AFUO Snapshot – Highlights from the Chair Kateryna Argyrou. Progress report 26 May–1 June.
Lord Mayor’s Afternoon Tea – it was a privilege to attend an event at Sydney Town Hall for members and supporters of the Ukrainian Community. Highlights included speeches by Lord Mayor Clover Moore, His Excellency Mr Vasyl Myroshnychenko , Ambassador of Ukraine, and Andrew Mencinsky, President of the Ukrainian Council of NSW – ОУГ НПВ. The UCNSW presented a gift to the City of Sydney – the most beautiful painting of St Andrew’s Church in Kyiv by Tetiana Koldunenko.
Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (UCCI) – Participated in a Business Forum titled “Global Ukrainians in a Challenging Period – Diaspora for Ukraine” and presented on a panel focusing on “The Ukrainian Diaspora: A Bridge to the World”. Thank you to Gennadiy Chyzhykov and Anna Luibyma for the invitation.
RSL Lifecare meeting – Met with David Anderson, CEO of RSL LifeCare to learn about veteran support structures in Australia and how that experience can be applied in Ukraine. Discussed the RSL movement in Australia, type of government support that is provided to veterans, and how RSL LifeCare’s “Veteran Hubs” provide core services to returned servicemen & servicewomen.
AFUO Strategy Day – held an in-person strategy and planning meeting in Sydney with all the Board directors of the AFUO. It was a very productive day where we discussed the 60+ resolutions which were passed at the TGM, set priorities and assigned portfolio responsibilities for each director. There is a great deal of community work ahead and I am proud to be working with such a dedicated team of volunteers.
“Stories from the frontline” – for the first time in Australia, we were able to organise 4 live calls with Ukrainian soldiers and officers who are currently on the frontline, defending Ukraine. We were able to hear firsthand what the conditions are like and what we can do as a community to support our frontline heroes. With the support of very generous donors, we were able to raise $13,551.60 which will allow us to purchase 2 reconnaissance drones for the 22nd Brigade (22 окрема механізована бригада) and the 130th Battalion (130 Батальйон територіальної оборони).
Coordination calls – conducted weekly calls with the Defend Ukraine Appeal team, Independence Day planning, strategy, and filmed scenes for “Forged in Fire 2”
