Around Australia, the Australian-Ukrainian community marked this year’s historic Ukrainian Independence Day with a range of events to honour Ukraine’s freedom, independence and future.
To view the love, pride and passion the day invoked, the AFUO team have produced a photo/video montage of events:
We hope you enjoy it and continue to stand with us to support Ukraine.
VICTORIA
Melbourne city landmarks were lit up in blue and yellow, as Ukrainian-Australians in Victoria attended a Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry hosted business breakfast, and later that evening, a fundraiser dinner hosted by Fawkner Property and the AFUO. Both celebrations were attended by the Ambassador of Ukraine, Vasyl Myroshnychenko.
Celebrations were also organised by ‘Ridniy Kray’ at Essendon House, and the Noble Park and Geelong branches of the Association of Ukrainians in Victoria.
NSW
Sydney’s Woollahra Municipal Council, a stalwart supporter of Ukraine, kicked off the week by raising the blue and yellow Ukrainian flag above Council chambers at an event with local displaced Ukrainians and their children. The Sydney Town Hall also raised the Ukrainian flag on 24 August.
Independence Day was commemorated with a rally organised by the Sydney rallies group outside Customs House featuring blue and yellow flags, embroidered shirts, a tryzub made out of candles, singing and marching.
A spirited celebration of Ukrainian sovereignty – Ukifest – organised by the Ukrainian Council of NSW was attended by thousands on Saturday 27 August at Darling Harbour, Sydney, with Ukrainian food, folk dancing, live music, kids’ activities, cultural stalls, open air stage, and beer garden.
QUEENSLAND
The Queensland Government lit up Storey Bridge and other sites in blue and yellow in honour of Ukrainian independence, with displaced Ukrainians organising a city rally on 24 August.
On Saturday 27 August, approximately 400 people attended an Independence Day Cultural Event organised by the Ukrainian Community of Queensland, featuring Ukrainian cultural displays, food and Ukrainian horilka (vodka).
ACT
The Canberra community staged an all-day protest outside the Russian Embassy on 24 August, in line with their unwavering rallying every day outside the Russian Embassy.
WA
The Ukrainian Association of WA organised an Independence Day concert on Saturday 27 August.
SA
The Governor of South Australia, Her Excellency Frances Adamson AC, hosted displaced Ukrainians and other members of the community to mark Ukraine’s Independence Day on 24 August.
On Sunday 28 August, the Association of Ukrainians in SA organised an Independence Day concert.
NT
The Ukrainian-Australian Association of NT celebrated their first Independence Day this year as a community, with a celebration picnic with their Estonian, Latvian and Lithuanian friends.
TASMANIA
The Association of Ukrainians in Tasmania held a fundraising concert, an exhibition of drawings by children who witnessed the war – ‘Mom I See the War’, and an Independence Day Celebration for the Ukrainian community and friends of Ukraine.
