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 – titled “Standing Defiant’ – is a wonderful achievement and a credit to Lynne and her awe-inspiring subject.
Taira, who is also a former russian captive and Invictus athlete, visited Australia in November 2023 at the invitation of the Ukrainian Ambassador, Vasyl Myroshnychenko, and with the support of the AFUO and Future Ukraine.
In a strong week of advocacy in Sydney and Canberra, Taira attended a moving ceremony at the Australian War Memorial, where she laid a wreath for Colonel Serhiy Ilnytsky, the fallen defender of Ukraine, and Captain of the Ukrainian National team at the 2018 Invictus Games in Sydney.
It was during this visit to the Australian War Memorial – which Lynne helped to organise – that the photo of Taira was taken.
The Photographer of the Year competition is the largest of its kind for amateur photographers in Australasia, and in its 12th year in 2024 attracted more than 2,800 entries.
Again – congratulations Lynne! A win for you, Taira, our community and Ukraine!
#AFUO_in_Action #AustralianWarMemorial #StandWithUkraine #photographeroftheyear
