Croatia, the War, and the Future

A Castle for Croatia

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inavukic

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The Embassy of the Republic of Croatia in Australia - a gift from Croatians living in Australia to Croatia
The Embassy of the Republic of Croatia in Australia – a gift from Croatians                                      living in Australia to Croatia

Happy 20th Birthday to the opening of the Embassy (Canberra) and Consulates –General of the Republic of Croatia in Australia!

On 26th February 1993 the Australian-Croatian community gathered in multitudes in the Capital city of Australia – Canberra – to drive the Croatian flagpoles into the soil where the Croatian Embassy was opened. Housed in leased accommodation only for a short while, until the “castle” – the gift from Australian Croatians, is built in O’Malley.

On 28th February 1993 Official celebrations of the opening of Croatian diplomatic and consular missions kicked off at the Sydney Entertainment Centre, to be followed by celebrations in Melbourne and Perth. I personally coordinated the celebrations’ programs, and while some may have forgotten the great gift Croatians living in Australia had bestowed upon the government of the independent Republic of Croatia, I take enormous pride in remembering the thousands upon thousands of individuals who donated (gifted) their hard earned money, and worked hard out of and for love, to see the Embassy built, to see the purchase and equipping of premises for Consulates-General have a dignified start in Australia.

This Happy 20th Birthday is for the Croatian diplomatic and consular missions in Australia as well as for all the people who through selfless dedication and sacrifice gave Croatia a home in Australia, the likes of which are most rare. Amazing gift! Amazing love! Ina Vukic, Prof. (Zgb); B.A., M.A.Ps. (Syd)

26 February 1993 - opening of the Embassy of the Republic of Croatia in Canberra
26 February 1993 – opening of the Embassy of the Republic of Croatia                                               in Canberra
"Commemorative
Entrance 28 February 1993 – Croatian Consulate-General Sydney  A gift                                            to Croatia from Croatians in Australia
Commemorative Banner Designed by: Ina Vukic and Nila Oreb; Embroidery: Nila Oreb
Commemorative Banner Designed by: Ina Vukic and Nila Oreb;                                                                                                            Embroidery: Nila Oreb
28 February 1993 - stage for celebrations Sydney Entertainment Centre
28 February 1993 – stage for celebrations                                                                                          Sydney Entertainment Centre

February 1993 Syd

Ina Vukic

Letter to Croatians in Australia from dr, Franjo Tudjman
Letter to Croatians in Australia from dr, Franjo Tudjman

Dr. Franjo Tudjman in his letter thanked Australian Croatians and supported their intention to raise funds for the purchase or building of premises for Croatian diplomatic and consular missions in Australia.

MAGAZINE/BROCHURE – ENTER THE EMBASSY OF THE REPUBLIC OF CROATIA IN AUSTRALIA – LINK –

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18 responses to “A Castle for Croatia”

  1. Dubrovniklady Avatar
    Dubrovniklady

    Hvala moja dusho!

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    1. inavukic Avatar
      inavukic

      Translation Dubrovniklady comment: Thank you my dear (soul).

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  2. annathrax Avatar
    annathrax

    I was young, but I remember those days well here in Perth. The celebrations and fundraising events here at the CRO club were huge!

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  3. Surrey Gal Avatar
    Surrey Gal

    What a wonderful story! Great stuff!

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  4. Wilkinson Avatar
    Wilkinson

    I love that brochure, the Embassy looks just superb and shines with pride of Croatian diaspora! Happy birthday and many, many more – may democracy and freedom from Communism bloom ever more

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  5. Jessamy Avatar
    Jessamy

    I love this story! Great cause, lovely people

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  6. Zavicaj Avatar
    Zavicaj

    You’re some amazing people – love the Commemorative Banner – it just speaks volumes of the pride and dignity when you connect within two cultures.

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  7. Josip N Avatar
    Josip N

    I remember this time, I was there is the audience, was still a child but even after 20 years I have not forgotten the tears of joy and pride in my parents’ eyes when you announced the Croatian anthem from the stage, Ina. It just felt so huge in that huge centre with more that 15,000 in the audience. Thank you for remembering and we’ll keep patting ourselves on the shoulder with: WELL DONE!

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  8. Marica Barbaric Avatar
    Marica Barbaric

    What great celebrations these were! Thank you for bringing the memories back so vividly, Ina.

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  9. Robert Skoko Avatar
    Robert Skoko

    Yep – when Croats put their mind to it – they can achieve anything. Smiling now!

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  10. Matt Avatar
    Matt

    It is and it was all about the good Croatian people. Not many countries in the world can boast of such love for it.

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  11. Skender Avatar
    Skender

    Let’s just not talk about the shady characters from Croatia who spoiled the night for many – Neven Jurica and Stjepan Mesic. The former had, thankfully ended up in jail for “fiddling” with funds and the latter – well, I can’t wait for a similar destiny for him!

    Just as well they don’t overshadow our pride and our love for Croatia

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  12. » A Castle for Croatia – Croatia, the War, and the Future

    […] A Castle for Croatia – Croatia, the War, and the Future Go to this article […]

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  13. Michael Silovic Avatar
    Michael Silovic

    My heart is filled with joy and my eyes with tears of happiness when I see such great things the Croatian people can do for our country. We lift our heads and give from our heart for our motherland and its people, the truth and democracy in our homeland shall always prevail now and in the future. May god bless you Ina for all of your work and dedication to our country and it’s people.It is all the people like you who serve our country unselfishly that give us all hope in our humanity and decency that forms our country and people….Good bless you and all of Croatia!

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    1. inavukic Avatar
      inavukic

      Thank you Michael

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  14. Rick Oreb Avatar
    Rick Oreb

    Im so proud to be Australian & Croatian, best of both worlds 🙂

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    1. inavukic Avatar
      inavukic

      I guess Rick Oreb that feeling falls within the category of just rewards for our, our parents’, our grandparents’ harsh lives and sacrifices we/they had to make in being forced to leave the homeland and make a new home in welcoming but still strange lands. So glad to with your comment.

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  15. Sell Croatian Diplomatic And Consular Missions? No Deal! – Croatia, the War, and the Future Avatar
    Sell Croatian Diplomatic And Consular Missions? No Deal! – Croatia, the War, and the Future

    […] As the laws in “Western” countries where Croats fundraised dictate, charitable funds and assets must only be used in furtherance of the purposes the funds were raised. And so, by the end of 1992 to about March 1993 Croats across the world raised enough funds to purchase the needed properties and equip the diplomatic and consular missions with all and necessary equipment and tools needed. In Australia the results were as amazing as everywhere else in the world. Australian Croats had purchased valuable properties in Sydney, Melbourne and Perth for consular offices and in Canberra they commenced building a grand building that would house the Croatian Embassy. […]

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Hello,

I’m Ina

I was born in Croatia and live Australia. I have been described as a prominent figure known for my contribution to the Croatian and wider societies, particularly in the context of Croatia’s transition from communism to democracy, as well as for my many years of work as a clinical psychologist and Chief Executive Officer of government-funded services for people with disabilities, including mental health services, in Australia. In 1995, the President of the Republic of Croatia awarded me two Medals of Honor, the Homeland War Memorial Medal and the Order of the Croatian Trefoil for her special merits and her contribution to the founding of the Republic of Croatia.  I have been a successful blogger since 2011 and write extensively in the English-language on issues related to Croatian current affairs and democracy, as well as the challenges Croatia faced and still faces in its transition from communism. My goal is to raise awareness of these connections and issues worldwide.

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