Evolve or die.
This is the situation facing the Hrvatski Vjesnik, as a representation of the Croatian community, like many other migrant communities in this multicultural nation.
If my parents, grandparents and the hundreds of thousands of fellow, brave Croatian migrants were presented with the 2025 scenario – successful assimilation into Australian society underpinned by their homeland being recognised – they would have signed their lives away.
Our soccer clubs, churches and social clubs were places of pride and congregation, amid a backdrop of struggle and fight for recognition.
The reality is, that our kids and grandkids will not understand or fully appreciate what took place before them. Nor can we expect them to.
They don’t face the same struggles, their grasp of English is better (whilst retaining the Croatian language will be more challenging) and weekends are not spent fundraising for Croatian independence. They don’t have a club in the top tier of Australian football, and there are far less social gatherings, such as ‘zabave’ or the famed Croatian disco.
Life is good right now, when compared with what our parents and grandparents endured.
The Vjesnik has been around since 1983. If we want it to be around for at least 42 more years, we must embrace the digital era and reframe and evolve the identity of the Croatian community moving forward.
Whilst this change is a bitter pill for the older generation to swallow, I strongly urge you to think about the future generations, your grandkids and beyond.
Will they speak Croatian? How will they engage with Croatian culture and community?
The Vjesnik’s digital shift is driven by a fierce desire to retain those strong Croatian traditions for generations to come, to ensure that our community evolves and thrives.
And that our kids and grandkids, will remain as proud of their Croatian heritage, be it through sport, music, cooking or culture.
The Greek and Italian communities have assimilated well into Australian society and face similar challenges like the Croats, particularly around language. Their media platforms have already transitioned into a digital-first approach.
When I was 18, the Vjesnik gave me an opportunity to write and eventually edit the New Generation English supplement, which set me on the path to becoming a full-time media professional, working for the likes of Herald-Sun, Daily Telegraph, Fox Sports, Optus Sports and ABC.
With the Vjesnik’s recent struggles with the print edition post COVID, it was impossible for young media practitioners to be afforded the same opportunity.
The new digital era will transform that, and also provide more work experience opportunities for young Croatian media and journalist prospects.
* David Davutović is a former Vjesnik contributor, NewsCorp (Herald-Sun, Daily Telegraph, Fox Sports) writer and broadcaster (Optus Sport, ABC), and now managing director of Bruce Media, who are assisting with the digital migration.