The Australian Slovenian Review Spring 1997 Vol. 4 Issue 4 Inside this Issue: ASR attends Journalism Conference The Education System in Slovenia History Cinka Marinka Regional Profile Vintgar Book Review Lonely Planet Guide to Slovenia Editorial / 1 little knowledge can be a dangerous thing. Whoever said that was a very § % intelligent soul. 1 have just returned from the most overwhelming trip to Slovenia. Incredibly I was sent to represent ASR at a Conference for Slovenian journalists living outside of Slovenia. In my short time at this conference and later visiting relatives I gained a little knowledge about Slovenia and myself. This was such a dangerous thing, because it has made mc even more passionate about being Slovenian than 1 was before. The little that ! learnt, served to open up the realisation that 1 know virtually nothing about Slovenia today or it's past. Unfortunately. 1 don't think I'm too different in that respect from many other Australian Slovenians from my generation. Most of us can understand the language, some of us can speak it and even less of us are literate enough to read and write in it! We tell ourselves that this is the reality of living in a different culture so far from the homeland. This has always seemed like a good excuse to me - until meeting with 2nd and 3rd generation Slovenians from America. Argentina and other parts of the world. Many of these people spoke almost better Slovenian than the Slovenians in Slovenia! How do they do it? And what's wrong with us?! Well as usual. 1 have my theories! At first I blamed my parents and all of their generation, then 1 blamed the Australian Government, and last of all 1 blamed myself! Once I stopped being angry (and ashamed) 1 pieced together what 1 think has happened to the Australian Slovenians to make us different from our international counterparts. Firstly, the bulk of our community migrated to Australia after the Second World WarMost of the immigrants were economic refugees and they came to a country which actively encouraged assimilation, The policies of the day were very strongly directed to people forgetting their past and getting on with their future by being like everybody else -Anglo-Saxon. As we all know. Slovenians are peace loving people who work hard and try' to be independent. They held onto their heritage in a way that would be socially acceptable and help with the easing of homesickness. What better way to do that than to sing and dance to good old Slak and Avsenik? All of our generation certainly know a few tunes by these two famous "ensembles". The American Slovenian community on the other hand is much older and larger than ours. The distance between Slovenia and America is shorter making il more accessible and therefore their links are stronger. They have a newspaper that is older than any present day newspaper in Slovenia! (over 100 years old!) Their newspapers have circulation numbers of 20 and 30 thousand ! Our ccnsus information doesn't even give us anywhere near that Australia wide. Their newspaper people lobby the American government on behalf of Slovenia and the Slovenian government on behalf of American Slovenians. We can't even organise ourselves enough to access funding that is available to us! The Argentine Slovenians are an even more interesting bunch! The large portion of their community was made up of the intellectual elite that had to flee Slovenia due to their literary openness and political views. They found that having a culture other than that of the natives was a great advantage and put them a rung up on the social ladder. (Continued on page 15) Editorial Irene Stariha Dorothy Kobal Sonia Kolar Henry Stariha Production Ciril Kosorok Mark Stariha John Kobal Administration Ranata Susanj Jude Bavcar-Skubla Boris Kobal Sylvia Loncar Olga Kuznik Robert Suber Jenny Stariha Public Relations Robert Suber Dorothy Kobal Irene Stariha Contributors Irene Stariha Dorothy Kobal Jenny Stariha Milena Godec Joze Kosorok Fr Valerijan Jenko Iztok Perko Sonia Kolar Veronika Ferfolja The Australian Slovenian Review is a non-profit venture, which aims So publish quarterly. Production and distribution costs are funded by sponsorship and advertising. The ASR is not a platform for any particular interest group and does not represent any group or organisation within the Slovenian community The ASR team believe that there should be a forum available to inform and discuss issues that are of interest to first and second generation Australians with a Slovenian heritage. Articles for publication are most welcome. They may be presented hand written, typed or preferably on an MS-DOS format floppy disk. Articles can be sent to: ASR. P.O. Box KL926 Kings Langley 2147 NSW Australia Fax: (02) 9674 4583 Sponsorship or advertising enquiries should be directed to Robert Suber on (02) 9829 1303 If you are interested in joining our team or finding out more about the ASR please contact us at the above address or fax. •> News Slovenia's anti-smoking laws. The anti-smoking law, which came into force in May, bans smoking in all public places except where specially marked and separated from nonsmoking areas. The occupier must ensure that no more than 50% of the area is allocated for smokers. The law restricts smoking in pubs, restaurants and hotels whilst obliging cigarette manufacturers and importers to affix health warnings in cigarette packets. Penalties for breaches of the new law are up (o 250,000 Tolars ($ 2.032 AUD) for owners or occupiers, and 5,000 Tolars ($ 40 AUD) for persons found smoking in a non-smoking area. Compensation to HIV victims. Recent legislation passed in the Slovenian parliament has meant that compensation will be paid to persons who were infected with the HIV virus through blood transfusions or through other blood products prior to 6 January 1986. Sixteen haemophiliacs were infected with HIV before 1986 and six of those have already died. They will now receive a monthly rental allowance of 80,000 Tolars (tax free), which represents 90% of the average salary in Slovenia. Those who have developed AIDS will receive Î 60,000 Tolars per month (tax free). Carers of these AIDS and HIV sufferers will also receive compensation. First talks held between Slovenia and Yugoslavia. The first official talks between the once waring states were held on the 9th May in Belgrade. Both sides expressed interest in establishing full diplomatic relations between the two countries, but concluded that the preconditions for its establishment had not yet been fulfilled, due to insurmountable differences on key issues. The two sides agreed that talks should continue. 43rd International Wine Tasting Competition in Ljubljana. The i 996 Gramps Chardonnay from the Australian wine maker Orlando won the title of best dry still wine. Over 1,000 different wines from 25 countries were competing in this Mountain accident claims five victims. Five mountain rescuers died in an accident whilst training in the Savinja Alps, south of the Slovenian/Austrian border. About 50 rescuers and a hclicoptcr participated in the annua! training exercise of the Mountain Rescue Service. Their aim was to practise rescuing climbers in distress using a helicopter. Investigators believe that one of the rescuers was still fastened to the safety rope when the helicopter was given the signal to move away. In attempting to avoid a collision with the wall, investigators report that the helicopter pulled out that part of the rock where five rescuers were anchored, w:hich plunged 300 metres down a ravine. Slovenia misses out on NATO. Despite a great deal of confidence over the past few months that Slovenia was well qualified and would soon be accepted as a member of NATO, Slovenia fearnt at the NATO Summit in Madrid on the 8th July, that it had been unsuccessful. At this summit only three candidates where successful and were invited to join NATO. They were Poland, the Czech Republic and Hungary. Slovenia's Prime Minister, Janez DrnovSek said that Slovenia remains probably the best example of a country in transition in terms of economic and political indicators. He also said that he expects that Slovenia will soon be accepted into NATO as a new member. He added that he had received very positive comments about Slovenia from the United States. Putting the best twist on the disappointing decision not to be admitted as a member of NATO, the Prime Minister claimed a kind of informal assurance that Slovenia is practically already a member of the western family. •> competition, which was first held in 1995. Its medals and certificates can only be used for advertising purposes in EU countries. Apart from Ljubljana, these awards are only given in London, Brussels and Bordeaux. — Obituary - Fr. Basil 1924 - 1997 A translated speech by Fr. Valerijan Jenko OFM ather Bazilij Valentin (Fr. Basil A. Vaien-M tine, O.F.M., M.B.E.) was bom in Ljubljana on the 29th day of August 1924. At baptism he was named Albin. The Valentin family lived in Rozna Dolina, in the parish of Saint Anthony of Padua at Vic, a suburb of Ljubljana. He had two sisters, Toncka and Ancka, who now live retired in Ljubljana. He also had a step-sister from his father's first marriage. She lived in Austria and died a few years ago. Young Albin went to school at Vic. As a boy he joined the altar boys in the Vic parish, administered at the time by the Franciscans. Their good example made him fond of the Order of Saint Francis, while at the same time the call to the priesthood was developing in him. After the fourth year in high school he applied to enter the Franciscan Order and in 1941 he received his religious habit and the name Bazilij. He then started his novitiate, a year of probation, with two other probationers. At the end of the novitiate he made his temporary religious vows, then continued his studies in Ljubljana. The war and the communist revolution temporarily interrupted the course of his life. He was eon-scripted by the Domobranci and appointed to serve as a nursing officer at one of their strongholds near Polhov Gradec. He used to recall with pride this period of his life, during which he attended the wounded and was at the same time, as a Franciscan, a model of honest living to his compatriots. At the end of the war he fled, with other young Franciscan students, to Austria. There I shared with him the fate of refugees for some years, first at Lienz, then at Spittal on the Drava river. For a while he was in a monastery for spiritual retreat, where he made his solemn and perpetual religious vows. After that he returned to the refugee camp at Spittal and continued his studies at the Slovenian high school, which was recognised by the Allies. There he obtained his high school certificate. Then he started his theological studies in Austria. In 1948 all of us, Franciscan students of theology, were transferred to Bozen to continue our theological studies. The following year came another transfer. We were invited to continue our theology with other Slovenian students at Lemont, the American "Brezje". We arrived there by boat two days before Christmas 1949. Father Bazilij was by then in his last year of theology and the following year, on the 29th of June ! 950, he was consecrated as a priest at Lemont by bishop Dr. Gregorij Rocman. One week later he celebrated his first mass. He was then appointed editor of the religious monthly Ave Marija, while on Sundays he helped with the needs of local parishes. in 1956 came a call from Australia. Father Bernard Ambrosic was getting on in age and asked him to come and help with Slovenian migrants in Australia. Father Bazilij accepted the invitation and as soon as he landed on the fifth continent, he engaged himself with enthusiasm to work for our migrants. In the Melbourne suburb of Kew he got hold of a large building called Padua Hall, which he renamed Baraga Flouse, There he started work on behalf of our young men. Many of these, on arrival to Australia, found through Father Bazilij a home with all the basic necessities and in him a father, who helped them with every difficulty. These men, most of whom are now heads of families, remember Father Bazilij with gratitude and come together once a year in "Baragov Dom" to recall the days spent there in the caring hands of Father Bazilij. Father Bazilij, apart from Baragov Dom and pastoral duties, eared for newly arrived migrants. He welcomed them when they arrived by ship in Melbourne harbour. He visited them at Bonegilla and for many provided accommodation and found employment. At the same time he started gathering funds and support for building the new church of St. Ciril and Methodius. He invited to Australia Slovenian nuns and bought for them a house, where they soon opened a child care centre, which they administered for more then ten years. He looked ahead into the future and knew that our people in their old age would need a Slovenian nursing home. With the help of his parishioners he succeeded. Beside this church now stands a beautiful Slovenian nursing home, Dom Matere Romane. Most of us know only superficially, how many worries, trips to offices and planning frustrations were necessary for this Home to stand here today. For Father Bazilij all this was normal and he didn't back away from any endeavour or stop at any obstacles placed before him by council bureaucrats. He overcame them all for the love of God and the Slovenian migrant. He also cared for the children's Slovenian education. Slomškova šola, the Slovenian school, was in the responsibility of the sisters all the years, until they departed. Even after the sisters' departure he made sure that there were teachers for this school. It was his idea the holiday facility at Mount Eliza for youth and parents continued cach year in January. Father Bazilij had great ability to organise and he knew how to enlist the cooperation of his supporters to carry out his ideas and plans. He was able to pass on his enthusiasm to his listeners and thus assure their support. Through his advice he contributed a lot to the establishment of associations and clubs. God endowed him with a good measure of talents, which he used diligently to help his neighbour. Father Bazilij's parish was not only the church of St. Ciril and Methodius in Kew, but also St. Alban's, Geelong, Wodonga and Morwell. The first few years after arriving in Australia he travelled every two months to Adelaide, where he established the Mission of the Holy Family as well as the Slovenian association, which celebrated its 40th anniversary in June this year. The name of Father Bazilij is closely associated with Slovenian migrants in Australia and will be written with golden letters in history. On his departure we feel like orphans. The loss is irreplaceable. We arc comforted by the thought that he now enjoys a rich reward for his selfless and self-sacrificing work. As a son of St. Francis of Assisi, who was his model, he lived simply and frugally, giving himself away, so that others may have a better life. ❖ The funeral of Fr. Bazilij Valentine Lento Lenko - reporting from Victoria On the 2nd of August 1997 a huge crowd of people gathered at the Slovenian Religious & Cultural Centre in Kew to farewell Father Basil, the founder of the Slovenian church and old age hostel in Kew and one of the major 'pioneers' in establishing the Slovenian community in Victoria and South Australia. All the Slovenian priests working in Australia helped to celebrate the mass which was full of feeling and emotion. The Archbishop of Melbourne the Rev. George Pell was also in attendance as well as priests representing other nationalities. It was indeed an occasion when the Slovenian community was united in sadness and grief at the passing away of this great man. At the conclusion of the service, everyone then made their way to Fr Basil's final resting place at the Keilor cemetery. Here, representatives of Slovenian organisations from around Australia also paid their last respects. Afterwards, a wake was held at the Slovenian Religious & Cultural Centre in Kew. In conclusion, I must congratulate and sincerely thank ail those who helped in the preparations for Fr Basil's final farewell. There are estimates that between 1500 to 2000 people paid their last respects. Father Basil, you will be fondly remembered by all those who knew you and whom you helped. My you rest in peace. ❖ Slovenian Journalism ASR attends Conference in Slovenia s I drew nearer to my old homeland, the C % butterflies began fluttering uncontrollably. Will my knowledge of the Slovenian language return once my plane touches down, or will I be an unintelligible fool? The Ministry for Foreign Affairs (particularly the Department for Slovenians Around the World) organised a five day conference for journalists working with Slovenian newspapers from around the world. Although five ASR team members originally showed an interest in attending this function, 1 was the guinea pig that represented us for the first time. I was very aware that we were the only newspaper that published solely in English. This has gained us much criticism within the Australian Slovenian community, would this be the case in Slovenia? Regardless, my Slovenian had to improve dramatically - and quick! The taxi driver from the airport thought my Slovenian was excellent for someone who has lived in Australia for 34 years, but then I suspect he was easy to please. When they couldn't find my reservation at the hotel, I resorted to English as it was much easier to express my concerns; my success was short lived! How would I cope tomorrow? After a lovely (if somewhat apprehensive) breakfast a small group of us walked to the ministry building that was to host us that day, When we arrived, we each had about 3 minutes to introduce ourselves and our paper. Yes!! My Slovenian was understandable. I apologised for the fact that it was not as polished as it could be but we did live far from the home country and English was of course our first language. Boy, was I surprised when the American and Argentine delegates spoke in perfect formal Slovenian and both were third generation!! (I did find out later that they were regular visitors to Slovenia but 1 still felt ashamed). The American Slovenian community is oider and more established than ours. They have, for example the oldest existing Slovenian newspaper in the world (older than any existing in Slovenia) and their circulation is 30,000 per week! This newspaper is both in Slovenian and English and its editor is employed on a full time basis. Australian Slovenians were never able to achieve this feat let alone keep it going for over a hundred years. Irene Stariha Not only did the delegates inspire me, but the wonderful presenters we had over the week made my brain do back-flips!! We had university lecturers who teach journalism in Ljubljana, media researchers, directors of information agencies, editors of major newspapers and radio stations etc. We were taken on tours of Slovenia's biggest newspaper house, regional newspapers and toured the minority settlements of Trieste, having the opportunity to meet with their literary leaders. Slovenians from other countries Spending so much time with the delegates from America, Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Sweden, Croatia and of course Australia, I realised that in Australia our culture has been watered down much faster than theirs. Their communities were very strong - in their language, knowledge of prominent cultural and political figures, and current affairs within Slovenia. Some of them were even strong advocates for Slovenia in the political arenas of their new homes. I was quite ashamed of myself and the lack of knowledge I have about my heritage. (I believe that I'm not the only one who is naive to the wonders of my heritage amongst our generation and the previous one). ❖ All of these meetings were a buzz, but the icing on the cake was when we were driven by a entourage of luxury cars to meet with the President of Slovenia, Mr Kucan. The formal greeting and speech were fine, but the cheek-to-cheek photo opportunity and listening to his numerous jokes (some of which were not necessarily 'politically correct' and therefore especially funny!) made a memory 1 treasure for a Song time. We were treated as such important people for this week that I even had two TV interviews, a radio interview and numerous newspaper appearances. I could almost be recognised by any Slovenian on the street when I took my sunglasses off! (just joking of course). Seriously, we were treated with an incredible amount of respect and made lo feel that the little that we do to keep the Slovenian community alive outside of Slovenia was very much appreciated. And what of the fact that ASR is an English paper? Well we seemed to win them over. The overseas delegates were interested in our strategies and could see that their communities were beginning to reach crisis point with retaining the Slovenian language. Those from Slovenia seemed to understand that any retention of the Slovenian culture is a positive thing. They were convinced that the Slovenian print in Australia is great for the first generation Slovenians but that those of us who have trouble with the language will be lost if a new medium does not exist. All of this I was able to achieve with my Slovenian! The TV and radio interviewers always chose me as they said "it was more interesting if my Slovenian wasn't perfect." Well, I was determined! I would not utter an English word! And what do you know? ! didn't. From now on I've vowed to practice my Slovenian more often and leam more about Slovenian literature and current affairs in the desperate hope that S will be able to represent the Australian Slovenian Review again.❖ History Cinca Marinea "Hesitant Marinea" ensured. The lid of the box was padlocked, until the counting of the votes began - after voting had finished. The ballot boxes and papers were delivered by Sevnica Police one night prior to the election and were locked in the office of the "Krajeval Odbor" (the Village committee). This office had to be guarded overnight. For this purpose a rifle and ammunition was also supplied by Sevnica Police. No one liked to stand guard all night against the possibility of reactionary interference. We did however, elect Franc Krajnc for this patriotic duty. He refused, but since he was elected, he had to assume the duty "voluntarily" just as we were required to '"man" the polling room during voting. "Hesitant Marinca, she's not one of us, because she dropped her marble into the black box.," By Joze Kosorok c ^^ oon after the Agrarian Reform, we J prepared for elections. Election campaigning in the media and press was a serious business, although we knew the result would be 99% in favour of Tito and his party. All candidates had to be Communist Party members - the best sons of our fatherland. Of course there was no opposing party. Who needed that? A humorist on the radio at the time, composed a song for this occasion and sang it. "Cinca Marinca ta pa ni za nas, ker v to črno skrinjo vrgel je svoj glas.." "Hesitant Marinca, she's not one of us, because she dropped her marble into the black box.." The voting system was through a ballot box. There were two boxes, a "right one" to vote for Tito and his representatives in the local regions, and a black box, to vote against Tito and the socialist system. The latter represented nobody as there was no opposing party. The people's government made sure that everything went smoothly. For the two villages in our electorate, six people were assigned to conduct the election. 1 was responsible for the two boxes, padlocks and keys. They were wooden boxes, about 40cm x 30cm x 25cm, with an opening under the top lid, big enough to put a man's fist through, The inside was lined with thick velvet, so that a rubber marble could not be heard if dropped inside. In this way the secrecy of the ballot was TITO med nam TITO mefiu noma TMTO Mêhy Hama TMTO M6^y Htma TITO kozottiink TITO m me sin tone Tito's media machine ensured his presence in all facets of everyday life, left, President Tito addressing a political rally. Everything had to be "voluntary" in those days or else! Eveiy voter was given a rubber marble. Each voter enclosed it into his fist, put the fist through the hole of both boxes, and then showed his open palm to prove he had indeed cast his vote. His duty accomplished, the secretary then crossed off his name. These were regarded as "free elections" because the voter had two choices; for or against. The black box did not represent a true opposition, like we have in the West. There %vas no fear, no competition against socialism because some of the opposition was already "liquidated" during the war in the so-called National Liberation struggle, and after the war in the mass genocide. The rest of the opposition was either in gaol or exiled. With the exception of one woman, we scrutineers were all non party members, and we conscientiously counted the ballot marbles after voting had finished. Firstly we counted the marbles in the box for Tito and his Communist Party and found only nine. The rest were in the black box and were votes against Tito. Perhaps these votes, the ones in the black box, were in support of those thousands killed and buried in the underground caves of Kocevski Rog and the numerous abandoned mine shafts in Teharje. There were votes for the great number of suspected opposition members who were in gaol as political prisoners and for the rest who were in exile, The list naming the voters and the result. the rifles and ammunition were all returned to the civilian escort and police and were subsequently taken by car to Sevnica headquarters. The result in percentage terms was worded as follows: For Tito and The Party 2% Against 98% In the following days, the newspapers Ljudska Pravica and Porocovalec (People Justice & The Reporter) published the results in reverse: For Tito and The Party 98% Against 2% This was no surprise. These kinds of "free elections" were conducted for nearly fifty years. The marbles and rifles may-have been replaced by ballot papers, but the system remained the same as it is still today - some five years after the fall of communism and the liberation of Slovenia in 1991. The former Communists have changed their party name, they have allowed opposition parties to form, however, they strongly infiltrated these opposition parties, thus fragmenting them and again winning the majority of seats in Parliament. People today are afraid of losing their jobs, as the economy of Slovenia is still firmly in the hands of former Communists and hence people vote for their employers. The West didn't want to know what was going on in Yugoslavia. The good relationship and trade with the country were the priority, despite the "Cold War". The recent unrest in Belgrade is due to the censoring of the opposition which won the majority of seats - it seems the Communists just won't give in. Slovenia today is no better off, only more sophisticated. Those of us who have dual citizenship and are eligible to vote did not get a chance to do so. Those in power today (former Communists) know that our vote would unseat them and put the Opposition in power. They censored our vote by sending us the ballot papers a whole week too late. Thousands of votes were wasted. Such elections in the West w7ould be deemed invalid - void. I received my ballot paper two days prior to the election. How was I to meet the voting deadline given the distance? •> Special Feature The Slovenian Education System (Part I) by Milena Godec c mce it's declaration of independence in 1991, Slovenia has undergone many changes in economic, political and social domains. Similarly, education in Slovenia is also in a period of transition. New legislation has been passed and is in the process of being adopted at all levels of education, encompassing changes to curricula, funding and organisational structures. These changes have been influenced by Slovenia's new-found independence, and the possibilities that such changes can offer for entering and adapting to the diversity and competitiveness of the European systems and for achieving international recognition. Prior to closer examination of the most current legislative changes, a brief analysis of statistical information on the schooling background of Slovenians, and an outline of previous educational structures, may provide an insight to education in Slovenia prior to independence. Census statistics (1981 -1991) of the educational structure of the Slovenian population (Figure 1) indicate a rise in the percentage of the population having attained primary, secondary or higher education (non-university college degrees and university qualifications). The 1981 census indicated that the percentage of the population above the age of 15 with higher education degrees was 6%. The number of students per 100,000 inhabitants was 1,460 (as a comparison, in Austria 1,812, Czechoslovakia 1,287, Hungary 945, Italy 1,981, Finland 2,577). The 1991 census showed that the percentage of the population in this same category increased to 9% and the number of students per 100,000 inhabitants was 1,710. The percentage of less educated population (those with or without a completed primary school) above the age of 25 in 1981 census amounted to 58.5% (as a comparison, in Austria 49.5%, Czechoslovakia 48%, Hungary 57%, Italy 66.7%, Finland 51.2%). In 1991, this percentage decreased to 46.5%. [#1] In making some general comparisons betvveen the educational attainments of the Australian and Slovenian populations (Figure 2), it must be stressed that these can be limited by factors such as: the differing systems of education between countries; definitions; concepts or classification systems for educational statistics may differ between international sources of information (OECD and UNESCO) and the Australian Bureau of Statistics (for example, part-time students in the Australian TAFE system are excluded from international statistics); and of course the differences in dating of statistical data. The percentage of the 15 to 60 year old Australian population having attained tertiary/higher education qualifications (degrees, diplomas, certificates or trade) was 36% in 1984, increasing to 42% in 1992. Prc-school and primary education in Slovenia was defined under one Act, the Act on Primary School and Education of Children of Pre-school Age of 1980, with primary schooling compulsory over eight years. Post primary schooling was regulated by the so called Career-Oriented Education Act (1980), based on the premise that the "education system should primarily train students for work and that its aim should be a professional qualification" [#2], Influenced by the idea of a self-management economy, this Act regulated the curricula, as well as the status and organisation of secondary and higher education systems, including universities. It limited higher education activity to teaching and learning. Such a limited orientation in higher education studies and organisational structures evidenced areas of neglect in research, artistic creation and scientific work. Also the fact that, although the various faculties and higher education institutions formed an association with the universities in either Ljubljana or Maribor, their nature was not one of academia, but merely one of management. Low academic competitiveness endangering qualitative educational and scientific results, the absence of inter-faculty co-operation, and differing standards in courses of study at the various higher education institutions preventing student transfers were a few of the disadvantages of the Career-Oriented Education Act. ♦> 43.5 Unfinished Primary Secondary College University 1981 11 1991 Figure 1. Education levels in Slovenia. Unfinished refers to the population that did not complete a primary school education. Level of Attainment Slovenia (1991) % of population Australia (Feb 1992) % of population'"1 With post-school qualifications • Degree (university) (9% Total) 4% (41.8% Total) 9.4% • Trade qualifications -Certificate or Diploma (non-university) 5%(b| 32,4% Without post-school qualifications • Attended highest levei of secondary school available • Did not attend highest level of secondary school available (91% Total) 43.5% 47.5% (53.4%<0) Total) 14.1% 38.8% (a) 4.9% of population still at school (b) it is unclear whether trade qualifications are included in this statistic. (c) Includes persons for whom attendance at a secondary school could not be determined and persons who never attended school. Figure 2. Comparison table between Australian and Slovenian levels of education attainment. [#1] Statistical Year Book, UNESCO, 1994 j#2] Vrecko, D. (Editor). Higher Education In Slovenia, 1995 Ref. Vrecko, D. (Editor), Higher Education in Slovenia, 1995 ❖ Slovenians at Play A Night at the Opera by Irene S tari ha T m 've never seen this many J** Slovenians outside of the clubs; Aljas Gasnar Charge d'Affairs, Slovenian Embassy Canberra. On Friday 13th June the National Chamber Opera of Australia staged Opera in the Shire. This was a gala performance of Opera highlights. So why were there so many Slovenians in attendance I hear you ask? Well one of the stars (the biggest on the night; I'm not biased) was our very own Slovenian Vivien Falez. On the stage Vivien looked so little but when she opened her mouth, her contralto voice almost shook the walls, This was Vivien's debut and the confidence and strength of her performance will surely mean that we will be treated to more of this pleasurable sound. Vivien has promised to give ASR readers the opportunity to get great seats for all of her future performances, I know these will not be a weekly occurrence but do keep your eyes open as Vivien is a star of the future. In five short years she has trained her voice to this standard and those who think they are not really interested in Opera will be pleasantly surprised when they hear her sing. Good Luck in the future Vivien, you have many new fans! I •> ■ St Raphaels car rally This year's car rally adventure took participants to Fagan Park, Dural (approximately 50km NW of Sydney). 1st. Karen Zizek, Robert Fisher and Tania Smrdel. 2nd. Martin Danev and Julie Brcar. Last.........

TRIGLAV Club Li Mired A Full Membership invited A Function Facilities available A Bowls, Snooker, Bingo A Bistro open during Club opening hours A Air Conditioning ♦ Bingo Wed 11:00am, Thur 7:30pm, Fri 7:30pm Great prizes and bonuses Fun for ALL the family ♦ Bocce & BBQ Selected Sundays (Information available from the Club) ♦ Rock 'ri Roll Dance Nights Second & fourth Sunday of each month [6-10pm) (02) 9610 1627 Club trading hours: ^ Wed 10am-3pm, Thur 5pm-11:30pm, Fri 5pm-12:30am, Fax: (02) 9823 2522 sat 6pm till late (Argentina Party Night), Sun 10am - 8pm. ACN001 297 927 80-84 Brisbane Rd St John's Park NSW 2176 e efpfe Lenti Lenko (UJl. AACfjMI Teacher of Organ, Piano & Keyboard Professional backing tracks and tapes Studio productions Tel: (03) 9795 9510 Crossword Answers Across: 4,MarlonBrando 7.Herman 12.Cuba 13JamesBond 15.GraceKelly 17,Herbie 19.Stomp 20.George 23.Kaos 24.LoisLane 27.Hill 28.Holly 29.Tonto 30.Dolly 31. Cindy Down: 1.Bathroom 2.Four 3.Sunbury 5.Nine 6.Five S.AndrewSisters 9. Batman 10. Manuel 1) .DickVanDyke M.HeartBreakHotel 16.Lemmon 18.TheMikado 21 .Sabrina 22.Kelly 23.Kellerman 25.Scotty 26.Clancy ❖ Graduation Ball ASR and The Slovenian Schools Committee cordially invite ail past students, their families & friends to attend the 1997 Maturantski Ples. 29 Nov, 7:00 pm Club Triglav 80-84 Brisbane Rd St Johns Park 2176 Entertainment by Black Baron Come celebrate with past and present students, renew friendships and help make the evening a memorable event. Slovenians Out and About in Sydney DATE PLACE EVENT DETAILS Saturday, Sept 6 SDS Fathers Day Dance & Program Program 7.30pm Music by "The Masters" Sunday, Sept 7 St Rafaels Fathers Day Celebrations with Slomškova Sola Performance after Mass in Hall Sunday, Sept 7 Triglav Fathers Day Picnic BBQ 1 pm with dance Friday to Sunday SDS Sept 26-28 40th Anniversary Celebration Weekend Friday 6:00pm with blessing by FrValerijan & continues throughout W/E with various events. Main function Saturday night Ball with special guests from Slovenia Sunday Sept 28 St Rafaels Patronal Feast and Marriage Anniversaries 9:30am Mass Friday Oct 3 Opera House Wharf 7:45pm till Midnight Sydney Harbour Cruise 2 Contact Julie or Michelle 047 365525 or 014 831 701 Saturday Oct 4 St Rafaels Slovenian Youth Concert 7:15pm Saturday Oct 11 SDS Oktoberfest Picnic 1:00pm Marimba 8-12pm Sunday Oct 12 SDS Annual General Meeting 3:00pm Sunday Oct 19 Triglav The Kelly Variety Concert Fundraiser for hospital in Slovenia. $12 BBQ Lunch Sunday Oct 26 Triglav Annual General Meeting 2:00pm Sunday Nov 2 St Rafaels Annual Memorial Mass 10:00am Sacred Heart Chapel Rookwood Cemetery Saturday Nov 8 SDS Dance 8:00pm -12:00pm Sunday Nov 23 SDS Picnic Dance 2:00pm - 6:00pm Sunday Dec 7 TBA Christmas Party Contact Julie or Michelle 047 365525 or 014 831 701 For more details on the events listed above contact the organisers direct: SDS (Slovenian Association Sydney) 2-10 Elizabeth St Wetherill Park 2164 (02) 9756 1658 St Rafaels Slovenian Catholic Church 313 Merry lands Rd Merrylands 2160 (02(9637 7147 Triglav Club Ltd. 80-84 Brisbane Rd St Johns Parit 2176 (02)9610 1627 Regional Profile Vintgar nwon by Sonia Kolar V ery few places in Slovenia have welcomed and still welcome so many visitors as Bled, with its natural beauties, historical monuments, castle and island church. How many of you have ever considered visiting Vintgar? In fact how many of you have heard of it? The Vintgar Gorge already well-known for 90 years is situated 4 kms to the Northeast of Bled. There is nothing better than exploring "off- the-track" beautiful places when travelling. While in Slovenia a friend suggested going to Vintgar when we visited Bled. Am I glad that we took her advice! Vintgar - the Gorge of the Radovna river is I.6kms long featuring picturesque impassable rocky gorges, waterfall, rapids and pools. The Gorge is cut between the precipitous cliffs of Horn and Borst. In the late 19th Century pathways, bridges and galleries (Zumrove galerije) were built for the purposes of tourism. For a minimal cost, the way through the Gorge takes you along these walkways and ends at a bridge above a 16 metre high waterfall, Sum at its north-eastern end. The walk is generally quite flat and not strenuous. It crosses the river at various places, sometimes hugging the cliff face, while you are totally encased by surrounding greenery in the valley. The water is crystal clear and at times you are very close to it. The waterfall. Sum, provides beautiful views of the Bled basin, the Julian Alps and the Karavanke. At the entrance to the Gorge and at the waterfall refreshments are available. You've guessed it - they even have "LaSko Pivo". The scenery is so beautiful I got carried away with my camera. I took nearly two rolls of film while I was there. None of my photos however do it justice. It is just so much more spectacular in real life. Due to its natural attractions, Vintgar is one of Slovenia's most important tourist attractions. About 60,000 tourists visit the Gorge each year. Directions to Vintgar can be obtained from the tourist office in Bled. Access by any type of vehicle is possible up to the parking area at the entrance of the Gorge. If you plan to travel to Slovenia and visit Bled (which is highly likely) take the extra time to check out Vintgar. It is definitely worth it. I really didn't know what to expect but it was absolutely beautiful. Source: Bled Information Guide, 1994 ❖ ELECTRICS Electrical Contractor Gold Licence No: EC38345 For all your Electrical work call Henry Stariha Tel: (02) 9624 6132 Mobile: 0412 972 425 ps & gs tegjfr Plumbing • Drainage • Gasfitting • Maintenance & Repairs For aU your plumbing needs telephone Frank Skubla (02) 9674 7993 Mobile 018 256 516 Gold Lie No. 11621 C.A. No. A.3587 Robar Bros Pty Ltd A.C.N. 066 032 111 Concreting Specialists Bogie tipper hire Excavation Eddy Robar All work guaranteed B.S.C. Licence No. 62799C Mobile: 018 067 553 Ah: (02) 96231612 Editorial.....cont'd. (From page 2) Their literary background also helped preserve the written word and gave the language strength. They cherished their culture to reinforce their social standing and even though their numbers do not come close to the Americans. They have even infiltrated the Latino culture through their radio programs etc. (One of the Slovenian radio programs has higher ratings than many Argentine programs even though it is in Slovenian.) Yet until recently their existence was not acknowledged in Slovenia. Now that the politics there has become freer, Slovenians at home are able to know of their brothers and sisters in Argentina. Even in a situation of near exile, Slovenians in Argentina held on to their heritage. How can we compete with established, large , literary backgrounds such as those I have just described? Our parents came with very little, to a community that was not accepting of differences and they held onto what was most important to them. We who grew up in Australia wanted only to be like everyone else and so rejected anything that had a Slovenian flavor. This leaves us a little behind the eight ball. Most of us know the names of prominent Slovenians, but how many of us know the poems of Preseren, the architectural style of Plecnik, the favourite medium of Gregorcic or the influences the missionary Baraga had on the American Indian society close to two hundred years ago? We know the surface of our culture but if we scratch a little, we find there are a lot of blanks. Let's make a change! Now that Australia is embracing multiculturalism (in policies at least) let's no longer be a part of the crowd. I want to know all there is to know about Slovenia and more - join me in my quest for knowledge and start by reading this ASR! ❖ Book Review Yes! This is the same topic as in the Winter edition ASR Book Review, but both authors did such an excellent job that we thought they both deserved to be read. Iztok Perko has organised two free copies of the Lonely Planet Survival on Slovenia to be donated by the publishers. Thank you very much to both Iztok and Anna Bolger from the guide. We decided to give the copies away to the first two people who come up with the answer to: How many times does Slovenia fit into Australia? (Answer in the first issue of the ASR) Ring (02) 9871 8641 ~ if no-one is at home, leave your name and phone number on the answering machine. by Iztok Perko Most of us have seen the Lonely Planet series of Travel guides, many of them seemingly concentrating on wonderful but somewhat obscure destinations like Laos, Bolivia and Mongolia. Now this innovative Melbourne based publishing house has brought out a new title on another obscure but wonderful country, Slovenia. Until now, no one has produced a comprehensive and objective guide (in English, at least) on this newly independent nation so close to our hearts. This book was conspicuous in its loneliness (and to many, its obscurity) on the shelf of Ariel Bookshop, in Sydney's Oxford Street. After my initial shock and incredulity, I gleefully snapped it up . And what a compelling guide it is too! Not only do you get the usual basic facts and figures on the country (like: there are just over 1200 km of railway lines, 13 public holidays and 2300 Gypsies in Slovenia) the reader is also informed of many interesting historical and cultural insights. Topics include such things as the history of the formation of the Slovenian National language, English. No more stumbling accidentally upon this famous but what's it called icon or where the hell is that interesting old village on that bend of a river that I once saw as a kid in an old copy of Rodna Gr«£fa.?(Kostanjevica na Krki, if you're wondering) as I have in the past, as my long suffering partner, Collin, patiently waits at the wheel of our rented Renault while I use a magnifying glass to pinpoint little Slovenia on the Miehelin Driving Atlas of Europe. Or worse still, face the knowing but stifled smirks of some country yokel as I'm suffering the acute embarrassment of asking in my worst schoolboy Stajerska Slovenian with the strong nasal Aussie-Strine accent the direction to Slap Savica. (I know I should have paid more attention in Mrs Gaspersic's painful Saturday School for slovenly pseudo-Slovenian students all those years ago...) very minor, but interesting) attractions, costs, opening times and how to reach them, plus helpful information on places to stay and eat, tourist offices and ail those little but essentia] things you're ever likely to need (remember, there are only two self-serve laundrettes and two and a half gay/lesbian bars in the whole of the Ljubljana basin and Steve's given the precise locations and other useful details to all, bless him!) Possibly the worst feature about the guide is its rather uninspirational and forgettable cover, an almost abstract photo of the facade of the Centromerkur department store in Ljubljana. If I didn't look any closer, I would've thought it was an ArtNouveau hand book! Perhaps a picture of Lake Bled is too much of a cliché but it is a unique and instantly recognisable image. But don't let the cover put you off, inside hides a gem. Flag (something I couldn't find from any other source), brief biographies on famous figures such as Plecnik, Preseren and the great Slovenian Renaissance man. Valvasor to learning about panjske koncnice (the unique painted bee-hives of Gorenjska) and the kazolac (the popular, almost nationalistic symbol, the hayrack ). 1 personally learnt much more from this single guide in one night than all my years of Slovenian school indoctrination and poorly translated articles in Slovenian magazines (with the notable exception of the ^.STi). I'm sure this informative guide would even teach many of our Slovenian born relatives a thing or two about the geography, history, politics and society of the land of their birth. The interesting thing is that a non-Slovenian, American born and bred, Steve Fallon, single-handedly researched, wrote and compiled this 300 page guide. The fact thai an English speaking author, with no apparent famiiy connection to Slovenia, researched and produced this guide is a major plus, He is quite objective in his recommendations. The author describes the Primorska town of Izola as scruffy with dilapidated houses, with a fishy smell (and very fat felines) but not without its charms, and the place to go for some of the best seafood in the country. It certainly sounds to have more character and interest than the nearby resort town of Portoroz (which has been described by a certain biased member of my family, as fabulous and modern and just the place to visit ....but then again this family member also loves holidaying on our Gold Coast!). I know I'd rather trust Mr Fallon's more objective observations and recommendations. I got a real thrill reading about all the churches, castles, museums and natural treasures and being able to finally locate and plan them properly in my own The guide is divided up logically into the eight traditional regions, plus Ljubljana, with plenty of maps (52 to be precise) of both these regions and of the bigger towns and resorts. There's the usual good advice on all the major (and sometimes But then, the same could be said for Slovenia, really. Slovenia Lonely Planet travel survival kit 1st edition published Oct 1995 338pp $18.95 RRP* Authors Anecdote A letter from Steve Fallon -T* M hank you for your lovely letter, H forwarded to me here in London by Lonely Planet's (LP) head office in Melbourne. We get a lot of letters from readers, but most of them are hardly fan mail. Rather, they're all about things like "I'd like to point out that the morning train from Ljubljana to Maribor leaves at 7:58am and not 7:56am as expressed in your book." Now, if the train left, say, at 7:54am instead of 7:56am, I could see the point. But someone taking the time to write for two minutes later? As you may have guessed I became a big fan of Slovenia while doing my research there, particularly after a couple of less-than-stellar years amid the dour Hungos and the fact that my partner Mike (we celebrated our 20th anniversary last month) had taken six months' sabbatical before moving to London and we were based that summer (1994) in a decrepit but lovely old farmhouse in Tuscany from where 1 made my forays into Slovenia. 1 agree with you completely on the cover, I had taken a series of shots of "kazolci" (I know, I know, corny - but what's more Slovenian?) and wanted the designers to use one of them. As you probably know, that lot is a breed apart and they went with Art Nouveau. It's not very popular among Slovenians (I was there last May updating the Slovenia chapter in our Eastern and Central Europe guidebooks). Which leads me to a story, which you may or may not have heard. OK, so it's September 1995 and I am in the kitchen of our partially deconstructed mill house; waiting for the builders to arrive and make good at least that one room. Stressed out and cranky, i was, but a rush copy of "my baby", the new Slovenia guide had just been delivered by courier. Phone rings. It's the directrice (sorry, in LP non-gender-specific-lingo, director) of the LP sales office in London. "What did you think of the new guide?" she asks somewhat hesitantly. "Oh, it was OK, I guess", says 1, trying to sound humble. "Didn't think much of the cover choice, though." Pause. "No, Steve, the mistake - what did you think of the error?" Silence on my part "What error!?" Her again, "Steve, how do you spell the president of Slovenia's name?" "It's Milan Kurcan," says I. "MILAN K U R C (with one of those funny Vs on top) AN." She sighs. "Steve, there is no R in the last name. It's KUCA N." Explanatory digression here. I error on the side of caution when it comes to foreign names and place names. I'm something of a language geek, learning them fairly easily. I quite simply thought I could spell every Slovenian word and Iztok Perko's book review of the Lonely Planet Guide to Slovenia which appeared in this edition, was written some months ago, but held over to this issue due to space restrictions. In the meantime, Iztok wrote to Steve Fallon (photograph top right), the author and this was his reply. name in the book backwards. But when the proofs were sent to me, I was in Paris updating the France guidebook. They asked me to stay on for a few extra days to read the proofs before heading off to Normandy or Brittany or wherever I was going. I had only one Slovenian resource with me - the huge atlas produced by the national cartographic agency - that I'd taken along just in case this very thing happened. Kucan's name had appeared six times in the manuscript - including a reference in the introduction and was spelled both with and without the R. I couldn't remember which it was so I opted for the hateful R. I feel like 1 am going to faint. Familiar bells are starting to go off... "Oh, well", I say, "I suppose we can live with that and we'll correct it in the reprint. "We've printed 6000 copies, which is going to take a long time to run out for a place like Slovenia", sniffs Madame Director. "And. besides, "kurcan" has a meaning in Slovenian". Do you know it? Have you guessed it? "Kur" is "cock" or "dick" and "can" is the masculine ending for "from" or "or (as in "Ljubljančan" a man from Ljubljana). So... 1 had called the president of Slovenia "President Dickhead". There's lots more to the stoiy: my having been nominated for the equivalent of the congressional medal of honour and then il being withdrawn; Kucan, in a nationally televised debate with his opponent Janez Jansa, grabbing his crotch, holding up the book saying "We will see who has more meat in his trousers; even the foreigners know I have balls!" everybody but everybody knowing the sad, sad tale, from Government ministers to hitchhikers, but 1 won't bore you. Gratefully, most Slovenians have big senses of humour and are teasers. They "saw the humour in it" as the Brits say, and 1 could go on with my life. But even today 1 occasionally awake to a tear-stained pillow. Sigh.... I am off on Saturday to do some work on our new Germany guide (I'd better watch my spelling) bill in September it's back to lovely Slovenia again for the update of the current book. Anything you need, or want to know, just ask; all my details are below and thanks for the letter. Made my day, it did. Sieve Fallon Hylands Mill Private Road Galleywood Chelmsford \I2 8TH England or http://www.lonelyplanet.com SLOVENIAN YOUTH CONCERT Merrylands, NSW Saturday, 7:15pm 4th October 1997 Be a part of the ongoing tradition started by our Franciscan Priests in 1975. Come as a performer, or as a member of the audience and show your support. Contact your local community centre for details and entry forms. PwwiEy pwwted fuj ih SimHuw Re&juuts Cwtm 4 Auihafifl. and Tlte AuafctafioH Sietiiwiut Reweiu. mrj SLOVENIAN ASSOCIATION SYDNEY ACN 000 904 754 2-10 Elizabeth Street Wetherill Park NSW 2164 -A Bistro tVBocce Visitors A Pool Tables most A Poker Machines welcome -¿-Electronic Dart Boards . New! -¿Tennis & Basketball courts -fr Library with Slovenian Books Indoor Shooting Gallery Tel: (02) 9756 1658 Social Club available for Fax: (02) 9756 1447 Weddings, Parties, Functions and Hall hire The Slovenian Association Support's the Advancement of Slovenians Book Review A ready reference on Slovenians in Australia by Veronika Ferfolja 2 BRAND NEW DESIGNS FROM ROSEWOOD HOMES Extensive range of 3,4 or 5 bedroom plans. Can be modified to suit your needs. - ;_ . ; i. Sipi LAVENDER- Exceptional Value and Stylish Appearance. Phone for FREE colour leaflets or call and inspect the style and quality of our Display Homes. BRADLEY- An Outstanding New Design Series ROSEWOOD J-V HOMES Build-errs Lie No 3-1K06 Over 44 years building new homes £ Telephone: 02 9Ö29 5922 % > Where Quality and Service are built in • ACN 002 SPii Display Honies • New Homeworld, Cuthberl Ave. Kellyville Parldea Home Market, Sorrento Drive, Glenwood Park. Feedback The ASR welcomes your suggestions and comments. Send correspondence to: ASR PO Box KL926 Kings Langley NSW 2147 Australia Fax: (02) 9674 4583 Dear ASR team, I recently had my book "The Certainty of Destiny" published. As it could prove to be of interest, especially to the second generation Slovenians, S am sending you a copy to look through, and to show it to the members of the ASR team. We Slovenians here in the West are very proud of you young generation Slovenians in Sydney, and we follow your activities in the great ASR with much pleasure. We wish you all the success in the world! The price ofthe book is $19.95. 1 had 100 copies printed ofthe first edition. Your enquiries will be most welcome, but after my return from Slovenia, where 1 am going shortly to attend the seminar for the Editors of Slovenian Publications Abroad. I will be grateful for your help with my book. Max Namestnik 5 Lane Street, Perth WA 6000 Ph. (08) 9328 9747 Thankyou for the copy of your book. It is very interesting and significant to all Australian Slovenians. We need to put into print as many stories as possible as with time our recent history will be lost. Your story and that of many others makes our community what it is today. I hope you enjoyed your trip to Slovenia! I know I did mine (especially the time that all of we journalists' spent togetherj. It was very nice meeting you on the other side of the planet. Ed Dear ASR team, Hi there! I'm Irene Stariha's cousin and I would like to receive the Australian Slovenian Review. ! have a copy of the Autumn 1997 issue from my mum but would love to receive my own from here on. If there is a cost please let me know. 1 found the Autumn issue really interesting and would like to congratulate everyone concerned. Being in Perth and so far from my family, I haven't come into contact with the Slovenian community over here although 1 have passed the Slovenian Club premises in Guildford on many occasions. Through this publication I again feel some conncction which, as I get older, 1 feel more of an attachment to. Anyway, this probably didn't need the great commentary to get a copy, if this comes across the hands of Irene, Sylvia or even Olga please send them my regards and my well wishes. Nada Vindis Bedford WA Isn 't it great to see that our newspaper brings together not only the wide Australian Slovenian community, but also long-lost family members! It was great to hear from you and all three sisters say a great big Hi! Back to business though. I'm really pleased to learn that ASR has sparked some feeling of belonging to the Slovenian community. I hope that you take the next step and attend one ofthe functions at the club in Perth. While you are there you might like to seek out Max Namestnik and tell him you 're my cousin (he knows who I am now). Look after yourself and give some consideration to becoming our West Australian Slovenian correspondent - then you '11 have to get involved in the community! Ed Dear ASR team, Many thanks for the regular copies ofthe ASR. I thoroughly enjoy reading them.... and still get some feedback from my astrology feature which ran last year (a few old friends got in touch as well!). I was just reading this Winter's feature on the 40th Anniversary of the Slovenian Association. I remember going to the dances, etc at Paddinglon Town Hall - we lived around Potts Point then - so the article certainly triggered some happy memories for me! The article then touched on the construction of the club houses, etc ... but I couldn't help but wonder - what has happened to the proposed Slovenian Old People's Home? My parents, and many other Slovenians, contributed donations on a regular basis for many years - on the promise that an Old People's Home would be built. This added to their sense of security - as many emigrants live in fear of isolation and loneliness in old age. The idea of having a Home with fellow countrymen really appealed .... but whatever happened to the proposed home, and whatever happened to the money that was donated for that specific purpose? I thought you might either know the answer or this might whet your journalistic appetite. I'd love to hear from you if you get any further information; or maybe read about it in the ASR! Tanya Obreza Bryon Bay NSW / bet we used to chase each other around the balconies of the Paddington Town Hall. H'asn't that the best place for us young folk!! I 'm pleased to hear that you are still enjoying the fame of being in the " World renowned ASR!" As to the building of an Old People's Home, I have no information. I know that some of our organisations have looked at the viability of such a move. One such organisation was St Rafael's Slovenian Church in Merrylands. I believe that it was found to be much too costly for the few members of the community that felt that they would like to move into such a facility. We also had a very motivated reader of the ASR look at accessing some sort of Government funding for a project such as this, but again the interest from the community was limited. I am not aware of any funds that either of our Sydney clubs may have for this purpose, but would be interested in sending off a super sleuth if you can send me some specific details as to which organisation your parents were contributing to, when and for how long. Perhaps even someone from the clubs may be interested in offering an answer to your question. PS. / noticed the address change - How many Australian Slovenians in the alternative lifestyle area of Byron Bay? That would make an interesting story on its own! Ed Dear ASR team, Leave the magazine as it is. Resist with all your might, sisters and brothers, this pathetic, matriarchal-patriarchal conspiracy to subvert our beloved ASR by writing articles in Slovenian. These linguistic revisionists have enough propaganda in their archaic, unpronounceable and vo-cabularically challenged tongue. And most of their tired old publications are deadly dull anyway! thebears@sydney.dialix.oz.au H'ow!! How do I top that? I love your creative use of language - you '11 have to use it to express a whole lot of other information about Slovenia and our community here. (I know you have, and even though your work has been good, it was nothing on this!) At this stage it looks as though we will be resisting the push! Although to be fair, some of "their" publications are very interesting to the older generation - particularly those who find English to be "unpronounceable and vocabularically challenged"! Ed NORTON MANAGEMENT SERVICES PTY LTD Accountants & Registered Tax Agents Tel: 9560 4766 Fax: 9564 1808 182 Norton Street Leichhardt NSW 2040 ÍDorothy %obat B. Com LL.B. Solicitor Tel: (02) 9838 0334 Fax: (02) 9674 4583 Mobile: 0416 208 387 81 Sporing Avenue (P.O. Box KL 926) Kings Langlcy NSW 2147 Bette' Bettet Vaioe Irena & Boris Topolovec welcome you to: THE ATHLETE'S FOOT, NORTH RYDE Franchisee: Halanza Pty Ltd. ACN 071 523 227 Shop 77, Macquarie Centre, Waterloo Road, North Ryde NSW 2113 Telephone 02 9887 3975 Facsimile 02 9878 4170 This business is operated under franchise from The Athlete's Foot Australia Pty Ltd Crossword Across 4 He played Johnny in "The Wi!d One" 7 Mr Munster's First name 12 The place that Dragon like to enjoy the sun in April 13 Both Roger Moore and David Niven have played this role 15 The first actor to appear on a postage stamp 17 The Love Bug 19 A dance which used to be done on the beaches of Australia. The.......... 20 The youngest Beatle 23 The evil organisation in "Get Smart" 24 Superman's lady friend 27 Another one of Charlie's first Angels. .. Munroe 28 Audrey Hepburn played this charter in "Breakfast at Tiffany's" 29 The Lone Ranger's companion 30 The first name of a Country & Western singer with other assets besides her voice 31 The youngest Brady daughter Down 1 W.C. Field's library was in this room 2 The number of ghosts Scrooge saw 3 The location for a series of rock festivals held on Australia Day weekends in the 70's 5 The number ofOscars "Gone with the Wind" has won 6 The length of the Camptown Racetrack in miles 8 Laverne, Maxine and Patty made up this group. The ,,.. 9 Bruce Wayne's heroic identity 10 The waiter in "Fawlty Towers" 11 He co-starred with Julie Andrews in "Mary Poppins" 14 It's found on Lonely Street 16 He played Felix Linger. Jack..... 18 A Gilbert & Sullivan opera about an emperor 21 One of Charlie's first Angels......Duncan 22 The Brady's youngest daughter 23 Margaret Houlihan is Sally..... 25 The chief engineer of the Starship Enterprise 26 Jack Thompson played this role in "The Man From Snowy River" 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 P.O. Box KL 926 Kings Langley NSW 2147 □ I would like a copy □ Please change my details □ Please cancel my copy Name _____ Address Postcode Answers on Page 13 ❖ 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.