A look back at the unforgettable 1998 ‘Lijepom našom’ concerts in Australia
Photos: Courtesy of production crew – Zlatko Kozlevčar
In 1998, something extraordinary happened in Melbourne’s Croatian community — an event that merged music, tradition, and pride into a three-night celebration under the stars. The legendary HRT music program ‘Lijepom našom‘, known for showcasing Croatian heritage across the homeland and diaspora, made its way Down Under for the first and only time.
The Lijepom našom tour in Australia featured three unforgettable concerts, each held at a different venue that symbolised the strength and unity of the Croatian community across Victoria:
The first concert took place on 18 April 1998 at the Croatian Sports Centre—home of Melbourne Knights FC (Croatia) in North Sunshine. This large-scale event drew thousands and set the tone for the cultural celebration that followed.
The second concert was held the very next day, on 19 April 1998, at the Geelong Croatian Community Centre. This performance brought the spirit of Croatian music and tradition to yet another stronghold of the diaspora.
The final concert was held on 3 May 1998 at the Croatian Catholic Centre of St. Leopold Bogdan Mandić in Sunshine. More intimate and spiritually resonant, this concert concluded the Australian leg of the tour with warmth and community pride.
These events weren’t just concerts—they were a cultural journey, uniting Croatians of all generations and reaffirming their shared heritage far from home.
We spoke with Zlatko Kozlevčar, one of the key members of the production team in Australia — responsible for filming, editing, and technical coordination — to revisit what it took to bring this spectacular cultural event to life, and why it still matters.
A Stage for Tradition in a Foreign Land
Held at the Melbourne Knights Stadium (also known as Tompsett Stadium), a venue with a capacity of 15,000, the concerts drew crowds of thousands. “The grandstand was full,” Zlatko recalls, “and there were people standing all around the perimeter. It was a huge turnout — hundreds more than we expected.”
Organised with the support of Ante and Maria Šakić, and with official backing from the Croatian Embassy and Consulate, the event opened with addresses by Ante Beljo, Ambassador Jozo Meter, Consul Sanja Novaković, and Steve Mandekić, then-president of the Melbourne Knights.
The idea was clear: showcase the richness of Croatian heritage for a generation raised oceans away from home.
A Star-Studded Line-up
The concerts featured a fusion of performers from Croatia and Australia. Local groups like FG Mladi Hrvati, FA Hrvatska Zora, and HKUD Lado Geelong shared the stage with Croatian stars including Slavonske Lole, Zlatko Pejaković, Duško Lokin, Boris Ćiro Gašparac, and many others.
“It was more than music,” Zlatko says. “There were traditional costumes, dancing, storytelling. People came not just to be entertained, but to feel a connection.”
Behind the Scenes: The Untold Effort
While the stage sparkled under the lights, behind the camera was a small, passionate team working tirelessly:
Petar Gelo – Executive Producer, Director, Camera
Zlatko Kozlevčar – Camera, Editor, Technical Director
Vlado Prša – Camera, Secretary
Anica Hrstić – Program Presenter
(Late) Joe Rupić – Assistant Camera Operator
Ivan Gelo – Best Boy, Assistant
Zlatko describes the setup with pride and precision. “HRT requested broadcast-quality footage, and since we were already producing a Croatian community TV program on OptusVision, we used professional Sony Betacam cameras and mixers. It was all recorded live on-site, mixed in real time, and backed up on Super VHS tapes — which cost a fortune back then.”
He personally covered many of the costs. “I bought extra tapes myself. We made copies for HRT, delivered them, and even though they aired only about 10 minutes of footage, we were never officially acknowledged or reimbursed.”
Cultural Legacy – On and Off the Record
Despite the limited broadcast, Zlatko didn’t let the footage fade into obscurity. Years later, using new digital tools, he edited and uploaded parts of the concerts to YouTube, plus complete three concerts to YouTube, where it continues to find an audience.
Watch all 1998 Lijepom našom in Melbourne – on YouTube Channel: Zlatko Kozlevcar – Jim : https://youtu.be/v1RxjQ-Fe-8?si=nPliGkrhUhMnFSaM
“This article, and those videos, they’re more than nostalgia,” he says. “They’re memory, history, and proof of who we were — and who we still are.”
A Night to Remember
When asked about his favourite moment, Zlatko smiles: “I was behind the cameras. Always watching, always moving. But I felt part of something bigger — we all did. That feeling of being Croatian, of belonging, even 16,000 kilometres from home.”
He continues, “Music like this has a role beyond entertainment. It keeps language, customs, and spirit alive. Our people love these events — not just for themselves, but for their children, their community, their roots.”
The Lasting Impact
Does he believe the concerts left a mark? “Yes and no,” he answers thoughtfully. “Those of us involved — performers, crew, organisers — we’ll never forget it. Others may need a reminder. That’s why stories like this are important. They bring the memory back.”
More than 25 years later, Lijepom našom may have stopped airing, but its mission endures: to connect Croats everywhere through music, memory, and pride. Thanks to people like Zlatko Kozlevčar and the dedicated crew behind the scenes, that connection lives on — one preserved tape, one digital upload, one memory at a time.
