Proudly assisted by the AFUO, The Australian newspaper journalist Liam Mendes has been reporting from Ukraine since mid August with searing photos and interviews which bear witness to the courage of the Ukrainian people and the resilience of the human spirit. His latest front page story featured Ukrainian soldiers in Donetsk praising the Aussie Bushmaster. The previous … [Read more...]

A compelling video has been posted by the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine highlighting Russia’s kidnapping of 20,000 Ukrainian children from occupied territories. In the video, 8-year-old Valya is forcibly taken to Russia, given up for adoption, deprived of speaking her native tongue and subjected to the ideology of ‘ruscism’ - the hatred of everything Ukrainian. She dreams … [Read more...]

“Adult” - a  short film directed by 13 year old Elina Myshanych from Kyiv - has won the Grand Prix Award at the Lantern & Light International Children's Film Festival (LLICFF). The film poignantly and cleverly captures innocence lost because of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Filmed last winter while Elina was unable to go to school because of Russian missile … [Read more...]

A young 9-year-old boy from Lviv, Max, has become obsessed with the Melbourne Demons AFL team! Against the backdrop of russian missile attacks, damaged buildings, wounded civilians and attending school in a bunker, the packages Max has received from Aussie Debbie Daks with Demons scarves, jumpers, footy balls and tapes of the game have given him moments of happiness and … [Read more...]

The Australian Federation of Ukrainian Organisations (AFUO) has called on the Federal Government to declare the Wagner Group a terrorist organisation. This move would bring Australia into line with the important action taken this week by the government of the United Kingdom. AFUO Co-Chair Stefan Romaniw OAM said yesterday “The Wagner Group has committed war crimes in … [Read more...]

Own a piece of history and participate in the AFUO’s Defend Ukraine Appeal (DUA) Adopt a Drone campaign to create your own personalised drone! Drones are used for reconnaissance on the Ukrainian front-line and, while in short supply, are critical to enhance the safety and effectiveness of Ukrainian defenders. Donate over $1,000 and you can order an image/text to be … [Read more...]

In a bipartisan show of support for Ukraine, the 60th Parliament of Victoria has established a Victorian Parliamentary Friends of Ukraine Group, to strengthen ties between Ukraine and Victoria and foster trade, rebuilding and cultural/travel exchange programs.  Co-convened by the Hon Lee Tarlamis MLC (Labor) and the Hon Matthew Guy MP (Liberal), the group numbers … [Read more...]

The AFUO congratulates Mr Peter Bongiorni, President of the Ukrainian Community of Queensland Inc, who has won the "Minister’s Multicultural Award" at the 2023 Multicultural Queensland Awards.  The award recognises outstanding contributions to multiculturalism in Queensland. The Hon Leanne Linard, the Minister for Multicultural Affairs, congratulated Mr Bongiorni … [Read more...]

The Dog House Australia is a heartwarming television series that sees rescue dogs placed in a new ‘forever home’. Network 10 is seeking families and individuals from different backgrounds in the Sydney, Melbourne or Brisbane areas, who would like to adopt a rescue dog. They are particularly interested in speaking to Australian-Ukrainian families who might be interested … [Read more...]

Around Australia, the Ukrainian community marked Ukrainian Independence Day last week with street rallies, concerts, on-line auctions, global human chains, flag raisings, festivals, picnics, movie screenings and proud displays of Ukrainian culture, dance, song, music, clothes and food. The spirit of freedom, independence and pride in Ukrainian culture and identity was … [Read more...]