On 8 July, Maru Jarockyj (Ukrainian Museum of Australia Director), Chrestyna Kmetj (AFUO Board Member) and Orysia Sywak Spinner (AFUO Cultural Director) met online with Leon Pun, Multicultural Affairs Advisor, and Georgina Castle, Interim Advisor to Hon Dr Anne Aly, Minister for Multicultural Affairs.
On 9 July, Chrestyna Kmetj (AFUO Board Member), Marusia Jarockyj and Alex Dechnicz (Lehenda Ukrainian Dance Company) hosted Senator Paul Scarr, Shadow Minister for Multicultural Affairs, Immigration & Citizenship, at the Ukrainian Museum of Australia in Melbourne.
Key topics discussed:
75 years of Ukrainian settlement in Australia. Cultural diplomacy to ensure cultural survival by Australian Ukrainian cultural organisations featuring dance, song, art, literature including Lehenda Ukrainian Dance Company
The impact of war on displaced Ukrainians and the mental health benefits of cultural engagement
Preserve and expand the Ukrainian Museum of Australia; upcoming UKR DNA exhibition (October 2025, Sydney)
Resources for a cultural hub and Government funding to support Ukrainian culture, education and inclusion for newly settled DPs
The role of youth groups (CYM Australia, Plast Australia)
History and continuation of russian crimes – from the Holodomor to MH17. Continued to advocate for national recognition of the Holodomor as a genocide
The role of Ukrainian in Community Languages Australia and the immense role of 
Stefan Romaniw OAM in the multicultural sector
Future engagement flagged with AFUO Chair Kateryna Argyrou on visa pathways to RoS with Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke MP and Senator Paul Scarr.
The AFUO is proud to ensure Ukrainian voices are heard as Australia builds its new Office for Multicultural Affairs within the Department of Home Affairs.
Thank you to all who took the time for this great advocacy work! Thank you to Leon Pun, Hon Dr Anne Aly and Senator Paul Scarr for standing with Ukraine and our Ukrainian-Australian community.
#AFUO_in_action #AustraliaStandsWithUkraine #MulticulturalAustralia
