Secretary of Serbian Ministry for Diaspora, Mr. Cotric Aleksandar and Deputy Minister for Diaspora Mr. Krivokuc'a Vukman are in a first official visit to Australia by Serbian delegates in over 25 years.

Serbian National Center Bonnyrigg in Sydney's western suburbs welcomed Serbian Ministry for Diaspora Officials on Saturday evening. After the national anthems and cultural dancing program, the Ministry for Diaspora Officials spoke in front of few hundred fellow countrymen and compatriots about the relationship between the Serbia and its citizens abroad, especially in Australia. They pointed out that their mission is to work on bringing together motherland and Diaspora, on helping preserve national identity and on getting compatriots involved with the life in Serbia.

Secretary of Serbian Ministry for Diaspora, Mr. Cotric Aleksandar and Deputy Minister for Diaspora Mr. Krivokuc'a Vukman have presented a 'Vuk Karad¾ic Medal of Third Order' to Mr. Vaso Despotovic on behalf of the President of Serbia and Montenegro, Mr. Svetozar Marovic.

Mr. Vaso Despotovic was recognized for his vast humanitarian efforts and activities in Serbia and Australia alike, as well as strengthening the links between the two countries and working tirelessly on preserving the national culture and heritage among the Serbian community in Australia during the past 15 years.

Ministry for Diaspora Officials have also recognized Ft. Rev. Rade Radan and Ft. Rev. Srboljub Miletic for cultural achievements and development of Serbian community in Australia, as well as various other cultural and national clubs such as Serbian National Center Bonnyrigg and Serbian National Defense Canley Vale as the oldest national organization in Diaspora.

Sources:

• Serbian Government,
• Ministry for Diaspora Republic of Serbia,
• Vesti - Serbian Daily Newspaper Part: 1, 2
• Novosti Newspaper
  
• Serbian Voice Newspaper

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