Tarara Day 2009

Tarara Day celebrates the union of the Maori and Croatian cultures in New Zealand. This year 14500 people attended the event. Croatian-Maori descendants have the opportunity to celebrate their cultures and learn more about their heritage.

The Following text appears in the website
Our People - New Zealanders 'Kiwis'.
In the 1880s when the first Dalmatians came to New Zealand, the Austro-Hungarian empire ruled Dalmatia, which is on the Adriatic coast of the Mediterranean. Through this they were often mistakenly called 'Austrians' in New Zealand. Dalmatians clustered together in the gum fields of the Far North, where they lived in rough huts constructed from manuka poles and sacking.. Their days were spent deep in trenches and swampy holes where the prized kauri gum lay buried. Eventually with time, the land did offer a better way of life, with some diggers becoming farmers in the north while others started vineyards. Today the founders' names read like a who's who of New Zealand wine - Babich (1919), Selak (1934), Yukich (Montana Wines, 1944), Nobilo (1943) and Delegat (1947). Their wine was scorned at first and nicknamed Dally-plonk. Prejudice and ignorance hounded the Dalmatians for many years. Harsh rules that favoured the British made it increasingly difficult for them to dig for gum. During the First World War they were mistakenly called ‘Austrians’ and treated as enemies.

Dalmatians got on very well with Māori of the Far North - Te Aupouri, Te Rarawa, Ngati Kahu and Ngati Kuri, who dubbed them ‘tarara’ - ‘fast talkers’. Intermarriage occurred, producing some significant figures such as Dame Mira Szászy, one of the outstanding Māori women leaders of the 20th Century, and the first Māori woman to graduate with a degree from The University of Auckland. She was a former President of The Māori Women's Welfare League. Dalmatians and others from the former Yugoslavia are proud of their heritage. Their hard-working attitude and contribution to the country is well recognised, especially in Northland and Auckland, where the term ‘Dally’ is now one of affection.

Tarara Day 2009 brochure
Croatian-Maori Day Celebration
Maori and Croat join in festivities
Tarara: Croats and Maori in New Zealand

Be Croative exhibition

Over the last couple of weeks Croats in Australia have been given the opportunity to visit the "Be Croative" exhibition which will featuring a display of Croatian products, inventions and cultural heritage. The exhibition will be on display in Australia's major cities.

"Be Croative" promotion
Discovering the creative side of Croatia
"Be Croative" exhibition in Sydney 16th-19th of April, 2009

Anniversary of Croatia's recognition of independence by Australia

Today is the anniversary of Australia's recognition of Croatia's independence on 16 January 1992.
Minister for foreign affairs media release

50th anniversaries celebrated by Sydney United (formerly Sydney Croatia) and Canberra FC (formerly Canberra Croatia)

Sydney United and Canberra FC both celebrated their 50th anniversaries towards the end of 2008. More information can be obtained from the following websites
Sydney United Wikipedia website
Canberra FC Wikipedia website

Croatian Christmas traditions

Croatians in Australia like to carry on their traditions once they arrived in Austalia. Some of the websites recording some of the Croatian Christmas traditions can be found in the following websites

Croatian tradional Christmas songs
Christmas in Croatia
Croatian Christmas tradions by James Monti published in The Magnificat Advent 2006

Planting of wheat on feast day of St. Lucy

On the 13th of December which is St. Lucy's feast day many Croatian mothers plant wheat grains in a round dish or plate of soil The seeds germinate and the shoots are several inches high by Christmas. Then the new green shoots, may be tied with a ribbon, if desired, and a candle may be placed near them as a symbol of the Light of Christ. The sprouted wheat is placed near the Nativity set where it will remind all that Christ, the Bread of Life, was born in Bethlehem.

Celebrating the feast day of Saint Nicholas (Sveti Nikola)

Saint Nicholas (Sveti Nikola) has his feast day on the 6th of December. As youngsters I recall being taken by dad, mum brothers and sister to the Croatian Club or park nearby (Hollywood Park) in Landsvale, Sydney where there would be lots of entertainment for the children, a barbecue and music. The highlight was the handing out of presents by Saint Nicholas and having your photo taken with him. Lots of fun and laughter eventuated as the children opened up their presents. A fun day had by all.

Do you have any childhood recollections of celebrating Christmas in Australia within the Croatian community?
Please leave your comments below