People Australia

Ivan (Jack) Maras (c.1871-1931) labourer killed in mining accident.

Birth: about 1871 at Tucepi Makarska, Dalmatia, [now part of Croatia], son of Boze Maras, labourer, and Ivka Sarich. Marriage: c.1905 at Tucepi Makarska to Ivka Pasilich [Pasalic]. They had eight children. Death: 8 January 1931 in hospital at Broken Hill, after having been injured in a mine accident. Religion: nominally Catholic. 

• Arrived in New South Wales in 1924.
• Worked as a labourer at Zinc Corporation Ltd mine at Broken Hill. Member, Yugoslav militant group.
• He sent money to Yugoslavia to arrange for two of his sons, Mick and Clem Maras, to migrate to Australia. Mick came to Australia in December 1925. He cooked for his father, then worked in Broken Hill and Adelaide. Clem [Kleme] arrived in December 1926 and started a small fish shop in October 1930.
• On 8 January 1931 Jack was filling a truck from zinc dumps at the Xing Corporation mine when he was jammed against the dump by the truck in an accident. He died from his injuries later that day.
• His son testified at the inquest that his father was a Yugoslav, his life was not insured, he was not naturalised, he left no money or property in Australia. His foreman testified that he was a competent worker, who had worked under him for six years. He had done work on float lead, loading and unloading coal, stores etc. or any work that was required.
• Jack was accorded a Communist funeral. However, the Barrier Miner published a letter objecting to the proceedings.
• In 1933 his sons applied claimed compensation from Zinc Corporation for the loss of their fathers’ support.
• In 1952 Clem Maras obtained compensation from South Broken Hill Ltd for serious work injuries to his eyes.

Sources
Barrier Daily Truth (Broken Hill), 12 January 1931.