Ratimir Rac

Rac, Dr Ratimir

Veterinarian. (Udbina, October 12, 1917 - Adelaide, December 3, 1994)

He completed his veterinary education at the Veterinary Faculty in Zagreb, graduating in 1942 and earning his doctorate in 1944. During his early career in Croatia, he worked at the Veterinary Institute of the Animal Health Institute in Zagreb. Following the conclusion of World War II, he emigrated to Austria where he worked for the International Refugee Organization (IRO). In 1949, he departed from Naples, Italy, aboard the ship SS Mohammedi and arrived in Melbourne, Australia, on 14 May 1949.

He settled in Adelaide where he began employment at the Institute of Medical and Veterinary Sciences. During his career in Australia, he became a prolific author in the field of veterinary science, contributing significantly to the scientific literature with numerous published works. His expertise and dedication to veterinary medicine made him a respected figure in the Australian scientific community.

Beyond his professional achievements, he was deeply committed to the Croatian migrant community in Australia. He played a foundational role in establishing The Croatian Club Adelaide, one of the most important Croatian cultural institutions in South Australia.

He was also active in the Adelaide branch of the Hrvatsko Narodno Viječe (Croatian National Council) in the 1980s - early 1990s and Hrvatska Demokratska Zajednica (Croatian Democratic Union) from 1990.

His community involvement extended to membership in several Croatian organizations, including Ujedinjeni Hrvati (United Croats), Hrvatsko Narodno Viječe (Croatian National Council), and Hrvatski književni i kulturni informativni ured (Croatian Literary and Cultural Bureau). His dual contribution to both Australian veterinary science and the preservation of Croatian culture in the diaspora, exemplifies the valuable role of educated Croatian emigrants in their adopted homeland. His legacy continues through the Croatian community institutions he helped establish and the scientific knowledge he contributed to his field. He died in Adelaide on December 3, 1994.