ANTONOV An225 MRIYA IN PERTH, WESTERN AUSTRALIA

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EVENT TIMELINE

 

May 14

Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Ukraine, His Excellency Dr Mykola Kulinich arrives in Perth. Earlier in the day the CEO of Dnister Credit Cooperative, Liam Tiernan, arrived and later in the evening so did Stefan Romaniw, Chairman of AFUO.  

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The Ambassador, Dr Mykola Kulinich and CEO, Liam Tiernan were given a fly around the Perth CBD which culminated in picturesque Kings Park just before sunset. (fist set of photo’s)

 

May 15

Ukrainian VIP's gathered on the Viewing Deck (Level 3) at Perth International to greet the Antonov An225 MRIYA in a VIP viewing area specifically designated for the Ukrainian Association.  Of these a select group had the opportunity to meet with the Ambassador and our other dignitaries in the VIP Lounge in the morning. No one was to know that the mighty Mriya was to be delayed by almost 2 hours due to air traffic issues around Kuala Lumpur Airport Malaysia, thus altering its ETA from 10am to 11:45am.  By now Perth airport is bulging with 16,000 people waiting in designated viewing areas. The Level 3 viewing lounge is a "sushi train" with people being rotated on a regular basis (except for the Ukrainian welcoming party). The large crowd was very well behaved; I think overwhelmed by the spectacle and grandiosity of the occasion.

 

After the "big bird" landed again we have to patiently wait for the crew to be cleared through Border Control and finally we were shaking hands and meeting the Captains and crew of the Antonov. (Editor’s note: All the crew on the plane are Captains who have had minimum 4 years of experience on the smaller version of this plane, the Antonov An124).  So, we welcomed a very senior crew!

 

Finally we are all went out to the VIP Car Park and the President of the Ukrainian Association greeted our guests.  Kat Lozyk, Julia Grynychyn and Mark Petrowsky, representing Roztiazhka Dancing Group presented the Snr Captain Dmytro Antonov and His Excellency Ambassador Mykola Kulinich with a traditional Ukrainian greeting of “bread and salt”.  Mykola Mowczan presented Snr Captain Dmytro Antonov with a gift of a boomerang from the UAWA. Everyone sang the Ukrainian National Anthem and then Ambassador Mykola Kulinich welcomed the crew to Australia. The final speech was delivered by Senior Captain Dmytro Antonov.  

 

Following a short drive to the glorious International on Water Hotel and our VIP's and Captains of the Antonov had an opportunity to sit and relax and have a meal with the Ukrainian Community of Perth, Western Australia. The meal started with a double blessing from Fr Wally Kalinecki and Fr Ihor Holovko.  (photo's follow)

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Following is a link to DW youtube program which tracks the historic journey from Prague, Czech Republic to Perth, Western Australia of the worlds largest plane the Antonov AN225 :  https://bit.ly/2VAmOIR

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The Ukrainian Association of Western Australia wishes to thank

 

Captain Dmytro Antonov and the crew of the Antonov An225 MRIYA

His Excellency Ambassador of Ukraine to Australia, Dr Mykola Kulinich

Chairman, Australian Federation of Ukrainian Organizations, Mr Stefan Romaniw

Liam Tiernan, CEO of Dnister Credit Cooperative

Julie Coleman, Manager Corporate Affairs, Perth International Airport. 

Leanne Fermanis,  Terminals and Landside Operations Facilitation & Support Coordinator, Perth International Airport. 

Alex Balla, Owner of Horizons West Bus & Coach Lines (for providing transport for our Honoured Guests) 

Bob Warchomij, Professional Photographer

Roztiazhka Dancing Group

International on the Water Hotel, 1 Epsom Ave, Ascot WA 6104

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And to everyone who attended and witnessed this historic event.