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Detail from a lecture in Melbourne
For more than two and a half decades, the Serbian Social Service and Support has been working successfully in Melbourne, a non-profit organization that is at the service of older members of our community. The service organizes various gatherings and useful lectures on a permanent basis, about which “Vesti” wrote on several occasions.
The goal of such lectures is to inform the Serbian community about important issues for all our people, and especially for older members, of course in the Serbian language.
Borislav Popović during the presentation
– Through decades of existence, as an organization, we try to successfully provide services to clients and to invest in their best possible provision, so that we have satisfied and socially rich older members of our community – says the assistant coordinator of the Service Marina Jovović.
– On the other hand, as the organization works with the elderly of our community, that does not prevent us from constantly improving our team not only with educated staff, but also by rejuvenating our team. As it was said, SSSS invests great efforts in the best possible business of the organization and employs professional staff in order to provide more efficient services to our clients, which is why we exist.
In a conversation with Marina, we learned that among the previous activities, they had visits from lawyers who advise people on various legal issues, including details related to wills. There are also experts from other fields, thanks to which people can access vital information for free.
Picnic in Brimbank Park
One such lecture was organized recently at the premises of the St Albans Community Center (STACC), and the topic was organizing funerals according to Serbian customs.
– As the purpose of the existence of the Serbian Social Service and cooperation is social and social support to the elderly of the Serbian community, so we found it necessary to organize an informative lecture on this important topic. The lecture was held in order to inform our clients and members about the inevitable topic – organizing funerals according to traditional Serbian customs. Mr. Borislav Popović, director of the funeral company “Serbian Orthodox Funerals”, responded to our invitation – says Marina Jovović.
Borislav Popović presented important information about this topic, which people are often not ready to talk about in detail, even though it concerns all of us.
– In an almost one-hour presentation, Mr. Popović, in a simple and extremely pleasant way, explained to all present the Serbian traditional customs of organizing funerals. From providing a cross, candles and bread, which, as he says, rarely any foreign company offers for free, to church expenses included in the price of various costs of organizing a funeral. Borislav Popović’s company also transports the deceased back to the homeland, with an organized takeover of the coffin by the local funeral company, either in Serbia, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina or in Croatia – Marina explains.
Birthday party in Melbourne: Marina Jovović, Joška, aunt Zlata, Milan and Rada
The company “Serbian Orthodox Funerals” also offers free help and advice regarding the purchase of a grave site.
– At any time of the day or night, Mr. Popović is, as he says, at your service. Although located in Dayton and Clifton Hill, he organizes funerals throughout Victoria. As the slogan of his company says “With you in the most difficult moments”, Mr. Popović showed that by answering many questions of those present, creating a very pleasant and friendly atmosphere, and thus refuting all prejudices of his calling – says Marina Jovović.
For more information, you can contact Borislav Popović at 0405 200 602 or visit slavicorthodoxfunerals.com.au.
From the gathering of members of the organization in St. Albans
A fighter for the social inclusion of the elderly
Marina Jovović has been working in the Serbian Social Service for three years, where, as she said, a total contrast is happening to her because, as a social worker, she worked with the youngest until then, and since then with pensioners.
– I started in the Service as a volunteer, working for nine months and getting to know our community in Melbourne. Over time, I have met our people, and my acquaintances continue to grow, both because of work and because of my sociable nature. The people accepted me really nicely, I had an exceptional cooperation with clients that even exceeds the limits of the business relationship. Now, as an assistant coordinator, I am working on the prevention of social exclusion of older Serbs in the community, and at the same time on improving their social inclusion in society – says Marina.
On this topic, she did a master’s thesis “Social inclusion of older Serbs in Australia”, in which she used a therapeutic approach through research work and methodology in order to social cohesion and achieve a sense of belonging.
Service on both sides of the city
Considering that the majority of the Serbian population in Melbourne is geographically mainly concentrated on two different sides of the city, the headquarters of the organization are in St. Albans, and the branch is in Dandenong.
– The goal of SSSS is to contribute to maintaining and strengthening the security, independence, emotional, social and intellectual benefits of older people, people with disabilities and their guardians, who are estimated to need support. We provide social support services to clients, communities, people over the age of 65 or people with disabilities and their representatives who are from the Serbian community and live in the Melbourne region – Marina explains.
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