The Ukrainian Youth Association’s (CYM) slogan for 2010, “To be alive is to search and dream”, (words of Vasyl Symonenko), provided the background for the celebrations on the weekend of 12-13 June 2010 of CYM Australia’s 12th National Gathering (Zdvyh), to simultaneously celebrate the 85th Anniversary founding of CYM in Ukraine, the 80th anniversary of the legal processes in Charkiv against the founders of CYM and SVU (Spilka Vyzvolennia Ukrainy), the 60th anniversary of the founding of CYM in Australia, and the 45th anniversary of the first all-Australian Zdvyh, held in Melbourne in 1965.
Members of CYM began arriving in Melbourne as early as Friday morning (11th June) from all states of Australia, wherever there was a branch of CYM. Those leaving Sydney did so in bright sunshine, only to arrive in Melbourne to be greeted by incredibly inclement weather, a well known phenomenon in Melbourne – rain, clouds, sun, more rain, cold – all in one day.
Notwithstanding the rain, already on the Friday, many of CYM Australia’s cultural ensembles had already flocked to the Ukrainian Hall in Essendon to commence their rehearsal sessions for the upcoming weekend.

SATURDAY, 12.06.2010
SENIORY CONFERENCE
Those not rehearsing, or involved in other activities, attended the Ukrainian Club at Essendon for either one of two conferences on the Saturday morning. One for seniory, the other for druzhynnyky.
Peter Duma, the National President of CYM Australia, welcomed some 60 members from all 8 branches in Australia – Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Canberra-Queanbeyan, Adelaide, Perth, Newcastle and Geelong.
He especially welcomed Irena Jendzowksyj, the Chair of CYM’s International Educational Council and until recently the President of the National Executive of CYM Canada, and her husband Jaroslaw.
Peter Duma outlined the purpose of the conferences, noting the need to continue to plan for future activities of CYM Australia. The conferences each continued in their separate groupings.
At the Seniory session, facilitated by Jaroslav Duma, the discussion centered around the following issues: the role of Seniory; being more active as seniory; mentoring our youth and helping develop their leadership skills for the community; what are the skills of the seniory present at the conference; the need to create a seniory portfolio in the National Executive as well as at Branch level; the role of seniory in our community; and also the burning question – is there a need to delineate between seniory and druzhynnyky or, is it sufficient to just have programmes based on age levels – 18-35, 35-50, and over 50… The final issue related to the need to provide closer ties with the CYM family… It was interesting to hear the wide ranging views of those present, many whilst now at or close to retirement, have been members for much of the 6 decade history of CYM Australia.
The National Executive has now taken on the challenge to create a position of Director of Seniory on its committee and, to follow this through so that each branch also has a Liaison Officer in this role.

DRUZHYNNYK CONFERENCE
In an adjoining room, Paul Kaminskyj, the National Co-ordinator of Druzhynnyky in Australia, facilitated a conference of those in the 18 – 50 year age bracket. Some 30+ attendees representing all branches, a first for many years, intently listened to the speakers outlining the various programmes for druzhynnyky.
Irena Jendzowskyj, presented details of her role as the Chair of CYM’s International Educational Council, as well as providing details of activities of druzhynnyky throughout the world. It was pleasing to note that CYM Australia’s druzhynnyky portray a most positive image throughout the world, not just for their preparedness to be active in CYM, but equally as active members of the Ukrainian community generally.
Stepan Duma, (Chair of World CYM Druzhynnyky), outlined the activities on an international basis, specifically noting the recent International Gathering (Zlet) held in Vancouver during the Winter Olympics in February 2010. He noted that 17 druzhynnyky from Australia attended (of 56 in total), and all actively participated in the broad progarmme of events. (Stepan was the Komandant of the Zlet). He also noted that the World Referentura was preparing a programme of intense enhancement of knowledge about CYM, its history, understanding of Ukrainian nationalism, and various leadership programmes.
He further advised of CYM Australia’s foray into New Zealand, and the positive work undertaken so far, noting that it is expected that a “traditional” CYM family & educational camp shall be held in NZ early in 2011. He invited druzhynnyky to participate in the camp.
Mr Stefan Romaniw OAM, the current Head of OUN, also addressed druzhynnyky – noting the current Ukrainian government’s promotion of the process of russification. He encouraged all youth, but especially druzhynnyky to visit Ukraine, to work with their colleagues and friends and, to further promote the need to maintain Ukrainization for the future welfare and benefit of the nation.
> Paul Kaminskyj thanked all present, the speakers for their enlightening information, and noted that in planning for druzhynnyky, there are several events, to which they are all invited, namely:
• Leadership & Self-Development Workshop – Newcastle – 11/12 September, 2010;
• Druzhynnyk Forum – Brisbane – December, 2010;
• Ski Camp – Perisher, NSW – August 2011

JUBILEE CONCERT
Upon entrance to the Concert Hall, the public could obtain a Commemorative Booklet which included the weekend’s events and activities. The Commemorative Programme/ Booklet also included messages of greetings from the Prime Minister of Australia, the Premier of Victoria, the Ukrainian Embassy in Australia and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Ukraine, the World Executive of CYM as well as the National Executives of Great Britain & Canada, the Ukrainian Council of New Zealand and the Australia Federation of Ukrainians in Australia – and many, many more – too numerous to name them all in this article.
The Concert to a packed hall, commenced with an impressive march into the auditorium of Ukrainian youth carrying the Ukrainian and Australian flags, as well as the flags and banners of all Branches and the National Executive. It was impressive to see that the hand-embroided banner of the first Zdvyh (in 1965) was hung on display.
As the flag bearers formed a semi-circle on stage, two young dancers (Melanie Ilkiw from Sydney & Katrina Hamivka from Newcastle) stepped forward to present Peter Duma and Irena Jendzowskyj, with the traditional welcome korovaj-bread, which they duly accepted with a bow to the audience.
To say that the concert was anything less than spectacular would be unfair. The stage background, simplified by the logo for the 60th Anniversary (designed by Stephan Moravski), augmented the brilliance of the dance ensembles representing Geelong, Melbourne, Newcastle and Sydney. Young performers of all ages portrayed their skills often to the amazement of the audience, which rapturously applauded their performances. Non-Ukrainian guests, including Judy Maddigan and Matthew Guy (both members of the Victorian State Parliament) were amazed at the flexibility and fitness of even the youngest of dancers.
But CYM’s cultural skills do not lie in dance alone. An artistic choral performance by Melbourne’s Cheremosh Choir under the baton of Professor Holovka, and skillful oratory displays in the recital of two poems by young Christina Lutak and Nadia Dzhydzhora of Canberra also received acclaim.
The second half of the concert commenced with a greeting from CYM Australia’s long-term chaplain, now retired – Fr. Dmytro Seniw, who welcomed the continuing good work of CYM in the community. Also, Mr Stefan Romaniw presented the National Executive and the Sydney Branch of CYM Certificates of Recognition on behalf of OUN, for the work undertaken by CYM in the areas of supporting Ukraine’s needs over 6 decades.
To select one act as being better than another is not an easy task – and given that in the past many of the zdvyh concerts were held as a competition amongst the various groups, this year it would have been an almost impossible task to find a winner. Personally, I was especially impressed by the vast improvement of the trio of girls from Newcastle – whom, in the 12 months since I last saw them perform at the all-Australian-Ukrainian Festival at Melbourne’s Town Hall, displayed tremendous poise and great movement skills, which for the fact that they are also self-taught only shows what can be done with a will to succeed and achieve.
Similarly, one has to congratulate the youngest of the dance performers – these children bring wonderful excitement and tremendous joy to audiences, and it was clear that amongst them there are several potential future national if not international performers. In all, over 200 performers participated in providing an overview of CYM’s cultural contribution to the community over its 6 decades of maintaining heritage, culture, and community.
The concert concluded, with vote of thanks from Peter Duma to all performers, guests and especially to the Organising Committee chaired by Natalia Moravski. This followed with the traditional singing of the CYM hymn – “Vhoru Prapory… - the Flags will rise”…

JUBILEE DANCE
What can one say? For many my age, it was wild… For many of the youth it was fun – an exciting evening of very loud music to just let their hair down, dance, have fun and relax… A packed hall where many reminisced (although that was difficult with the loudness of the music) – many more just enjoyed the night…

But like always, at every Ukrainian dance/zabava – the evening finished with the traditional excitement of the Ukrainian Hopak – with all and sundry showing off their skills… Oh, what a night!

SUNDAY, 13.06.2010 LITURGY, PANACHYDA – REQUIEM
An important component of the celebrations was the participation at the Liturgy followed by the Requiem Mass to commemorate the founders of CYM in Australia and those from within its ranks that have passed away since its founding. The Most Rev. Bishop Peter Stasiuk, assisted by the Very Rev. Simon Ckuj & Fr. Paul Berezniuk (both members of CYM), and Frs. Taras Horpyniak, Felix Figurek, and Andrew Melnyk, and Deacon Kostrabyj concelebrated the services at the Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral of Sts. Peter & Paul in Melbourne. The Cathedral Youth Choir, ably lead by Oksana Tarnawska sang the responses at the liturgy.
The Requiem Mass, was a moving tribute to the many who had passed away and remembered for their untiring efforts to make CYM an organization in which their children and grandchildren, and many for generations to come would have a place in a new homeland of Australia, whilst also being able to retain their Ukrainian heritage and the traditions of their forebears.
Many a tear was shed during the concluding hymn of the Requiem – “Vitchnaya Pamyat/ Eternal Memory”, as many of us remembered our families and friends who could not be with us in body, but were definitely there in spirit as we prayed for them and thanked them for their contribution.

APEL
At the conclusion of the church services, the rows of CYMivtsi filed out of the Cathedral onto the Cathedral grounds for the Jubilee Apel. The Apel was lead by Stepan Duma, who accepted the report for those present (members of 8 branches) from Katerina Kobryn (for youth-yunatstvo), and Paul Kaminskyj (for druzhynnyky-seniory). Stephen in turn reported to Peter Duma.
This was followed by the reading of the Sviatochnyj Nakaz, which inter alia greeted the Ukrainian nation but simultaneously condemned the current President’s promotion of the further russification of Ukraine and a leaning towards closer ties with Moscow, - Ukraine’s long term oppressor. More specifically, CYM Australia condemns the disrespect being promoted for those who had given their lives in the Genocide-Famine of the Ukrainian people, and the negating of hero status for those who had battled for Ukrainian independence under the auspices of OUN-UPA.
Awards of the order of the 4th Grade were also conferred upon: Odarka Brecko (Sydney Branch) – Educator; Mark Tkaczuk (Geelong Branch) – Sport & Physical Culture; Wasyl Senko (Sydney Branch) – Community; Peter Duma – (Melbourne Branch) – Community. Each received their Certificates from Mr Romaniw & Mrs Jendzowksyj (as both are members of the World Executive of CYM).
The Apel concluded with a formal group photo of all present.

PHOTOGRAPHIC EXHIBITION – JUBILEE LUNCHEON
The main auditorium of Essendon’s Ukrainian House, took on an air of formality. The settings for the jubilee banquet-luncheon were brilliantly decorated, with each table being dressed to remember key components of CYM or Ukraine’s history, its’ heroes and heroism in the struggle for independence, something well noted at one table sporting a portrait of Stepan Bandera, the patron of the Geelong Branch of CYM – this undoubtedly to spurn the recent somewhat anti-Ukrainian actions of the current Ukrainian government.
The entrance to the auditorium saw the display of some 80 art boards, each with numerous photographs and memorabilia espousing 60 years of CYM history. Each branch of CYM in Australia together with the National Executive meticulously prepared each board to ensure that the history of CYM Australia, one of the key community bodies, is remembered for all of its positive contribution to the Australian community, whilst equally maintaining the heritage and traditions of its forebears. Amongst the displays was also a prototype of an Honour Board to be presented to each Branch of CYM in Australia, listing not only all past Presidents, but all Honorary/Life members of CYM Australia and those from Australia who have been bestowed the honour of such a title by the World Congress of CYM, as well as those who have achieved the awards of Exemplary Member (Vytiazh) of CYM and, the Grade 4 stupen of a team/druzhynnk.
The MC for the luncheon, Stephan Moravski, warmly greeted each of the distinguished guests, amongst whom were The Hon. Bill Shorten MP( representing the Prime Minister) Mrs Judy Maddigan, - representing the Premier of Victoria, Laurie Ferguson MP – the Parliamentary Secretary for Immigration & Ethnic Affairs and also a warm friend of the Ukrainian community, Matthew Guy MLC – the Shadow Minister for Planning in Victoria and, himself of Ukrainian heritage, and Mr Jose Alverez, the State Director of Immigration in Victoria.
The Ukrainian community guests, numbered many – most of whom have previously been mentioned in this article, but also included many of the past Presidents of the National Executive of CYM in Australia, Honorary and/or Life members, leaders of many Ukrainian organizations – especially at a federal/national level, including the representative the Krayova Plastova Starshyna - (KPS) - CYM’s brother youth organization in Australia, Mr Greg Huzij, the Sisters of St Basil the Great and Sister Maria Moravski SSMI.
Entertainment of a piano rendition was provided by Eva Paraskevakis, herself a young 13 year old member of the Melbourne branch of CYM. Later, as a surprise performance, the Melbourne branch’s Verchovyna Dance Ensemble further displayed their brilliance before a very appreciative audience.
The key note address in Ukrainian was delivered by Stepan Duma, wherein he noted the achievements of CYM over the years, but more directly promoted that CYM still maintains its motto – “…The Honor of Ukraine! (We are) Ready to defend! – even to this very day…”, he said. He continued, “…We stand today with the people of Ukraine, who continue to protest the current government’s decision to allow on Ukrainian territory the maintaining of a foreign army, namely that of Russia… …As members of CYM throughout the world, we will continue to protest against the regime of President Victor Yanukovych in the matters of allowing phobic anti-Ukrainian Ministers such as Dmytro Tabachnyk and Volodymyr Semynozhenko to continue their anti-Ukrainian campaigns… …We believe that the actions of this government which challenges the status of the Ukrainian language as the national language of Ukraine… the continued opposition and falsification of the truth of Ukrainian history by negating the facts of Stalin’s forced genocide of the Ukrainian nation by famine or that the heroes of OUN-UPA who fought for the liberation of Ukrainian against the oppressive communist regime are not deserving of the title of Heroes of Ukraine… these actions are tantamount of an act of treason by an unworthy President of Ukraine and his pro-Moscow leaning government…”. These words were greeted by loud applause by all at the luncheon.
The key note address in English, was delivered by Katerina Kobryn, wherein she outlined the history of CYM – back from its beginnings in 1925 as a youth/student movement opposing the threat of Ukrainian oppression, not to dissimilar to that of some of the actions in Ukraine today. She articulated the very essence of CYM, an organization which from its reformation in the post WWII Displaced Person’s camps in Germany and Austria, has now advanced to being in the vanguard of the Ukrainian community throughout the diaspora and is a growing movement throughout Ukraine and other parts of Europe.
Many of the guest speakers, including members of both Federal and State parliaments, not only offered greetings on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of CYM, but specifically noted its achievements and that of the Ukrainian community generally in Australia – having regard especially, that Ukrainians, whilst not large in number, “far out punched above their weight” in the benefits provided to Australian society.
Irene Jendziowksy also presented to CYM Australia, a limited edition portrait of the Patron Saint of CYM, the Archangel Michael, painted specifically for the 60th anniversary celebrations in Canada by Ukrainian born artist Bohdan Holowacki.
During the luncheon, continuously on a screen, one was able to view historical and archival footage from the 1950’s and 60’s of many of the camps, concerts and events of CYM Australia. The films sourced from its producers - Yurij Shkudar, Teodor Kolisnyk (who provided the original 16mm footage of many Melbourne and Geelong based events) and Mykola Brecko (providing historical videos of Sydney based events), which were edited by Andrew Duma and Ivan Kaminskyj are amongst the most valued archival documentation of CYM’s very early days in Australia – a time, when many of its founders still believed in an early return to their beloved homeland.
The concluding vote of thanks to all and sundry – to those present, to the performers, to the guests, to organizers, to the founders of CYM, to everyone who in anyway helped to make the weekend such a success, was given by the First Deputy President of CYM Australia, Paul Kaminskyj.
In fact, upon conclusion very few wanted to leave – long forgotten friends and acquaintances were renewed, stories of long ago were remembered and retold… people laughed and cried… all in all – it was a great weekend for the reunion of the CYM family in Australia…