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- Last Updated: Wednesday, 21 December 2022 09:14
- Published: Tuesday, 20 December 2022 13:36
Mayor Paul Antonio plans to personally convey the Toowoomba Region’s support for the citizens of Ukraine if the Ukrainian Ambassador to Australia and New Zealand Mr Vasyl Myroshnychenko accepts an invitation to visit the city in the new year.
Toowoomba Region Councillors met Mr Myroshnychenko briefly at the Australian Local Government Conference in Canberra in June where delegates pledged their support for Ukraine and its citizens whose lives are in peril from the ongoing Russian invasion.
Mayor Antonio said Mr Myroshnychenko made an immediate impression at the conference, and it was fitting that Council followed up on a decision that was endorsed at last week’s December meeting to invite the Ambassador to Toowoomba.
“Many Toowoomba groups and individuals have been working long and hard to enhance our city’s reputation as a global centre of peace and harmony,” Mayor Antonio said.
“Along with our status as a Refugee Welcome Zone, our community champions Australia’s democratic processes and opposes Russia’s illegal war that is ruining lives and Ukraine’s economy.
“The Australian Government continues to deliver military hardware and other logistical support.
“While we are a world away, I know Toowoomba Region citizens support Ukraine’s resistance against the illegal invasion and wish to see an immediate end to hostilities and a return to the rule of law.
“There is no justification for the barbaric atrocities that are occurring across Ukraine. We condemn the loss of life and the destruction of Ukraine’s infrastructure, especially given the harsh conditions that people will endure this winter.”
Cr Carol Taylor, who seconded the motion, said Australians’ generosity extended to a recent visit to Ukraine by the Australian War Animal Memorial Organisation, which had launched its Australian Animal Aid project to help animals in Ukraine.
Cr Taylor said the charitable group delivered animal food and bedding to help thousands of displaced pets, zoo animals and wildlife that have been affected by the war.
She said the charity was fundraising to help Ukrainian animal charity partners UPAW and Nowzad perform their work.
“The group, which includes Toowoomba Regional Council employee Peter Kotzur, continues to raise funds and plans to support the Ukrainian groups’ work to deliver more food and vital equipment to animal workers across the country next year,” Cr Taylor said.
“Australian War Animal Memorial Organisation president Nigel Allsopp noted that Ukrainians were astounded that Australians, who live so far away, had responded in such a caring fashion. It was initially presumed that they had been communicating with charity workers in Austria, instead of Australia.
“In addition to the vital humanitarian aid for the civilian population, I’m pleased to see Australians are extending compassionate support to the forgotten animals of the war.
“Having previously met the Ambassador in Canberra, I support the move to express our concerns and good wishes to his countrymen and women as they endure the trials and deprivation of the war.
“At the very least, our gesture shows that we have not forgotten the Ukrainians’ plight. Hopefully we can offer Ukrainians a morale boost.”
Caption: Australian War Animal Memorial Organisation president Nigel Allsopp (left) and Toowoomba member Peter Kotzur (right) with Oksana Blahovisna from the charity UPAW (second from left) and the owner of the Lviv Animal Protection Society’s dog shelter on the group’s visit to Ukraine.
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