The National Executive of the Ukrainian Youth Association in Australia has included as part of its’ Strategic plan for the years 2008 – 2011, the need to visit all oseredky throughout Australia, with a view to enhancing their activities or where may be necessary, to rejuvenate some activity amongst membership.

On the Anzac Day weekend of 24 & 25 April, members of the National Executive lead by the First Deputy President Paul Kaminsky (as well he is the National Director of Druzhynnyky), and including Stephen Duma (2nd Deputy President, National Organisational Director, and World Director of Druzhynnyky), Katerina Kobryn (National Director of Youth Activities), and Jaroslav Duma OAM (General Secretary), visited the Oxley (Brisbane) branch of the UYAA (patron being Prince Volodymyr Velykyj).

The meeting with members was opened by the current Branch President, Mrs Olga Blahy (concurrently the President of the Ukrainian Association of Queensland), who welcomed the guests, and provided an overview of the current position of the branch. Mrs Blahy noted that many of the problems were associated with the relocation of the younger generation to other cities and states, or even overseas because of their professional needs, thus leaving the Oxley community with very few younger resources to continue community activities.

Refreshingly, the younger members of the National Executive indicated a willingness to start with the few remaining colleagues of their own age – and upon obtaining more than a dozen names of second generation Australian-Ukrainians and, casually meeting with twins Nicholas & Stephen Pyrih, Peter Blackford, and Taras Blahy who equally shared an interest in maintaining their heritage and community – the opportunity through communication media channels of CYMnet and Facebook was progressing.

Similarly, the seniors of CYM also indicated an enthusiastic revival to continue working and providing support going forward.

At the end of the day, it was an enthusiastic conclusion to see many people prepared to retain their heritage and traditions set up by their forefathers, more so especially as this revival coincides with the 60th anniversary celebrations of CYM Australia.

The traditional vatra is still burning – the spark has been ignited…

Until we meet again shortly in Melbourne and Newcastle, and then again in Brisbane toward the end of the year… and in New Zealand early next year for a tabir…

A friendly participant!