Bringing together community leaders, researchers, and academics from Australia and overseas, the conference created a unique forum for reflecting on the historical development and cultural significance of the Croatian community in South Australia.

The conference was opened by Croatian Consul General Joseph Gene Petrić, followed by welcome addresses from Marijan Čubelić, Dijana Adžić, and Dr Damir Čulić. Jana Adžić served as Master of Ceremonies on the opening day, with notable attendees including Bishop Monsignor Marko Medo, Monsignor Tomislav Markić, Father Luka Poljak, and Sister Slavica Turčić. A special moment recognised Vlasta Križaj for her long service to Croatian Radio Hour and her donation of historical materials to the Croatian History Room Archive.

The program featured a keynote address by Dr Ivan Hrstić, alongside presentations by Dr Boris Božin, Dr Vesna Drapač, Šime Dušević, Dr Jim Hlavač, Dr Jasna Novak Milić, Dr Amy Morrison, and Dr Ilija Šutalo. Community panels and sessions were chaired and supported by Jana Adžić, Dijana Adžić, Marijan Čubelić, Irena Dangov (née Šprajcer), Josip Ivka, Sandra Jadrešić, Adela Kelava, Dr Stephen Klarić, Tomislav Kovačev, Velimir Rončević, Dragica Šarunić, Branimir Šprajcer, Katarina Spudić, Vjera Žuvela, and Hilda Žuvela. Key themes included cultural identity, folklore, language, archival development, and approaches to historical research, culminating in a roundtable discussion chaired by Dr Stephen Klarić.

The conference also included a visit to the Migration Museum exhibition, strong audience participation, and a social gathering at the Lenek Zabava. Technical support was kindly provided by Jurica Turčinov. A conference booklet was produced featuring messages from Ambassador Betty B. Pavelich, Marijan Čubelić, Dr Damir Čulić, and convenors Dr Vesna Drapač, Sandra Jadrešić, and Branimir Šprajcer. Along with the program, the booklet also featured biographies of the fifteen community chairs and panellists, and biographies and abstracts of the talks by the eight featured speakers. Leo Tolo designed the booklet which featured artwork by Glenys Yakas on the front cover.

The event was supported by the Republic of Croatia’s Central State Office for Croats Abroad, the Croatian History Festival Adelaide 2025 Founders Sponsors Goran Drapač, George Rutar, and Ilirija Resort, as well as partner organisations including the Ivo Pilar Institute and the History Trust of South Australia. Special thanks were extended to contributors and supporters including Dijana Adžić, Kruno Batrac, Jadranka Fuček, Tomislav Kovačev, Branka Mužinić, Katarina Simpson (née Putrić), Leo Tolo, Jurica Turčinov, Mimi Glavaš, Nina Božanić, Stephen Klarić, Sanja Klarić, and members of the Festival Steering Committee: Sandra Jadrešić, Jadranka Fuček, Dr Ivan Hrstić, Dr Vesna Drapač, Kruno Batrac, Mimi Glavaš, Dijana Adžić, Karmen Petrić, Mate Božanić, Jurica Turčinov, Katarina Simpson (née Putrić), Nina Božanić, and coordinator Branimir Šprajcer.

The conference strengthened connections across the Croatian community and academic networks, contributing to ongoing historical research and laying important foundations for future projects associated with the Croatian History Group South Australia.