Bombings keep newlyweds apart

By Shaun Inguanzo
NOBLE PARK’S Joe Dannaoui will enter war-torn Lebanon at any cost if a massive wave of bombs keeps his newlywed wife stranded there.
The 34-year-old teacher said his wife of just six months, Mariette, was stuck in the north of Lebanon with her parents and was being subjected to Israel’s constant bombing.
The pair married in January and Mr Dannaoui returned to Australia to begin teaching at Berwick Primary School.
Mrs Dannaoui, 24, is a Lebanese national and was awaiting the Australian Government’s approval of a spousal visa to allow her to enter Australia.
But Mr Dannaoui said last week’s bombings forced the Australian Embassy in Beirut to close down and cease its paperwork activity.
“Her situation has fallen into a crack,” he said.
“If she doesn’t get a visa by the end of the year then I have to make a decision to go over there, too.
“She is my wife and that is what I am supposed to do, I have got to be with her.”
Mr Dannaoui said he phoned his wife several times each day to ensure she was fine as constant news bulletins of the bombings had him living on the edge of fear.
“Every day the bombing is moving further to the north and I am worried one day I will wake up and realise they have bombed where she is living.”
He described his wife’s parents as “diehard patriots” who would rather die in their homes than flee the bombs.
However, he said his wife was more worried about entering Australia.
“She was already stressed before the bombings about getting the visa,” he said.
“Now, she is extremely stressed because there is no way in the short term it will be approved.”
Mr Dannaoui praised Berwick Primary School for its support so far and said it had been difficult trying to teach while worrying about his wife.
Assistant principal Kaye Seton said the school would continue to support Mr Dannaoui.
“The school is really worried about his situation and will do whatever it can to help him get through it, be it time or whatever he needs to allow him to do the best he can to get his wife here,” she said.
Dandenong’s Migrant Resource Centre acting chief executive Marija Dradic said the centre had not received any calls for help from Lebanese Australians, but would offer whatever it could if approached. Anyone needing assistance can call the MRC on 9706 8933.