Marian Tkachuk about Ukrainians in Australia

In September Marian Tkachuk, public relations director of the Australian Federation of Ukrainian Organizations (AFUO), visited Lviv. During the conversation he shared his thoughts on the life of the Ukrainian diaspora in Australia, on its social, cultural, and religious dimensions.

For many years now you have been working as the director of public affairs of the Australian Federation of Ukrainian Organizations. Please describe the activity of the federation. On what foundations is it based?

— The Australian Federation of Ukrainian Organizations (AFUO) emerged at the start of the first emigration because there was a need unite our communities. Today 22 national organizations belong to the federation: youth, religious, educational, etc. The work of the AFUO is based on Christian and national foundations and supports democratic principles. Along with this, the AFUO assists cooperation between different organizations in the Ukrainian and Australian society, helps Ukrainians in Australia to preserve their language, culture, religious convictions, and rites. The head of the AFUO regularly visits communities in Australia. Such an active role allows the leadership to be informed about the current affairs of the different organizations of the federation, to know about the plans, thoughts, and projects.

The foreign policy of the AFUO is always directed to spread information about Ukraine, raise its image, and protect it if the need should arise. Another part of our work consists of informing people about events in Ukraine. We often stand up for human rights, have a very conscious national position, and if there is the need, always defend it. For example, we actively support the recognition of the Holodomor and the recognition Stepan Bandera and Roman Shukhevych as Heroes of Ukraine.

— Are there often conferences for Ukrainians? In what format are they held?

— We have conferences for our organizations and its representatives. We hold sessions where we discuss our achievements, share our experiences, report on our work, especially on our cultural activity. The Ukrainian diaspora has wonderful choral collectives, singing groups, ensembles of bandura players. Work in the arts, in our opinion, is very important because it forms the opinion of the young generation in Australia, but along with this, it gives the possibility to duly represent Ukraine on the world level. We are now working on a project called “Kozak in the Park.” This will be a two-day Ukrainian festival where dance and singing groups from all over Australia will perform; there will be the chance to taste Ukrainian food. This festival will be directed toward the Australian community that is interested in learning more about Ukrainian traditions.

— How much is the Ukrainian diaspora integrated in the Australian community?

— Ukrainians in Australia have an exceptionally good reputation. We often receive positive acknowledgement. Our people hold good positions and every year we reach a new, better level of integration. If to look at the distinct structure of the secular and religious life of the Ukrainian diaspora, then the Ukrainian community has a rather powerful position in the Australian community. We also have great contacts with immigrants that help us form an image of Ukraine on the world level. For example, the name Stefan Romaniw is well known in the world. He is the general secretary of the Ukrainian World Congress (UWC). He was the head of the parish council of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Cathedral in Melbourne. In addition, he is the vice chair of the world executive of the Ukrainian Youth Association (CYM), and also the executive director of the organization Community Languages Australia, which is responsible for the study of foreign languages and preserving cultures. Stefan Romaniw popularizes the idea of Ukrainianness in the entire world, openly speaks about honoring Roman Shukhevych and Stepan Bandera as Heroes of Ukraine, recognizing the Holodomor, and so forth.

— Let’s return to the life of the Ukrainian diaspora in Australia. How active and important is the position of the church in the life of Ukrainians in Australia?

— First of all, I want to note that the Greek Catholic community in Australia is significantly larger than that of the Orthodox community. But these communities have harmonious relations. The AFUO often works with Greek Catholic and Orthodox priests; we organize a lot of events together. I think that this is proof that we can have close cooperation, which truly had good results. This is evident in the activity of our youth. Plast, CYM—these are places where young people of different confessions create one whole.

— Does Australia have an academic base for learning Ukrainian studies, and what is the state of Ukrainian schooling in Australia.

— Today in Australia there are two centers for Ukrainian studies – Mykola Zerov Center for Ukrainian Studies and the Ukrainian studies center at the Macquarie University. The centers give a stimulus for discussion, for studying academic questions, and for preserving identity. The Ukrainians themselves see a need in this and independently search for money to develop these areas. As for the school system, a Federal Ukrainian School Council was established. Teachers conferences and councils are held, school programs are prepared. But I must note that there is an overall decrease in language knowledge. Currently around 300 students attend Ukrainian Saturday school. A large number of the teachers are recent immigrants from Ukraine.

Maryana Maksymiak, Lviv