St Albans Dinamo Football Club last Saturday night celebrated its half a century milestone at a spectacular 50th Anniversary Gala Ball at the Sunshine Croatian Catholic Centre in Melbourne.
More than 750 guests packed out the massive venue, which was decorated in stunning fashion and left patrons speechless as they made their way through the glittering back entrance of the hall.
As part of the evening’s formalities, which was superbly MC’ed by Sydney Croatian media personality Mariana Rudan and local Croatian community identity and co-host of the new PodroomTV podcast Anthony Smolić, a special tribute to all those dearly departed Dinamo members was shown on the big screen.
Following the touching tribute to past members, a special presentation was held whereby the Churchill Reserve club bestowed six legends of the club – four of whom are still alive and were present – with life memberships.
The six life members included: Jozo Jović, Miro Heđeš, Pero Gusak, Mario Jutriša, Ivan Pinterić and Ivan Čančar.
Speaking prior to the announcement of the six life membership recipients at last Saturday night’s Gala event, Dinamo president Ilija Dragičević said the club considers this a really important award that will continue for years to come.
“Tonight is only the start of recognising people that have helped this club immensely over the 50 years,” he told the mass gathering.
“As a club, we decided to recognise these people in a more formal manner and we really believe this will increase over the years to come,” he added.
Dragičević then proceeded to announce the six inaugural recipients of the Dinamo life membership award.
The club’s inaugural president and first major sponsor, Miro Heđeš, was the first recipient of the award.
Heđeš, along with the other remaining club legends still alive (Jović, Gusak and Jutriša) were bestowed life membership in person and were then interviewed on stage by the two MCs.
In the case of the late Ivan Pinterić and Ivan Čančar, both their respective sons, Anthony Pinterić and Ante Čančar, accepted their fathers’ awards on behalf of each of their families.
The heartwarming and emotional ceremony concluded in front of 750 patrons with all six individuals coming together to cut a special St Albans Dinamo birthday cake.
Highlights of the life membership presentation ceremony from last Saturday can be watched on a special episode of the club’s DinamoTV podcast on its official You Tube channel at:
