Huge thank you to the Geelong Ukrainian community for their powerful advocacy!
On 17 November, leaders and representatives from the Geelong Ukrainian community met with Deputy PM & Defence Minister Richard Marles MP to discuss Australia’s role in supporting Ukraine and address the critical issue of russian blood oil entering Geelong Port.
Present at the meeting were Luba Pryslak – Association of Ukrainians in Victoria (AUV) Ukrainians in Geelong – Українці в Джілонґу, Mark Tkaczuk – CYM Geelong, PLAST Geelong, Anna Carroll – Ukrainian Women’s Association (UWA) Geelong, Irene Stawiski – AUV Geelong & UWA Geelong, Oryssia Pryslak – AUV Geelong.
Key takeaways from the meeting:
The Government is aware of the loophole and acknowledges community frustration Minister Marles acknowledged it was disappointing that Australians were indirectly funding russia’s war economy The Goverment was looking into ways to close the sanctions loophole
Community representatives highlighted:
Mama’s Market raised nearly $50k this year for women and children in Ukraine
Potential for a sister city connection between Geelong and Zaporizhzhia
CYM, Plast continue to support families affected by russia’s war
Many local Australians are volunteering in Ukraine, standing for shared democratic values
Community members also thanked Minister Marles and the Australian Government for the Bushmasters, M113s, Operation KUDU training & Wedgetail missions.
This is what community-driven advocacy looks like! Well done, Geelong!
