By Parker McKenzie
Residents in the Dandenong Ranges can experience a Ukrainian home-cooked meal featuring traditional staples like borscht, varenyky and holubtsi, in support of families affected by the invasion of Ukraine.
A Taste of Ukraine will be held on Sunday 17 July 12pm at the Emerald Senior Citizens Centre, with funds raised going directly to Ukrainian families through Rotary International’s AFUO Ukrainian Crisis Appeal.
Erica Kurec, who is of Ukrainian heritage, said the event will raise many for people who are in desperate need of support.
“The war is ongoing and it seems to affect more and more people in large numbers who have had to escape from Ukraine and go to neighbouring Poland or other countries, leaving husbands and fathers behind,” she said.
“There are a lot of casualties in terms of soldiers and civilians being injured, so there are a lot of services those are required like medical, social and psychiatric services.”
The event is supported by the Social Justice Group of the Catholic Parish in the Dandenong Ranges and will feature a cultural display, sales and a raffle.
Ms Kurec said the organisers are working on finding a Ukrainian musical artist for the event too.
“There will be a display table of the various sort of cultural artefacts that Ukraine is well known for, including the decorated Easter eggs, which are called pysanky, and elaborate embroideries,” Ms Kurec said.
“The community has been so responsive and generous in its support in the past, and especially with the last function, the Middle Eastern meal.”
In April 2022, the Social Justice Group of the Catholic Parish in the Dandenong Ranges came together with Casey Grandmothers 4 Refugees and David Spiteller of the Asylum Seeker Centre Dandenong to raise funds for seekers of asylum with a Middle Eastern feast, raising $2381 for the cause.
Ms Kurec said the feast will be a rare opportunity for people in the Dandenong Ranges to experience the taste of traditional foods of Ukraine.
“It’s a very hospitable country and we’re going to open the event with an offering of bread and salt, which is what Ukrainians do when they greet visitors to their home,” she said.
“Myself and two other Ukrainian women in the community are presenting this, but we are supported by the social justice group.”
The event is BYO drinks and interested people can book the event with a $25 donation by 15 July by calling 0423615662.
Emerald Senior Citizen’s Centre is located at 8 Church Street, Emerald.
