NEWS AND VIEWS: A visit with Australia's Ukrainian community (10/13/02)

NEWS AND VIEWS

A visit with Australia's Ukrainian community

Ukrainian World Congress

It would not be just to write about Australia and its Ukrainian community without first mentioning its extraordinary and unique natural beauty. Further, it must be stressed that the Australians themselves are very hospitable people, with a verve for life and a robust sense of humor. With its size, yet relatively small population, Australia is almost a perfect land with an abundance of everything, yet seemingly isolated from the rest of the civilized world. Environmental and immigration matters are treated very seriously, deliberately to ensure this paradise-like atmosphere.

Although the first Ukrainian settlement in Australia is 100 years old, the bulk of the Ukrainian community is a result of post-World War II immigration. The community numbers some 30,000 members and boasts of churches, schools, community centers, financial institutions, periodicals, etc. Both Ukrainian Catholic and Orthodox Churches are represented. Essentially, Australia is a coastline continent/country and the Ukrainian presence can be seen in every major location.

On August 16-28 UWC President Askold Lozynskyj visited Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth, Melbourne and Canberra. Unfortunately, time limitations did not permit a visit to Tasmania.

The community, despite normal religious and political polarization and division, is united through the Australian Federation of Ukrainian Organizations (AFUO), headed by Stefan Romaniw. Mr. Romaniw and most of the leadership are relatively young, energetic with a keen understanding of Ukrainian internal matters and sophisticated in Australian politics. The country features two Ukrainian bilingual newspapers. Ukraine's representation is a Consulate General in Sydney headed by Vasyl Korzachenko, a Kyiv native with a conciliatory agenda and an appropriate demeanor.

Two issues seem to be paramount in Ukrainian and Australian politics.

Firstly, due to the mortality of the older generation and an unequal replacement by its progeny, there is a striking need for a supplemental immigration. While recent arrivals have numbered some 6,000, few have become a part of the community. Australian immigration laws, while allowing for some 117,000 in total within the last year, are quite circumspect of an Asian invasion and thus not particularly conducive towards East European proclivities. Taking this factor into account, Ukrainians need to utilize existing parameters to permit as much Ukrainian immigration as possible.

Secondly, Australia has manifested a backwardness towards Eastern Europe. In fact, Australia has not opened any new diplomatic missions in the countries that once were the USSR. Ukraine suffers in this regard since to date there is no diplomatic mission of Australia in Ukraine. There is some interest in trade relations, however, essentially on an individual basis. The government has no agenda for major trade with Eastern Europe or Ukraine.

Both issues were addressed at length in the course of the UWC president's visit both with Ukrainian community leaders and Australian government representatives on the federal and state levels. High-level meetings were held, however, the results remain unclear. The thrust of the argument was that Australian states (regions) seek trade relations with Ukraine and, thus, all of Australia would benefit economically from such.

Additionally, the Ukrainian community's exemplary record of hard work and loyalty was offered as a major argument for Australia's inclusion of Ukraine and new Ukrainian immigrants.

In conclusion, the Ukrainian Australian community, albeit small, is a model for others in terms of cohesiveness and political sophistication. It may be distant, but it resembles the sublime UWC paragon.

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