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Diversitat is governed by the Geelong Ethnic Communities Council Executive Committee which contributes to, and directs the vision, values and general policies of the organisation.
The Executive Committee is guided by a general Council which comprises up to two representatives from each of the 51 cultural communities affiliated with Diversitat. An Associate Member from 94.7 The Pulse has also sat on the Executive Committee since November 2012.
President – Dr. Linda Sydor Petkovic, Ukrainian Community
Secretary – Mr Zoran Dimovski, Macedonian Community
Treasurer – Mr Eldo Jacob
Ordinary member – Mrs Sophia Shen, Chinese Community
Ordinary Member – Dr. John Lamp, Pulse Community Radio Associate GECC Member
The Afghan Community was established in Geelong in 2011 and is an active affiliate in association with Diversitat. Initially community members were lone men waiting for families to arrive, but over the last year a number of women and families have arrived to join them and members are actively involved in the development of the association.
Community members have been participating in Diversitat’s English and Social Awareness programs and at the end of Ramadan, they took part in an Eid celebration at the Northern Hub.
Please email [email protected] if you require additional information.
The Croatian Community of Geelong is one of the region’s biggest ethnic communities, with over 5,000 residents calling themselves Croatian. The Croatians began migrating to Australia after WW2 and have since established 3 community halls, ‘The Dom’ Australian Croatian National Hall. 101-111 Seperation Street, Bell Park, the Croatian Community Centre. Cnr Cox and Matthews Rd, Corio and North Geelong Warriors Soccer Club. Gibbons Rd, Lara.
In 1972, the Croatian Cultural Artistic Association, or ‘LADO’ was established in Geelong, and it has played an integral role in showcasing and promoting Croatia’s rich, proud culture and heritage through music, song and dance. In 2017 LADO celebrates their 45th anniversary of service to Geelong. LADO consists of over 100 active dancers and 30 musicians and continues to strengthen with the support of over 100 volunteers.
Visit the Croatian Cultural Artistic Association HKUD ‘LADO’ Geelong facebook page
The Hungarian Community consists of St Laszlo Senior Citizens Social Club and the Mezei Virag dance Ensemble.
The Hungarians arrived in Geelong largely between around 1949 and 1957 . They subsequently established their own community, which currently has 80 members, who meet at their club house at 55 Lovely Banks Rd, Lovely Banks.
Traditionally the women’s costumes comprised embroidered blouses, skirts and head scarfs, while the men wore black trousers, white shirts with black waistcoats and hats.
Their arts include music based on the pentatonic scale, which was adopted by gypsy musicians, as well as Dancing and Painting.
Traditional cuisine includes Beef Gulyas (soup), Beef Porkolt and Hot fish soup.
The Karenni come from a territory between the East of Myanmar and the North-west of Thailand, and include four main tribes, the Kayah, Kayan, Kayaw and Paku. Due to political conflict in Burma, the Karenni fled to Thailand and as a result of a resettlement program commenced in 2005, there are now approximately 200 Karenni in Geelong. Most of the adults are employed on farms in the Geelong region.
The Russian community was first established in Bell Park in the 1950’s. They are a small and growing community with over 70 families united around their Orthodox church.
Russia is very rich in colourful culture and traditions that have been passed on from generation to generation
The ‘Austrian Club Geelong’ was founded in 1972. Toni Baart, Rudi Hochreiter and Rudi Janda were the driving force behind inauguration, inviting all the Austrians in the Geelong area to the inaugural meeting. Subsequently an enthusiastic and optimistic group of Austrians elected the first management committee with Rudi Hochreiter the first President.
The Bosnian Lily Association Inc was founded approximately 10 years ago. The Association has several special interest groups, such as traditional women’s crafts, a social group “Bezistan’, a fishing group, pensioners group and a traditional folk dancing group, the Lilies, which actively participate in community, local, state and interstate activities.
The Bulgarian Society of Geelong was established in Geelong and affiliated within 
Approximately 80 Congolese have recently settled in Geelong and like many other newly settled ethnic groups, they have formed their own association which is affiliated with 
The Dutch population in Geelong comprises of 1400 people. In the early 1950’s they established the Geelong Dutch Club, which has since grown to 10 active Dutch clubs servicing the Geelong Region, they are:
The Fiji Geelong Friendship Club Inc
The Filipino Social Club of Geelong Inc. was established in 1982. The primary aims and objectives of the group are, to promote good will and understanding amongst all Filipinos, to promote social and cultural integration with other groups and communities and to assist in the welfare and settlement of new Filipino migrants and students in the community.
The Alliance 
The German 
The Geelong Greek – Hellenic Community was formed in 1956 by Greek migrants arriving in Geelong. Today there are approximately 3,500 Greeks in Geelong who have migrated from various regions of the country, including Crete and Cyprus.
The Indonesian Association of Geelong (IAG) was formed in 2010 to introduce Indonesian culture, cuisine and traditions to the community of Geelong and to second generation, Australian born Indonesian children.
The Geelong Iranian Society (G.I.S) is a non-profit, non-political and non-religious organisation, established in 2007 to promote better communication amongst thousands of Iranian migrants and the local community.
The Geelong Irish Society was formed over 50 years ago and now has well over 100 families within its community.
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Japanese Association of Geelong (JAG) Inc. was established in December 2017 is a not-for-profit organisation based in the City of Greater Geelong.
Members of the Karen community come to Geelong from refugee camps along the Burmese / Thai border. They have been displaced from their homes by war and other political conflict, and many have spent up to 20 years in the camps waiting to find a new home.
The Macedonian Community of Geelong is based at the Community centre of St John’s Macedonian Orthodox Church Hall, on 
n ethnic group of Austronesian people predominately inhabitants of the Malay Peninsula, including the southern most parts of Thailand, the east of Sumatra, the coast of Borneo and the smaller islands which lie between these locations. The Malay ethnic group is distinct from the concept of a Malay race, which encompasses a wider group of people, including most of Indonesia and the Philippines. The Malay language is a member of the Austronesian family of languages. 
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Membership of the Polish community in Geelong now numbers over 1500 and their activities centre at the White Eagle House, located in Breakwater. Established in 1980, this venue now provides sporting facilities and activities, not just for the Polish Community, but for the wider community also. White Eagle House also operates a very popular restaurant and a successful pokies venue.
The Serbian Parish Youth Club has been part of the Serbian community for 30 years, bringing together Serbian people of all ages to celebrate and share Serbian culture and beliefs.
The Slovenian Cultural & Sports Association was established in November 1955, to form a social and cultural centre for the small and dynamic Slovenian community in Geelong. The club began with social gatherings, and singing and is believed to have started the first Slovenian choir in Australia.
The South Sudanese have recently gained their independence, and as the situation in the country is gradually stabilising, many are returning there. The Sudanese Women’s Group continues to meet on Fridays at Cloverdale Community Centre for cultural and educational activities. South Sudanese community members are also engaged in local sports, with younger members attending camps at Cottage by the Sea and Licola.
The Geelong Spanish Community was established in 1980, with club activities operating from a community hall at the Hope Centre in Norlane. The first Spanish started arriving in Geelong around 1956 and now have a small community in Geelong, with 
The Ukrainian community has a long and proud history, with Ukrainian migrants first arriving in Geelong in 1948. The 65
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