Welcome to the Australian Slovaks' Association in Victoria website

Dear visitors, dear friends,

Australian Slovaks' Association in Victoria is a social and cultural organization aimed at preserving Slovak culture, language and traditions as well as help to build presence and visibility of Slovak community in the Australian multicultural society. Our activities include organizing Slovak picnics with soccer matches, dancing parties with Slovak dinners, cultural evenings and concerts, Victoria trips and for our youngest generation traditional Christmas and Easter workshops.

For the last four years Slovak Theater Amateur Group (STAG) has worked tirelessly under the leadership of Ms Terezia Kral. Their debut in 2007 with comedy from Joseph Holly, Kubo was a big success continuing in 2009 with John Palárik's play 'The adventure of harvest' and finally this year 2011 the STAG is introducing Ivan Stodola's satiric play 'High tea at the Senator.'

Only those who have ever worked for the community or been involved in community understand the demands of such a work. The distances are not the only challenges for the community living in 4.6 million city. On the other hand it's a job rewarding and brings many pleasant moments with friends, helps to build new relationships and friendships and create memories for a lifetime.

Last year the Association needed a 'rejuvenation' of the Executive Committee looking for more energetic and enthusiastic contributors with fresh ideas that would attract all generations. I hope that the newly elected Committee will help us with this objective. I am particularly hoping to connect with the youngest generation by creating our own Slovak school, registered with the Department of Education. Additionally to the Slovak school we would like to found a children's folk theater and dancing group.

Equally important objective is to identify the old generation of Slovaks living in Victoria, the elderly ones who need assistance or support to connect with day to day life. Many of our older friends are loosing their language abilities and so help is needed in relation to the communication with local authorities, medical providers or simply just for keeping a company to these people.

Years 2010 and 2011 brought lots of successful activities, initiations and events organized by our young generation e.g. Australia Day People's March, Easter workshop for children and adults at Sumava, the foundation of the puppet theater or published Slovak calendar 2012 or our first Czech and Slovak festival Vodafest. Our Association would like to help developing and supporting these activities in future.

I would also like to thank to a long-time president of the Australian Slovaks' Association in Victoria, Ms Terezia Kral and the entire committee for hard work and intensive involvement in Slovak community. Many thanks to Mrs Olga Pešková, whose father was a founding member of the Association and president for several years. Also thanks to Mrs Maria Mayboemova, Margita Markus, Judita Kolecany and Elena  Olgyaova.

Finally, I believe that this year will bring many colorful events for all the generations of Slovaks living in Victoria, their families, friends and also brings our small community into attention of other communities and wide Australian society. We look forward to meeting you all.

Marta Kapusta
The President of Australian Slovaks' Association in Victoria