DescriptionThis interview consists of one audio recording. Slavko James (Jim) Joseph Bosnjak was interviewed on 16 November 2011 at the Whitlam Library, Cabramatta by Pru Wirth. Interview SummaryJim’s family is from Croatia. His father migrated to Australia in 1938 and worked in the sugar cane fields of Queensland before moving to Bonnyrigg (western Sydney) to start a market garden. In 1948, Jim’s mother and two older brothers came to Australia; Jim was born later that year.
The Bosnjaks lived at Bonnyrigg until 1955 when they moved to Edensor Park. They then entered the bus business.
Jim went to Green Valley Public School followed by St Johns Park Primary School. He then went to boarding school in Katoomba for three years before beginning work in the family bus business.
The family’s bus business served much of the western Sydney community. They were an important service because not many people owned cars.
Jim is married with four grown up children and eleven grandchildren. One daughter lives overseas in Croatia while the other three live in Sydney.
Jim and his family have always been involved with the Croatian community. As a youth he attended community dances. He has spent a lot of his life involved with Croatian community clubs, serving as the president and a Board member. He was also involved with the building of a Croatian church and retirement village at St Johns Park. Jim’s father-in-law is a resident of the retirement village. Jim believes that the church and retirement village are drawcards for the Croatian community. Bosnjak Park, a local playing field, was named after Jim’s father.
Jim has witnessed changes in the Fairfield/Cabramatta district. When he was born, the region was dominated by Europeans, especially Italians, but over time migration brought more Asians, especially Vietnamese, to the area. This has changed the feel of the district. Additionally, there are no longer any market gardens.
Slavko James (Jim) Joseph Bosnjak Oral History. Fairfield City Heritage Collection, accessed 18/07/2026, https://heritagecollection.fairfieldcity.nsw.gov.au/nodes/view/2499
