• • Macedonian Community of Manjimup Inc receives $250,000 grant through Community Capital Works Fund
  • Deputy Premier and Minister for Multicultural Interests visited Manjimup and meet with Macedonian community
  • Funding to assist with community hall upgrades including outdoor entertainment area ahead of 60th anniversary celebrations

With Manjimup considered one of the original Macedonian community settlements in Australia, the Macedonian Community of Manjimup (MCM) was established in the 1950s and the Macedonian Hall officially opened in 1987.

One of MCM’s main focuses is to provide a Club for the Macedonian migrant community in Manjimup, educating and promoting the traditions, language, history and culture of Macedonia, and now includes over 150 members.

In good news ahead of the club’s 60th anniversary celebrations, the club has been awarded $250,000 through the Cook Government’s Community Capital Works Fund administered by the Office of Multicultural Interests.

Announced today, the grants assist Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CaLD) community associations and community service organisations to upgrade, maintain and diversify community infrastructure and ensure that these important spaces are available for generations to come.

Member for Warren-Blackwood Jane Kelsbie recently hosted the Deputy Premier, Rita Saffioti MLA, and Minister for Citizenship and Multicultural Interests, Dr Tony Buti MLA, in Manjimup and met with local members of the MCM.

Second generation MCM President, Victor Grozotis, said the club was very happy to be receiving the State Government grant which would help the committee and volunteers continue to preserve the Macedonian history in the region.

“With the building of the hall in 1987, it allowed the Macedonian community to have its own centre where we could enjoy and continue having our traditional dances and functions of which there were many enjoyable times over the years.

“We hope with this new funding we can continue to maintain our culture as the next generation of Macedonians raise their families in Manjimup.

“March marks the 60th anniversary since our inaugural committee was founded and to mark this special occasion we are officially acknowledging the family that donated the land on which our hall was built, and holding a ceremonial tree planting for our founding fathers, and then later this year we will bury a time capsule with lots of Macedonian memorabilia to be opened in 30 years time. We’re hoping it will inspire the next generation of Australian Macedonians to carry on all these traditions!”

Comments attributed to Jane Kelsbie MLA, Member for Warren-Blackwood

“It was great to have the Deputy Premier and Minister Buti here in my electorate to meet with local
members from a long-standing community association in Manjimup.

“I’m looking forward to sharing in the MCM’s milestone celebrations next month, with the theme ‘Back to
Manji’ which aims to bring back families who have a connection to the local community.

“They’re expecting 250 people to attend the special event which will showcase traditional dance, music,
historical photos and memorabilia – and I know that this funding will go a long way to helping them
celebrate their rich cultural history in the South West now and into the future.”