The Australian Federation of Ukrainian Organisations (AFUO) is extremely disappointed that Woollahra Council has decided to stop the renaming process for the address of the Russian Consulate in Sydney from Fullerton St to Ukraine St, Woollahra, but is encouraged by the Council’s continued public support for Ukraine.
The decision at the Council’s 14 June meeting was made following consideration of a Council report about the outcome of community consultation, which noted 89 % of Fullerton St residents and 71% of nearby streets (Trelawny St, Wellington St, and Rosemont Ave) did not support the proposal.
However, the AFUO notes that over 300 letters and 2 petitions with close to 2,000 signatures, were lodged with Woollahra Council in support of the name change prior to the consultation process. Submissions through email or the ‘Your Say Woollahra’ web page showed 57% in support of the proposal.
The AFUO also notes there were shortcomings in the consultation process and the nature/authenticity of some of the responses, which were drawn to the attention of Council following the close of the consultation period (see the attached AFUO letter to Council).
The AFUO thanks all those who lodged submissions/emails of support, who letterboxed Woollahra Council residents, who met with the Mayor, the Ukrainian Be-It Agency which assisted with communications, and the children of Nova Ukrainian School who drew pictures of their vision of “Ukraine St” for the Councillors.
Moving forward, the Council has undertaken to:
- reiterate Woollahra Council’s condemnation of the Russian invasion of Ukraine and its support for the Ukrainian people; and
- continue to work with the Australian-Ukrainian community to initiate and implement other ways to demonstrate support of Ukraine including (but not limited to) flying the Ukrainian flag, the creation of an art work and/or renaming of public spaces.
The AFUO and Ukrainian Council of NSW (UCNSW) will be meeting with the General Manager of Woollahra Council in the coming week to further discuss these options.
As noted in many submissions to Council, it will be reiterated that symbolic actions count for Ukrainians, and the local Ukrainian community, and provide emotional and moral support.
That is why the Council’s previous motions of support for Ukraine (on 28 February, on 26 April to revoke consular car parking spaces outside the Russian Consulate, and on 9 May to start the renaming process) were so much appreciated and helped to lift the spirits of the local community.
The AFUO and UCNSW will also remind the Woollahra Council that the war is not over, and that millions of innocent Ukrainians continue to suffer as a result of this brutal, unwarranted, and illegal invasion.
The AFUO will continue to keep the community informed about the outcome of upcoming meetings.
