Sydney Maco

Historically,when most Macedonian migrants first arrived in Sydney in the 1970’s, they would settle close together to support each other. Areas which were popular at the time included Enmore, Newtown, Erskineville, Marrickville, St Peters, Arncliffe, Turrella. These were typically near established industrial areas, or other forms of employment like the airport, railway, factories, etc. Macedonian Orthodox Churches were established at Roseberry, and Rockdale at the time.
Gradually there was a shift further out west as the Bankstown / Yagoona area presented further employment opportunities in the late 1970’s to early 1980’s. Later communities formed in the Fairfield area in suburbs like St Johns Park, Wetherill Park, typically where parents did not work at the airport or railway, but in factories or the water board, local council, etc. A church was extablished at Cabramatta for these communities. Others settled in Illawong, Alfords Point, and Menai during the late 1980’s to early 1990’s.
Today it’s a totally different picture, a large proportion of first generation Australian born Macedonians do not work in the same jobs their parents did, but have moved up the social ladder. Many today have either a University Degree, a Trade, or run a Business. Jobs as diverse as Accountants, Sales Assistants, Hair Dressers, IT Professionals, Lawyers, Doctors, Engineers, Pharmacists, Electricians, Plumbers, Builders, etc.
Our parents came to this country for a better life, and I can quite confidently say that they have succeeded, they wanted a better life for their children, and now it is reality. The danger we face as a generation born here is that we can become complacent, and become comfortable with leaving things the way they are. My challenge for you all is to match, or even better the progress made by our parents in terms of establishing our social standing in the community.
Our parents dreamt big dreams, came to a far away land not knowing the language, risking it all, that is why we are where we are today.
As for where Macedonians have settled today, many have moved out of Newtown, Enmore, and Marrickville. Many still working at the airport or related businesses have remained in Bexley, Rockdale, etc. A large proportion remains in the Bankstown and Fairfield areas also. Gradually there is a movement to the newer housing estates like Casula, Green Valley, Hinchinbrook, Bella Vista, Mount Annan, etc. It would be interesting to see where the new generation of Macedonians will settle in Sydney over the next 10-15 years. If you are planning to buy a house soon, which areas are you considering ?

We’ve gotten to the point where a lot of first generation Australian born Macedonians are now having kids of their own. It will be interesting to see how these kids turn out, if they end up even learning to speak Macedonian. As a first generation Australian born Macedonian, I remember my parents taking my brother and I to Saturday school to learn Macedonian. We’d also go to a dance group, the local “igraorno drustvo”, and we’d have the igranki on Saturday evenings every now and then to receive our trophies.
Although we’d moan and groan at our parents for their old traditional ways, we’re actually quite fortunate to have been brought up with sound moral values, and a rich culture and heritage. The challange we are now faced with is to carry on these traditions, and teach our children these same moral values. It is indeed a challenge, since the easy way out is just to follow popular culture and blend in with the crowd, even to the point of denying our heritage.
I strongly encourage you all the be proud of your heritage, make a point of it in conversation with co-workers, friends, etc. Take Maznik or Sarma to work for lunch instead of having a take-away Chinese stir fry.

I have fond memories growing up where our parents would take us on picnics. We’d go to places like National Park, Warragamba dam, etc. We’d also go on an annual camping trip to Burrinjuck Dam. I’d like to think that our children will also experience this.

Most of you would have grown up in a household where piperki (peppers) were a staple food. What is it about piperki that we can’t get enough of ? To be honest I didn’t eat piperki much when I was younger, but since I got married, my wife has shown me what I’ve been missing out on all along. I was referred to the following site by a co-worker, take a look and Pass the Piperka along to your friends, it’s also interesting to see where other Macos are from. As always take care not to be a target for spammers.

If you’re like most of us Maco’s, your parents would have told you about how they came to Australia with one suitcase and the clothes they had on. A lot came down by boat via South Africa then Perth, then Sydney. The lucky ones flew down here at next to no cost, thanks to Tito’s policy of Emmigration from Macedonia at the time.
It always makes me laugh when I hear Maco parents today object to their adult children wanting to do some travel. I make sure to remind them that they infact came to the other side of the world, and never went back. It must be the guilt they feel for leaving their family behind at the time, and not wanting to be subjected to the same by their children.

Welcome to Sydney Maco, a site where my thoughts as a Macedonian living in Sydney Australia are shared.