Established in 1972, the Croatian Cultural Artistic Association HKUD "LADO" Geelong plays an integral role in showcasing Croatia's rich cultural heritage to the Australian public through music, song and dance.
We are a non-profit and volunteer organisation that has over 80 active dancers, vocalists and musicians aged between four and fifty. Our Junior, Intermediate and Senior Ensembles and Tamburica Orchestra rehearse regularly to maintain high performance standards.
HKUD “LADO” Geelong was founded in Geelong, Australia, by a young group of Croatian immigrants. The group quickly grew and established itself as a strongly bonded community association. Early in our history we requested permission from the National Folk Dance Ensemble of Croatia LADO to adopt their name as our own. Our namesake is a constant source of inspiration and admiration. The word “Lado” is an old Croatian word that encompasses the meaning of good health, fortune and prosperity that is tied in with the land.
Our Mission
Our mission is to instil a love of Croatia’s diverse culture and traditions into the hearts of our members and wider community through the conservation, promotion and celebration of Croatia’s cultural heritage throughout multicultural Australia and the world.
“Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination and life to everything.”
What We've Achieved
1980s - 1st place in a competition of ethnic dance groups from all over Australia in Canberra.
1983 - A founding member of the Pako Festa in Geelong, the largest multicultural festival in Victoria, Australia.
1983 till today - 36 consecutive years of participation at the Pako Festa multicultural festival in Geelong
1986 - Performed for Pope John Paul II at the MCG
1995 - Welcomed President Franjo Tuđman in Geelong at the Croatian Community Centre and at the Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne.
1998 - 1st international tour of Croatia. in 1998, 2007, 2011 and 2015.
2007 - 2nd international tour of Croatia, and Bosna Hercegovina.
2008 till today - Annual Christmas Concert
2011 - 3rd international tour of Croatia, Bosnia and Hercegovina and the Croatian community in Subotica, Vojvodina.
2011 - Our tamburica orchestra accompanied Croatian musical theatre singer Ɖani Stipaničev on tour in Australia and Croatia.
2011 - Recorded our debut CD Zvone Našeg Grada (translated as the Bells of Our Town) in Zagreb.
2011 - Opening act for Oliver Dragojević concert at the Melbourne Performing Arts Centre
2012 - Performed at the Viva Victoria multicultural festival at Federation Square, Melbourne
2013 - Performed at the CroACTian festival in celebration of Croatian migration and the Croatian community’s contribution to the Australian Capital Territory at the Llewellyn Hall, Canberra.
2013 - Received the Excellence award for Service Delivery to Multicultural Victoria in Performing Arts and presented by Hon. Dr Denis Napthine MP, Premier of Victoria.
2014 - Performed at the Victorian Premier’s Gala at Crown Casino, Melbourne.
2015 - 4th international tour of Croatia, Montenegro and Austria.
2015 - Recorded CD Merry Christmas from Croatia in Zagreb. Featuring Croatian, English, French, Italian, Slovenian and Polish Christmas Carols and artists, Ɖani Stipaničev and Oliver Dragojević.
2015 - Our tamburica orchestra accompanied singer Ɖani Stipaničev at a performance in Tribunj, Croatia.
2018 - Performed for the Croatian President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović in Melbourne.
2019 - Performed at the 1st Annual Croatian Folkloric Arts Festival in Perth.