Following a weekend of celebrations for 60 years of CYM in Australia, 25 participants attended the Vykhovnyk’s conference in Geelong on Saturday 19th June. The purpose of this conference was to establish a national standard in delivering CYM education to our youth.
The conference was lead by KY Holova of Vykhovna Rada Druh. Marko Tkaczuk. Many topics and issues were discussed. Some of these included: a lack of knowledge of the CYM material, poor retention of the Ukrainian language, and in some cases, a lack of confidence in teaching our youth.
One of the guest speakers was CY Holova Vykhovna Rada Pod. Irka Jendowczska who spoke to the participants about CY’s model and how CYM education was being taught in Canada. She also mentioned that CYM in Canada and throughout the world is facing similar challenges to Australia.
One of the group activities planned was to break up into groups and provide a lesson plan on a topic for Sumeniata right through to 2nd Level Starshe Junatstvo ‘Druzhynnyk’. Each group then to had to present. To conclude the conference and prepare us for the next meeting later in the year in Sydney, it was decided that each Oseredok would be given a different level (Stupen) to provide a 2 year program for each Stupen to educate them on a range of topics. These would be presented in Sydney (the next host city) & then edited to achieve a standard curriculum in Australia in CYM education.
Following the closing ceremony, including a vigil to the victims of the Holodomor and the singing of the CYM anthem, a number of participants shared dinner at a local restaurant before bidding their farewells.
The Geelong Uprava would like to thank KY for giving us the opportunity to hold the conference in Geelong and would like to congratulate all participants. Special thanks to Pod. Maria Duma for providing accommodation to our special guests Pod. Irka & her husband Druh. Slavko. A thank you also goes out to Pod. Olya & Druh. Petro Jartym for showing our guests our local attractions on the Great Ocean Road. These include the 12 Apostles and the tree top walk in Beechforest. Also a big thank you goes to both Pod. Nadia and Druh. Marko Tkaczuk for hosting a Geelong Uprava ‘meet & greet’ with both Irka & Slavko at their house. Many thanks to those who helped out in the kitchen & for all the small jobs throughout the day.
