Beverly Mercer, Ambassador of Australia to Croatia
Five Stars Zagreb Issue 35 — December 07, 2010.

It has been almost a year since I took up my posting to Zagreb, my first as an Ambassador, and I have now had the opportunity to experience the changing seasons and way of life throughout the year. I have been pleasantly surprised by the way the seasons affect the life in the city. This is the first occasion that I have had the opportunity to visit Croatia, despite previously being posted twice to Germany, so every day is a new discovery for me.

Arriving from an Australian summer of temperatures of 35 degrees to a Croatian winter of snow was indeed a climate shock and took a little while to get used to the European cold weather again, in particular snow.

I was very fortunate to be able to present my credentials soon after my arrival and historically significantly to be the last Ambassador to present credentials to former President Mesic. The early days of my mandate included the election and inauguration of a new Croatian President, and has seen Croatia move closer to accession to the European Union. I was also very pleased that I could host our national day celebrations very soon after my arrival.

My husband and I very much enjoy living in Zagreb. It is a very safe and green city. The intimate size of the old city centre makes it very easy and pleasant to enjoy. You can readily see most attractions on foot, by tram or even using the funicular! This is very different from my home town Canberra in Australia where you need a car to go everywhere.

Zagreb is home to many interesting museums, galleries and tourist sites, which we have enjoyed discovering. There is also a wealth of cultural activities to enjoy: traditional and contemporary, local and international - there is something for everyone. And shopping - I have never seen so many shoe shops in one town - who actually buys all those shoes I wonder?

I have found the city is particularly lively in spring when the streets are full of locals and tourists enjoying the cafe society - it is a pity that there aren't more restaurants with outdoor eating opportunities, as there are in Australia.

I have of course had many opportunities to taste Croatian cuisine and Croatian wines. The food in Croatia is in many ways very similar to that in Australia - lots of fresh seafood and meat - although in Australia we have a great influence from our region, the Asia-Pacific, and from our migrant communities, which gives us a greater diversity in our cuisine. Even though Australian wines are available in Croatia, I do enjoy trying the various Croatian wine varieties whenever I have the opportunity. I have noticed that Croatians prefer red, full-bodied wines, as whenever I serve Australian wines, the red wines are always a hit.

I enjoy visiting the colourful fresh food and flower markets, which are a good way to experience the changes of the seasons. I am particularly enjoying the autumn in Zagreb with its beautiful display of colour.

I am especially looking forward to spending my first Christmas in Zagreb and learning about the Christmas traditions and sharing them with our friends and visitors, even though we are a long way from home - for us Christmas with snow is very special, as we are used to spending Christmas Day on the beach!

I have found the Croatian people to be very friendly and I've used the opportunity of my first year to travel as much as possible around the country, meeting locals and Australians alike. It was particularly moving to visit families and Non-Governmental Organisation representatives in previously war-affected areas who we have been able to help with our Direct Assistance Program and learn first-hand of the challenges which they face.

Unfortunately I do not speak Croatian, although I have tried to learn a few words, so it is very pleasing to find so many locals who speak English or German. I have also been pleased to meet a large number of Croatian/Australians in my travels, who are contributing towards the development of the relations between our two countries. As you may be aware the strong bilateral relationship we have with Croatia is built on strong community links, there being more than 180,000 persons of Croatian heritage living in Australia.

There is also a growing number of Australian tourists, not only those of Croatian heritage, coming each year to visit, not only to the coastal areas, but also to the capital Zagreb. And we have growing numbers of Australians coming to Croatia to work and establish businesses and to settle with their families. I think there is great potential for further development in the relationship, particularly in the area of science and academic research and collaboration and I look forward to pursuing this over the next few years.