Ukrainian community heartened by show of support from Albany residents in the lead-up to Independence Day

Members of the community came together in a show of solidarity to watch the Ukrainian flag being raised over Anzac Peace Park on Sunday in the lead-up to Ukraine Independence Day. Former Ukrainian residents, and others of Ukrainian ancestry, were among the crowd of about 70, which included several councillors. Lester Coyne led a welcome to country before Cr Chris Thomson delivered the ceremony’s opening address. A formal address was delivered by the former Ukrainian Association of WA president Mykola Mowczan before a rousing rendition of the country’s national anthem performed by Sebastian Harris. The Ukrainian flag was then raised between the Australian and Aboriginal flags before Vira Shchypanska delivered an address. The former Ukrainian resident has been living in Albany for more than a year on a humanitarian visa. She told the crowd how pleasing it was to have been embraced by the community and that the show of support in the lead-up to her country’s independence day was heartening. Mr Mowczan and The Rev. Canon Karen Cave led the ceremony in prayer for Ukraine, read in both Ukrainian and English. It was the first such ceremony organised by the City of Albany to honour the resilience and spirit shown by the Ukrainian people since Russian forces invaded their nation last year. Earlier this year a motion by Cr Thomson to hold a flag-raising ceremony in the lead-up to August 24’s Ukraine Independence Day was supported by the council. The Ukrainian flag will fly above Anzac Peace Park until August 24.