The Croatian community in Newcastle has thrown its weight behind a new push to establish Croatian language classes in the Hunter Valley region.
“As a proud community club, Newcastle Croatia Football Club is happy to support the re-establishment of Croatian language classes in Newcastle,” the soccer club said in a social media post on its Facebook page this week.
The Novocastrian club is itself operating strongly after its own hiatus of nearly three decades and is strongly credited with a significant resurgence of the Croatian community in Newcastle, which has been driven largely by members of the second generation.
Karl Živković, an active member of the local Croatian community, who was heavily involved with the rebirth of Newcastle Croatia FC, said the re-establishment of Croatian language classes in Newcastle is just as important as resurrecting the soccer club.
“To me, this is bigger than re-establishing our football club,” he told the Croatian Herald.
“Ojdana Ojdanić from the Croatian Wickham Sports Club (main picture), the Newcastle Croatian Catholic Centre – Sv. Josip with Marica Batković and myself from the football side, as well all the members involved, are all behind the push to get this project off the ground,” added Živković.
“Order your ćevape roll in Croatian!”
Newcastle Croatia FC, meanwhile, on the football club’s social media post had the following message:
“If you’d like to order your ćevape roll in Croatian at our next home game or looking to reconnect with your roots, wanting to get the kids involved, or simply wanting to get a taste of the language for your upcoming trip to Croatia, you can now do it right here in Newcastle.”
To be administered by the CroConnect Newcastle organisation, the classes offered will be at both beginner and intermediate level.
Classes are likely to be held either at the Croatian Wickham Sports Club or at the Croatian Catholic Centre Sv Josip (pictured above) or possibly split between both venues.
Depending on the number of enrolments, there will be small group lessons aimed at adults, as well as classes for primary and secondary school children.
As part of the Croatian language classes, there will be numerous cultural activities and conversation practice sessions organised to help student practice their Croatian in everyday situations.
Goran Palaček who is currently studying medicine at The University of Newcastle will be the instructor when the classes commence.
A second-generation Croatian raised in a Croatian-speaking household, Palaček has lived and studied in both Rijeka and Zagreb. His time in Croatia strengthened his language skills and deepened his connection to the Croatian culture.
Anyone in the Newcastle area interested in finding out more about the Croatian language classes, simply fill out the form at the link below or contact CroConnect via email at: croconnect.au@gmail.com.