General Rehearsal Times

Hrvatska Zora begins a new season of sining and dancing at the first rehearsal.
This will be occurring: Monday 09 February 2009. See you then!!!

The general timings for group Practice Sessions are currently:

    Maleni:          Monday (6:30 - 8:00 pm)
    Pripremni:    Monday (6:30 - 8:00 pm)
    Kvalitetni:     Monday (8:00 - 10:00 pm)
    Orkestrar:      Monday (7:30 - 9:30 pm)

   

Hrvatska Zora Charter

Statement of Purpose for Hrvatska Zora

1. To provide an opportunity for all persons, particularly Croatian youth in the western region of Melbourne, to get in touch with their roots in the form of dance and music.
2. To help promote cultural awareness, sense of belonging, acquisition of musical skills and dynamic dance movements through organised folkloric recreation.
3. To enhance the health and well-being of its folkloric ensemble through physical activity and fitness required in the form of dance.
4. To promote the Croatian culture and identity within its own community and beyond its borders to the broader Australian multi-cultural community through its promotion of Croatian folklore.
5. To contribute to the Multicultural Society in Australia by participating in Australia Day Parades and other similar Festivals.
6. To represent the Croatian Community and its culture at local Multicultural Festivals when organised by local regional Councils and other Organisations.
7. To organise Social Events so that members from the Croatian Community and the wider Community can meet and interact in a friendly and pleasant environment.
8. To foster positive relationships between Australia and Croatia by hosting Folklore exchanges between the two countries.

Hrvatska Zora Brief

The Croatian Folkloric Ensemble “Croatian Dawn” began operating on the 23rd of April 1993 under the guidance and assistance of Mr Božidar Potočnik, a long time Maestro of Croatian Tamburica music, and Mr Vlado Kuraja a renowned dancer of Croatia’s world famous “Lado” Zagreb, with over 320 active members of all ages. The initial founding was undertaken by Rev. Josip Vranješ with the vision of “Croatian Dawn”(“Hrvatska Zora”) being an establishment where the Croatian Youth of our community could socialise and uphold our colourful traditions within Australia.

Today, “Hrvatska Zora” consists of 120 active dancers and musicians, and more than a decade later still continues to be a leading representative for Croatian culture and dance in Australia, along with embarking on overseas tours.

Hrvatska Zora History (First nine years)

1993

23rd April – First day under guidance and assistance of Mr Božidar Potočnik (Dirigent and Maestro of tamburica) and Mr Vlado Kuraja (choreographer whose experience was gained within “Lado” Zagreb). Started off with 320 members, Rev. Josip Vranješ who initiated the formation of Hrvatska Zora as well as funded the first shipment of original nosnje from Croatia, was aware of the need to gather the youth of our community and uphold our colourful traditions within Australia.

October – Albury/Wodonga International Festival: This was the first major performance for “Hrvatska Zora” outside of the Croatian community. At this event, where its never-before-seen class, “Hrvatska Zora“” treated the one thousand something guests with its colourful voices, tamburica and explosive choreographies, to a standing ovation.

1994

July – Gold Coast/Brisbane (Zajednička turneja sa F.A. “Zvonimir” Springvale)

1995

Dolazak Božidar Potočnik / Anđela Potočnik
Tennis Centre Concert – Franjo Tuđman (we danced Linđo first time with Rev. Luka Pranjić playing the ljerica)

1997

Sydney – Braća Radić

1998

Gosti Gradiscanske Hrvate iz Austrije 14th February.
Prvi piknik u Gisborne 24th January.
3rd May and 18th April performed in Croatian based TV program “Lijepom Našom”

1999

Hrvatska Zora u Hrvatskoj

2000

30th June – Gosti “Željezničar” Osijek
26th November – Jubilee mass Holy Eucharist
12th March – Hrvatska Zora performs at Brimbank Festival

2001

September – Adelaide Tour(whole ensemble).