The Croatian community in Camden came together over the weekend to celebrate the 10th anniversary of St Mary MacKillop Parish. This event showcased the growing presence and cultural contributions of Croatian families in Sydney’s southwest.
Adam Kovacevic from Camden Local Government Area spoke about the significant Croatian participation in the weekend’s celebrations. The community organised a cultural stall that highlighted Croatian traditions and food. This demonstrated the deep connections between the parish and local Croatian families.
St Mary MacKillop Parish serves as a spiritual home for many Croatian families. Their children attend the two connected Catholic schools: St Justin’s Primary School and St Benedict’s High School. These institutions have become focal points for the Croatian community. They provide both education and cultural continuity for families in the region.
Local Business Support
The Croatian cultural stall was made possible through the generous support of local Croatian families and businesses, including:
- Cro Fire Food – Kovačević family, bringing authentic Croatian cuisine to the community
- Livada Cleaning Services – Miklik family, a local Croatian-owned service business
- Andrew and Suzana – Beslic Family – Long-standing community supporters
- HR Lawns and Gardens – Kasunic family, local landscaping services
- 13 Twelve Mobile Kafe – Simurina family, mobile coffee services
- Luca Simurina, Jurcic family, Matija Saric, Marija Mihic, Barica Pesut, Ankica Hert.
This business sponsorship reflects the entrepreneurial spirit and community solidarity that characterises the Croatian diaspora in the Macarthur region.
Remarkable Population Growth
The Croatian community’s presence in the area has experienced extraordinary growth over the past decade. According to census data, the Croatian population in Camden LGA increased by an impressive 84% between the 2011 and 2021 censuses. In the most recent count, 1,692 people identified as Croatian.
The neighboring Campbelltown LGA also shows significant Croatian representation. There are 1,426 residents identifying as Croatian, marking a 30% increase since 2011. Combined, these two local government areas are home to over 3,100 residents of Croatian heritage. This makes it one of the most significant Croatian communities in Greater Sydney.
Deep Historical Roots
The Croatian presence in the Macarthur region isn’t a recent phenomenon. The area has welcomed Croatian families for decades, with Campbelltown hosting a Croatian school during the 1990s. This historical foundation has provided a strong base for the community’s continued growth and cultural preservation.
The Camden Context
Camden, located in the Macarthur region of New South Wales, is known for its rural character, historic buildings, and significance as the birthplace of Australia’s wool, wheat, and wine industries. This heritage-rich environment has provided a welcoming setting for Croatian families. They seek to maintain their cultural traditions while contributing to Australia’s multicultural tapestry.
The success of the St Mary MacKillop Parish anniversary celebration reflects not only the parish’s decade of service but also the vibrant, growing Croatian community that calls Camden and the broader Macarthur region home. Through their businesses, schools, and cultural activities, Croatian families continue to enrich the social and economic fabric of this historic Australian region.
Pioneer Heritage: The Dominish Legacy
The Croatian presence in Camden traces back over 165 years to pioneers like John Dominish, one of the first Croatians to settle in the area. Born in Donji Vidovec, Croatia in 1827, John migrated to Australia around 1856 as a ship worker alongside his brother Matthew. He later settled in Cawdor, working as a farmer on a property owned by John Macarthur. This was fitting, given his family’s background as wine growers and makers in Europe.
John married Matilda Smart on August 4, 1859, at St John’s Church, Camden, and they had eight children together. His legacy continued through generations, with his descendants becoming integral parts of Camden’s community fabric. John passed away in 1883 and was buried in Cawdor Cemetery. This marked the end of a remarkable journey from Croatia to becoming one of Camden’s founding Croatian settlers.
The Dominish family story exemplifies the Croatian immigrant experience. Arriving with little but strong work ethic and family values, they then build lasting contributions to their adopted homeland.
Sources: Historical information about the Dominish family sourced from: “My Camden Story – A Brief History of the Dominish Family,” Camden Council Library Services, accessed via https://library.camden.nsw.gov.au/local-heritage/heritage/my-camden-story-a-brief-history-of-the-dominish-family/
Population statistics from Australian Bureau of Statistics Census data, 2011 and 2021.