Speaker, Australia has and will always be a country of immigrants. A place free and fair for all who came here and call it home. That is no less true for my community, where hundreds of different cultures are interwoven to form our unique and vibrant identity that celebrates the country that we are and honours the places we have come from. In May, I had the privilege to mark National Croatia Day with the community and celebrate a remarkable milestone, the 60-year anniversary of the King Tom Club. Also in attendance was Croatian Ambassador Betty Pavelich, and Croatian Consul General Ivica Glasnovic. The Croatian community has strong roots in our national identity, dating back to the 19th century gold rush, today there are more than 150,000 Croatian Australians, with many in Southwest and Western Sydney that continue to honour their connection to Croatia through celebration, dance and, most importantly, food. I thank the members of the community for their warm hospitality and wish the King Tom Club all the best.
Croation National Day
04 June 2026

