On 26 November, 1966, in the cafe ‘Stiv Stevo Jovanu’ located on 438 Princess Hwy, Rockdale, a group of enthusiasts formed the Macedonian Cultural and Artisitic Association ‘Ilinden’ which today successfully operates within the Macedonian Orthodox Community Council ‘Saint Petka. Those present at the formation elected a committee with Risto Velovski- President, Stevo Jovanu – Vice President, Jone Belchef-Secretary, Krste Starkovski-Vice Secretary, Mitre Dupeshovski-Treasurer, Tode Petkovski-Vice Treasurer and elected members were Kire Belchef, Laze Dupeshovski, Koste Dupeshovski, Vlade Starkovski, Metodija Guganovski and Riste Naumovski.

The main objectives of the committee were the affirmation of the Macedonian name, to protect the interest of the group and to contribute the development of contact between the motherland, Macedonia and Australia. The Macedonian Cultural and Artistic Association ‘Ilinden’ was the main contributor to the building of the Macedonian Orthodox Church in Rockdale ‘St. Petka’.

During this period many members and folklorists have past through this group as have committees.

Presidents include Risto Velovski, Alek Bosilkovski, Nikolche Nedanovski, Kire Pashovski, Jone Belchef, Kire Cirevski, Borche Atanasov , Ratko Andreevski and Slavica Josifovska.

Coordinators were Zhivko Neshovski and Zhivko Velkovski.

Choreographers include Gjorgji Bushinovski, Cane Peovski, Zoran Runchevski, Tony Ristov, Yorgo Kaporis and Christopher Karafilovski is the current cheoreographer.

The objectives for the forming this association included the preservation of the folkloric dancing, traditions, and language of Macedonian culture. Passing it on to the subsequent generations, and to promote and organise celebrations and manifestations for historical and religious events for the Macedonian people.

Through this sense of community, the Macedonian spirit would live on forever. The group operated under very hard conditions due to the lack of financial support and lack of premises for meetings and rehearsals. Initially, this was overcome through the use of improvised rehearsal spaces including garages and rented halls- specifically the Methodist Church Halls on Bay and Frederick Streets in Rockdale. By the mid-October, 1977, the Macedonian Orthodox Church ‘St. Petka’ had been built, allowing greater opportunities for more activism and affirmation of Macedonian folkloric dancing and tradition.

The Ilinden association has had great relationships with the other Macedonian cultural and artistic associations in Australia. On 28 November, 1981, on Ilinden’s 15th anniversary, M.K.U.D. ’11ti Oktomvri’ from Melbourne became sister-groups with M.K.U.D. ‘Ilinden.