By: Marisa VUGDELIJA

MELBOURNE - The second Annual Croatian Folklore Festival, staged last Sunday by HDZ Mladez Melbourne, was an overwhelming success despite Melbourne 's inclement weather threatening to spoil the party.

With the untimely appearance of early morning showers turning the original outdoor venue into nothing more than a muddy quagmire, organisers were left with no choice but to hastily move the festival from Footscray Park to the newly renovated Croatian Centre in nearby Sunshine.

Despite the late change of venue, the Centre was filled with both young and old reaching its maximum capacity, creating once again a great opportunity for all to enjoy traditional Croatian dance and music.

The day was compered by Mladez HDZ Melbourne Committee members, Marko Bajer (president) and Marisa Vugdelija (secretary), while both the Croatian and Australian national anthems were sung by Mladez HDZ's very own member Ms Mary Dobran (also a part of the band 'Valovi').

The festival was official opened on behalf of Mr. Steve Bracks Premier of Victoria by Parliamentary Secretary to the Premier and Member for Footscray Mr. Bruce Mildenhall.

Mr Midenhall presented the MCs with a letter from the Premier, outlining the importance of these sorts of events within the community that help ensure the Croatian tradition and culture continues to thrive in Victoria (see sidebar).

Special guests that were in attendance to celebrate the annual event included; the Consul General of the Republic of Croatia in Melbourne Ms. Ana Modun, Deputy Mayor of Brimbank and Grasslands Ward Councilor Mr. Troy Atanasovski, Mr. George Seitz MP for Keilor Electorate and Vice Chairman of the Migrant Resource Centre for the North West Region of Victoria, Vice President of HDZ Mr. Petar Gelo.

The inclusion of performances by all folklore groups around Victoria and a special guest performance by Adelaide's group guaranteed that the festival would attract much attention and support from the local Croatian community.

The line up included; Fawkner's 'Antun Mihanovic', HKUD 'Lado' from Geelong followed by Adelaide's folklore group 'Lenek'. Clifton Hill's 'Mladi Hrvati' performed twice followed by 'Hrvatska Zora' from Sunshine and 'Zvonimir' from Springvale.

It was clearly visible that all groups had worked hard to show those present their best performance.

The entertainment during intermissions was provided by Croatian local band 'More'. One of the highlights of the day was by three young talented harmonica players; Josip Corio, Bruno Kostroman and brother Josip Kostroman playing several well known Croatian tunes, excellently tutored by Ms Emica Vukovic Corio.

The MC's concluded the proceedings sincerely thanking all who assisted in making the festival a great success.

A big thank-you went to the HDZ Mladez Committee for all their hardwork on the day and the lead up to the event; Mary Dobran, Jasmine Budisa, Vesna Radisic, Marina Romic along with HDZ Fawkner branch for preparing all the food and general set-up.

A special thanks to Antun Mihanovic's Foklore Teacher, Mr Josip Boros, for donating a hamper towards the raffle and Vlc. Josip Vranjes for providing the opportunity to use the Centre at such short notice.

The major thank-you was given to all the folklore groups including Adelaide's group 'Lenek'. The festival wouldn't have been triumphant if the interest and support from the groups was not there. The event once again created a united occasion for all folklore groups to get together and perform to a wider audience showcasing the talents of the younger generation.

Next year's event promises to be even bigger and better with several interstate folklore groups already confirmed.

Let's just hope the weather is on our side come next year!

SPECIAL MESSAGE FROM THE VICTORIAN PREMIER, STEVE BRACKS

I am delighted to send my best wishes to members of Victoria's Croatian community on the occasion of the Annual Croatian Folklore Festival.

Now in its second year, the festival showcases the richness of Croatian culture and heritage. Through traditional music, dance and cuisine, Victorians of all backgrounds will be able to enjoy traditional Croatian entertainment from local and interstate performers. Those in attendance will also have an opportunity to participate in the traditional Kolo dance.

The venue for today's festival, Footscray Park , has a special significance for Victoria's Croatian community, for it was here that earlier cultural festivals were enjoyed by thousands in the community in the 1980s and 1990s.

The Victorian Government remains committed to improving understanding among our culturally diverse communities to build trust, harmony and strengthen our social ties. We encourage all community groups to maintain, develop and share their cultural heritage, and today's festival is a prime example of this.

I congratulate the Australian Croatian Democratic Union Youth Movement of Melbourne for organising this event, and for helping to ensure that Croatian tradition and culture continues to thrive in Victoria.

I wish everyone in attendance a most enjoyable afternoon.

- HON STEVE BRACKS MP

Premier of Victoria