Macedonians celebrate independence
![Helen Triantoporlos, Mary Nobilo, Anna and Frances Mounsey.](https://images.thewest.com.au/publication/YA-117955/57e21451c47d7_b88243714z.1_20160921125459_000_ggami8h8.1_1-1bu452h.jpg?imwidth=810&impolicy=wan_v3)
The newly renovated Macedonian Society of Geraldton headquarters in Glenfield drew a gathering of more than 40, including dignitaries and community members, to celebrate Macedonia’s 25th Independence Day.
Macedonian honorary consul Zoran Coseski offered his thanks to the local society for their dedicated work maintaining the Macedonian community in Geraldton, as did the Macedonian ambassador to Australia Vele Trpevski – through a letter read to those gathered.
Society member John Nobilo remembers building the hall originally in 1971, working with his family and other members of the local Macedonian community, volunteering his time as a 14-year-old boy on the weekend to build the brick structure.
“Before that we just had a big old tin shed,” he said.
“There was a circular pit on one end, which would be filled with ice and beer, so the blokes could have a drink – and there were just these stumps for people to sit on. Ladies would take one side of the shed, and the men would sit on the other, closer to the bar.”
Macedonia declared its independence from Socialist Yugoslavia on September 8, 1991.
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