Monday, 14 december 2009
Address by the Speaker of the House of Representatives Parliament of Australia Harry Jenkins MP to the Members of the Assembly, Skopje
Mr President
Prime Minister
Distinguished Members of the Parliament
Distinguished Ministers
Your Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen.
I am delighted to address this distinguished Parliament today. It is a great honour to appear before you, the first time for a Speaker of the Australian Parliament, and I welcome the opportunity. Our two countries share warm and friendly relations, which are underpinned by strong community ties and close people-to-people links. Both our communities consist of historically significant multicultural and ethnically diverse populations of which we, together, can be very proud.
In the latest national Australian Census some 84 000 people living in Australia reported having Macedonian ancestry. Some immigrated to Australia, while others were born in Australia. Although they might be Australian citizens, their Macedonian cultural heritage remains strong.
It is no small thing to uproot families and personal lives and travel half way around the world. But that is what many Macedonians have done in coming to Australia.
Macedonians must be great travellers!
Their efforts have broadened and enriched cultural and social life in Australia and by the sweat of their brows, they have contributed mightily to our economic development.
Contact between our two peoples dates back to the late 19th century, when a number of Macedonian pecalbari [‘migrant workers’] came to Australia in search of better employment opportunities.
Our first Macedonian migrants were likely to have heard of the discovery of gold in Australia while working as itinerant labourers in Constantinople and other southern European posts in the 1880s. At that time people in your part of the world knew of Australia as the “fifth continent” and it was to this new continent that Macedonian workers made their way, probably as many as two thousand by the outbreak of the Second World War.
Australia benefited from a number of waves of migration. In 1924 the USA imposed immigration restrictions which saw many Macedonians settle in Australia instead. A further wave occurred after 1936 when deteriorating political circumstances in Europe led many to consider leaving their homeland.
Thus in the 1920s and 1930s, Macedonians could be found clearing forests in Western Australia, clearing scrub on the west coast of South Australia, cutting railway sleepers in New South Wales or in south west Western Australia, grape picking in the Riverland along the Murray River, and cutting sugar cane in Far North Queensland.
Until the 1950s, perhaps the most typical form of business for early Macedonian migrants was market gardening with small farming and tobacco growing communities forming across Australia. At this time Macedonian communities could be found in Australia’s great mining cities, in particular the fabled gold town of Kalgoorlie in Western Australia and two thousand miles to the east, in the New South Wales mining centre of Broken Hill. Other cities in which communities sprang up included Port Kembla, Newcastle and in the far west, Perth.
The encyclopaedia of Australia’s immigration history, The Australian People, edited by Dr James Jupp features a typical Macedonian migration story from the period of the 1920s to the 1950s recounted by Dr Peter Hill, whose proud Macedonian mother-in-law lives in my electorate. This story is that of Dime Klapshe. Dime arrived in Australia in 1927 via the United States of America and worked as a labourer in outback New South Wales in the mining centre of Broken Hill and later on farms in Gippsland in Victoria. He returned home in 1931 but by 1937 was again working on Gippsland farms. During the next two years, he bought his wife and children to Australia. In an experience common to many migrants, in 1940 he moved to the city, in his case, Melbourne, where he worked in a number of shoe factories. He later bought a mixed business in Fitzroy, a Melbourne inner suburb and later became the manager and owner of a small textile factory.
Traditional cafes or Kafana were important meeting places for communities that were predominantly male. Here they could talk, play cards, reminisce and do business. The first such cafes appear to have been in Perth where the Makedonski Dom opened in the mid 1920s in the heart of the city with a related boarding house further down the same street. In Melbourne there was a café in Gertrude Street Fitzroy established in the 1930s and a club – The Balkan Club – opened in the city centre.
Since 1788 Australian society has been built by immigrants but it was not until the massive influx of migrants from eastern and southern Europe after the Second World War that the multicultural character of our society became firmly established. These were years when migrants or displaced persons – refugees from war-ravaged Europe – could be found working in the coal mines of New South Wales, on the Snowy Mountains Hydro-Electric Scheme, in the new car factories of Melbourne, Geelong and Adelaide, working in food canning factories on the north coast of Tasmania or in the cane fields of far north Queensland. These were years of great social transformation in Australia and migrants, including many Macedonians, carried much of this heavy load.
Australia’s major cities grew rapidly following the Second World War, in part spurred by migration. Many men who came first, later brought out their families to settle in Australia. Some found work in market gardens, or in the manufacturing of eucalyptus oil near Australia’s capital, Canberra. Others worked in dairy farming in the states of Victoria and New South Wales. But most came to Australia’s major cities attracted by employment in the rapidly-growing manufacturing sector. More than any other city, migrants from this part of the world made their way to Melbourne. In 1959, the first Macedonian Orthodox Church built beyond the shores of your country, Sveti George, was established in the inner-Melbourne suburb of Fitzroy. I have attended weddings at this historically significant church.
Although Macedonian community organisations had existed in Australia prior to the 1960s, it was in that decade the community began putting down permanent roots.
For example, a Macedonian cultural centre and chapel dedicated to Sveti Nikola was built in Perth, Western Australia, in 1968. Today there are Macedonian Orthodox churches in almost every capital city of Australia. Many years later, in 1981, the Macedonian Orthodox Community in the state of Victoria established a Macedonian Centre in an area of Melbourne which is in my electorate.
Many other centres, clubs and organisations have been established since then and remain in operation today. The Australian diaspora is well-serviced by Macedonian-language newspapers and national radio broadcasts in Macedonian.
While Australia’s indigenous people represent one of the world’s oldest continuing cultures, modern Australia is a relatively young society and we continue to be culturally enriched by vibrant communities such as the Macedonian community with long-held religious, cultural and artistic traditions.
A range of activities enable all Australians to experience your culture and continue to bring our two communities closer together. Australia has been fortunate to have hosted visits by various Macedonian folk song and dance groups for many years now. A number of historically and culturally significant events are celebrated annually across Australia with a variety of cultural and artistic programs. Just last month, the city of Melbourne hosted a Macedonian Film Festival.
Your countrymen and women have contributed significantly to other areas of Australian society, such as business, sport, education and industry, and are today outstanding Australian citizens. In addition to several prominent football clubs, such as the Preston Lions Football Club in my local region, having Macedonian origins, many past and present members of Australia’s national soccer team, the Socceroos, claim Macedonian heritage.
On the political level, our two countries have enjoyed diplomatic relations since October 1995. The Australian Ambassador is located in Belgrade and an Australian Honorary Consul was appointed to Skopje in May 1998.
This has provided a platform for the further development of political, trade, diplomatic and parliamentary relations between our two countries, as well as cooperation across many fields of activity, including in multilateral forums.
In May 2005, your then Foreign Minister, Dr Ilinka Mitreva, visited Australia as a Guest of Government, and of course, Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski visited Australia in October, together with Foreign Minister Milososki.
A notable achievement resulting from Prime Minister Gruevski’s visit was that he and the Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd signed a bilateral agreement on social security—the first formal agreement between our two countries since diplomatic relations were established 14 years ago.
As Mr Rudd noted during Prime Minister Gruevski’s visit, this agreement will enable people who have spent part of their adult lives here and in Australia to access pensions in both countries, giving people more freedom to move between them and reflecting the close people-to-people links that both of our communities have come to value.
Prime Minister Gruevski’s visit to Australia also included meetings between his delegation and Australian business leaders to develop further trade and investment between our two countries. In 2008–09 trade between our two countries amounted to $7.8 million, with beef being Australia’s main export. Reports indicate that Australian companies have shown an interest in investing in your insurance, tourism, and information technology sectors. I certainly encourage future development of trade, investment and education links between our countries, as both nations stand to benefit.
In light of recent developments in Europe, Australia welcomes the ratification of the Lisbon Treaty and the creation of new diplomatic posts in the European Union. This milestone in European integration should serve as a backdrop to your quest to become a member of the European Union.
Your history has been coloured by great struggles, often bloody wars. The deeds of national heroes during the struggles of the first half of the twentieth century are imbued in the psyche of Macedonian migrants. The celebrations at the time of the Feast of Sveti Ilija and the observance of Illenden as a national day continues strongly in the community in Australia. The cry of Da jivee Ilinden is heartfelt.
On other occasions, the impact of the Second World War is purposefully commemorated.
Importantly Independence Day, September 8, does not pass without notice. Your country has achieved much since gaining independence peacefully in 1991, dealing with the many challenges that the path to democracy and independence entails. Since becoming an official candidate for EU membership in 2005, you have been steadily progressing towards that goal, but no one can pretend there is not still work to be done.
My first visit to Skopje was back in 1977, when as backpackers my wife and I arrived by bus after a two day trip from Dubrovnik, along the coast of the Gulf of Kotor, through Montenegro with an overnight stop in Podjorica. How things have changed. Yugoslavia has disintegrated. Skopje has developed into a modern European capital city. Importantly one thing has not changed. My wife Michele is still my wife and is accompanying me today.
My interest in Macedonia has been with me for a long time. Many Macedonian migrants to Australia have made the northern suburbs of Melbourne their home. The electorate I have been elected to represent, according to the last national census was home to 11,000 people claiming Macedonian ancestry, the largest population of any electorate in Australia. After attending numerous functions, cultural sporting, senior citizens, family and village with the Macedonian community, I find myself here today as the Speaker of the Australian House of Representatives speaking in the Palace of the Assembly (here in Skopje).
The acceptance of the Australian way of life whilst maintaining the cultural significance of ancestry is displayed in many, many ways. Early this year I attended the funeral of a dear friend at the local Sveti Nikola church.
Many of you might not know but Australia has a peculiar home-grown brand of football called Australian Rules, supporters of their teams are fanatical.
So there in a suburban church in Melbourne Australia was my friend’s coffin draped in the colours of his football team and a Macedonian flag, and the service being conducted in the Macedonian language - a true representation of multicultural Australia.
A new parish of the Macedonian Orthodox Church in my local community, converted a former Scottish Presbyterian church to the Church of Sveta Petka. They restored the heritage-listed bluestone exterior whilst at the same time converting the interior to a wonderful example of the Orthodox tradition. The building stands as a great tribute to Macedonian Australians’ love for their new and old countries.
On my previous visit to Skopje I was moved by the lasting reminder and memorial to the earthquake of 1963, the clock-tower of the railway station marking the moment that time stood still in the of the face of mother nature.
It serves as a reminder of the need to respect our environment.
In the bushfires in Victoria, Australia early this year a Macedonian monastery was destroyed. I have fond memories of attending family picnics in the adjoining grounds in years gone by. This is another example of the need to respect our environment.
Our two countries, along with the rest of the globe, confront the challenge of climate change; and like other global crises, this is an area where concerted international efforts will be required.
Your country and Australia are standing together alongside a host of other nations with our ongoing contribution to the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan. This is one example of each of our nation’s willingness to act in accordance with the expectations of good international citizens. This should serve as encouragement to others in your bid to join NATO.
Since the early 1990s, Australia has repeatedly advocated peace and regional dialogue in the Balkans, and supported efforts towards greater regional stability. You are now a long way down this path and Australia supports you in your current endeavours.
It has been an honour and a privilege to address your Parliament here today. It has been a welcome opportunity to reflect on the long-standing cultural and social links between our two countries and I trust you share my appreciation of the benefits that such links bring to our respective communities.
The many ties we already share provide a solid foundation for continuing our political dialogue and enhancing our relationship in many different spheres, such as trade, investment and education. Australia acknowledges the significant progress your country has made as a Parliamentary democracy since achieving independence and trusts that any remaining obstacles to ongoing democratic reforms and your further integration into Euro-Atlantic institutions will be resolved to the satisfaction of all parties.
On a personal note, I have been fortunate enough to have had some time to once again see some of your beautiful country and in Skopje, Ohrid, Krusevo and Bitola experience your rich cultural heritage and renowned hospitality. It has been a genuine pleasure to have been your guest these past few days and I sincerely thank you for your hospitality.