•Australian Slovenian Review Autumn 1997 Vol, 4 Issue 2 Animal Farm tfade m SK* ^ \ A Sunday Rendezvous Pictorial Special Are Slovenians Racist Slovenian Election Results European Cultural Month Wine Regions of^lovenia .an\J\ TRIGLAV Club Limited *Full Membership invited * Function Facilities available * Bowls, Snooker, Bingo * Restaurant Ph: 9610 1627 Fax: 9823 2522 Club Events in 1997 • Jozefovanje • Materinski Dan • Očetovski Dan • Wine Tasting • Miklavzevanje • New Year's Eve Please contact the club for specific dates March BBQ - 12 Noon Dance - 2 till 6pm May BBQ -12 Noon Dance - 2 till 6pm Sept BBQ - 12 Noon Dance - 2 till 6pm Nov BBQ -12 Noon Dance - 2 till 6pm Dec BBQ - 12 Noon Dance - 2 till 6pm Dec Dance - 8pm till late into the New Year! TrigUv Club Limited (ACN 001 297 927) 80 - 84 Brisbane Road, St Jolm'i Pirtt NSW 2176 SO Yf Aks Wade in Slovenia (Continued from page 2) the Church hierarchy in Slovenia need to consider our needs more if they wish for our congregation to continue supporting them. Whereas the Church is taking away, the Government is giving of itself. Our Embassy in Canberra has been graced with a new addition, Ms ¡Helena Drnovsek Zorko has been welcomed as the First Secretary. Ms Drnovsek Zorko will be focusing her work on our cultural knowledge and also sharing ours with Slovenia. Some of us may be in more need of her services than others, but either way we are sure she will enjoy her 4 year posting. There is even talk of an Ambassador joining our community soon. Our small country is gaining importance in this distant land and we can only benefit from a stronger diplomatic presence. As always, I have tost my way on this keyboard and told you nothing of this issues contents. I guess you'll just have to find out for yourselves! EnjoyK* Slovenian Christmas Tree in Vatican. Slovenia provided the traditional Christmas tree for St Peter's Square last year. The 30 metre high spruce tree was cut in the woods of Kočevje, in southern Slovenia. The tree is Slovenia's gift and expression of gratitude to the Holy Father, who visited Slovenia last May. Princess Anne Visits Slovenia. Princess Anne conducted a two day visit to Slovenia late last year, and was greeted by the President of Slovenia, Milan Kučan, in the Presidential Palace in Ljubljana. An invitation to the Princess was extended by the Slovenian Association for Development of Charity Work, which established first contacts with the Save the Children Fund in 1993. During her stay Princess Anne visited a number of charity organisations and met representatives of the Gipsy Community in Slovenia. France Freezes Funds of Former Yugoslavia. The French court has ordered nine French banks to &eeze funds of the former National Bank of Yugoslavia, complying with the demand from four former successor states: Slovenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia and Macedonia. It is estimated by some bank experts that funds held are in the order of 500 million German Marks, 111 million US dollars and 100 million Swiss francs. The banks were ordered by the court to provide a list of accounts held by the former Yugoslav government as at the 31 December 1990, as well as a record of fund movements, the principal and interest after that date. Plečnik's Ljubljana. A new book has been published, which presents the whole of Pleenik's legacy in the form of a catalogue review. The pioneer of European and Slovenian Modern architecture Jože Plečnik made his mark on Ljubljana, as well as Prague, parts of Vienna, and many other cities. Although there have been exhibitions, numerous articles, monographs and scientific debates, until now the body of Plečnik's work has not been available in catalogue form. A Bail "Corridor" Through Europe. The Slovenian Prime Minister, Mr Janez Drnovšek, has signed an agreement to build a new rail line between Slovenia & Hungary as part of a program to improve rail and highway links between the countries. This was preceded by a meeting in Ljubljana recently of transport ministers from Slovenia, Hungary, and Italy to develop a rail "corridor" from Venice (Italy) to Kiev (Ukraine), via Trieste, Ljubljana, Maribor, and Budapest, with possible extensions into Slovakia and Croatia. The three governments involved in the talks are expected to request funding from the European Union (EU) towards the cost of upgrading those lines which would form the corridor. First Secretary in Slovenian Embassy Appointed. Helena Drnovšek Zorko has been appointed First Secretary at the Slovenian Embassy in Canberra. Accompanying her to Australia are her husband Mark Zorko and children Špela and Filip. The ASR team welcomes Mrs Drnovšek to Australia and hopes that she and her family enjoys their stay. St Rafael's Sisters Say Goodbye. It is with much sadness that the ASR team bids a fond "Nasvidenje" to Sister Hilarija Šanc and Sister Francka Žižek as they return to Slovenia. They received the call from the religious 'powers that be1 in Slovenia, that their presence was urgently required. Sister Hilarija has been in Australia since April 1966, and initially served the Church in Kew, Victoria. She arrived in Sydney in 1980, where she continued her good work by caring for the St Rafael "household". Sister Francka has been in Sydney for eight years, where she was responsible for publishing church news in Rafael and Nedelja, and worked closely with the church choir and Slomškova Šola. Despite declaring that their work was here and that they wished to stay, they could do nothing but follow the directive from Slovenia. Receptions were held both in Sydney and Newcastle to farewell the sisters. The sisters have done much for the Slovenian Community in Sydney both in caring for their "flock" and helping to keep Slovenian culture alive. ♦> — Feature - 1996 Elections and Referendum in Slovenia by Dorothy Koba! General elections were held in Slovenia on 10 November 1996. The official results were: Liberal Democrats of Slovenia (LDS) Slovenian People's Party (SLS) Social Democratic Party of Slovenia (SDS) Slovenian Christian Democrats (SKD) United List of Social Democrats (ZLSD) Democratic Party of Pensioners (DeSUS) Slovenian National Party vote. Tf no majority was achieved a second round would be held. The SDS claims that this system would make it possible for the voters not to vote political parties but individuals. 27.01% 19.38% 16,13% 9.62% 9.03% 4.32% 3.22% The narrow election results, giving absolute power to no-one, forced the politicians who were only yesterday indifferent or even hostile to their political opponents, to talk and co-operate with each other. They have been forccd to reach compromises that were, only yesterday, inconceivable. The election has sentenced former opponents to a term of dependence on each other: Drnovek and Jana, Peterle and Kocijani. Finally, in a knife-edge vote early this year, parliament backed the centre-left Liberal Democrat leader, Janez Drnovek, who has been the Prime Minister for the last four years. The vote was 46 to 44 after an acrimonious two-day debate laced with accusations of dirty deals and corruption. Until the final vote, Slovenia was faced with a hung parliament: the right-wing alliance, comprising the conservative People's Party, centre-right Social Democrats and Christian Democrats together won 45 seats in the election, until a member of the right-wing Christian Democrats, Ciril Pucko, defected from his party to support Drnovek. According to the newspaper Dnevnik, police have had to provide special security for Pucko's family because of threats made to them since his defection. The Referendum - apathy reigns ??? A referendum was held on the 8 December 1996, in an attempt to change the electoral system in Slovenia. The referendum was called on the basis of motions put forth by the National Council, the Social Democratic Party (SDS) and a group of 30 parliamentarians respectively. Three options were put on the ballot, each option reflecting the change as suggested by the above three groups. The options substantially differ from each other, According to the National Council, the current electoral system is faulty as it does not implement the will of the voters, but rather the will of the political parties. The most important part of their proposal is the introduction of two votes per voter. One would give the right to choose a parliamentarian directly from their electoral district (majority system) and the other to choose a party (proportional system). There would be 44 election districts in total. The SDS proposal is based on 88 election districts, each district would elect one parliamentarian, the one which received the majority The third proposal from the group of parliamentarians suggested the abolition of election units or districts. Voters would give their vote to any of the 88 candidates and those receiving the higher number of votes would be elected. This system would ensure voters' influence on the personnel structure of the parliament. This proposal is very similar to the Israeli electoral system. However, critics claim it would lead to centralisation. To prevent parliamentarians from only representing their local interests, the committee also suggested the constitution be amended to give more authority to the National Council, which would become the second chamber of parliament, representing local interests. Voters had to decide between the above three alternatives, but they were also able to reject all three. As with general elections, voting in a referendum is not compulsory in Slovenia. Only 37.94% of eligible voters actually went to the polls. Of the 583,297 who did, the results were as follows: Combined proportional-majority system (National Council proposal): In favour 83,864 (14.4%) Against 237,041 Two-round majority system (SDS proposal): In favour 259,687 (44.5%) Against 139,384 Pure proportional system: In favour 152,784 (26.2%) Against 207,965 Invalid votes 56,907 Against all three proposals 23,974 All three groups which formulated the proposals agreed that the low voter turnout was evidence that the people of Slovenia were either disinterested or did not understand the proposals. There was also criticism that the three options were not properly explained, thus leading to confusion. Slavko Gaber, from the Liberal Democracy of Slovenia, said that the citizens of Slovenia showed that they would rather see the question of the electoral system be solved by the parliament, not through a referendum. Slovenia's Prime Minister said that this result was typical of referendums in other countries. According to Prime Minister Drnovšek, it is difficult to motivate people to cast their votes on this kind of question, because electoral systems are complicated and harder to understand than parliamentary elections.*;* t Feature Are Australian Slovenians Proud, Prejudiced or Racist Tuesday, 10 September, 1996. Ms Pauline Hanson, an Independent member for Oxtey delivered her Maiden speech to the House of Representatives. Ms Hanson addressed the issues of immigration and its effects on society and the economy. This controversial and delicate debate has existed since First Settlement but stagnated since the abolition of the 'White Australia Policy', increased globalisation and anti-discrimination laws. Many "Australians' are questioning the actions taken by the Australian Government and whether they integrate or segregate the Australian community. Australia could be considered as the first successful multicultural country. For our nation to be strong and united it is important for us to be accepting and aware of the situation of different races and minority groups. Everybody in Australia is a migrant. The Aboriginals were one of Australia's earliest migrant groups, but were robbed of their culture, their land, heritage, family and hence identity. Nothing materia! can compensate Aboriginals for this tragedy and if they are given money on a racial basis, it is because they were abused and disadvantaged on such a basis. Many 'Australians' including Slovenians are concerned with the size and composition of Australia's immigration program. Some comments frequently heard are; "There is too much immigration and the Government is allowing too many Asians into by Julie Brear Australia "... "Keep the size the same but equal amounts from each country regardless of colour or race" ... "Don't mindmulticulturalism but not too many Asians "... "I think we have too many Asians in Australia and they do not mix and mingle with Australians ". From these statements it is evident that there is a concern about the number of Asians being allowed into Australia. Will there be an Asian invasion? When this question was posed to some Slovenians, only one person thought that the percentage was fair. Others felt that Asians were going to "lake over Australia in the future" ... "We will be under their thumb"... "It should be stopped" ... "Soon Australia will look like Asia" ... "My major concern is illegal Asian immigrants". In her Maiden speech. Pauline Hanson cites "we are being swamped by Asians". According to the 1996 Report by the Department of Immigration the Australian population consists of but 4.5% Asians, hardly a swamp. What we mainly see are tourists, travelling businesspeople and overseas students. Australia abolished the White Australia Policy in 1972. if the concern is the number of migrants then the quota should be reduced, but whether immigrants are Asian or non Asian matters little. Indeed it would be more harmful to the Australian economy to reject Asians as 70% of Australian trade occurs in this region and is where our future lies. Although there is an obvious concern about the level of immigration, it is astonishing that in the Lindsay by-election, Australians Against Further Slovenians and their Christian values. Immigration received a little over 6% of the primary vote. Is this because in reality, immigration is not such a major issue alter all or that Australians are afraid to stand up for what they believe in? International students are beneficial to the economy not only because their fees subsidise fees of Australian students, but in their consumption expenditure on accommodation, ftx)d, transport, and entertainment. Their utilisation of infrastructure reduces fixed cost per capita of construction and maintenance. They enrich our society with culture, languages and ideas. When Slovenians were asked how they feel about international students using our education system, then taking the knowledge and skills that they have acquired back to their own countries, the opinions were fairly equal. Some of the affirmative responses were as follows; "...good idea because there probably isn't a way that they can get the proper education "... "We receive over $1.4 million dollars from international students which benefits our economy". Alternatively, "It is not fair that they use us just for education - they don't want to become Australians "... "it's unfair "... "Asians should not come to Australia, study and then go back to their homeland. If they come here they should stay here and learn our language . My parents have been here for 40 years and speak perfect English, so too should they ". Do Slovenians fear an "Asian Invasion"? 8% 92% Slovenians first arrived in Australia after World War II when they were granted assisted passages to leave war-torn Europe. Although these migrants were considered fortunate as they had the opportunity to begin new lives with freedom, there were also many downsides. Most could not speak a word of English, had to leave all their possessions behind and much of their family support. Presently there are restrictions to the number of migrants allowed into Australia. Although presently, It was interesting to discover that there were people in the Slovenian community that displayed racism or prejudice. Slovenians were once migrants who too were discriminated against. Most came here almost penniless and had to work hard under excruciating and filthy working conditions to survive. Most Slovenians today are in well paid positions or own their own businesses which shows that they have overcome the struggles of migration. The Slovenian community should be proud of their achievements. Not only have Slovenians as individuals succeeded in their personal goals, but also as a community. We have established churches, clubs, sporting teams, folkloric groups, dramatic art groups etc. Although the Slovenian community is extremely small, it has kept its culture alive and is slowly becoming recognised. Slovenians are predominantly Christian in particular Catholic, therefore it would be expected that Slovenians live by Christian values which include acceptance of all people regardless of colour, race and so on. ❖ migrants still face the hardships of leaving their families and homelands, the pain is not as great for Slovenians who are taught English in schools. There are also well established Slovenian communities in many host countries including Australia. Multiculturalism enriches Australia but only if approached correctly. If all nationalities refuse to assimilate and tolerate one another, then peace and harmony will not be achieved. A Utopian society is not attainable. Therefore, the emphasis is on progression rather than perfection. There are limits and if all nationalities realise these then love and tolerance will prevail. It is great to see Slovenians proud of their heritage. However, too much pride leads to ignorance. Ignorance leads to prejudice which can cause racism. A professor named Sir Ninian Smart once said; "You must get to know the trees before you try to depict the forest". Australia may never achieve total cultural unity. Indeed, the diversity and tolerance of cultures is one of our most redeeming assets. If all 'Australians' (including Slovenians) take the time to learn about the multicultural and multifaith nature of our society, we will all eventually have an understanding and acceptance of our multicultural society and through this, Australia may achieve unity. Is it too much to ask our community members to extend the same level of friendship and acceptance that our ancestors in this country would have liked and sometimes received? /This article is based on interviews conducted with a group of twenty Slovenians located throughout Sydney over a period of one week ranging in age from 16 to 81.]* — Culture-- European Cultural Month in Ljubljana The most important cultural event in Slovenia and probably in Central Europe is being held in Ljubljana from 15 May to 30 June this year. Slovenia will host a rich cultural program, ranging from ballet and modern dance, classical and rock music, film, photographic exhibitions, theatre, symposia, and workshops. Highlights include a charity concert by Luciano Pavarotti at the Cankarjev Dom on July 4. Kunst (NSK) which had prominent members such as painters and theatre groups. NSK significantly contributed to the culture in the former Yugoslavia and continues to make in impact in the 90's. Of special interest is the opening production: a musical stage project performed by the Slovenian Philharmonic with Marko Letonja as conductor, together with the popular rock group Laibach. Laibach Laibach was formed in 1980 in Trbolje, a mining town in central Slovenia. The group's early years were marked by a series of administrative political prohibitions due to its use of totalitarian imagery in the face of the one-party system. Laibach's first album was released in 1985, without its name on the cover, the first of only two albums on a Slovenian label, hi 1984 the group co-fonncd a wider aesthetic movement, Neue Slowenische The group has created music for fifteen theatre productions, many within NSK, but also for Michael Clark on his performance No Escape in Hell at the Saddlers Wells Theatre in London in 1986. In its sixteen years of existence, Laibach has made 15 albums and held over 300 concerts, more than 220 of those abroad (Germany, Great Britain, USA, Canada, Eastern (Continued from page 8) and Central Europe, Scandinavia, Italy and France). Its latest album, Jesus Christ Superstars, was released in October 1996 By Mute Records. The album is a mixture of machine rhythm and heavy metal, bound together with typically monumental arrangements and choruses, it uses Andrew Lloyd Webber's rock musical as a vehicle to explore the way rock has absorbed Hollywood's idea of Christian values, its fusion of religious sexuality, metal guitar and gospel roots. The Slovenian Philharmonic Ljubljana staged its first opera in 1660, and the Academia Philharmonicorum, the predecessor of The Slovenian Philharmonic, was established in 1701. One of the first of its « .. t kind in Europe, it involved educated aristocrats of the upper middle class. The Academia performed works by the most important European composers of the time, especially the Italian baroque masters. It was succeeded by the establishment of the Philharmonic Society in 1794, again the first in the Hapsburg monarchy. As such it attained honorary members such as Joseph Haydn, who as a sign of his gratitude for the title, wrote "Missa in tempore belli". Beethoven became a honorary member in 1819, followed by Paganini in 1885. Marko Letonja Marko Letonja is the artistic director of the Philharmonic in the 1995-1996 season, and has been permanent conductor since 1992. Letonja was bom in Maribor in 1961, where he began his studies in piano and continued them at the Academy of Music in Ljubljana, where he graduated in 1985 and in conducting in 1987, the year of his debut with the Slovenian Philharmonic. He later studied at the School for Music and Performing Arts in Vienna, where he graduated in 1989. Letonja went on to conduct on many important Italian stages. In 1992 he conducted at the La Scala Opera in Milan for the first time and soon became a regular guest at this prestigious institution, conducting ballets such as Romeo & Juliet, Don Quixote and Evengi Onegin. He has conducted in Hong Kong, Taiwan & Japan, and received favourable reviews. Recently he performed Verdi's Requiem with Francisco Araiza in Ljubljana for which he received the highest praise. ❖ J1LI1 Euro International « Pty Ltd [AUSTRALIA I * J III! ACN 050 989 618 Euro Furniture Wide range of colonial furniture from Slovenia. Dining settings, rocking chairs, bentwood chairs and modern bedrooms. Available at all leading furniture retailers. Euro Trading Trading with Slovenia in chemical commodities, pharmaceutical & food products, metals, machinery, sporting equipment and a variety of other products. Sydney: 2A Bessemer Street Blacktown NSW 2148 Ph: (02) 9671 5999 Fax: (02) 9621 3213 Melbourne: 2 Dalmore Drive Scoresby VIC 3152 Ph: (03) 97641900 Fax: (03) 97641461 Regional Profile Slovenia's Wine Culture & Regions by Mark Breznik Recently, Bob Carr, the Premier of NSW, announced that "Advance Australia Fair" did not fare well in representing Australia in the eyes of the world, to the search for a more identifiable national anthem, a wit on talk-back radio suggested that the letters "VB" sung to the tune of Advance Australia Fair, would better reflect Australian culture. Slovenia made the move to a National Anthem that better reflected the national preoccupation with fine wines, beer and spirits by identifying the nation with a poem titled "A Toast". I am of course referring to France Preseren's "A Toast" or "Zdravlica". Which other nation could boast the "unsung" stanzas of the national tune with the "The vintage, friends, is over .. And here sweet wine makes, once again .. Sad eyes and hearts recover.. Puts fire into every vein .. Downs dull care .. Everywhere .. And summons hope out of despair"? In fact, the official opening lines to the Slovenian National Anthem ring with the declaration "At last our reunion - .. To us the toast!.. Let it resound .." It is not surprising that the citizens of a country located at the meeting point of the Alps, the Mediterranean and the Pannonian Plains should value so highly the bounty that the fruits of the vine should offer. With the remarkable geography of Slovenia, the opportunity to experiment with wine styles is truly a part of the Slovenian people's cultural heritage. From "Kraški Teran", a fundamentally Mediterranean wine style grown in the Primorje region, and the light red Cviek style from the Posavje region to the Podravje region near Maribor, which claims the oldest vine in the world, Slovenia literally basks in a sea of fine wine. So, join me in a look at the culture and tradition of Slovenia's finest viniculture and charge your glass and enjoy (in moderation of course). From the First Vines Historians point to the Romans as the starting point of the first great boom in winemaking in Slovenia. The region of modern day Slovenia was categorised as representing the traits of "northern wine". It incorporated characteristics of acidity and freshness that were so in demand after a hard, hot day at the Forum debating the latest uprising or enjoying the sports on offer at the Colosseum. In the writings of the well known Roman scholar Pliny the Elder, Slovenian wines are described with high respect. While no doubt enjoying the occupational hazards of a wine commentator, Pliny made specific reference to the fine qualities of Refosk, or Paccinum, from the vineyard of the Karst region, the ancestor of the present day "Teran". There are also reports that Slovenian wine reached such a high level of quality that it even rivaled the finest Roman wines. In an action that shows how little political cronyism has changed over the last two thousand years, the Emperor Domitian prohibited the planting of quality vine types in Slovenia. It was only some time later under Marcus Aurelius Probus that the ban was lifted and Slovenia's wine culture further developed. Brightening Up the Dark Ages After the Roman Empire and up to the Middle Ages, monasteries, the church and the feudal barons kept alive the inheritance of Slovenia's viniculture. During this period too, the fame of Slovenian wines spread far. Prince Kocelj mentions Styrian and Pannonian vineyards in his writing, while Fredrick Barbarossa, the crusade leader, praised wines from Slovenske Gorice. His fond memories were no doubt magnified by the fact that he was probably surrounded by heavily armed infidels on a dry, desolate hilltop near Jeruzalem. More Recent Vintages Organised trade in wine before and after the Austro-Hungarian Empire led the way in further developing Slovenia's wine industry. With the help of advanced technology, Slovenian growers now produce quality wines which have won many international awards. Slovenian wines are now popular across Europe and North America. In the UK, most local "Off License" or bottle shops offer low cost but good quality Slovenian wines. In Canada, Slovenian wines can be found on the shelves of quality wine outlets next to other central European delights such as Hungarian "Tokay" and German "Riesling". The Slovenian wine industry as a whole has gained international recognition. This is demonstrated in the support given to the respected annual "Ljubljana Wine Show". Many a medal from the Ljubljana Show adorns a bottle of South Australia's highly regarded producer, Wolf Blass. He has so frequented this show in the past that his cache of medals has drawn criticism from some Australian wine critics. Slovenian Wine Regions The Podravje Region, located in Slovenia's north-east, is an area with a continental climate. The wines are regarded as aromatic, with distinctive varietal characteristics and pleasant V' acidity. The region includes Maribor, Radgonske-Kapelske Gorice, Ljutomersko Ormoške Gorice, Haloze, central Slovenske Gorice and Prekmurske Gorice. This region also boasts probably the oldest vine in the world. Planted 440 years ago, it still produces wine of the "Žametna Črnina" variety. Each year, approximately 35 litres of wine are made from its grapes and the wine is sold in special small bottles with a certificate and the seal of the city of Maribor. The Posavje Region, in the south-east, enjoys the Mediterranean climatic influence of Bela Krajina. Here we find fresh wines with distinctive fruity characteristics and greater acidity. The region includes the districts of "Šmaije-Virštajn, Bizeljsko-Sremi, Dolenjska (home of Cviek) and Bela Krajina. The hallmark wine of the district is Cviek. It is unique amongst European rose style wines as it is produced from a mixture of red and white grapes. The wine's higher acidity makes it a (Continued on page 22) 5dter Detter fit Va\oe Irena & Boris Topolovec welcome you to: THE ATHLETE'S FOOT, NORTH RYDE Franchisee: Halanza Pty Ltd. ACN 071 523 227 Shop 77, Maoquaria Cantra, Waterloo Road, North Ryda NSW 2113 Telephone 02 9887 3975 Facsimile 02 9878 4170 This business is operated under franchise from The Athlete's Foot Australia Pty Ltd ELIZA The Slovenian playground in the south by Ivan Urdih Christmas Shopping Spree Just a short note to let you know that our Christmas shopping spree was a success, yet again! A few Statistics from our mailing list ACT: 016 TAS: OOl NSW: 378 VIC: 166 NT: 001 WA: 013 QLD: 065 OS: 002 SA: 014 Total: 656 In addition we have 86 incorrect addresses. "Update your details when you change address" Congratulations: Carmen (Lah) and Mark Gaspersic who married at St Raphael's Catholic Church on 27/12/96. After the formalities they slipped away to Tahiti where we understand they had a wonderful honeymoon. Best wishes for the future. As usual the day was long - nevertheless, thirty one people joined in the fun. Even a handsome young man (13 years of age) joined in. Though he came with his mum, he too found a couple of bargains and said he's coming next time. I am sure he also enjoyed being the only thorn amongsi all of those roses!!! Apart from finding many bargains and spending a total of SI 1,807.89, we also found in the back streets of Surry Hills, the making of a film called "The Big Red'' One of [he main characters was none other than Ginger from Gilligans Island. So watch your theatre outlets for this movie! One just never knows what surprises are in store when participating in these shopping sprees! The ASR made a profit ofS711.25 on the day - all of which will go towards ¡he cost of producing and distributing the publication. Thanks again to all who supported the event. It seems there's yet another Shopping Spree organised for Saturday 14th June this year. Olga Kuznik is the new organizer, Please contact her for further details on 9635 5593. Cheers! ❖ Jude BavcarSkubla The annual week away in Mt Eliza was again held in January. This traditional migration wray down south to Mt Eliza has been going on since 1 can remember. We have now increased the week away to two weeks, one week for families and the other one for the youth and those young at heart! My wife Olga, who thinks she's still 18, decided to spend the youth week at Mt Eliza together with our kids and her sister's family. The accommodation is in an old monastery so the conditions are not as luxurious as you would find in a 5 star hotel in the centre of Melbourne. The rooms are about 6' x 6' and fitted with one single bed and a chest of drawers (for my wife, this is camping) but the large grounds and gardens are beautiful and the camp is right on the beach on the Momington Peninsula. As I had work commitments I could only spend a few nights down there towards the end of (lie week. It was a wonderful stay, but I might add it was also nice staying back home in a quiet house without the screaming kids. The kids staying at Mt Eliza spent their days on the beach, swimming, playing ball or just lazing around. It really is a great time to just unwind. The camp cost us S20 a day per person and that included all our nutritionally balanced and lovingly prepared meals. 1 just cannot fathom how the kids also managed to fit in some of the other five food groups, McDonalds, KFC, Pizza Hut, HungTy Jacks and Fish & Chips. Our Slovenian mums who volunteer their domestic duties were understandably disappointed. My sister-in-law got sick while down there. I think it was something about swollen ankles. She found it hard to walk and knew she was in trouble when Sister Emma (who was on holidays from Slovenia, is 82 years old and has had a double hip replacement) overtook her in the corridor! The weather that week was most pleasant - actually hot!! ❖ Hi! Just a short note to let you know of what has been happening down south in Melbourne. Harbour Cruise &ut ék Ahmt rChe Q&ôûial Qbcene m Qbpdnep fien: Friday 4th April Where: Opera House Wharf Time: 7:45pm-Midnight Dress: Smart Casual Tickets: $30 pre sale $35 on the night The Cruise is designed to unite the young Ausraüan Síovenians in our small community. If you love great parties, join us for the ultimate 18+event, You are most welcome to invitefriends, but hurry, as tickets are limited! Ticket price includes food. Drinks extra. For further details and bookings contact: Julie or Michelle Tel: (047) 365 525 Mobile: 014 831 701 DATE Friday, March 14 Saturday, March 15 Sunday, March 30 Monday, March 31 Friday, April 4 Saturday, April 5 Sunday. April 20 Saturday, May 10 Sunday, May 11 Saturday, May 17 Sunday, May 18 Sunday, May 25 Satuntav, June 7 Saturday, June 14 Saturday, 21 June PLACE SDS SDS Gui» Concert Solo vocalist Du&m Kobal Accompanied l>y pianist Aleksander Vodoplvca Jozcfovanje East er Sunday Opera House Warf SDS SDS SDS St Rafaels „âp^pf »ilffiHïr? St Rafaels St Rafaels SDS SDS ' ' ; : ■ St Rafaels SDS Harbour Cruise Danec Slovenian Picnic- Mothers Day Mothers Day Drama Group Presents "Trije vaški svetniki" Drama «roup Presents "Tnic v !Dorothy 'Kobat B. Com LL.B. Solicitor Tel: (02) 9838 0334 FÎIÏ: (02)9674 4583 Mobile: 1)416 21)8 387 81 Sporing Avenue (P.O. Box KL 926) Kings Langley NSW 2147 Tel: (03) 9795 9510 Lcnti Lenko ffi.\. AAüM) Teacher of Organ, Piario & Keyboard Professional backing tracks and tapes Studio productions Feature Slovenia is Constructing Motorways (Part 2) by Boris Koba! HIGHLIGHTS OF THE CONSTRUCTION WORK "There is nothing more frustrating than following a fully laden semi-trailer up the steep serpentine roadway. " If you've ever driven from Koper to Ljubljana, there is one thing you will always remember -CRNIKAL. There is nothing more frustrating than following a fully laden semi-trailer up the steep serpentine roadway. To get a motorway up this steep incline will require some amazing engineering. Needless to say that this will be one of the most expensive sections of the motorway system. Whilst in Ljubljana, 1 was able to speak to Asanin Ciole. the Public Relations Consultant of DARS. He was able to show me a video simulation of the two proposed routes as they are now subject to environmental impact studies. Work is planned to start in 1997 and be complete in 1999. Another new section of freeway I was able to drive on whilst in Slovenia was the section from Selo to Sempeter. This was opened only days before our departure in June 1996. From Semperter to Vipava (apart from Lhe steep incline at Razdrto), the roadway along the Vipava valley looks to be quite straightforward. The only thing they have to negotiate is which farms in the Vipava valley need to be purchased (and for how much) to allow the motorway to go through. On the way from Ljubljana to Maribor, we encountered heavy traffic jams. Happily, this is mainly because of the accelerated work being carried out on the motorway. In fact, much of this partially finished motorway section, originally planned for 1997 completion, will be complete before the end of 1996. If you've ever travelled from Ljubljana to Celje, a traditional rest stop along this winding road is for doughnuts at Trojane - reputably the best in Slovenia. With the Vransko-Blagovica section, due for completion in 1999, stopping here may be difficult. This section -the Trojane pass- will be a technically challenging section of motorway comprising/ive tunnels and eleven viaducts! -which best protects the environmental conditions of the area. If you drive towards Novo Mesto from Ljubljana, you will encounter some imposing flyovers and tunnels either finished or under construction. This is part of the descriptively named section of motorway called the Ljubljana Knot. This Is a ring road which is planned to connect the LjublanaMaribor motorway, the Novo Mesto motorway, the Koper motorway and the Jesenice motorway. It is a central hub of the motorway system. Just to the East of Ljubljana is the industrial centre with a freight transport and rail centre. This has to be serviced by a good road system and the Knot will do this job. Needless to say, this section of motorway will also carry some local traffic, as it will encircle Ljubljana. The plan - where and when. The Motorways have been planned according to a four stage building program. These are outlined below. 1989 - 1996 (Present) Complete by 1998 Complete by 2000 Complete by 2004 The maps on the following page indicate the scope of each stage. ♦> / would like to acknowledge the assistance of D ARS d d as represented by Pedja AS4NIN COLE, the Public Relations Consultant for DARS. * CONCLUSIONS At the end of the day, Slovenia's motorway system and specifically the east-west route is of exceptional importance to Slovenia. Running along the longest interior connection axis of Slovenia, it will provide a direct link from the Adriatic port of Koper to the Panontan Plain and Hungary. This route south of the alps is effectively a principal gateway from the European Union into central Europe! Not only does it service the access to Europe, this motorway system also services the interior of the country, to which all the Slovenian regions gravitate. It will provide access to the open sea port of Koper to the other national centres such as Maribor and Ljubljana. It will link the strong economic Goriska region with the centre of the country and it will provide easy access for the tourist traffic from the North and West. 1989- 1996 (Present) In summary, this motorway system will be one of the keystones to Slovenia's future development and prosperity. Completed by 2004 Completed by 1998 Completed by 2000 Robar Bros Pty Ltd A.C.N. 066 032 111 Concreting Specialists Bogie tipper hire Excavation Eddy Robar Mobile: 018 067 553 Ah: (02) 9623 1612 All work guaranteed B.S.C. Licence No. 62799C Ivan's Kitchens Penrith Craftsman quality kitchens, vanities and cabinets /van Br car (047) 212 010 AH: (047) 365 525 Researching migrants Researching Our Parents and Grandparents Lives By Veronika Ferfotja I often wonder what I know about my parents. It was only when 1 interviewed my father for a project at University that I began to realise how much I didn'i know. The interview strengthened the bond between us, and opened the door for dad to talk to me about things from his past that he previouslv "So many Slovenians I speak to wou)d nct have ^^ ta , think do not believe that their stories are worth telling, which makes me really sad. This is where I hope you will conspire with me - do you, your parents or grandparents, other relatives or friends have stories you think should be told?" our parents sometimes assume we are not interested in their past. While this is often the case at some stage during childhood or adolescence, the phase usually passes. But do our parents realise that? The events of 1991 set my curiosity about Slovenia burning; I really wanted to find out more. As a student in history, the obvious thing to do seemed to be to check the University library. I was devastated. The amount of literature on Slovenia amounted to a black hole - if there was any, it had been eaten up. However, I did find books with information on other parts of former Yugoslavia. It was only then that I began to realise how complex a history former Yugoslavia had, particularly with respect to the Second World War. Why hadn't anyone ever said to me, "Hey, there was civil war going on as well"? I had vowed NEVER to do Slovenian history, or Slovenian migration history -1 believed that you couid not be objective in researching your own background. But at the same time I know I could only ever research something 1 was passionate about, and I spent years at University trying to work out what that something I so passionately wanted to research was. And to think it had been there all the time! It crept upon me in spite of myself - step by step, project by project, essay by essay, and finally, during my Honours thesis on the work experiences of Slovenian migrants in the clothing industry in Melbourne, it became painfully obvious: this THING that was driving me was the desire to know more about my parents and their generation, about how Slovenian history and migration had shaped their lives. So here 1 am, doing a PhD on the THING that drives me. I am absolutely passionate about the need for it to be done and to be done now, before too many of our parents' generation have died. I am just as passionate that what I research is as close as 1 can get to the truth - the truth of the many and varied experiences of Slovenians from different parts of Slovenia, who have differing political and religious persuasions, who are from rural or urban Slovenia, educated or not, who were soldiers or civilians during WWII, and who were men, women or children at that time. Thus, the major pari of my research Is interviewing Slovenian migrants in Australia about their experiences in Slovenia during the Second World War and about their lives in Australia. 1 hope to interview at least 100 people for my thesis, but the only problem is finding them! So many Slovenians I speak to do not believe that their stories are worth telling, which makes me really sad. This is where 1 hope you will conspire with me - do you, your parents or grandparents, other relatives or friends have stories you think should be told? My current plans are to interview in Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide, Geelong and Canberra. However, if I get an enthusiastic response from elsewhere in Australia, I may well travel there. All interviews are confidential. I will not publish anything from an interview without the interviewee's permission, and all people are asked if they would like to use a pseudonym. / can be contacted on (08) 8234 5496. at 39 Shipster Street, Torrensville, 5031. ♦> Conference Slovene National Economy Presentation A 7 day "Presentation of the Slovene national economy" conference is to be staged by the International Office of the Student Organisation of the University of Ljubljana during the first half of October 1997. The International Office of the University has now, for four years, strived to establish contacts and cooperation with Slovenians world-wide and this event is a further step in strengthening these contacts in the economic field. This event provide an opportunity for participants to gain a macroeconomic view of the Slovenian economy and of its most successful companies. It will also give participants a chance to learn about the geographical and etlmological diversity of the country. 'Make Up Sírtist Bridal, Formais and Special Occassions Evelyn Kuldan Mobile: 0412 546781 Tel: 02 9546 7816 Rix: 02 9546 7816 The Presentation will be delivered by the acknowledged Slovenian experts in economics and law and supported by visits to the companies and respective institutions all over Slovenia. The Presentation is ideally suited to students and graduates of economics and law studies however anyone interested is warmly welcomed. The Student Organisation will cover the full board and lodging as well as travel expenses within Slovenia during the event. Travel to Slovenia and back will need to be covered by the participants themselves. If you are interested in attending, brief details of the number attending, whether the proposed date of early October is convenient and any suggestions related to the content of the presentations should be submitted by the 20th March if possible. Joiko Fornazaric is the Head of the project and the address is Student Organisation of University International Office Kersnikova 4 100(1 Ljubljana - Slovenia tel ++386 rtl 133 72 19 fax++386 (il 133 33 48 AL Vr a mew design seríes Extensive range of 3,4 or 5 bedroom plans Can be modified to suit your needs. Phone for FREE colour leaflets or call and inspect the style and quality of our Display Homes. Telephone: 02-629 4394 or 02-671 3155 Alienee uuildinS ROSEWOOD LIAMCC HOMES Exceptional Value, Top Quality and Stylish appearance. Variety of areas in West, North West and South Western suburbs. Some ready to occupy now. Builders Lie No. 34806 ACN 002 5-12 896 • Where Quality and Service are built in • Display Homes • Homeworld II, Hampton Crescent, Prospect • Parklea Home Market, Sorrento Drive, Glenwood Park. New Homes Built on your land House & Land Packages • Perfect for first home buyers. • Ideal for investors WINNER 1995-96 Cooking Belokranjski Struklji As Easter is approaching I've decided to share a recipe that in the Belokranjska region is cooked on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. This has been a favourite of mine since I was little and Easter wouldn't be the same without calling into mums on Good Friday for stmklji for lunch. If you wish, only cut Vi the dough for strukjli. The rest can be curled onto a baking dish with a little oil covering the surface and baked as a cheese strudel. Method Sift the flour, make a well in the middle and add salt, oil and water. Knead the ingredients with your hands until the dough is soft and smooth. You can add more flour whilst kneading if it is sticking to the surface of the bowl or pastry board. Once the dough has been prepared cover it with a clean tea-towel and let it stand for approximately 30mins in a warm spot. While your dough is standing, make the filling in a bowl. • Mix cream cheese, sour cream and sugar together with a spoon. • Melt margarine and fry bread crumbs until they are golden brown. • Beat one egg in a cup. Bring a large pot of water to the boil. When the dough has stood and the filling is ready, the fun is about to begin. Ingredients Dough 314 cups plain flour 2 Tablespoons oil !/2 Tablespoon salt 1 Vi cups hike warm water Pilling 375g cottage cheese 3 Tablespoons sour cream 1 Tablespoon sugar 150ml fresh cream V4 cup fresh bread crumbs 2 large spoons margarine 2 eggs Cover your dining room table with a linen cloth or tablecloth, sprinkle the table cloth with flour and roll the dough as much as you can. Brush the dough with oil (making sure all the surface is covered). Stretch the dough gently with your hands until it covers the entire surface of your table. If possible stretch it over the sides of the table as well. Spread V* of filling, bread crumbs, fresh cream and beaten egg evenly over the dough. Turn one of the sides up onto the dough and spread the remaining ingredients over the dough. Holding the cloth on both comers, roll the dough towards the other edge until all the dough has been rolled up. You should have what looks like a snake on your table. When water has boiled cut the struklji into 8cm lengths using a plate NOT a knife as this will seal the edges a lot better. Drop the struklji into the boiling water. Boil them for 15mins, then whisk in the other beaten egg, some fresh cream. 3 spoons of sour cream and. salt to taste. Let stand for 10 minutes and serve as a soup. * Drainage * Gasfitting * Maintenance & Repairs FS&GS Plumbing For all your plumbing needs telephone Frank Skubla (02) 9674 7993 Mobile 018 256 516 Gold Lie No. 11621 C.A. No. A.35B7 4JJ S.J Electrical Contractor Gold Licence No: EC38345 ILECTl For all your Electrical work call Henry Stariha Tel: (02) 9624 6132 Mobile: 0412 972 425 Feedback Dear ASR team, I received your latest Slovenian Review and I am interested to Jearn where is it possible to buy a copy of the book "Doing Business in Slovenia" as you mentioned in your magazine. Can you please contact me with the bare information as it would be greatly appreciated. Jenny Vide Croydon Park NSW 2133 Dear ASR team In your recent edition of ASR which I recently received, you mention about a book which was put out in June of this year called "Doing Business in Slovenia". I am very interested in obtaining a copy of this book. Could you please advise me of how I can obtain a copy and the cost of the book. I would also like to take this opportunity to say that I thoroughly enjoy reading the ASR and find it both interesting and informative. Mrs Nives Grlj Greenacre NSW The Slovenian Embassy in Canberra has informed us thai as yet the book is not available in Australia, however the Slovenian publishers address is: Center zaMednarodtto sodelovanje in Razvoj CMSR Kardeljeva ploscad 1, ga. Lidija Daneu; tel.: 061/1681 372, 1683 597 fax: 061/1681 585 The cost of the publication is $80. The Embassy also has a selection of other titles that may be of interest to you .Ed Dear ASR team I would like to thank you for organising the "Rendezvous" picnic/dance on Sunday, 24 November 1996 at Club Triglav. My family and I enjoyed the day immensely and would be happy to support you in any other functions you may try to organise. While there, I had a short discussion with Irene Stariha as I was hoping to purchase those "Reviews" which I thought are missing from my collection (they are missing as I over eagerly gave them away to friends and relatives). As I am not sure as to how many issues are in each volume 1 think it best to note down just which "Reviews" I do have. In this way, could you please tell me which issues are missing and I will promptly send you a cheque. Irene also asked for any "filler ideas" and as it has happened, it occurred to me that an interest of mine (inter and intra-personal relations) may also entertain the ASR team and its readers. Some of the enclosed copied pages are obviously intended to make you laugh, while others are a little thought provoking. PS. My thanks to club Triglav for providing the venue for the picnic/dance Rendezvous. This, as I understand it, was a generous gesture on the part of the club. Sylvia Rolih Cherrybrook NSW 212(i Didn 't we all have a great day!! Our team was blown over by the success and the support we received on the day. We were vety lucky that Club Triglav took on the expenses for the day and so enabled us to have so many activities to entertain all facets of our community. In my editorial I have mentioned the aim of our Rendez\'ous and the dilemma we face in planning future The ASR welcomes your suggestions and comments. Send correspondence to: ASR PO Box KL806 Kings Langley NSW 2147 Australia Fax: (02) 9674 4583 days like this. I'm pleased that we could all get together and enjoy each others company and that I was able to meet so many of our readers. To be honest I have a dreadful memory for names, so I will have to keep meeting people to remember them. I found your filler very interesting and hope to be able to share them with other readers in future editions. I have already tested out the recipe for Christmas Rum Cake only I passed out before I finished consuming the rum! I also had some understanding of the article about adolescence -1 think I was just like the one described - and I'm praying that my 2 angelic (sometimes!) children will be nothing like it! I will also pass on the information on issues you are missing to Henry who guards our previous work with his life. Ed Dear ASR team Thank you for sending me all the editions during the year. I enjoy reading them and I like the latest colour booklet. I am enclosing a cheque as a donation towards the publication of this booklet. Valentin & Celeste Kalan Mona Vale NSW 2103 It is a pleasure sending you our publication. I'm pleased to hear that you found the new look appealing. We were a little disappointed with the print on some of the pages (the bleeding of colour through to the next page) and the team member who took it to the printer chose a colour a little lighter than we had expected - none the less it was an improvement and hopefully the one you are reading now will be even better! Oh, and thanks for the contribution, it keeps us alive! Ed ❖ Regional Profile (Continuedfrom page IIJ refreshing wine which offers benefits in the digestion of the region's many culinary delights including lamb, roast pork and savoury pies. The Primorje Region, located on or near Slovenia's coast, is an area where the continental climate meets the Mediterranean. The region is renowned for distinctively coloured, full, heavy red wines, especially from the Koper region. The area includes the winemaking regions of Brda, Vipava, Karst (home of Teran) and Koper. The hallmark wine of this district is Kraški Teran. It is a dry wine with a ruby red colour and a touch of purple. As many would acknowledge, Teran is the perfect accompaniment to the region's other delight, Karst prosciutto. The wine derives its properties from the region's limestone soils and the particular climatic conditions of the Karst plains. p\ ' s - So - ' .a- á&ra. s ní 2 ---1» K^ £ K» Ki S? ? ^ Cs H, 3 iss I Ui E a R uj ^ a. N b s->§ o > « re s »O — 3 8 a S Irrt, ►j rs S3. ^ s- a £ ki ^ o 3 T Ci 5 5" -ti. s ^ i" S S 3 a -ti Ui hS ? ■8 1 Uj *-H i=o h i- s « ^ ns Kj -b, -b, fera l| tj. o o 5 Oc ^ S § §■ Î5 Inj 3 Inj > vo tö s § K. s: -T5 NORTON MANAGEMENT SERVICES PTY LTD Accountants & Registered Tax Agents O o t/î CA t O -s a > Ui t ÍD -I en Whichever wine you chose from the tempting varieties available, close your eyes and picture yourself in sunny Slovenia and it is sure to taste great. References: "Slovenian Wine Map", Mini sir iva Za Kulturo, July 1994 ❖ 'ocm Tel: 9560 4766 Fax: 9564 1808 182 Norton Street Leichhardf NSW 2040 ffl SLOVENIAN ASSOCIATION SYDNEY ACN 000 904 754 2-10 Elizabeth Street Wetherill Park NSW 2164 ft Bistro tVPool Tables Visitors A Poker Machines most ft Electronic Dart Board's -H Newf welcome -fr Tennis & Basketball courts ft Library with Slovenian Books ftBocce Social Club available for Tel: (02) 97561658 Weddings, Parties, Fax: (02) 9756 1447 Functions and Hall hire The Slovenian Association Support's the Advancement of Slovenians Crossword ACROSS 3 The magician at the court of King Arthur 5 Puncture 8 The condition of being bored 9 Having qualities that delight the eye 11 Freedom from worry care or unpleasantness 14 'fhe number of bowling pins knocked over in a strike 15 Warriors known as Samurai originate from this country 21 Of extraordinary size and power 23 A monkey which possesses a blood factor otherwise only found in humans 24 A predestined tragic end 26 Highly excited 27 Ache 28 In Winnie the Pooh, what kind of animal is Eeyore? 30 Gouda cheese comes from this country 35 Open 37 The oldest satellite orbiting the earth 38 This country's flag has a yellow cross with a blue background 39 The zodiac sign which is pictured as a ram 40 Type of Lamp 41 Possess 42 A game with 18 holes DOWN 1 Period 2 Plead 3 The front surface of the head 4 A written communication directed to another 5 The legendary bird which rose from its own ashes 6 String of beads used by Catholics to pray 7 Last letter of the Greek alphabet 11 An absolute ruler especially one who is harsh and oppressive 12 To consume gradually as by chemical reaction friction etc 13 Piece 16 Poison 17 Eight sided polygon 18 The Muslim holy day of the week 19 The capital of former Yugoslavia 20 The capital of Hungary 22 Galileo chiefly studied this form of science 24 Checkers 25 The month named after the Roman God of War 29 A type of handwork which can involve purling 31 Who wrote Animal Farm? 32 Permit 33 Event portending good or evil 34 Pig 36, 'Mary had a little lamb' is one Answers on Page 22.*> Did you want a copy of the Australian Slovenian Review, need to change your address or cancel your free copy? Fill in the details below and send to: Australian Slovenian Review CI- P.O. Box KL 806 Kings Langley NSW 2147 □ I would like a copy □ Please change my details □ Please cancel my copy Name ' _ Address _ Postcode If you know someone else who would be interested in receiving a copy of the ASR, please pass this form to them. Back issues are available at $5 each. Please send your orders to the above address.*