(UWC) 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 matter are treated very seriously, deliberately to insure 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.

From August 16-28 the UWC President Askold Lozynskyj visited Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth, Melbourne and Canberra. Unfortunately, the time limitation did not permit a visit to Tasmania. The community, in spite of 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 six thousand, 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 mission in the countries that were once 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 visit both with Ukrainian community leaders and Australian government representatives on a federal and state level. 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.