The event was arranged by the Ukrainian Association of Western Australia and the Ukrainian Youth Association (C.Y.M). It was a fun and nostalgic afternoon with photographs and video of the early arrivals and life in Northam in the early 1950’s.
On October 25, 2009 after Liturgy at both the Catholic and Orthodox Churches approximately 25 people boarded a bus for the Croatian Community Hall in Alfred Street, Fremantle.

The afternoon commenced with an opening by the UAWA president, Mykola Mowczan who spoke about Ukraine and her past and present glories. Vice president, Dr Vasyl Holobotovskyy read a greeting letter from our Ambassador Mr V. Adomaytis which was followed by an introduction of our special guests, Consular Corps representing Estonia, Mr & Mrs Janis Purvinskis, Hungary, Mr Georg Molnar, Latvia, Mrs Anu van Hattem, Sweden, Mr Bruce Morgan & Mrs Lesa Morgan, The Polish Assocation, Ms Halina Szunejko and the Croatian Association, Mr Drazen Pivac.

After the singing of the national anthems of Australia and Ukraine by Suzanna Prushynsky and the toasts, everybody sat down to lunch.

Following lunch, greeting letters were read from Ukrainian Ambassador Mr V Adomaytis, Archbishop Ioan of the Ukrainian Orthodox Autocephalic Church, Australia New Zealand Eparchy, and Peter Stasiuk C.Ss.R., Eparch for Ukrainian Catholics in Australia, New Zealand and Oceania by Dr V Holobotovskyy, Ms Diana Teplyj and Mr Peter Valega. Then Roztiazhka Dancers opened the concert with their dance Pryvit.

Mrs Lesa Morgan followed with a very passionate talk about the reasons of the post World War 2 migration, then the youngest dancing group in Perth "Zahidni Zvizdi" consisting of dancers from the Ukrainian Ethnic School and CYM performed to everyone’s supportive clapping.

Ms Diana Teplyj read a short excerpt from her father’s memoirs of the trip from Italy to Australia and then Mykola Mowczan surprised everyone with a rendition of an old Italian song which was popular after the war called Mama (the song he sang was in Ukrainian!) The jubilee torte was cut by our priests Rev Frs Wolodymyr Kalinecki and Valentyn Mowtschan (representing our community) and the president, Mr Mykola Mowczan. Ms Irka Konderewicz and representatives from the dancers, then the afternoon was complete but not before a group photograph comprising the original immigrants was taken.

Roztiazhka completed the concert with yet another fabulous Hopak!

We, the children of all those departed WW2 immigrants wish that the Australian soil is comfortable for you ~ Vichna vam pamyat.

CYM Perth held its Annual General Meeting last Sunday 13th September. The meeting was opened by outgoing President Erica Konderewicz, who welcomed everyone, and invited Parish Priest, Fr Wally Kalinecki, The President of CYM Australia (& CYM Melbourne), Peter Duma, and the Vice President of Australian Federation of Ukrainian Organisations to the Honorary Presidium. To chair the meeting, the meeting unanimously endorsed Stefan Petrowsky.

In his welcome to all present, CYM’s National Executive President, Peter Duma highlighted the great work that has been achieved by CYM Perth and the role that CYM plays as an integral part of the Ukrainian community of Western Australia. Mr. Duma encouraged all to continue to be an active part of the CYM and wider communities, from the youngest to the oldest, because the role of a CYMivets never ends. It is up to every person to be a support to the Committee and to ensure that CYM and the Ukrainian community continue to flourish for many years to come.

The members present heard the reports of the outgoing committee, received the financial reports and answered questions from the floor. The meeting also acknowledged the hard work of the outgoing committee and especially of its long serving President, Erica Konderewicz, who has served in that position for the last 25 years.

On a proposal put to the General Meeting, and unanimously accepted, the new committee for the next year is:

• President: Peter Valega
• Members:
• Irka Konderewicz
• Anna Wityk
• Nadia Mandyczewsky
• Erica Baczynski
• Mark Marunczyn
• David Marunczyn
• Andrew Lozyk
• John Karpewycz
• Simon Karpewycz
• Nick Marouchak
• Deputies:
• Mykola Karpewycz
• Marta Osoba-Buttrose
• Mark Petrowsky
• Auditinng Committee:
• Chairman: Bohdan Mykytiuk
• Members: Pat Karpewycz, Boris Marunczyn