Ambassador Meeting

On Wednesday 20th of July, I was fortunate to be part of a group of local business, community and government leaders that attended a reception in honour of the Ukrainian Ambassador to Australia, Vasyl Myroshnychenko.

I attended as a representative of the young people of Bendigo, one of three Executive members of the Bendigo Youth Council invited to the reception by the Mayor of the City of Greater Bendigo.

Mr Moroshnychenko had chosen Bendigo as his first destination since returning from a trip to Ukraine, where he accompanied Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on a tour of war-torn Kyiv and its surrounding regions that have been devastated by the Russian invasion. He witnessed the meeting of our Prime Minister and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, a historical first meeting on Ukrainian soil between our countries' two heads of state.

Bendigo is of particular interest to the Ukrainians because it is the manufacturing home of the Thales Bushmasters. The federal government has recently announced it will send these machines to Ukraine to aid the continuing war effort.

The ambassador was impressive, incredibly kind and excellent at conversation as he made his way around the ornate reception room of Bendigo’s historic Town Hall. He chose to speak first to the Youth Councillors, asking us about school and education, relating his own experiences in Youth Parliaments and similar opportunities in earlier parts of his life. He took an active interest in what we did, so much so that he came back to ask follow-up questions after completing his ‘rounds’.

Mayor Metcalf spoke to the people assembled in the room, declaring Bendigo’s support for Ukraine in this difficult time and calling for higher government(s) to act further in their aid. ‘(Bendigo) is recognised as a welcoming international community, and that welcome extends to the people of Ukraine.’

The ambassador spoke of his recent experiences in his home country, lamenting the destruction the war had brought - 500+ hospitals, destroyed, and as many schools as well. The human cost of this conflict is immense, including the refugees at the reception who have recently settled in Bendigo.

Mr Moroshnychenko emphasised there is plenty that the Australian people can do to support Ukraine and took the opportunity to promote his own effort in this regard - come this summer, he will be running the Sydney marathon and fundraising for the Ukrainian people.

The reception was an extraordinary experience that lived up to the anticipation the invite inspired. Being invited to meet such an influential figure during his short time in our region is a sign that our local community values the voices and opinions of young people, something which has become incredibly clear to me during my time on the Youth Council. To have met Ambassador Vasyl Moroshnychenko is a great honour - one that I will not easily forget.

Remus Brasier (11 Millward)