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HRVATASKA
ZORA – 2008 PERFORMANCE AT THE GOLD COAST CROATIAN CENTRE It’s that time of year again, where we are all out
to celebrate the events of the past year with an end of year trip. With 90
members and family arriving on the Gold Coast, the air was full of excitement
and people ready to celebrate; it was a sign of a great holiday. Saturday 8th November was an outing to
Seaworld. With two bus loads full of people you could only imagine the amount
of enthusiasm (mainly from children) when they saw all the rides! With ride
after ride being used a few were left being ‘a little’ green in the face
after a couple too many upside escapades. That night HZ held a BBQ by the poolside for all
in-attendance. What started off being a great family dinner, ended up with
our very own ‘tamburaši’ bringing out their instruments with an all-night
sing-a-long. On Sunday 9th of November with a few
people ‘worse for wear’ F.A. Hrvatska Zora arrived at the Gold Coast Croatian
Club in anticipation of the days events ahead. With a quick training session
all the groups, got up and at ‘em, and into ‘nošnje’ ready for a day of
singing and dancing. With thanks to Fra. Nikica Zlatunić who had
kindly moved mass to a 1pm start. Maleni, Pripremni, Kvalitetni and Orchestra
graced all mass participants with an array of harmonised mass songs. With a lovely
thank-you speech from the priest at the end of the mass the crowed erupted in
applause in thanks for contributing to the mass. With a few hundred people in attendance at the club
lunch got under-way to feed the hungry mouths and thirsty throats of the
crowed before the concert was to begin. The program began with our Kvaliteni and orchestra
singing the Croatian national anthem with the home based ‘Velebit' dancing
Group. From their Kvaliteni sang and danced their way through an energetic
performance of the choreography ‘Baranja’ alongside the orchestra’s strings. Second point of the program consisted of our
adorable ‘Maleni’ group hypnotising the crowd with their rendition of
‘Slavonija’. With big smiles and big voices the audience clapped and cheered
their way through the choreography giving the kids more courage and
confidence. With the ‘home team’ bring out their best foot
forward their younger group danced their way through to the second half of
the program. Opening the second half was our ‘Pripremni’ group
with the début of their choreography ‘Bunjevac’. With both the girls and the
boys looking stunning in their new nošnje and smiles to match, wowing the
crowed with a clean performance. Out came the ‘Velebit’s’ older group with an
out-going choreography which enticed all viewers. Then came our Kvalitetni
group with their first ever performance of ‘Lika’. Coming out on stage with
nerves; they were soon cured by the warmth they received from the audience
singing along to their songs, and ending the performance with a standing
ovation. With both Kvalieteni and orchestra having
goose-bumps from being overwhelmed by the crowed wanting more, and more.;
they pleased them with few songs, and ‘kolo’ which got the audience dancing
along with everyone, to end the concert on a high note. A BIG thank-you to everyone within the Gold Coast
community who helped make our trip memorable and achievable. Thank-you to the
committee of the Gold Coast Croatian Club who provided everyone with a tasty
lunch and made the day a success for everyone. A reminder that our end of year ‘Nikolinska Ručak’
will be held at Sunshine Centre after mass on Sunday 7th of
December. Also keep you eye out for our 2009 calendars featuring all your HZ
members, which will be available for sale very soon! Written by: Natalie
Tomin |
