Kola dancers, Dargaville, 1936

Kola dancers, Dargaville, 1936

Andy and Mara Silich of the Dargaville Yugoslav Social Club’s kola group strike a pose. Clubs were formed in Auckland, Kaitāia, Dargaville, Whāngārei and Wellington. They served as social and cultural centres where people could practise the language. Some clubs also attempted to serve a benevolent role for the unemployed during the 1930s depression.