For the love of books

23/11/2021

When Smiljka Pasic migrated to Australia from Serbia more than twenty years ago, she did not speak a word of English.

A respected teacher in Serbia’s education department, Smiljka was overcome with emotions as she left her economically ravaged homeland that began to fall apart as a result of the Yugoslav civil wars of the 1990’s.

However, Smiljka was eager to embrace Australian culture and decided immediately that she wanted to learn as much as she could about her new country. “When I came to Australia and then to Adelaide, I thought to myself, you can’t love something you don’t know,” Smiljka said.

That is when Smiljka, now 72, decided to volunteer her services and learn more about South Australia, its people, history and way of life.

After various roles including volunteering at the Migrant Resource Centre, Smiljka now volunteers weekly at the Council’s St Peters Library.

“Being a Volunteer has improved my personal life and self-esteem, I have made friends and have expanded my vocabulary.”

“By being in touch in with books I have stayed young— I am a very positive person.” Smiljka—who speaks multiple languages—says she has read at least 10,000 books , her favourite subjects being philosophy, roman literature and geography.

“I say to everyone—yes, become a Volunteer. It will change your life. I am very happy”.

Smiljka has volunteered at the St Peters Library for more than 16 years.