Progress report 12-18 May
Visa advocacy – met with representatives from the Department of Home Affairs to escalate concerns voiced by our displaced Ukrainians. Topics included the Assurance of Support for Parent visas, pathway to permanent residency for holders of visas other than 786, recognition of displaced Ukrainians as domestic students for university applications, and simplification of qualification recognition. Andrew Mencinsky
Defend Ukraine Appeal – with the help of our partner Razom For Ukraine, delivered 4 evacuation vehicles to the frontline, assisting the 66th Separate Mechanised Brigade (66 окрема механізована бригада), 28th Separate Mechanised Brigade (28-ма окрема механізована бригада), 93rd Separate Anti-Tank Battalion (93 окремий протитанковий батальйон) and 35th Separate Marine Brigade (35-та окрема бригада морської піхоти). These vehicles fulfilled requests that came from our community members in QLD, NSW, and ACT. Sergiy Bartovschuk, Kulbakha Tetiana, Emiliia Kalinchuk, Inna Stryzhenko.
Vyshyvanka Day – on May 15th, we marked International Vyshyvanka Day by gathering at the Opera House in Sydney and other landmarks across Australia. A heartfelt thank you to all of our Hromady for celebrating this beautiful day and putting Ukrainian culture on display!
Media – Viktor “Blacksmith” and Nazar “Kapa” shared their personal stories with journalist Peter Lalore this week. Grateful to Antonius Lord for interpreting. Other media coverage included an article published on M1 Abrams tanks and an article on Michael Galea’s recent visit to Ukraine.
UWAL AGM – I would like to congratulate the Ukrainian Women’s Association – Lidcombe branch for conducting their Annual General Meeting this week. Best wishes to the new uprava!
Coordination calls – strategy, Independence Day 2025, DUA, AFUO planning
