Ukraine Writes Back: Writers, Poets and the WarA powerful webinar series spotlighting Ukrainian voices in a time of war 🎙️ Episode 2: "Between Lives and Lines" 📅 Thursday 29 May, 5:00pm (AEST)🔗 Registration link: https://unimelb.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_2DrLYcl3RsGnm_pGNygrgQ#/registration  Join award-winning poets Kateryna Mikhalitsyna & Iryna Starovoyt, in … [Read more...]

Continuing our annual program of Vyshyvanka Day at Victorian Parliament, AFUO Board Member Chrestyna Kmetj met with the bipartisan Friends of Ukraine Group, along with, President of Association of Ukrainians in Victoria (AUV) Eugene Hawryszko and Secretary of AUV Ashley Awramenko. Michael Galea MP proudly wore his vyshyvanka, following his recent visit to Ukraine. … [Read more...]

The Australian Federation of Ukrainian Organisations (AFUO) wishes a massive Happy Birthday to Viktor “Blacksmith”! Our community was first introduced to our brave Ukrainian defender Viktor in October last year when he arrived in Australia to receive innovative osseointegration surgery, after losing both legs as a result of heavy enemy fire. He attended many community and … [Read more...]

Victorian MP Michael Galea Visits Ukraine to Witness the Realities of War and Ongoing Recovery Michael Galea MP, a committed supporter of Ukraine, has become the first State-level Australian politician to visit Ukraine since russia launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022. During his visit, Mr Galea met with various civil society representatives, including … [Read more...]

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 … [Read more...]

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a key meeting in Rome today, reinforcing Australia’s commitment to Ukraine’s defence against russia’s ongoing invasion. PM Albanese confirmed that M1A1 Abrams tanks are en route to Ukraine, delivering a vital boost to Kyiv’s battlefield capabilities. The leaders also spoke about deepening defence … [Read more...]

The Australian Federation of Ukrainian Organisation (AFUO) joins calls from State, Federal and diplomatic leaders for the release of Oscar Jenkins, amid 13 year sentence by russian court 16 May. Oscar Jenkins, former biology teacher from Melbourne, was captured in December by occupying russian forces while serving with Ukraine's military in the Donbas region. For … [Read more...]

Today, 16 May, Ukrainian and russian delegations meet face-to-face in Turkey for long-awaited peace talks – the first direct contact in months. But hopes are low. Yesterday Zelenskyy arrived in Turkey, showing a strong and intentional presence. Despite being the one to call for the meeting after mounting pressure criticising russia for their refusal to agree to the … [Read more...]

Saturday 18 May, 11:30am (AEST) Online (zoom) and in-person, St Andrew’s Church Hall, 57 Church St, Lidcombe Request zoom access from: marikahav13@gmail.com The sunflower — once a foreign species to the Ukrainian steppe and forest-steppe regions — has become a powerful symbol and plays a critical role in Ukraine’s agriculture, helping the nation rise to the top as … [Read more...]

The Australian Federation of Ukrainian Organisations (AFUO) is deeply saddened by the tragic death of Nick Parsons, an Australian bomb disposal expert in Ukraine, last week.  Mr Parsons, a veteran of the Australian Defence Force and volunteer with charity Prevail Together, made the ultimate sacrifice in Izyum while working to protect Ukrainian civilians from … [Read more...]