Business and Employment

Knowledge of languages is well recognised as valuable on the path of one’s career and life’s journey.

The knowledge of Slovenian offers the many benefits of language learning. As well as building practical skills, another language fosters the development of the intellect and encourages more critical thinking. Other values of language learning include: developing a sense of one’s own cultural context, learning about other people and their values, exposes the learner to a different mode of thought.

The skills one gains are an important contribution to a student’s overall development as a person in the workforce. We live in a multicultural nation and a global community. The skills of communication, heightened awareness and broader outlook enhance job prospects. Some fields of study are: retail, marketing, hospitality, banking, customer relations, publishing, translating, advertising, telecommunications. international trade.

Of particular interest are more recent business links between Slovenia and Australia.

Impact International, was started in 1959 by Dusan Lajovic, originally from Slovenia. It is Australia’s leading laminate and plastic tube-maker. Apart from Sydney, where its head office is located, Impact International also has production plants in Melbourne, in New Zealand, in Indonesia and Malaysia. There is also a plant producing aluminium tubes, aerosol cans, plastic and laminate tubes in Slovenia.

Another industry giant is the retail company Harvey Norman. The company sells home, office computer and communication wares. It has stores throughout Australia, New Zealand, and Singapore and plans to expand throughout Asia. The company has recently opened a store in the capital city of Slovenia, Ljubljana.

Links between Australia and Slovenia

There is considerable exchange between Slovenia and Australia, although Slovenia has not been quite discovered by the tourist population. As a small immigrant group they have established themselves well in Australia. Active in ethnic councils, radio and cultural events, they have made their presence felt.  Slovenian artists, such as the expressionist painter Stanislav Rapotec and sculptor Ron Gomboc have made their mark in Australian society. There have been at least two federal parliamentarians and several recipients of the Order of Australia honours.

Over the years there have been many links between Australia and Slovenia. Slovenian imports number Sloveniales, Elan, Gorenje, Delamaris, and Kolinska. Slovenian scientists have been invited to lecture at Australian universities and Australian artists, poets, singers and bands have performed at festivals in all the major Australian cities.

There have been a number of art exhibitions, notably the Contemporary Slovenian Graphic Design in Sydney and Shakespeare in theatres of central Europe between the two wars 1918-1938 at Multicultural Festival in Canberra.

The work of artist Matej Andraz Vogrincic was one of the high points of the Adelaide Festival; similarly the much translated Slovenian poet Tomaz Salamun at a previous festival. The conceptual artist Marko Peljhan has performed in a multinational production in 2000. Successful Slovenian electronic music producing team Recycled Loops featuring Dj Umek and Dj Valentino Kanzyani has toured major Australian cities for 2 times, drawing large audiences and winning public acclaim.

In 2001 the Australian retailing giant Harvey Norman established a major base in Slovenia to serve as foundation for his plans to expand into central and eastern Europe.

Slovenian Community in Australia

The Slovenian population of Australia has been estimated to total about 25,000. It is widely dispersed in all the states of Australia, with largest groups residing in Melbourne and Sydney. This excludes the second generation of Australians whose parents are of Slovenian origin. There are now twenty-five Slovenian organisations in Australia.

The major wave of migration to Australia occurred around 1950. The Slovenian community soon established social organisations. These were a place for social, community and cultural activities. In Melbourne, the first Slovenian club, Melbourne, was formed in 1954. In the following years other associations were established in various parts of Melbourne and Geelong, providing social, recreational and school facilities: Jadran, Ivan Cankar, Planica, Sneznik, Veseli Lovci. In time they formed The Council of Slovenian Organisations of Victoria, which is a coordinating body. The Slovenian National Council of Victoria was formed to represent the Slovenian community and promote Slovenian cultural activities and programmes.

The associations hold a host of cultural, sporting and social functions throughout the year and contribute to the awareness of Slovenian cultural heritage. The associations organize cultural events with: art and craft displays, performances in music, drama, dancing, by the local and wider community, and guest performers from Slovenia and other countries.

The Slovenian Franciscan order has established churches in Melbourne, Sydney and Adelaide and has played a vital role in the religious and cultural life of the Slovenian community. The Slovenian Religious and Cultural Centre in Kew, SS. Cyril and Methodius Mission, was founded in 1960 as the first of Slovenian Religious and Cultural Centres in Australia. The centre is a complex of: the Church of SS. Cyriland Methodius, Baraga House, Baraga Library, the Mother Romana Hostel for the Aged, and Slomsek Primary School. Cultural events and concerts for the community are held in the church hall.  

The community voice is heard in the media and printed press. In Melbourne the Slovenian programme is broadcast on SBS radio and 3ZZZ weekly. Since 1975, Slovenian has been broadcast on the radio, and is heard in all capital cities of Australia. On Channel 31 television, “Slovenian Magazine” is presented every fortnight; sponsored by the Slovenian National Council of Victoria, and donations. In Melbourne the Slovenian Franciscan Fathers issue the monthly journal “Misli -Thoughts” established in 1952. It is a religious and cultural magazine in Slovenian, with articles and detailed information about community activities and events. It is distributed throughout Australia and overseas.

Throughout Australia there have been over a time twelve Slovenian newspapers in circulation and over one hundred Slovenian books and periodicals published in Australia.