Borko drawn to lights

By Bridget Brady
FROM war-torn Serbia to Hampton Park, young thespian Borko Pajic-Jondic is now preparing to pack his bags and venture to the bright lights of Hollywood.
Borko, 11, has been chosen to represent Australia at the World Championships of Performing Arts in Hollywood in July.
But the curtain has not been raised just yet, because his parents Radovan and Vesna say their son won’t be going to Hollywood unless they raise enough money to send him. They estimate it will cost about $7000 to send Borko to the championships, to be held from 8-21 July, and said at this stage the task looked too great.
“We will do our best but it’s very hard,” Mrs Pajuc-Jondic said.
Mr Pajic-Jondic said it was a difficult time to raise money.
“If no-one supports him I think he will stay home because we can’t afford it. We will try our best but we will see,” he said.
Despite the uncertainty, Borko said he was very excited about the possibility of turning 12 in Hollywood and said his dream was to be a movie star.
“It’s very fun and it’s what I want to do. Nothing can change my mind of that,” Borko said.
“My friends at school say stop acting and come and play.”
Borko said if all went well, he could not wait to board the plane to Hollywood.
“I’m really looking forward to it. I will just try my best. Just because you don’t win does not mean you don’t have a second chance.”
Mrs Pajuc-Jondic said she did not realise her son’s talent until a teacher at his school, Coral Park Primary School, pointed it out.
“The teacher said to me I need to speak to you about your son and I said to Borko what did you do? As it turns out the teacher said Borko was very talented and had a brilliant imagination and we should do something about it… we just thought he was talkative. He never stops talking.”
Borko was three years old when he moved to Australia with his family from Serbia.
“There was war in our country. I remember bombing every day for three months straight. Things are completely different here. It is our home now,” Mrs Pajuc-Jondic said.
If Borko goes to the championships, he will compete for a gold medal for Australia in his age category.
“If he goes maybe he will bring gold,” Mr Pajuc-Jondic said.
To support Borko call Vesna on 0409 061 136.