Stevan Zaklan

Story

My father Steve left his homeland to find a better life for his wife and his future family. He lived on a family farm in a village and worked in the local shop. During WW2 he spent time on a farm in Hungary. He was 34 years of age in 1957 when he left his family home with Maria (who he would marry) and a friend. The three of them left under the cover of darkness and made their way to cross the border with Austria some time later. Steve and Maria married in Salzburg and travelled to Australia soon afterward. Due to financial reasons, Steve did not complete school but throughout his life he continued to learn. It was common to see him reading from a volume of Encylcopaedia Brittanica leafing through until he found an article that interested him.

The journey took one month by ship and they travelled to Sydney. From Sydney they were taken to a migrant camp in Greta. Later they moved to Wacol migrant camp in Brisbane where they would find work.

I am not sure what Steve’s first impressions were however he did travel back to his home for a visit in his later years when his brothers were sick. He always appreciated his new homeland Australia where he brought up his two children Milica (Malissa) and Miroslav.

Steve worked as a labourer for a demolition company, brickworks and abbatoir. In his private life he was involved in the life of the Serbian Orthodox church and created furniture by hand. He was well respected by many people both from his original community and from his adopted home.

He lived in Goodna until he passed on in 2006 leaving behind two children and eight grandchildren.

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