Club History

1960

Bonnyrigg Sports Club has a long and rich cultural history with its sense of community at the core. From its humble beginnings, the club has manifested into a hub for all Serbian-Australians across the nation. Providing a supportive platform for youth to socialise, form life-long connections and embrace their Serbian heritage through the fields of sport, culture and politics. It all started almost 60 years ago, when Bonnyrigg was just a landscape of undeveloped land.

1965

In late 1965, the former wartime commander of the Dinaric Chetnik Division, Vojvoda Momčilo Đujić visited his fellow combatants in Australia for the first time. During his stay, he expressed the importance of establishing a centre for the Serbian community in Australia to thrive. As a result, a search for a parcel of land had begun. In February 1966, the Movement of Serbian Chetniks “Ravne Gore” with the help of Vojvoda Đujić realised this search and made the decision to purchase seven acres of vacant land in Bonnyrigg for a total sum of £4500. By May of the same year, the land was entirely paid off and titles were officially transferred. After Vojvoda’s departure back to the USA, several temporary structures were erected on the land where various picnics, gatherings and celebrations were held.

1971

By 1971, the land was substantially cleared and levelled to accommodate a soccer field and future hall by demolition expert, Đurđe Velićković. The next year, plans were prepared to build a permanent hall by Dragan Tošić, who donated a substantial amount of material for its construction. This small wooden building was given the name “Chetnik Cabin” (Četnička Koliba). A name of meaning and patriotism, in dedication to General Draža Mihailović’s Cabin in the hills of Ravna Gora, Serbia (the birthplace of the Chetnik movement in 1941). Construction of the “Chetnik Cabin” was completed in mid-1972 and then officially consecrated in July of that same year. Tragically, the cabin would be destroyed in a fire less than six months later and legal action was required to recover the insurance payout when the insurer initially denied the claim.

1979

Years passed and several plans would be prepared by architect Veljko Travica, together with builder Dragan Tošić to build a new larger club. With the successful insurance claim from the fire and generous donations from members of the Serbian community, works on erecting a new club commenced in mid-1979. After completion of the foundation, it was officially consecrated in September of that same year by His Grace Bishop Vasilije, with almost 3,000 people in attendance. A significant amount of material for the construction of the club was donated by Dragan Tošić, Nikola Kokotović and Drago Ribić. Like all Serbian community projects, a volunteer workforce made an enormous impact, with many people dedicating their time and hard work. In particular Krste Romić (concrete & steel work) and Mirko Vukmirica (caretaker of the land) in managing day-to-day requirements.

1985

The majority of the construction work would be done from 1979-1985. The volunteer workforce and significant number of donations, both large and small all contributed to the realisation of this “Serbian House” (Srpska Kuća). The main hall of the centre would be dedicated to “General Draža Mihailović” leader of the Third Serbian Uprising, bearing his name in memorial. In 1986 the Serbian Soccer Club “Avala” (established in 1968) would become a permanent fixture of the Bonnyrigg land, changing their name to Bonnyrigg White Eagles FC in 1992.

1987

In January 1987, the “Serbian National Centre in Australia” was officially opened by the Premier of NSW at the time, Mr. Barrie Unsworth and consecrated by His Grace Bishop Longin. In August of that same year, the centre hosted the first-ever Serbian Folkloric Festival in Bonnyrigg. The festival was opened by local representative, Mr. Ted Bryce and the rich folkloric program was prepared by Branko Štrbac, choreographer of ensemble “Ravna Gora”. This first festival was organised by Dušan Rsovac, together with Božo Dragišić and it would become an integral annual event for uniting Serbian youth across Australia. In its first year, the festival saw 9 folkloric groups, 300 dancers and over 1,200 guests.

1994

By the end of the 1980s, high inflation and interest rates of 22% caused the Serbian Centre major financial problems which threatened closure of the club. In 1994, a community-inspired event raised sufficient money to pay out the bank loan of $450,000 (the bank forgave $500,000). The then committee worked tirelessly for almost a year to repay the vast majority of the loans by members and friends, which were then used to repay the bank. The Serbian Centre would again be an integral part of the Serbian and wider community in Australia. To ensure the future of the club, an additional parcel of land (three acres) on the western boundary was purchased by the Movement in 2001 for $950,000.

2003

By 2003, plans were again being considered to renovate and extend parts of the Serbian Centre. Internal works and additions including outside redesign of the facade would be undertaken. Once again, the Serbian volunteer spirit has resulted in substantial renovations being completed for minimal financial outlay. Of the $1,200,000 spent, the approximate value of work completed is in excess of $3,000,000. In commemoration of the newly renovated Serbian Centre, it was re-opened in October 2005 as “Bonnyrigg Sports Club” by former Prime Minister of Australia, Mr. Gough Whitlam. During the re-opening, memorial plaques were unveiled in dedication to all those who helped build the Club from 1966 to today’s day.

Vojvoda Đujić with members of the Movement on the newly purchased land in Bonnyrigg
Standing L-R: Čedo Nenadić, Petar Mrkić, Dragan Tošić, Vojvoda Momčilo Đujić, Petar Radonjić, Lazo Vukmirica, Dr. Boško Malešević, Rade Travica, Petar Dmitrović & Simo Vukmirica

Clearing and levelling of the land in Bonnyrigg
Standing L-R: Veljko Travica, Božo Dragišić, Lazo Vukmirica & Drago Ribić

The Chetnik Cabin

Members of the Movement at the house of Dragan Tošić in Edensor Park
Standing L-R: Trive Uzelac, Mlađo Cvjetić, Ilija Žeželj, Jovan & Milica Janković, Rade Travica, Nikola Mirić, Dragan Tošić, Obrad Popović, Danka Tošić, Jež, Fr. Svetozar Sekulić, Jakov Plavšić & Stevan Janković, Jovan Tošić, Dušan Rsovac, Đurica Trifunović & Bogdan Vranković
Kneeling L-R: Stevan Hrnjak, Gojko Pupovac, Veljko Travica, Blažo Babić, Milan Škorić & Ratko Vučković
Front: Mirko Vukmirica & Đuro Vranković

Early stages of work on the “Serbian National Centre in Australia”

Final visit by Vojvoda Đujić to Australia in 1983 at Bonnyrigg
Standing L-R: Melentije Novaković, unknown, Mirko Vukmirica, Vojvoda Momčilo Đujić, Nikola Mirić, Božo Dragišić & Dušan Rsovac

The “Serbian Centre Club”

Reopening of the “Serbian Centre Club” as the new “Bonnryigg Sports Club in October 2005 by former Prime Minister of Australia, Mr Gough Whitlam.