invited. Laura and Jure Denona – Gwelup Croatia and Hrvatski Dom – Croatian House, Dean Zlendic – Western Knights Soccer Club, WA Croatian Community Centre Anthony Sumich, Croatian Folkloric Group Zagreb Zrinka Vlasic and Raymond Pecotic, Folkloric Group LADO Anthony Radich and Darlene Gianoli.

Invited to share his thoughts was Mr Mykola Mowczan from the Ukraine Association – WA.

Singing the Australian and Croatian national anthems we had Anita Finneran and Vjeran Duplancic. They also sang throughout the night with Raymond Pecotic joining in with Vjeran. We held one of the first events within Perth Stadium when it opened – MLADI Cro back in March 2018 and we were so excited to be there again.

We were also privileged to share a message from the Zapresic Boys and play there song Jedna Domovina within the stadium. Also a big thank you to Tonci Buteran for all his coordination efforts.

It was a fantastic night shared by all to celebrate our 32nd Croatian Statehood Day.