2015 Slovenian Of The Year Awards At Triglav Club In Sydney.

The 2015 Slovenian Of The Year Awards in NSW was held at Triglav Club at St John’s Park in Sydney on Sunday, June 12th this year. The event also marked the 25th anniversary of Slovenia’s independence as well as the club’s 45th anniversary.  This year’s award recipients were: Marija Ritlop and her late husband, Mirko Ritlop who received a lifetime award for their work within the Slovenian Community. Danica Šajn and Danica Grželj were both awarded for their contribution to education.

Marija Rudolf was awarded for her services to the Slovenian Community in Wollongong and elsewhere.  Anton Konda and his late wife Ana Konda were presented with a lifetime award for their work within the Slovenian Community.  Walter Šuber was awarded for his contribution in promoting Slovenian culture within the wider community.  Hilda Širec was awarded for her outstanding contribution to the wider Australian Community as a person of Slovenian background.

Entertainment during the official program was provided by the Southern Stars (Južne Zvezde) Choir and Rudi Črnčec and Lenti Lenko played their button accordions and sang some popular Slovenian songs, much to the delight of an appreciative audience!  The Southern Stars Choir also sang the Australian and Slovenian National Anthems at the start of the official program, that was attended by a number of special guests and dignitaries including the Slovenian Ambassador in Australia, Mrs. Helena Drnovšek-Zorko.

Congratulations to the organizers of the event, including the sub-committee headed by Branko Fabjančič, Perina Brown (Slovenian) and Stefanie Fabjenčič (English), who were the hosts for the official program and all those who received awards. The afternoon finished with entertainment provided by the band Alpski Odmevi.

Source: Lenti Lenko | Radio SBS Australia | Slovenian Program