1957 - 2007

33
Slovenian Association Sydney - 50 Years
Schools
From the early 1960’s, a partnership existed between the Slovene Association
Sydney and the Slovene Catholic Church, in the teaching of the Slovenian community
language classes. They were mutually supportive of one another.
The humble beginnings of the Slovenian language classes were informal programs
of learning and catered mainly to young children who were the offspring
of the first wave of immigrants from Slovenia. The first lessons were held at 121
Queen St. Woolahra and were run under the wings of Karitas (an humanitarian
organization of the Catholic church, catering for the needs of the newly arrived
migrants).
The lessons were taken by Father Bernard Ambrožič who was later assisted by
Virgilij Ferfolja.
Leichhardt – 1958
Another Slovenian language class, established
in the Sydney basin, was at Leichhardt.
These classes again catered to the
very young children. Initially, Father Bernard
Ambrožič was assisted by Virgilij
Ferfolja and Antonia (Tončka) Vodopivec,
who motivated the children with her playing
of the piano, drama performances and
singing. These classes ceased by the end
of the 1950’s. Under the support of the
newly arrived Father Odilo Hajnšek however,
classes recommenced at Leichhardt
in 1962. These continued until the mid
1960’s with the work of these fine teachers
– Anton Omerzel, Virgilij Ferfolja, Marija
Kokl and M.Vojsk (relieving).