Croatian History Conference - Adelaide 2025
Dr Ivan Hrstić keynote speaker at the Croatian History Conference Adelaide
Dr Ivan Hrstić (Senior Research Associate and Deputy Director, Ivo Pilar Institute, Zagreb). In his keynote speech titled 'The Historical Significance of the 75th Anniversary of The Croatian Club Adelaide: The View from Croatia', Dr Hrstić spoke about a systematic approach to collecting archival materials that ensures a deeper understanding of the past and preservation for future generations.
Year: 2025
Credits: Photo by Mimi Glavaš
Croatian Radio Hour's Vlasta Križaj
A special moment on the first day of the conference featured Vlasta Križaj, our long-time Croatian Radio Program announcer, who was recognised for her dedicated service to Radio 5EBI-FM and the South Australian Croatian community. On this occasion Vlasta donated four historical items relating to the radio program to the Croatian History Room Archive.
Year: 2025
Credits: Photo by Mimi Glavaš
Dr Vesna Drapač – Day One of the Conference
Dr Vesna Drapač, chairing the Keynote Presentation during the opening session of the conference. As one of the Conference Convenors, Dr Drapač spoke about how there is much to be gained from discussing and reflecting on the on the history of The Croatian Club Adelaide, particularly that the Club, or 'dom' functioned as a welcoming home away from home.
Year: 2025
Credits: Photo by Mimi Glavaš
Dr Ilija D. Šutalo – Featured Speaker
Dr Šutalo author or the award-winning book 'Croatians in Australia: Pioneers, Settlers and their Descendants (2004). Summarising his journey for researching and writing his book. What began as a search for a single book evolved into a long-term commitment to documenting the experiences and contributions of Croatians in Australia. Ilija hopes that his story of patient research will inspire others to help recover important stories that might otherwise be lost to history.
Year: 2025
Credits: Photo by Mimi Glavaš
Branimir Šprajcer with Vlasta Križaj
Branimir Šprajcer, Coordinator, Croatian History Group, stands with Vlasta Križaj in front of the newly installed compactus storage system in the Croatian History Room Archive, holding historical items she generously donated as a long-serving member of the Croatian Radio Hour. The new shelving significantly increases storage capacity and supports the long-term preservation and organisation of materials documenting the history of South Australia's Croatian community.
Year: 2025
Credits: Photo by Mimi Glavaš
Opening Remarks by Dr Damir Čulić
Dr Damir Čulić, Chairperson of the Croatian Community Council of South Australia, delivered opening remarks at the Croatian History Conference, part of the Croatian History Festival Adelaide 2025. He welcomed conference attendees from Australia and overseas and acknowledged the many organisations, sponsors, volunteers, and partners who contributed to the success of the Festival. He also reflected on the significance of the conference as a milestone in a year of community history projects and commemorations.
Year: 2025
Credits: Photo by Mimi Glavaš
Featured Conference Speakers
Featured speakers at the Conference. Left to right: Šime Dušević, Dr Ivan Hrstić, Dr Vesna Drapać, Dr Jim Hlavač, Dr Jasna Novak Milić, Dr Amy Morrison and Dr Ilija Šutalo. Missing is Dr Doris Božin, who presented at the conference via pre-recorded video. Their presentations explored themes connected with the history, culture and identity of the Croatian Club Adelaide and its role within the South Australian Croatian community since 1950.
Year: 2025
Credits: Photo by Eva Mileković
Elvis Pedišić speaking during a conference Q & A session
Elvis Pedišić travelled from Sydney to attend the conference and contributed to the discussion during a question-and-answer session. Drawing on his own experiences, he reflected on historical themes raised by the speakers and offered an interstate perspective on the development of Croatian community life and activity in another part of Australia.
Year: 2025
Credits: Photo by Croatian History Group South Australia
Conference participants at the Migration Museum exhibition.
On the third day of the conference, a group of participants visited the Croatian Club Adelaide pop-up exhibition at the Migration Museum on Kintore Avenue in Adelaide's cultural precinct. The display highlighted the history, activities and community contribution of the Croatian Club Adelaide. Featuring photographs, documents and memorabilia, the exhibition complemented many of the themes explored during the conference.
Year: 2025
Credits: Photo by Croatian History Group South Australia
