In a first for a Ukrainian-Australian event, a record $200,000 was raised at a recent high-powered fundraising dinner for President Zelenskyy’s UNITED24 official fundraising platform.
Organised by the Embassy of Ukraine in Australia and the AFUO’s Future Ukraine, the sell-out event was attended by a who’s who of Australian business including Nuix, E&Y, Fawkner Group, Herbert Smith Freehills, Scentre Group and WiseTech.
Attended by a who’s who of Australian corporates including Nuix, E&Y, Fawkner Group, Herbert Smith Freehills, Scentre Group and WiseTech, highlights of the evening included a high-voltage performance by Ukraine’s 2016 Eurovision Song Contest winner, Jamala, and a dignified speech by renowned Ukrainian combat medic and Invictus athlete Yulia “Taira” Paievska, who survived three months in Russian captivity.
Describing the moment she decided she had no choice but to fight ‘evil’, Taira told the packed room “I answered this question when I first saw a destroyed school in Donbas; when children were dying in my arms; and when I saw the eyes of a young woman begging for help to dig a shallow grave in the frozen ground of her destroyed yard for her baby in ruined Mariupol.’
Funds raised from the evening will be transferred via UNITED24 to rebuild a school in eastern Ukraine which was destroyed by a devastating Russian missile attack. A powerful UNITED24 video shown on the night featured heart-breaking interviews with children, teachers and parents who almost cried as they spoke about their pain when the school was destroyed, and their hope that the school would be rebuilt.
In a deft balancing act between moments of darkness and light-heartedness, the inimitable Andrew Denton MC-ed the event and at one stage donned a Ukrainian-style floral headpiece – a ‘vinok’ – while announcing raffle prize winners.
Sponsored by Tetra Tech, top live auction items included a Ukrainian flag signed by legendary Ukrainian general, Valeriy Zaluzhny, bespoke Paspaley jewellery, a luxury cruise with Ahoy Club and art works by contemporary Australian surrealist Charles Billich and the famed Ukrainian artist, Ivan Marchuk.
Guests were also treated to a performance by Sydney soul band The Bluesberries, who played their hauntingly beautiful Blue Skies, released in late 2022 to raise money for Ukrainian displaced people via UNHCR.
“The evening was a powerful reminder of the support Ukraine has received from Australia. It was also a call to action for all Australians to continue to stand with Ukraine as it confronts unprecedented challenges to defend its territory and rebuild,” said Mr Vasyl Myroshnychenko, Ukraine’s Ambassador to Australia.
Director of Future Ukraine and AFUO Co-Chair Kateryna Argyrou thanked the Australian business community for their support, noting “As we approach the two-year mark since Russia’s invasion, it is important we stay committed to Ukraine. It’s more than just the future of Ukraine which is at stake – it is our future in a fair and just world.”
