Helplessness is the major feeling within Geelong’s Ukrainian community as it fears for the safety of friends and family in Ukraine.
Association of Ukrainians in Victoria Geelong branch committee member Nadia Tkaczuk said the community was “hurting” as Russian forces invaded Ukraine and attempted to take over the capital Kyiv.
“We’re really hurting,” she said.
“We’re connected to our phones 24-7, trying to connect with family and friends over there. They’re calling us, we’re calling them.
“It’s vicarious trauma.
“You’re watching it, you’re getting the messages from them, you’re hearing their cries, you’re seeing it bombed on TV. It is so sad.
“But we keep sending them pictures of blue and yellow on landmarks around the world. We send them pictures of family, of love and care, and it gives them hope. Because at the moment, they have to believe in something.”
Ms Tkaczuk said she had family she was trying to get to safety.
“We’ve got family that we’re hoping to bring out to Australia … not all of them, many of the husbands fighting, but we’re hoping to help some of the women and children find safe haven here in Australia,” she said.
“We don’t know what the long term ramifications are going to be, whether it’s going to be a short stay, but their loved ones are in Ukraine.
“They want to go back. They want this resolved. Ukrainians love Ukraine.”
Ms Tkaczuk said the Geelong Ukrainian community had come together to support each other.
“On Friday night we met here in the hall and we were just offering tea, coffee, a shoulder and a hug.
“People were dropping in because they needed to speak about their fears around their anxieties around their concerns and their heartache. Because many of them have fathers, brothers, sisters, mums and dads that are on the frontlines and many of them are civilians that have had to take up arms to defend their country.
“They don’t want a Russian regime. They want freedom. They want democracy.
“How does this happen in 2022? How can we get to this point? It’s been the inaction of our world leaders of our free countries that have appeased a monster. And now the monster has unleashed onto Ukraine.”
Ms Tkaczuk said Ukrainians were touched by the support they had received from the community.
“If the Geelong community could continue to support in whatever ways, even just through sending messages or connecting with the Ukrainians – I’ve had so many of my work colleagues and friends that I’ve known for years that have just text me out of the blue – it’s really appreciated,” she said.
Across Geelong landmarks were lit up in the blue and yellow of the Ukrainian flag on Wednesday night.
Ms Tkaczuk also encouraged the community to donate to charities that would support Ukrainians in Ukraine, such as Caritas’ Ukraine Crisis Appeal.
