Tales from School - Australian Croatian Community Services

Australian Croatian
Community Services
(ACCS)
Adult, Community and
Further Education
(ACFE)
FRANCI BULJAT:
Australian Croatian Community Services currently receives funding from the North
West and South East Metropolitan Region of Adult Community and Further
Education (ACFE) to deliver English as a Second language (ESL) based classes,
including Introductory Computers.
The aim of the classes is to develop and improve different aspects of English:
listening comprehension, speaking, reading, writing, grammar and pronunciation.
The main objective is to help the students fully and actively participate in everyday
life in Australia and prepare them to use English in various situations and settings.
Students attended the classes regularly, they were very keen to learn new things and
the introduction to computers was a welcomed addition. Being a part of the class
greatly improved their quality of life, for many it meant more than learning English,
it meant social interaction and making long lasting friendships.
To all the students – Please accept my heartiest congratulations on your
achievements. I am so proud of you. It has been a great pleasure to teach these
classes and be part of your life.
IVONA LONAC:
Like Franci I‟m very grateful for the funding we‟ve received from the North West
and South East metropolitan region of Adult Community and Further Education
(ACFE). Without your support we would not be able to deliver these classes and I
strongly feel that they are vital to our students.
In these classes they have the opportunity to learn English in a friendly environment,
one in which they are surrounded by people with whom they can relate to. Learning
English is important to these students because with every word they learn, they feel
less and less foreign amongst the „aussies‟ and it becomes easier for them to get by
in various daily situations.
This year we‟ve also worked with mobile phones. On the rare occasion that a student
didn‟t attend class I‟d always received a notification via text or email and this is just
one of the ways they‟ve proven to me just how much they‟ve learned.
The enthusiasm these students have towards computers and learning English startles
me pleasantly. I arrive to work each week eager to teach them something new and
they arrive to school each week eager to learn something new. For this I thank them
and congratulate them for all the progress they‟ve made and for the many laughs and
good discussions we‟ve shared this year.
Tales from school
Page 3
Katarina Jakicic
My name is Katarina. I was born in Croatia. I arrived in
Australia in 1971. I was 19 years old. A year after arriving I
got married. I have two children, a son and a daughter. My
son is married and has two children, aged seven and four. My
daughter is single and lives with us. I like cooking, reading
and gardening very much. I have retired now and I look after
my grandchildren two days a week. When I have time I go on
trips and holidays and I visit my friends. I visited my
homeland many times and I keep in touch with family and
friends there. I will never forget
my roots and my homeland. We
have built our home and life in
Australia and I now call
Australia home.
Hasna Trifkovic
I was very excited when our
teacher gave us different topics to write on for this booklet. At first I
thought I ‘d write about Australia, but then I got stuck with some
words. The biggest problem in learning English for me is spelling.
Hopefully, if I continue school next year, I will be able to improve my
spelling. To be honest , I don’t like it, but something inside me is
telling me “ you have to know this!”. Spelling is hard for me and many
others who learn English. I like reading books, listening to the radio,
watching movies, I like studying grammar. I enjoy going to school, I am
very happy with my teacher and friendly students. I am always
surprised how patient our teacher is with us. I know I improved only
because of her patience. I asked her the same question hundred times,
and she always answered with smile. Last two years I had a very hard
time in my private life. I still continued to go to school because it
helped me to be with people and improve my English. I would like to
win Tatslotto and go around the world, maybe open a private school
for my teacher and other students. This is all about me for now. I am
sure the teacher will correct my spelling.
Page 4
Zelislava Teljega
I will give you a short description about myself. I came to Australia in
1987, just one week before Christmas. It was the first Christmas in hot
weather for me. In my homeland Croatia, we have Christmas in winter
and it usually snows at that time of the year. That Christmas was a bit
unusual for me. I like to live here in Australia, even though I find life a
bit different to one back home. But over time and over years I got used to
it, and I am very happy with my life here. I am married and I have one
daughter. We are small and a very happy family. My husband and I
work and my daughter is still going to school. We are trying to spend
time together and go out with family over the weekends.
My family and I live in Melbourne, Victoria. Melbourne is a nice city
and there are many attractive places to visit. Yarra River Flows through
the city centre, there is Casino there and lots of coffee shops and
restaurants. The
Flinders Street train
ustralia is a very young
station is at the heart of
the city. Not far from
country and it is also very
the city is famous St
big. In Australia there are people of
Kilda suburb with
many different backgrounds. I have
beaches and walking
areas. Also not far from lived in Australia with my children
the city is the
for ten years now. My children work
Melbourne Zoo where
and go to university. We came to
we can see all different
Australia because it has given us
kind of wild animals.
A
many opportunities, a good
education and a good perspective.
Australia is the second country I
have lived in but it is now my new
home and my children‟s home. We
are very happy here.
Fahira Music
Tales from school
Page 5
Going out with my friends from school
I retired in November 2007. after working for 38 years. Life turned
upside down over night. No more getting up early - going to work or
coming home in busy traffic hours. I didn't know what to do with
myself - I was lost.
Than, accidentally, I heard about evening school where you can learn
English and computers. I said to myself: "That's for you - go and do
it!"
In September last year, I started going to the classes. Not only that I
learned more about English grammar and computers - I met and made
few friends.
Together, we went to "FISH NIGHTS" and movies. We had great
time - we laughed and talked.
This year more ladies joined the class. We had few outings together.
We went to the movies and after that we had light supper with coffee
and drinks to follow and - of course - laughter and talk.
Living alone, this gives me real pleasure to be with good and happy
people that I may call -FRIENDS FROM SCHOOL.
Stefica Simunic
MY HOLIDAYS – BY MUNEZEHA KAZAZIC
I am planing to take holidays in April next year. I will go to my
country, to Mostar, but will probably go to Sarajevo and Zagreb
as well. I hope the weather will be nice. I am not sure what else
will I do. Perhaps I shall go to London to visit my sister and the
children of my other sister. I think we can than all meet in
Mostar. I am looking forward to my holidays next year.
Page 6
Vesna Cakalic
My name is Vesna Cakalic and I came to Australia
on the 1/05/2003. At first it was difficult until I got
used to life in Australia. Australia enabled us to go
to school and this made everything a lot better. It
was good to be with people of different nationalities
and this was a very nice time. I met a lot of people
of good places around Australia. I visited Canberra,
Brisbane and Port Douglas and it is very beautiful. I
still cook dishes from my country but I love everything here in Australia. I came from Croatia and I
think this country has helped me so much. I am
very happy here and I have a nice life.
Kata Sulima
I think Australia is a very nice country and I like living
here. I recently went on a 2 week holiday to Moori and
it was very good. I went for swims in the morning and
in the afternoons at the pools near our bungalows. I
also went for long walks with friends and the nature in
this town was beautiful. I also go to school on
Wednesdays where I learn English and about how to
use computers. I enjoy this very much and I have made
many friends who are the same age as me and we
share a lot in common.
Tales from school
Page 7
Josipa Janjovic
Hi, my name is Josipa. I„m 72 years old. When I came to Australia, I
could only understand and speak Croatian language.
Every day I was crying and feeling bad.
I like learning English because I live in Australia now. I need to go
shopping and to the doctors, so I must speak and understand English.
My English is not excellent, but I can
have a conversation with people and I feel
better now. I still need to learn a lot more!
Thank you.
Ahmet Talic
My wife and I arrived to Australia
17 years ago. For the first year
we were very sad and unsure. But as time passed we
became to feel more certain and confident. For the
first year we lived in St. Kilda and we had the
opportunity to walk besides the sea every day.
Transport in Melbourne is good so it was easy to visit
every suburb. Melbourne is very beautiful and
interesting and offers a high standard of living for
people. My wife and I visited the Capital of Australia.
We also went to Sydney, Brisbane and Adelaide. We
really liked the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast
because we spent 15 days in Caloundra. In Victoria
we’ve visited many towns such as Geelong, Ballarat,
Bendigo, Shepparton, Wodonga and Warrnambool. But
I think the most beautiful place was Lakes Entrance
where there are 7 lakes. So day by day, year by year
we like Australia more and more. I think Australia is
the best country in the World.
Page 8
Antun Koch
O
n the 15th of September this year we boarded an
early bus to Moori where we arrived at 8am. First
we unpacked our things and went to our bungalow.
After a morning coffee we immediately went for a swim.
The place where we stayed had 5 pools and there were
spas as well where the water was perfectly warm. The
weather was also warm the entire time, which was good.
We shared meals with our friends and played cards and
board games till late. Our holiday went for 2 weeks but the
time passed by so quickly.
My Holiday
by Fehima Jaher
After living in Australia for four years my daughter and I went on a
holiday overseas for about 3 months. I had the time of my life. We
booked out tickets four months earlier just to be sure we were going
and that nothing would change our plans. Our first destination was
Zagreb. In Zagreb my uncle waited for us and after we passed border
control we went to Bosnia. We had a lot of time to visit our family
and friends who we didn‟t see for a long time. We were in Slovenia
to visit my husband‟s sister. Slovenia is a beautiful country.
Everything in Croatia reminded me of Germany where I lived for 7
years after we left Croatia. Germany is different to Bosnia, you feel
rich there, the buildings were new, and there were modern shopping
centers, parks and public transport. The lifestyle is very different. We
then went to Makarska Riviera where we visited local islands such as
Hvar, Krk and Brac by boat. Brac has the most beautiful beach on the
Mediterranean Sea called “Zlatni Rat”. We also visited Germany on
this holiday because my daughter had a lot of school friends she
hadn‟t seen in 7 years. Finally we visited Bosnia where my family
lives. We took pictures everywhere we went. This holiday was
unforgettable.
Tales from school
Page 9
Stefanija Koch
Home was once in Refugee Camp (Progonstvo)
until our situation forced us to leave. We were in
hard circumstances. We lived in a military camp and
we would have to wait in lines for food and
humanitarian help. So one day we left our house, we
left with nothing. We first went to Croatia where we
applied for a Visa for Australia. We came to
Australia with nothing and we had to start from zero.
We received money from Centerlink
so we could start a new beginning.
We now have a home of our own,
and I‟m happy here. I really feel like
I can thank Australia for everything
it has given me.
Ivka Askraba
My thoughts on Australia are very positive. First of
all, Australia is big and very nice country. It is a
multicultural society. There are people from
different countries, with different cultures.
Therefore I find it a very interesting country. Here
everyone can have safe life and prosperous future.
I think of children and this is important for every
parent. Life in Australia is very good but there is
one big fault. Australia is very far from Europe.
This is my story about Australia.
Page 10
Dragica Omeragic
My name is Dragica. I came from Bosnia with my husband in 1996.
Three years ago my husband passed away. I have got two daughters
Vesna and Elma. In my home country we were very happy before the
war started. We believed that the war would not last long so we decided to stay in Bosnia. But the war lasted 3 years. Many people didn‟t
survive and my husband and I were very lucky. We left Bosnia in 1995
and spent one year in Germany. Then we arrived in Australia in 1996
as refugees. We were reunited with our daughters after 5 years. The
first few years in Australia were very difficult for me. But when I
joined the Slavic Woman‟s Group I found a place where I could spend
time communicating with people who spoke my language. It is a great
feeling to know that you have people your close with other than your
family. I like travelling and the group made it possible for me to see a
lot of new places in Victoria and Australia. We visited Tasmania, the
Gold Coast, Sydney, Canberra and Adelaide. I love my pensioners
days with my children by my side and I also enjoy spending time with
my friends. I‟m happy in my new home.
Lucija Barski
I believe Australia is a country where anything is possible.
A country where there are lots of jobs and lots of
opportunities. A country with lots of different people and a
variety of cultures. I wasn‟t born in Australia but it is now
like my new home and I am very happy to live here. I like
learning English and in my week I always look forward to
English classes on Wednesday. I have made many good
friends.
Tales from school
Page 11
Mladenka Mlinaric
Last year my Production manager asked me to take my long service leave.
He said to me that I had to use my annual leave until the end of year 2010.
I had three months off because I had been working in the same company
for 24 years. I decided to go to my beautiful Croatia. My husband and I
went to the Travel Agency to book the ticket. Second of August was my
date to fly. My son drove me to the airport. My flight was at three o‟clock
in the morning. The trip was very long. We had breakfast, lunch and
dinner, and some drinks on the plane. We had first stopped in Singapore.
After that we flew to Germany. When we got there we had to wait for the
flight to Croatia. The airport in Germany is so big. The flight to Croatia
took couple of hours. When I finally arrived to Croatia, I was so happy to
see my homeland. It was the best feeling, living there for three months.
I spent one week in Zagreb. Zagreb is a beautiful city and the weather there
was warm. The trees, grass, all green, flowers were so beautiful. As I was
walking along the streets, I saw many different shops and new tall buildings.
I stayed at my sister‟s in law place I visited my mother in law, father in law
and all husband‟s family. We had nice dinner together. After spending one
week in Zagreb, I went to my home village. The journey by car was
interesting. Everyone was waiting for me there. I spent almost all the time
with my sick mother. She was happy because she knew I was with her. The
weather was hot and there was no rain. Every afternoon at 3.30, when my
mother went to bed, my neighbour and I would go to the beach for a swim.
Adriatic sea is very clear and warm. I visited all my family in the village.
They were all happy to see me. We ate beautiful food together. Every
Sunday I went to church. Sometimes i went out for dinner with my friends
and brothers and sisters in law.
Day by day holiday came to an end. I had a good time in Croatia. I had to
pack my suitcase again and fly back to Australia. The reason I went there was
to see my sick mother. I wish I could go back soon. Croatia is a very
beautiful country. I am proud to be Croatian.
Page 12
Marica Cvitkovic
My name is Marica. I was born in Croatia in
the capital city Zagreb. Now I live in
Yarraville with my daughter and grandson. I
have many friends and activities that keep
me busy such as cooking and cleaning up
after my grandson. But my favourite thing to
do is come to English lessons. I like to be in
my English class. I try very hard and I have
learned a lot since I first started.
Ruzica Simunic
Late April 2010 I went to Croatia for a holiday. When the plane
landed in Zagreb, I was very happy. I was born in that country and I
lived there during my childhood and youth. During my four week visit
I stayed with my brother and his family. Every day we would go to a
different place. One morning we took off to the Adriatic Sea. It was a
long drive. We stayed there for three days. My brother was with me all
that time, and that was a nice part of my life.
Tales from school
Page 13
My husband and I went for a two month holiday in Croatia. We both
had such a great time there, we didn‟t want to go back home. My
husband spent a lot of time with his mother, she is 86 years old. He felt
this could be the last time he had that chance. My husband can‟t walk
for a long time. He has problems with his spine. So, I spent a lot of
time on my own. I loved Krapanj and Sibenik, and spent a lot of time
catching up with my family and friends. My brother was there from
Canada, and my uncle from Sydney was also there, which was a
surprise. I have another brother and sister who live in Croatia. My
brother Branko wasn‟t working so we spent a lot of time together
talking and laughing. My sister Vesela was the only one missing. We
also visited some friends who used to live in Melbourne but now live
in Zadar. We stayed with them for two days. We had so much fun
sightseeing, talking and laughing about the old times. We also met a
lot of their family. It was like we never separated. After such a long
time things still didn‟t change between us.
We saw so many things, it is too much to put on paper. It was very sad
to say goodbye to all the loved ones and go. The trip back took a very
long time, one day and one night. I was so happy to see everybody
here. It is good to be back home.
Tonka Curavic
Page 14
I WILL NEVER FORGET - Mirsada Bakalovic
A long time ago my family was very happy. I had a mother, father and four
sisters. When my sisters and I finished school, one by one got a job and got
married. I was born in Zvornik. It is a beautiful place along the river Drina, the
biggest river in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Zvornik is surrounded by mountains,
and there is an artificial lake three kilometres away.
We had a big family. My mother was the oldest child of nine, my father was
one of seven children in his family. I had lots of cousins and we were very
happy. When I got married, I lived in Tuzla for two years and in Bratunac for
22 years. I used to visit my parents and sisters often. We celebrated New year
together, two Bajrams and all other public holidays. I had three children in
seventeen years. My sisters had children too, so my parents had 11
grandchildren all together. Everything went really well for us until 1985. My
husband died that year. A year after that my youngest sister Melita died. She
left two children behind who live in Zagreb – Croatia now. Seven years later
the war started in my country. It was horrible for all the people. I didn‟t know
where my parents and my sister and their families were .
I found out about my parents after eight months and about my sisters in about
one year. They were living in Serbia, then Croatia, Slovenia and Australia.
The worst period started on 11 July 1995 when Serbian armed forces occupied
the town of Srebrenica. One of my sisters with her husband and two sons lived
in Srebrenica as refugees. I never saw them again. Only one of her sons, Hasan,
survived. My sister, her husband and her 21 year old son were killed, along
with many thousands of other people in Srebrenica. Their bodies ( some
bones) were found 15 years later. Last year my sister Nasiha and her husband
and son were buried in memorial grave in Potocari .
I spent seven years as a refugee in Tuzla. We did not have food ,
accommodation, money, we had nothing . In 1998 my son Jahija and I arrived
in Australia where we still live. My heart was divided. I didn‟t see my two
daughters for 10 years. I looked after my mum for seven years, because she
was sick and was unable to take care of herself. My father died 6.5 years ago,
my mum died 4 years ago.
I went back to Europe in June 2008. I went to Netherland first, to see my oldest
daughter Selma, then went to see my sister Mina in Slovenia, then my daughter
Senka in Bosnia, also mu nephew Hasan in Sarajevo. I was there for two
months, and I did not feel well.
I love my children and my sisters‟ children . I will always try to help them
financially, whenever I have a chance. I will never forget Srebrenica and
Bosnia. I will do everything I can for my family until the end of my life.
Tales from school
Page 15
My thoughts on Australia
Tatijana Pajic
Australia is a very big and nice country. It is multicultural, there are
lots of different people and cultures. Australians are very friendly. It
has beautiful forests and mountains. I have been to Mount Baw Baw ,
it was great. Australia is well known for its ocean beaches and
coastline. There are lots of different animals,
flowers, gardens and trees.
I like Aborigine‟s life style, they are very
smart people and all their land is beautiful. I
also like their art and use of natural colours.
I like living in Australia.
by Lidija Vranic
I came to Australia in 1997 and have lived in this country ever since. I
was born in Croatia, but I am Australian as well. It is so easy to love
this country. It was love at first sight for me.
At first I lived with my husband on his farm for three years. That was
an interesting time of my life. I was very busy. I was very busy doing
work inside and outside the house. I lived a quiet life. What more can
you ask for, fresh air like nowhere else. After three years of beautiful
and peaceful life in the country, I moved to the city. It is a totally different life. But what is the same is the weather, beautiful Australian
weather. I love it so much. Hot summers and not so cold winters. Just
how I like it and why I am happy with my life here. So close to my
heart. Today I am busy learning English and practising Internet skills
in the community centre for free. I am a pensioner and have a lot of
time to do what I enjoy.
Page 16
Vesela Nincevic
Earlier this year I went to Sydney with my friends. We travelled at
night by train, it took us 12 long hours to get there. We arrived there
early in the morning, it was a nice sunny summer day. We left our
luggage at the hotel and went to see the Harbour Bridge and Opera
House. They really are two Australian icons.
Next day we went on a bus tour around the city, we stopped at Darling
Harbour, it was so beautiful I felt like I was back home in Croatia. I
had a great time and good holidays to remember, I‟d love to go back
there again soon.
Eugenij Sulima
Australia is a good country. I am able to go to school and learn
English. I really enjoy the classes and the company. Every now
and then I travel with my wife. Recently we went on a holiday to
Moory where we swam everyday and relaxed with friends. It was
therapeutic. We have a lovely house in Broadmeadows and there
is always work to be done. Luckily I enjoy gardening and
housework.
Tales from school
Page 17
Klara Bosnjak
When I was young I lived in a village with my parents,
brother and sisters. My father would go to work and my
mother would be left with the children. My mother was
ill when I was 10 years old and she had to go to
hospital. My siblings and me stayed with my aunty and
my father was away. I wanted to go to see my mother
but the hospital was very far from home. My friend
from school asked me, “Klara have you seen your
mother?” I told him I didn‟t know where the hospital
was. He told me he could give me directions on how to
get to the hospital by walking.
He told me I had to get to the building with the high
trees and high fence around it, and he would wait for me
there. I didn‟t know how long it took me or how far I
had gone I just kept walking because I wanted to see my
mother. It was in my mind to reach the building with the
tall trees and high fence. I remember the moment when
I saw my friend standing in front of the fence. After
walking 12 km I would get to see my mother. We got in the yard under
the window because the visiting hours were over. My mother opened
the window and she had tears in her eyes and asked me how I got to
the hospital and with whom. I pulled my friend up so she could see
him. The return trip was easier because we caught a bus. I will never
forget this memory.
Page 18
Olga Sikiric
On the first day of this year I went on a holiday with my daughter,
her husband and their baby boy. I am very happy with my grandson.
He makes me happy.
My son-in-law drove. The regions were beautiful. We travelled
through Geelong, Torquay (Australia‟s surfing capital) and along a
shorter route to Apollo Bay. After three hours we arrived in Apollo
Bay. The accommodation was on a hill in the forest and there was a
beautiful view from where we stayed. You could see the different
colours of the ships, trees, flowers and houses all reflecting upon the
water.
We went down to the beach every day. Next to the beach was a grass
way and streets with many restaurants, shops, hotels and parks.
Peter (my son-in-law) put the tent up on the beach to protect us from
sunburn. When it wasn‟t too hot we visited Cape Otoway Light
station. We watched on a few places and watched an actress perform
a play about the history of Cape Light Station. On another day we
drove to the 12 Apostles- limestone‟s rising from the southern ocean.
After 5 days I returned to Melbourne and my daughter and her family
stayed an extra 5 days. On my way back I travelled by bus along The
Great Ocean Road and I enjoyed the scenery. It was a wonderful time
with my children and I will always remember it.
Tales from school
Page 19
The End Note
Zamislite da ja ovo napišem na hrvatskom jeziku, a Vi samo
znate engleski.
I started this contribution in Croatian to illustrate the importance of
being able to communicate in the same language. Language is the
most basic and fundamental skill in our ability to communicate,
whether verbally, in writing or by sign. Regardless of the method of
communication the basic requirement is a shared understanding of
the basis of communication, a common language, regardless of how it
is expressed.
Many of those who migrated from Croatia and Bosnia and
Herzegovina never had the opportunity to learn the shared language
in Australia, English. As refugees they came here with the minimum
assets, usually their clothes and, if they were lucky, some personal
items. The priorities were to find a job, feed the family and buy a
home. There was no time for the luxury of learning the language. For
many years our governments also did not see the importance of
learning a language, the priority was for the newly arrived to contribute
to the economy, to work in factories and building sites. While this
policy has been reversed and the newly arrived are provided with a
prescribed number of English language hours, for most this is not
enough and others simply missed out.
Funding from ACFE is one of the few opportunities that those who
missed out have an opportunity to learn and the most recently arrived
to top up hours or attend courses that focus on specific skills. This
funding gives them the opportunity to develop a very powerful and
precious skill - language.
I know you will all enjoy the journey of language and communication
as told by our students through their eyes and their lives. Once again,
thank you to ACFE for giving them the opportunity to develop the skill
of communication in the English language.
Linda Paric
ACCS - Committee of Management
Page 20
Footscray
Footscray
Thursday
Dandenong
Tales from school
Wednesday
Wednesday
Page 21
A lot of time and effort went into preparation of this booklet.
Thank you to all the students who contributed their stories
and to Linda Paric, Committee Member, for her comments.
We hope you enjoy reading it, we did!!!
Silvana Pavlovski
Ivona Lonac
Franci Buljat
Australian Croatian Community Services (ACCS)
Dandenong
9791 6000
Footscray
9689 5811
www.accs.asn.au
December 2010