The Montenegrin Ethnic Association of Australia would like to first acknowledge the traditional custodians of this land, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation, and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging.


We thank the Mayor Bill Saravinovski, state Member for Rockdale Mr Steve Kemper (Kempa) and Councillor  Ed McDougal who have organized this commemorative tree planting in honour of Montenegro's Day of Independence.

Mr Saravinovski's support and encouragement in particular over many years now, has been invaluable to our community and organization.


I would also like to acknowledge our own organization members present here today for their contribution to the community and the preservation of our culture, language and customs in our new home.


We are an organization of migrants; this means that we have the privilege to call two countries our home.

So now as we stand to play our national anthems we will sing both with affection.

"Please play the Australian National anthem and then Montenegrin"

I would now like to invite the Mayor and Jelena and the member for Rockdale to officially plant this tree in commemoration of the Independence of Montengro.

(tree to be planted)

Many thanks for your attendance here today.