This is not unlike the post WWII period, when the limited number of Ukrainian clergy in Australia traveled this vast continent to cater for the religious needs of the thousand of new Ukrainian migrants scattered throughout every corner of Australia.

Taking advantage of the visit to NZ of Bishop Peter Stasiuk and Fr. Felix Figurek on the weekend of 10/11 April 2010, the National Executive of CYM Australia also undertook a fact finding mission to Auckland. This is consistent with its’ Strategic Plan to analyse the possibility of forming CYM in NZ, and in line with the plans of the World Executive of CYM (which is also undertaking similar visits throughout new settlements of Ukrainian in Europe).

Peter Duma (President of the National Executive) and Stephen Duma (Organisational Director of the National Executive and Director of Druzhynnyky in the World Executive) had the opportunity to meet with members of the community to discuss proposals going forward.

Opportunities to meet with Christine Lutak (once a resident of Canberra, Australia and member of CYM), as well as with Taras & Marusya Klish (Taras was a member of SNUM in Ukraine), and Nataliya Poshyvajlo (Chair of the Union of Ukrainian in NZ), as well as several other key members of the community, provided for a platform which enabled some broad based planning going forward.

On the Sunday, participation at Liturgy led by Bishop Peter Stasiuk, and an opportunity at the luncheon following the service to meet with the NZ Minister for Ethnic Affairs – Pansey Wong, the local member Cam Calder, the Honorary Consul of Ukraine to NZ – Mr Anatolij Lycho, and the immediate Past president of the Union Of Ukrainians in NZ – Mr Volodymyr Vernyhora – also provided for some discussion about future possibilities for the local Ukrainian community.

Further visits a planned later in the year with a specific program for the local community including the youth and already a weekend Family Camp is being suggested for early 2011.