Be Their Santa: Gifting hope & care to Ukrainian children who have lost their fathers - defenders of Ukraine This year, the AFUO’s Future Ukraine is launching a Christmas fundraiser Be Their Santa to grant 5 Ukrainian children who have tragically lost their fathers - brave defenders of Ukraine - their Christmas wishes. Meet Mykola, a bright and brave 3 year old boy … [Read more...]

A striking photo of renowned Ukrainian veteran and war medic, Yulia ‘Taira’ Paievska (@paevska), standing in front of a Bushmaster at the Australian War Memorial has received a Highly Commended Award in the Single Shot category in the Photographer of the Year awards. Taken by our very own Canberra-based Ukrainian community member Lynne Minion, the award for the photo - … [Read more...]

Over the past few weeks, Annual General Meetings (AGMs) have taken place for state hromada organisations, including Ukrainian Council of NSW - ОУГ НПВ, Association of Ukrainians in Victoria and Association of Ukrainians in SA. NSW: (Ukrainian Council of NSW - ОУГ НПВ) Andrew Mencinsky is the new President of UCNSW, with Bohdan Wolody as new Vice President. Olya Olkhovyk … [Read more...]

Thanks to all our beautiful, smiling volunteers, the AFUO’s Ukraine Crisis Appeal's third container has been successfully locked and loaded!  In this jam packed container was packed: Radiology equipment Bandages, gauze - 120 boxes Sterilization wrap - 100 boxes Toys – 30 boxes Clothes – 50 boxes Surgical theatre lights – 2 pallets Syringes - 200 … [Read more...]

Journalist, political scientist, and Director of the Eurasian Democracy Initiative, Donetsk-born Peter Zalmayev joins AFUO for an exclusive interview while in Australia on his world tour.  Zalmayev’s world tour to the ‘global south’ (around 30 African and Oceanic countries) has a “two-pronged purpose: to gain a ground-level insight on the sympathies and actions of … [Read more...]

UNESCO officially recognises the Ukrainian kobza and wheel lyre tradition and the pysanka (traditional wax-painted Ukrainian Easter egg) as part of the world’s cultural heritage! Pysanky - the intricate art of decorating eggs has been cherished in Ukraine for centuries. Using wax and dye, each egg becomes a canvas for patterns and symbols that carry personal … [Read more...]

At Saint Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican at 4:00pm (Rome time) on Saturday 7 December 2024 (2:00am AEDT Sunday 8 December), His Grace Bishop Mykola Bychok, Eparch of the Eparchy of Saints Peter and Paul in Melbourne for Ukrainian Catholics in Australia, New Zealand and Oceania, will be elevated to the dignity of Cardinal of the Holy Roman Church by His Holiness Pope … [Read more...]

Today we acknowledge the Day of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The AFUO extends its deepest gratitude to the brave defenders of Ukraine - protectors of freedom, democracy and Ukraine’s territorial integrity. Across Ukraine, these brave men and women have defended our peaceful cities and villages; liberated areas brutally occupied by russian aggressors; and fought bravely on … [Read more...]

On 25 November, the AFUO and Yury Sak, Adviser to the Minister of Strategic Industries of Ukraine, held meetings with key Members of Parliament (MPs) and their advisers at Parliament House in Canberra. The meetings were held in tandem with Ukrainian Christmas carolling in Parliament House and were an opportunity to thank MPs for their support of Ukraine. MPs were presented … [Read more...]

In mid November 2024, AFUO Co-Chair, Kateryna Argyrou, conducted high-level meetings and on the ground check-ins to survey the current situation, capabilities and feelings in Ukraine. Kateryna met with representatives from the Ministry of Defence, the National Guard of Ukraine, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kyiv State Administration, the Kyiv Institute of Rehabilitation … [Read more...]