MFA - Press Releases

The great fire raging in Canberra (Australia) also jeopardised the families of Croatian emigrants. According to the information of the Embassy of the Republic of Croatia in Canberra where about 4000 Croatians live, seven families from the Croatian community have been identified whose houses were consumed by the fire.

To help those families and other victims, both Croatian and Australian, a committee named Australian-Croatian Community Fire Appeal, headed by Mirko Škrnjug, has been set up to collect aid.

At the meeting of the representatives of the Croatian Community at the Deakin Club in Canberra yesterday, attended among others by the Ambassador of the Republic of Croatia to Australia, Dr Mladen Ibler, specific activities of the Committee and the ways to assess the damage suffered by the Croatian emigrants were discussed. Ambassador Ibler appealed to the Croatian community throughout Australia to join in and help the affected families.

According to the information available yesterday, almost 400 homes were lost to the fire and more than 2500 persons had to be evacuated from the affected area.

Ambassador Ibler has informed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Croatia today that the situation has slightly improved because the wind calmed down, but the danger still remains great. Croatian Embassy operates regularly, with all the necessary precautions.

ATTENTION MEDIA: For direct contact to the persons who can provide information on the fire and the organised collecting of aid you may use the following telephone numbers:

1. Mr. Mirko Škrnjug, Chairman of the Australian-Croatian Community Fire Appeal,
   Mobile: 0061-418-62-41-02
2. Mrs. Jasna Putica, Croatian Radio Canberra
   Mobile: 0061-412-61-88-95
3. Father Anto Šimunović, Croatian Catholic Centre, Canberra
   Telephone: 0061-2-62-86-22-80
4. Mr. Marko Vrkić, President of FC Croatia, Canberra
   Mobile: 0061-412-48-27-61
5. Mr. Šime Gulan, Member of the Australian-Croatian Community Fire Appeal
   Mobile: 0061-418-623-049
6. Croatian Embassy in Canberra
   Telephone: 00-612-6286 6988, Fax: 00-612 6286 35 44

Press releases