Everything drew me to Serbia

The family of Srboljub Miletić, a retired priest who four years ago, after spending almost four decades in Australia, decided to permanently return to Serbia was visited by Đorđe Milićević, minister without portfolio in charge of diaspora relations, and Ivan Manojlović, mayor of Kruševac.

Today, in Ribari, next to Kruševac, Miletić lives with his family on the estate of his ancestors, which he converted into a rural tourist household “Miletića čardak”. This catering facility is categorized with the highest rating that can be obtained in the category of rural tourism.

Father Srboljub first returned to Serbia with his wife, and not long after, three of their four children arrived. Although the Miletićs did not initially intend to engage in tourism, their son Danilo expressed this wish, which the whole family supported. With a lot of effort, love and faith, Srboljub’s heritage was restored.

A rural tourist household was created from a neglected old house with a garden. Srboljub says that he returned to Ribare and to his grandfather’s place because everything from this area drew him to come from Australia.

– I was drawn here by my people, my country, my grandfather. I have dedicated my whole life to my people and my country, to what is most important for our people, at least I think so, which are spiritual values ​​without which there is no progress, because spiritual values ​​are the strength of the people. It is neither the economy so much, nor the army, but moral clarity. I dedicated my life to that, I followed our people to Australia, New Zealand, Africa, America, I visited almost all the continents and here at the end I did what I wanted and imagined and gave some of my contribution for the general good of our people, then I came here to finally rest before I leave – said father Srboljub.

In the conversation with the host, Minister Milićević emphasized the exceptional importance of the return of Serbian families from the diaspora to Serbia and emphasized that this represents an important step in strengthening and restoring the demographic, economic and cultural potential of our country, because families who decide to return bring with them not only experiences and knowledge acquired abroad, but also a deep-seated love for the homeland and the desire to contribute to its development.

– Families who decide to return to Serbia enrich our community with new ideas, modern skills and different perspectives that contribute to the improvement of all segments of society – from economy and education to culture and local communities. Their return can revive less developed areas in Serbia, start new projects and encourage younger generations to stay or return to their homeland – said Minister Milićević.

Children bring knowledge

Minister Milićević added that it is important that children who were born outside the borders of Serbia, after finishing school and college, come to their homeland.

– Their arrival represents a huge potential for our country because they bring with them knowledge, skills and perspectives acquired in an international environment, which can significantly contribute to the development of the economy, science, technology and culture. These children are a bridge between Serbia and the world – by growing up in different environments, they acquire the ability to connect two cultures, which not only improves our society, but also promotes Serbia on a global level. For them, returning means the opportunity to reconnect with their roots, building careers and lives in the land of their ancestors, and for Serbia, their presence means the future and the opportunity to create a stronger and more successful state – Milićević concluded.

A deep trail in Australia

Father Srboljub left a deep mark in Australia, where he moved in 1983. He served as the elder of the temple of St. Archdeacon Stephen in Ruth Hill, as well as the administrator and archpriest of the Church of St. Sava in Elanora, in the north of Sydney.

During almost four decades in Australia, in addition to his work as a priest, he also engaged in other socially useful activities. Among other things, he published a textbook on religious studies, organized numerous seminars aimed at Serbian youth in the diaspora, published diocesan newspapers and was one of the initiators of the establishment of St. Sava College in Sydney.