70th Anniversary of Ukrainian Migration to WA 

and 

27th Anniversary of Ukrainian Indepedence 

Celebratory Concert and Banquet Lunch 

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August 25, 2018

 

The Ukrainian Association of Western Australia wishes to thank the two hunderd and sixty people who attended the 70th Anniversary of Migration of Ukrainians to Western Australia and the 27th Anniversary of Ukrainian Independence Concert and Banquet Lunch held at the North Fremantle Croatian Centre on 25 August. 

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Special thanks to Minister for Citizenship and Multicultural Interests, the Honourable Paul Papalia CSC MLA, the Shadow Minister for Citizenship and Multicultural Interests, the Honourable Tony Krsticevic MLA and the Consular Corps and Distinguished guests who made this a most memorable occassion. 

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The concert was represented by all groups in our community including the Taras Shevchenko Ukrainian School Dancing Group, School Cultural Coordinator Simone Litwin; Vesna Choir, Musical Director, Mrs Suzanna Prushynsky and Piano Accompanist, Ms Tetyana Syvak ;  Speka Dancers, Dancing Director, Mrs Tayissa Sweetlove ;  Roztiazhka Ukrainian Dancers, Directors: Mark Petrowsky and Melissa Petrowsky and special guest performers, Dr Semyon Kobets & Mrs Tatiana Kobets.  Dr L Melnyczuk spoke about her new Holodomor Book which is soon to be published and introduced a video clip of Ukraine.  

Special thanks to Ms Diana Teplyj  who so ably carried out the duties of Master of Ceremonies. 

 

The president of the Ukrainian Association, Mr Mykola Mowczan opened the proceedings with a historic overview of the first arrivals (his talk can be seen by clicking here). 

It was gratifying to hear the Minister speak about the WW2 migration of our forebears and recognising them and their hard work that they put into rebuilding their families. Following,  the Shadow Minister Mr Tony Krsticevic showed great empathy with those present when he spoke about his parents arriving with him as a 3 yr old from Croatia and what they faced as a young migrant family. 

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The UAWA would like to thank Darko Beretovac, President of the North Fremantle Croatian Community Centre, his family and all of the committee for having us in your centre "your home",  so we could stage such a wonderful event.  The food was excellent and we have really appreciated your help 

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The UAWA also thanks Dnister Ukrainian Credit Cooperative for your continuing support and your $1000 towards the event. 

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Thank you to, Alex & Karen Balla of Horizonswest for assisting those who could not drive to Femantle and offering a bus from the Ukrainian Catholic Church in Maylands to the North Fremantle Croatian Community Centre.   Alex Balla is one of our pioneers and on his initiative the UAWA have been able to take our pensioners and pioneers on some memorable bus trips. 

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Finally the UAWA thanks the  Ukrainian community who attended and supported us, the event could not have been succesful without you. 

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As we walk forward to the next seventy years, we the siblings of those immigrants from seventy years ago have an important job;  to preserve our heritage our language and our culture.

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Mykola Mowczan 

President