01/12/2025
On Sunday 30th November, our Croatian Women’s Association ‘Katarina Zrinski’ celebrated our 50th anniversary.
With the Norac and Gotovina rooms of the Australian Croatian Association Melbourne accented in gold, Katarina Zrinski members, along with families and friends, gathered to honour the oldest and most accomplished Croatian women’s association in Australia.
Members and guests were warmly welcomed by current and longest serving President Ljubica Cimera, who thanked everyone for coming along to make the anniversary special for our members.
The Australian Croatian Women’s Association was founded on the 28th of September 1975 by Australian Croatian Association Dom President Jozo Mikesic, Vice President Nikola Babic and Secretary Josip Cuk in Albert Park.
The first committee of Katarina Zrinski included President Danica Denzic, Vice President Ivanka Babic, Secretary Biseka Babic, Vice Secretary Ankica Secic, Treasurer Ljubica Boljcevic and Vice Treasurer Barbara Pavlovic.
The first task of the newly formed association was to establish the folkloric group ‘Lierica’, which was done with highly accomplished professional teachers Dalibor and Dora Satalic from Croatia.
Katarina Zrinski also assisted in building and staffing the beautiful Croatian Dom in Footscray, raised money during the war in our homeland in the 90s and promoted the Croatian name and culture at high profile events such as the Melbourne Moomba Festival.
Promoting the Croatian name, traditions and customs is and always has been a prominent part of Katarina Zrinski’s work.
In recent years, the association raised money for the devastating Victorian bushfires, held earthquake appeals, supported research into Ovarian cancer, sponsored the Victorian Croatian Women’s Soccer Cup and supported the Australian Croatian Cultural Festival.
President Ljubica Cimera spoke of her pride in having been a part of Katarina Zrinski for almost all of its years.
“There is no challenge we could not overcome as an organisation and a community because we did it together,” said Ljubica.
“Perhaps our greatest challenge, or opportunity, depending on your worldview, is the one we currently face - as less and less women have the time or inclination to foster and promote Croatian cultural traditions.”
Ljubica urged this generation of Australian Croatian women to actively seek to define the modern purpose of Katarina Zrinski, so that it continues to serve our Croatian families and community proudly, as it has done for 50 years.
The committee wish to thank Steve Karlusic of Cimera Butchers, Melbourne Croatia Soccer Club, Hrvatska Zora and Tona Gelemanovic for their generous donations, and most especially AHD Melbourne President Ante Juric for his unwavering support of our association.
Finally, to all of the women who worked tirelessly on behalf of Katarina Zrinski, we thank each and every member, past and present, for their efforts.
