Tony Zappia (Makin, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

This Saturday, 23 November, South Australia's Croatian community will host its annual Croatian Festa at the Croatian Sports Centre within State Sports Park, at Gepps Cross. The Croatian Festa, which showcases Croatian culture, food, entertainment and a spectacular fireworks finale, has become a popular major event in the South Australian cultural calendar. It is a family friendly event, with a range of stalls and plenty of kids entertainment.

Croatians have a long history as part of the South Australian community, with sailor Christopher Dabovic being possibly the first to settle in South Australia, in 1854. Notably, Dr Matthew Beovich, the son of a Croatian who migrated in the 1880s, became the longest-serving Catholic Archbishop of Adelaide, holding that office between 1940 and 1971.

Today, around 10,000 South Australians are of Croatian heritage, and they have very successfully integrated throughout South Australia across all walks of life. From business to the professions, trades and sports, their contribution to South Australian life has been extensive.

South Australian Croatians have much to be proud of, and their hospitality and good cheer will be on display at the Festa. For anyone in Adelaide this coming Saturday wanting a family-fun-day outing, I encourage them to go along to the Croatian Festa.