“Some of them want to stay here and some want to go back and they need to know what their options are,” she said. It is a matter the Ukrainian Association is currently lobbying the Federal Government to provide greater support on. The Essendon-based organisation was founded after World War Two by refugees who wanted to make Australia feel more like home by building community spaces where they could hold cultural events, weddings, parties and other community activities. “We have continued the cultural and community side of it, so Ukrainians still have a place to come. We still have Ukrainian dancing and events here so it’s just the continuing of keeping people together,” Irene explained. “Now, of course, with the war it serves another purpose because we’ve become the centre place for refugees. “They find us and come here asking about visas, asking about education for their children, how we can help them with accommodation, employment and English classes. “Some will come and say, we don’t have money for food and so we’ve organised food drops. There are many things we’ve had to do and learn on the hop.” Irene said the team at the centre were working hard to help refugees and were thankful for all supporters of the centre including Susan and her generous donation.
Above: Susan and Ukrainian Association’s Victorian Ops Manager Irene Stawiski.
that’s why I did this particular painting. “It’s a way to express my frustration about the world – and the war in Ukraine was so shocking. “I saw a photograph of a building where it had been blown through … and that just evoked so much in me. And all the people were just underground.” The mixed media oil and acrylic painting won an award at Housing Choices Victoria’s most recent Home is Where the Art is 2022 competition, with Susan donating her financial winnings from the competition to a women’s organisation in Ukraine while gifting the artwork to the not-for-profit Association of Ukrainians in Victoria (AUV).
“This is one of the few paintings I’ve done that will be publicly displayed. I hope people outside the Ukraine support their struggle,” Susan said. It’s a struggle that’s not close to ending, according to the Association of Ukrainians in Victoria Operations Manager Irene Stawiski. She said since Russia invaded and began occupying Ukraine in February 2022, Australia had accepted about 5000 refugees, with about 3000 of those spread across Victoria. Every week Irene said more refugees contact the centre. Irene said as the Ukrainian refugees were on temporary three-year visas they faced an uncertain future.
7
Made with FlippingBook interactive PDF creator