The United Macedonian Diaspora (UMD) is proud to announce Mick Veloskey will receive the prestigious UMD Lifetime Achievement Award, in recognition for his significant role in furthering the Macedonian Cause. Veloskey is the first Australian-Macedonian to receive this prestigious Award. The Award will be presented at our Gala in Sydney at Le Montage Reception on July 5, 2013.
“Mr. Veloskey is truly a distinguished Australian-Macedonian leader who has made a huge impact over seven decades, fighting for a free, independent, and sovereign Macedonia,” said UMD President Metodija A. Koloski. “I had the privilege of meeting him during my 2010 Australia visit, and his dedication and passion is an inspiration, and he is truly a role model for Macedonian Diaspora activism.”
“As one of the first leaders of the Macedonian community in Australia, Mr. Veloskey gave a voice to our people during an era when we could only dream of one day having an independent state of our own,” said UMD Australia Director Ordan Andreevski. “He has been a pillar of our community for decades, and his pioneering efforts on behalf of Macedonian human rights will long be cherished and remembered.”
Mick Veloskey was born in 1924 in the village of Gradche, in Aegean Macedonia (present day northern Greece). In 1935, his family moved to Perth, Australia. He was one of the first leaders of the Macedonian community in Australia. He has been active for over 70 years, and in that time has helped establish newspapers, churches, human rights groups, and other community organisations in Australia. To learn more about Mick Veloskey, please read this interview: http://www.pollitecon.com/html/life/Mick_Veloskey_Interview.htm
The UMD Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes outstanding individuals who have made a vital impact on society-at-large in advancing the Macedonian Cause. In recognition of his leadership, philanthropy, and patriotism, the UMD Board of Directors unanimously selected Mick Veloskey to be the recipient of the Award.
Past honorees include George Atanasoski, John L. N. Bitove, C.M., the late Kiro Gligorov, the first President of Republic of Macedonia, and James Saunders. Please click HERE to learn more about UMD’s Awards.
UMD is proud to recognize Mick Veloskey, an inspiration, a community leader, a proud husband, father and grandfather, a philanthropist, and a patriotic Macedonian.
To become a sponsor or to purchase tickets for the Gala, please call Ordan Andreevski at 0438 385 466 or Robert Pasquale at 0417 932 388 or e-mail australia@umdiaspora.org. Tickets can be purchased by visiting: http://www.trybooking.com/CNOA