Croatian Charter Award

I am honoured and truly humbled to have received the prestigious Charter of the Republic of Croatia Award from the President of the Republic of Croatia, Mr Zoran Milanović.
This distinguished award recognises the sustained dedication of the Western Australian Croatian Chamber of Commerce (WACCC) over more than 22 years in promoting, fostering and strengthening economic ties, business cooperation and trade relations between Western Australia and Croatia, as well as across Canada, USA and South America.
From connecting established Croatian-Australian businesses— in over 150 years of migration history—with emerging young professionals and innovative startups, to championing cultural preservation and unlocking new bilateral opportunities, the Chamber continues to build meaningful bridges.
A heartfelt thank you to President Zoran Milanović, the Republic of Croatia, our members, partners, Perth office Croatian Consul Mr Zoran Sangut, current committee and the entire Croatian-Australian community for this incredible recognition. Together, we will keep driving prosperity, innovation and creating new connections.

Thank you for attendance with the Australian Ambassador to Croatia Mr Richard Rodgers, David Tudorović the honorary Consul for the Republic of Croatia in Australia, Adelaide; Mr Zoran Šangut, Consul for the Republic of Croatia in Australia, Perth; Mayor Logan Howlett from the City of Cockburn and Patricia Howlett; Dijana Grahovac, Australian Embassy in Croatia; Josip Jakovljević, Dario Jakovljević, Matea Jurčević, Marina Mašić, Ida Gamulin and Don Markušić.

The Chamber was an initiative formulated by the Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich MLC, then a Minister in the WA State Government and the first Croatian born person to be elected to Government in Australia. Ljiljanna, working closely with Croatian Consul General Tihomir Telisman, formed a Steering Committee comprising members of the Croatian community Dennis Yagmich, Tony Krsticevic, George Grasa, Mira Skender and Neven Smoje who worked to form and then launch the Chamber.

The inaugural meeting of the Executive Committee of the Western Australian Croatian Chamber of Commerce was held on Monday August 4, 2003 in the office of the Consulate General of the Republic of Croatia.   The office bearers elected at this meeting include:  Chairman Brian Rakich, Vice Chairman Tihomir Telisman, Goran Jurum, Secretary - General George Sekulla, Treasurer Dennis Yagmich, Committee Members Tihomir Galic, Bisica Gavranic, Ivan Kostrencic, Vladimir Piscetek, Neven Smoje , Patrons Professor Valentine Pervan and Glen Jakovich.

Life Membership has been Awarded in January 2020 to Brian Rakich AM - Foundation President, Dennis Yagmich - Vice President, Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich – Patron.

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Thank you to the committee: President Luke Jurcevic, Vice President: Francika Jelavic Roberts, Vice President: Martin Cop, Robert Slavicek, Marilyn Rulyancich, Jasmin Jukic Biagioni, Elizabeth Katzir and Nada Gill. Also have made the Chamber internationally recognised as a leader amongst chambers worldwide and in diplomatic circles.

We share a proud history as the descendants of migrants from Croatia who came to Australia seeking a better life for themselves and their families. Their efforts and those of their children and grandchildren, have helped to make Australia the great country it is today. Croatia is one of the most beautiful places on earth. It is a vibrant democracy forging it’s place in the European Union.

We can all be proud that we have been able to give back to the beautiful land of our grandmothers and grandfathers and acknowledge the appreciation of those efforts by the Government of the Republic of Croatia.

WA Croatian Chamber of Commerce - Charter of Republic of Croatia Award 2025 @Perthect!
Photographs: “Office of the President of the Republic of Croatia, Tomislav Bušljeta”.

CHARTER of the Republic of Croatia Award

CHARTER of the
Republic of Croatia Award