Nada Stoyanovski remembered after losing her life in Corio collision

The woman who lost her life in a collision a truck this month is being remembered for her passion for Geelong’s Macedonian community and her years of dedication to it.

Geelong’s Macedonian community is in mourning following the passing of stalwart Nada Stoyanovski.

On Wednesday as the Bell Park woman — who came to Geelong as a child and grew to make a mighty contribution to the vibrancy of her community — was remembered, the truck driver involved in the crash that claimed her life was charged.

Ultimately faith, family and the Macedonian community were sources of inspiration for Ms Stoyanovski, 64, who was born in the village of Dragosh.

Nada Stoyanovski with her grandchildren Xander, Indijana,

For her four children she was just a call away with each knowing she would be there to help.

“She was always there to run the kids here or there. It wasn’t just about the kids it was everything in life. She helped all of us whenever we asked,” daughter Daniella said.

“She was always there for her four grandchildren, that was her number one priority in life.”

Other members of her family remembered Ms Stoyanovski as: “Never selfish and always kind.”

At the time of the crash Ms Stoyanovski was driving, with her two-year-old granddaughter in the car, to pick up her grandson from work in Corio. The young girl received minor injuries and is recovering at home.

Nada Stoyanovski dancing at her granddaughter's christening

Ms Stoyanovski, part of Geelong’s wave of Macedonian migration in the 1960s, made it her life’s work to pass her culture onto her children and grandchildren.

Each year she would spend weeks preparing Macedonian food and dancers for the multicultural festival, Pako Festa, and its parade down Pakington St.

While across 30 years she took her four children, Stephen, Robert, Daniella and Kristie, and grandchildren to the Macedonian dancing group in Geelong.

“She was always the first parent to put her hand up to assist with that,” Daniella said.

She also volunteered at the Geelong Soccer Club where her sons and her grandchildren played.

Nada Stoyanovski, fourth from right, with family at her daughter Kristie's wedding

Nada Stoyanovski with her four children

Memories of Ms Stoyanovski, who worked at the McKellar Centre, were recalled following her passing in crash with a truck on January 10.

The truck driver, a 38-year-old Clyde man, was not injured.

On Wednesday he was charged with dangerous driving causing death, drive in a manner dangerous and failing to stop at a red light. He is due to appear at the Geelong Magistrates’ Court on January 24.

A funeral for Ms Stoyanovski will be held on January 22 at St John’s Macedonian Orthodox Church, Batesford at 10am.

A viewing will be held at Tuckers Chapel, 68-74 Hope St Geelong West, on Friday at 6pm.

Originally published as Nada Stoyanovski remembered after losing her life in Corio collision