30/04/2022
YURII & INNA - FROM UKRAINE WITH LOVE
As the ‘Quirindi Heritage Village Rally’ parades down the towns main street, it was humbling to spend time with Yurii Chuchenko this morning.
Both he and his wife Inna,(captured in the supplied picture in the Carter families sunflower fields on the Liverpool Plains near Quirindi recently) hail from Ukraine and have taken refuge in Australia.
The duo are in the safe hands of Mark (pictured in Quirindi with Yurii) and Jenni Chapple(absent from pics) who own a property located between the townships of Quirindi and Wallabadah.
The couple also spend time with Michael and Lauren Cousens in their Newcastle home.
“Because of my business dealings, I have friends in Ukraine. When the war with Russia erupted, Jenni and I reached out to see who we could assist,” said Mark, who added it has been a big effort to obtain visas for the Ukrainian couple.
With their Visa process completed for the short term the young Ukrainian couple are looking forward to the arrival of their first child, due in 4 months.
“We arrived from Thailand into Australia with two suitcases and no idea where we would end up. I feel we have landed in paradise in the Quirindi area,” extolled Yurii.
For Mark and Jenni, who are currently housing the couple when at their Quirindi property, see an opportunity to assist more people.
“Yurii and Inna have a diverse range of professional skills that they bring to the Quirindi area.”
“There are many people in Ukraine seeking aid in this humanitarian crisis and maybe more people in regional areas can assist, by hosting them as Jenni and I are,” continued Mark, who conceded assisting those from war-torn countries involves a lot of red tape.
“There is an opportunity for regional communities to unite in helping like Australia has done in the past.”
Historically the ‘Greta Migrant Camp’ that ran between 1949 and 1961 assisted 170,000 displaced people who fled Europe after World War Two to find a new life in Australia.
The camp operated for 11 years and offered, accomodation, work, education, health and training options to those fleeing war.
“Rural areas that have vacant infrastructure could welcome 10 or more Ukrainian families into their region, with the current conscription in Ukraine meaning men between 18-60 being called to defend their country, the first temporary residents, would be women and children.”
Mark and Jenni have been in constant contact with the Deputy Prime Ministers office.
“The staff at Barnaby Joyce’s office were of assistance when advising on due process for the visas for Yurii and Inna.”
“We hope to talk with them on the idea to assist more Ukrainians into regional areas in Australia,” continued Mark, who also has meetings planned with representatives from smaller regional councils about the assistance concept.
For Yurii, the health and well-being of his wife and unborn child are his first concern, but, family and friends in Ukraine are also paramount.
“Over 12 million people in Ukraine are displaced from their homes and some 6 million have sought refuge in neighbouring countries.”
“If I can help even 1 other Ukrainian famiky into Australia to work and live, then that is good,” added Yurii who was keen to head to Newcastle to be with his wife Inna - there for prenatal health checks.
As the Russian invasion of Ukraine continues to ravage, an Australian Doctor who was a Russian child immigrant heard about Inna’s situation and is assisting her through the pregnancy.
“This is just one example of the generosity and freedoms of Australia,” said Mark.
And considering Yurii and Inna arrived in Australia with nothing, but love and two suitcases - half of one was filled with cooking implements as Yurii is a former MasterChef Ukraine contestant- the couple’s kindness in seeking to assist others is humbling indeed.
Welcome Yurii and Inna, I will help however I can. And thank you Mark and Jenni, plus Michael and Lauren for all you have already done to assist others, and for reaching out to me to help share their story.
*As the Sunflower is Ukraines national flower, local farming family, Ian and Mally Carter ( producers of the recent Liverpool Plains crop Yurii and Inna are pictured in) have donated funds raised from tourists sunflower crop visits towards assisting those in need in Ukraine.
BY Sally Alden Photography