From Melbourne’s suburbs to the wild bush keeping Croatian heritage alive
By Suzana Fantov meets Ante Župan and Hrvatski lovci in Australia
Photos: Hrvatski lovci Australia, private album
Ante Župan is one of the passionate voices behind ‘Hrvatski lovci Australia‘—a unique group of Croatian-Australian outdoorsmen dedicated to hunting, fishing, and preserving the customs they grew up with. Raised between city life and the rustic charm of his grandparents’ farm, Ante developed a deep love for the land, animals, and traditional skills from an early age.
In this interview, Ante shares the story behind the group’s beginnings. He discusses the cultural roots that continue to guide them, and why keeping Croatian traditions alive through food, language, and outdoor life is more important than ever.
Ante Župan, you’re part of ‘Hrvatski lovci Australia’ — can you tell us a bit about yourself?
I was born and raised in Melbourne’s western suburbs, and from a young age, I was fortunate to spend a lot of time on my grandparents’ farm. I’d be out there helping my baba and dida—feeding animals, skinning, planting and picking fruit and veggies, salting and smoking smallgoods, putting up fences, chopping wood—the whole lot.
These days, I try to get out as often as possible—whether it’s a day on the boat with a mate or heading out on a hunting trip with the boys. It’s something I’ll never grow tired of.
Can you tell us how ‘Hrvatski lovci Australia’ got started?
It started back when we were teenagers—just a few of us Croatian mates who shared a love for hunting, fishing and the outdoors. We made a Facebook page to post photos and share our experiences and over time, it really took off, drawing in people from all over Australia and even overseas.
What inspired you create a group focused on both Croatian heritage and the outdoors?
We realised there was a real gap in our community for something like this. You could say we’re a bit of a dying breed. We were raised with these traditions—farming, hunting, fishing—and we wanted to carry that on. Creating the group was our way of preserving those values and passing them down.
More Than a Hobby: Preserving Culture Through the Great Outdoors
How has your Croatian background influenced your love for hunting and fishing?
Being Croatian has always been a big part of who I am. As I got older and started hearing stories about my family back in Croatia—how hunting was just a way of life for them—it made perfect sense. I already loved animals and the bush, so it was a natural fit. I’d go out with relatives and family friends on their farms, tagging along while they hunted hares. I’d carry them back like a proud little helper. That influence stuck with me.
What types of hunting and fishing do you usually take part in here in Australia?
Honestly, it’s probably easier to say what I don’t do! But mainly, I hunt deer, pigs, rabbits, foxes, ducks and quail. When it comes to fishing, anything from carp to sharks. My top picks? Squid fishing and quail hunting with my GSP, Remi.
Do you use any traditional Croatian methods or techniques when you hunt or fish?
Hunting’s a universal tradition, but there are definitely some Croatian methods I still use. One example is the “driven hunt”—where dogs or other hunters push game toward a line of shooters. It’s commonly used overseas for wild pigs and deer, but I use it here mostly for foxes. In Croatia, it’s also common to use gun dogs for pointing and retrieving game like ducks, pheasants, and quail. I’ve got a German Shorthaired Pointer that helps me with all kinds of game here—it’s a method that’s stood the test of time.
What’s been your most memorable catch or hunting experience so far?
A few come to mind:
- Shooting wood ducks and catching alligator gar in Texas
- Taking down a šljuka (woodcock) in Croatia
- Landing a monster rainbow trout in New Zealand
How do you keep Croatian traditions alive within your group?
Croatian culture lives on in our group through shared food, music, and language. Making smallgoods, cooking traditional meals, and playing cards are just some of the ways we stay connected. We also make an effort to speak Croatian regularly—it’s a simple but powerful way to keep our roots strong.
From Quail Hunts to Čobanac Feasts – A Brotherhood Rooted in Tradition
Do you often share Croatian food or customs during your trips or meetups?
Yeah, definitely. Croatian customs are just a natural part of our meetups. Whether it’s cooking čobanac over the fire, putting some lignje on the gradele, or playing a game of cards, it’s what we’ve always done. The music’s usually Croatian, and we mostly speak the language amongst ourselves. It’s not something we plan—it’s just how we are.
How important is it for you to pass on your heritage and outdoor lifestyle to the next generation?
Very important. A lot of the basics—like lighting a fire, cooking over coals, speaking Croatian at home, or showing respect to elders—are disappearing fast. It’s not just about outdoor skills, it’s about keeping our culture alive in a real, practical way.
Too many young people today are growing up completely disconnected—from nature, from our traditions, and even from their own families. If a kid can’t go a few hours without an iPad or speak a word of Croatian to their grandparents, something’s been lost.
That’s why we do what we do. It’s not about nostalgia—it’s about making sure the next generation actually knows how to live these things. Not just talk about them.
What does a typical outing with Hrvatski lovci Australia look like?
Not every trip includes the full crew—most times, it’s smaller groups heading out around Victoria or interstate depending on the season. But our big annual camping trip in Mitta Mitta each November is the highlight. It’s where we all catch up, fish, hunt, cook, and share plenty of laughs and stories.
How do you stay connected and organised as a group?
We stay connected mainly through group chats and social media. If there’s a trip coming up, we’ll usually catch up at someone’s place to plan it out. We then divide the responsibilities so everyone pitches in. Our Facebook and Instagram pages are also active—we use them to share updates and highlight hunting and fishing moments from the wider Croatian community.
Do you welcome new members, and if so, how can someone join you? How many members you have now, any girls?
Membership’s mostly organic—friends of friends. That way, we keep it tight and make sure everyone shares the same passion. It’s mostly blokes—around 60 members—but our partners often get involved too. We’ve even started an annual family camping trip to include the wives and kids and encourage them to enjoy the outdoors with us.
Do you have any plans to grow the group or start new projects?
We’re always tossing around new ideas—things like a Lovačka zabava or a Family Fun Day. These kinds of events give us a chance to bring people together, share our food and culture, and most importantly, pass on the practical skills we’ve picked up as recreational hunters and fishermen. The Family Fun Day especially would be hands-on. It would have different activities where kids can get involved, learn how things are done, and get a real feel for the outdoors. It’s about making sure the next generation doesn’t just hear about these things, but actually experiences them.
Have you considered collaborating with other hunting or cultural groups in Australia?
We’ve thought about involving other parts of the Croatian community—like hosting events at local Croatian venues or inviting folklore groups to perform. It’s a good way to bring everything together and show the broader picture of our culture and traditions, beyond just hunting and fishing.
What’s the ultimate goal for Hrvatski lovci Australia?
One of our main aims is to pass down knowledge and skills to the next generation, ensuring the tradition lives on. We’re also committed to protecting and preserving our language, food, customs, and the social traditions that define us. Above all, it’s about honouring our roots and maintaining a strong connection to where we came from.
You can find out more about the activities of the Croatian Hunters in Australia on their official Facebook page:https://www.facebook.com/hrvatskilovci.australia.3
