Highlights from the Chair Kateryna Argyrou. Progress report 16-22 June
“Stop fuelling russia’s war” Campaign – this week, we continued to call on the Australian Government to close the sanctions loophole and ban the import of Russian crude oil, including the Russian crude that is refined in third countries and is imported by Australia as jet and vehicle fuel. Grateful to the mighty team of volunteers who are assisting with this campaign and to all of our community members for speaking up and advocating with their Members of Parliament. Over 150 letters have been sent using our letter-writing platform,media releases were published by the AFUO’s Communications Manager Nadia Mencinsky which resulted in AFUO comments featuring in publications across the news.com network, a powerful article was published by Mark Dunn in the Herald Sun, and we continue to advocate with the Foreign Minister’s Office. On June 18th the Australian Government announced a ban on russia’s shadow fleet – this is a step in the right direction, but more needs to be done to cut off the funding that Australia is channelling to the Kremlin. If you haven’t done it yet, please take one minute to write to your MP: 
https://bit.ly/3FSwslX . It’s the most important thing we can do from Australia right now.
Visa survey for displaced Ukrainians – following a meeting with the Office of the Minister for Immigration and the Department of Home Affairs, the AFUO has launched an important visa survey for displaced Ukrainians. I (along with other community leaders) have been receiving a great deal of emails and calls regarding different situations and personal circumstances displaced Ukrainians are currently facing. In order to present the proper facts to the Minister and find an appropriate solution, we must have the appropriate information – so we don’t miss anything and have accurate information, please fill out our survey here: https://forms.gle/FZ7bNwmKFobp5uHm9
AFUO Board meeting – the AFUO held its monthly board meeting and it was an action-packed agenda. Topics discussed included Subcommittee charters, AFUO Policies, oil campaign, visa advocacy, MH17 commemoration, portfolio responsibilities, upcoming visits, fundraising, and other general business. Thank you to the Board of Directors for their time and effort.
Defend Ukraine Appeal – this week, the drones we raised funds for at our “Stories from the frontline” are being delivered to the 22nd brigade and 130th battalion in Ukraine by a network of our dedicated volunteers. Viktor and Nazar were interviewed by Tetiana Koldunenko for SBS Ukrainian – you may listen to the full interview here: https://tinyurl.com/45wfd64p . The Defend Ukraine Appeal also received a very generous donation of $20,000 from the Burton Family this week – grateful for this generous support which will aid our frontline heroes!
Coordination calls – Independence Day 2025, Forged in Fire 2, DUA, Marta Kostyuk Foundation, AUCC, International Action Alliance.
