- CoPP | S2b | ADVISING | What's On | September 2025
- MELB | ASRC | CATERING | A Year of Growth for ASRC Social Enterprises | July 2024-June 2025
- YARRA | YEF | UPDATING | Stories, events and more | August 2025
- NT | PESC | PUBLISHING | Pertame School Semester 1 Newsletter | 2025
- AUST | EQPR | PODCASTING | Better Together: Brave Conversations
- AUST | NJP | UPDATING | Community News | August 2025
- AUST | RGA | UPDATING | Rainbow Community News | August 2025
- WORLD | AFUO | UPDATING | Awareness, Support and Funds for Ukraine Crisis Appeal
5.1 CoPP | S2b | ADVISING | What's On | September 2025
WELCOMING | The Gardener's Apothecary | Tuesday to Saturday | 8am-3pm
Kemi has softly opened her doors, serving up rich brews and the most delicious homemade cakes. Stop by for a sample – a full food menu is coming by the end of August! Come say hi, grab a slice of something sweet, and welcome this beautiful new spot into the neighbourhood!
CELEBRATING | Dad With Something Truly Unique | In-Store Only
September's sneaking up soon and it's never too early to pick out something special for Dad this Father's Day! Discover handmade accessories, art, and fashion that support migrant and refugee makers. Shop unique, sustainable pieces in-store or online – and give a gift that gives back. Celebrate Father's Day with a meaningful gift from
Space2b Social Design(S2b)!
SHOWING | The Emergence Exhibition | 5 August-3 October 2025
Curated to highlight creative voices on the rise, this exhibition explores themes of identity, place, and the beauty found in everyday life.
A group exhibition bringing together four exciting emerging artists
Aashna Pillai,
Louis Dickins,
Motoko Katsutu and
Onaree Perera. Diverse practices reflecting personal journeys, cultural heritage, and lived experience.
SHARING | Storytime With Snow
We’re thrilled to welcome
Snow Fang as our new Mandarin storyteller for Multicultural Storytime, presented in partnership with the City of Port Phillip and Space2b.
Skye and Snow have been busy practising English together, preparing for Snow’s storytelling adventure!
After her very first session at Port Phillip Library, Snow shared:
“This was the first time in my life telling stories to such young children. It was such a special experience. I’ve fallen in love with storytelling!”
We’re so excited to witness the magic Snow brings to every session!
Together we make a difference 5.2 MELB | ASRC | CATERING | A Year of Growth for ASRC Social Enterprises | July 2024-June 2025
As
Asylum Seeker Resource Centre (ASRC) wrap up another financial year, we’d like to extend our heartfelt thanks – especially to our loyal customers whose continued support makes our work possible.
We’re proud to spotlight the achievements of our two impactful Social Enterprises -
ASRC Cleaning and
ASRC Catering, including Journeys Cafés - each committed to creating meaningful employment pathways for people seeking asylum and refugees.
Donor support has been instrumental in not only providing ongoing employment and financial independence but also learning, pathway development planning and goal-setting opportunities for individuals seeking asylum and refugees.
With donor support, we have recruited and trained 30 new staff across both Social Enterprises whilst ensuring the continued employment of our existing team members.
Highlights from Financial Year 24-25:- 47,585 hours of paid employment
- 1,151 hours of training
- 46 Pathway Development Plans completed
- 30 new staff with lived experience recruited
- 104 staff with lived experience supported
Business Growth FY24-25:- Catering orders fulfilled: 1,853
- Cleaning services delivered: 11,450
- 481 domestic customers
- 106 commercial customers
DRIVING | Purpose-Led Business with Impact
At ASRC, our Social Enterprises are built on a model that puts people first. While we operate as businesses, our core mission is to create lasting social impact.
We achieve this by:
- Creating meaningful employment and training opportunities for people seeking asylum and refugees
- Supporting personal growth through learning, pathway development planning and individual goal setting
- Helping reduce reliance on support services by enabling financial independence
- Reinvesting directly in people, not profits
Our work aligns with ASRC’s strategic priorities to:
- Improve outcomes for people seeking asylum and refugees
- Ensure financial sustainability through diverse income streams
Every service engaged helps build stronger futures – thankyou to donors for being part of this impact.\
SHARING | What Our Team Says
Our focus on
Pathway Development Plans (PDPs) continues to enhance staff engagement by offering structured, personalised support, skill development and career progression beyond ASRC Social Enterprises.
To measure our impact, we recently surveyed 59 staff members. Their high level of participation in our evaluation processes, and the feedback they shared, provide valuable insights into both the effectiveness of our approach and their experience of involvement with ASRC Social Enterprises. Key highlights include:
- 92% find their work meaningful and aligned with personal goals
- 91% feel informed about career pathways
- 90% report improved workplace skills
- 84% feel more job-ready
- 91% are developing skills for their preferred careers
- 90% have increased financial independence
These results indicate that ASRC Social Enterprises are effectively contributing to staff development, employment readiness, and personal empowerment. The strong alignment with personal goals and increased financial independence further highlight the positive impact of participation in the program.
VISITING | Journeys Café: Parkville & Southbank
A joint initiative between the ASRC and the University of Melbourne,
Journeys Café is part of ASRC Catering that creates training and employment pathways for refugees and people seeking asylum.
Our menu is inspired by the cuisines and cultures our staff comes from, sharing global recipes and food experiences with the Melbourne community. We are committed to creating a safe space where people with lived experience of seeking asylum can skill up and gain experience in the hospitality industry.
Find us at:
Journeys Café Southbank | Mon–Thu: 8:30am-3.30pmUniversity of Melbourne, Building 877
28-30 Dodds St, Southbank VIC 3006
Journeys Café Parkville | Mon–Thu: 10.30am-4pmUniversity of Melbourne, Student Pavilion
Level 4, Building 162, Monash Rd & Swanston St, Parkville VIC 3010
THANKING | You!
To all of our customers and supporters – thank you. Continued support has directly helped our staff gain financial independence, confidence, and vital experience in the Australian workplace. Together, we're creating brighter futures.
Warm regards,
The
ASRC Social Enterprises team
The Asylum Seeker Resource Centre (ASRC) is an independent not for profit whose programs support and empower over 7,000 people seeking asylum each year to maximise their physical, mental and social wellbeing. As a movement we mobilise and unites communities to creating social and policy change for people seeking asylum and refugees in Australia. 5.3 YARRA | YEF | UPDATING | Stories, events and more | August 2025
INVESTIGATING | A Microgrid in Trentham Victoria
Yarra Energy Foundation (YEF), in partnership with
SolarQuip and the
Trentham Sustainability Group, has completed a detailed feasibility study investigating whether a microgrid could help power the township of Trentham through outages and support its shift to renewable energy.
The study looked at technical design, costs, and broader implications for local resilience, as well as alternative models that might deliver similar benefits.
The report offers valuable insights for any community considering a microgrid, including lessons learned and possible next steps for Trentham.
WORLD | IEEFA | REPORTING | Study shows home upgrades are the key to cutting energy costs
A new study from the
Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA) finds that household-level energy solutions, like rooftop solar, batteries, efficient electric appliances, and home insulation, can be a cost-effective way to significantly reduce energy bills.
The research highlights that electrification and improving energy efficiency in homes can lower overall demand, ease pressure on the grid, and help avoid the need for costly new infrastructure.
This research offers valuable insights for communities looking to cut energy costs and reduce emissions at the local level.
AVENEL | RAE | GATHERING | Home Energy Expo | Friday 22 August 2025 | 12.30-6.30pm
Take the heat out of climate change with home-based solutions and renewable energy.Renewable Avenel Energy (RAE) are hosting a Home Energy Expo this month at the Avenel Memorial Hall.
The event will feature a trade show and guest speakers, who will explore innovative solutions to make homes more efficient and sustainable.
We are excited to see Dr. Karl Kruszelnicki as the key note speaker!
- Learn more about Home Energy Expo Avenel
- Where: Avenel Memorial Hall, Avenel Hall, 15 Queen St, Avenel VIC 3664, Australia
- Cost: General Admission $8.54 + $1.46 booking fee
- Bookings: online via Humanitix
SHARING | Our Services
Find out more about Yarra Energy Foundation services including:
- Feasibility studies
- Community Engagement
- Community battery strategies for local councils
- Consulting & advice
- Project management
- Solar & electrification programs
We are a
small team of extremely passionate energy experts with decades of combined industry, governmental, business, and sustainability experience.
5.4 NT | PESC | PUBLISHING | Pertame School Semester 1 Newsletter | 2025
Werta Pertame School partners, supporters and community! Arrangkerra marra? I hope this email finds you all well
Pertame School (PESC) has had a huge first 6 months of 2025, moving into our new Language Nest space, running our Language Nest and Fluency Transfer System programs parallel four days a week with 10 parent educators, and hosting the Yuchi Immersion visit and the Salish Fluency Transfer System workshop in Alice Springs.
We have also run two school holiday programs and created a new nursery rhyme album. We are proud of the progress of our parent trainees, our children and our babies. We know we need a whole generation of learners to make our language strong again. We are also passionate about sharing knowledge and methods with other Language groups around Australia.
Feel free to share widely.
A huge thanks to all our partnerships that make this work possible! We could not have done it without you.
Kela marra,
Vanessa and the Pertame School team 5.5 AUST | EQPR | PODCASTING | Better Together: Brave Conversations
Be brave with us. Stay curious. Listen. The
Equality Project (EQPR) has launched something new. 4 episodes now streaming.
Better Together: Brave Conversations is our podcast for anyone who cares about the issues shaping rainbow communities today and for anyone willing to stay curious, reflect, and maybe see things in a new light.
The first four episodes have dropped and a new episode will land every two weeks.
Together with eight guests, we dive into topics that are messy, meaningful and sometimes hard to talk about. Not every conversation will feel comfortable. But they all matter.
Because even with different minds, we share a common heart. And that’s where change begins.
5.6 AUST | NJP | UPDATING | Community News | August 2025
This October, National Justice Project (NJP) invites you to join our Alternative First Responders team for the national online symposium on Thursday 16 October 2025. This
Alternative First Responders National Symposium Online will bring together changemakers from around the world to rethink first response beyond policing. Featured international speakers include
Alexander Heaton (Policing Project, NYU) who will share his experience designing and delivering alternative first responder models in the United States and
Gina M. Nagano (Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in First Nation, Canada) who will speak to community safety, restorative justice, and Indigenous self-determination, in policy and on the ground.
This month, we celebrated some important days. On 4 August, we celebrated
National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children’s Day, with the theme
Little Footsteps, Big Future – a reminder of the right for every First Nations child to grow up safe, loved, and connected to family, culture, and Country. The current discriminatory out-of-home care system still puts too many First Nations children at risk.
Our new position statementcalls for urgent reforms, joining others in demanding an end to the child removals crisis.
We also marked the
International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples on 9 August, with the theme "
AI: Defending Rights, Shaping Futures." While technology can deepen divides, we believe it can also be used to advance fairness and justice. That’s why we created the
Hear Me Out tool, informed by communities, frontline workers, and legal experts to help people report injustice and build fairer, more responsive systems.
More updates from the National Justice Project below.
Join us for a gathering of local and international changemakers redefining the first response beyond police. We will showcase powerful real world models and bold policy solutions that centre community, care and diversity.
RESPONDING | To NT Proposal Weakening Coroners' Powers
The NT Government is responding to the coroner’s report into the police shooting of a Walpiri man in 2019, by seeking to further restrict the coroner’s powers, rather than address the problems the report uncovered. The Federal Government must act now to stop this regressive proposal.
INTRODUCING | Challenge 4 Change
The team at the National Justice Project are kicking off Challenge 4 Change with a #Jog4Justice at Run Shellharbour on Sunday 28th September. This will be a fun, feel-good activitiy where every step helps power our crucial work.
ADVISING | Coalition bill for tougher child bail laws will backfire
The National Justice Project signed a joint statement with an alliance of legal and community experts to speak out against the Coalition's bill, which will put more children in prison. “The evidence is crystal clear that locking a child up makes them dramatically more likely to offend and return to prison in the future.”
RELEASING | Child Removals Position Statement
Our new position statement on the discriminatory and systematic removal of First Nations children calls for urgent practical, policy and legislative reforms. We join the growing chorus demanding systemic change to the child removals crisis.
REPORTING | Grounded Insight from the Frontline
Our Alternative First Responders team have shared an in-depth interview with two coalition members who are on the frontline supporting people and families experiencing domestic, family and sexual violence.
HIGHLIGHTING | In the Media
The National Justice Project advocates for our clients in the courts as well as in the news media, especially around issues on human rights, discrimination and justice reform.
Here are some highlights from the past month:
Follow our media commentarySUPPORTING | Ongoing Work
The National Justice Project is funded by people like you committed to the fight for social justice.
Donate Today
The National Justice Project is a Public Benevolent Institution endorsed as a Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR) covered by Item 1 of the table in section 30-15 of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997. Donations of $2.00 or more are tax deductible.
To keep up to date with our strategic legal action and advocacy,
visit our website or follow us on your preferred social media platform.
5.7 AUST | RGA | UPDATING | Rainbow Community News | August 2025
August Rainbow Roundup
What to expect...
Rainbow Giving News
THANKING YOU | 160 Eoi For Amplify & Ignite Pride Grants
That’s a powerful show of rainbow brilliance and vision from across our LGBTQIA+ sector, and
Rainbow Giving Australia (RGA) thanks everyone who shared their work and ideas with us.
A heartfelt thank you to our incredible funding partners who make this possible:
Snow Foundation, Pride Foundation Australia, Aurora Ball donors, and Jeremy Tang at Humanitix
Together, we’re building momentum, resourcing bold ideas, and fuelling change.
EOI outcomes will be communicated by mid September.
REVEALING | GiveOUT Day Dating Edition | 16 October 2025
This year, GiveOUT Day is serving dating app realness – where you can
Find Your Match and fall in love with a cause worth crushing on.
Be the first to know what’s coming.
Follow us InstagramREPORTING | Last Year, Bae Collective Raised $5,745.11
Bae Collective (ë°° ì»¬ë ‰í‹°ë¸Œ) is a Korean queer and trans community building project. There have always been Korean queer and trans people, including in the diaspora. But we don't have many spaces where we can bring our full, authentic selves... That’s why we’re committed to nurturing our incredible KQT community, and creating ways for us to connect, celebrate, and share stories with each other.
Your organisation can be part of this impact too.
- Join Australia’s annual day of rainbow giving and access matched funding.
- Donations go live 15 September 2025 – there’s still time to sign up!
*You can still use this form to apply for GiveOUT Day 2025, however the window to apply for Rainbow Giving Australia grants has closed.
WELCOMING | Our Newest Team Member Jake Smith (He/Him)
Jake brings experience in community building, inclusion, and LGBTQIA+ advocacy. At Apple, he led the LGBTQIA+ employee network and produced global Pride campaigns, including for Sydney WorldPride. He has supported GiveOUT Day, Minus18, Sydney Mardi Gras, Equality Australia and ACON, and is the founder of Big Gay Boxing in Sydney’s Inner West.
Other LGBTQIA+ Funding Opportunities
WORLD | CHCH | CALLING | Nominations of Champions of Change | Closes 31 August 2025
Recognising charities making a difference for their work. Putting nonprofits leading the charge in a change for good on centre stage. Tell us your impact story by nominating your organization, and you'll be entered for a chance to receive a $10,000 donation to further that impact.
SYDNEY | AFS | GRANTING | Community projects that make Sydney 'more awesome' | monthly, next closes 3 September 2025
Awesome Foundation Sydney is a Sydney chapter of a global network of micro-giving chapters that give $1,000 of their own money every month to awesome projects.
AUST | PFA | GRANTING | For projects supporting LGBTQIA+ refugees and people seeking asylum | EOIs close 29 August 2025
Pride Foundation Australia (PFA) large grants up to $20,000 over two years available.
AUST | PFA | GRANTING | For projects supporting LGBTQIA+ inclusive rural and regional health services | EOIs close 29 September 2025
Pride Foundation Australia (PFA) large grants up to $20,000 over two years available.
View All Current Grants Community News & Events
SYDNEY & NSW | ACON | CELEBRATING | 40 Events | Aug–Oct
ACON 40 launches with more than 30 community events across Sydney and NSW. Hear from community leaders, get involved, and stay connected.
AUST | CALLING | Artists and Artwork for Wungening & Hope: Exhibition | Jan-Feb 2026
All artworks are donated, with proceeds funding gender-affirming care for the Gender Diverse community.
AUST | FDPN | WEBINAR | Workshop: My Story Doesn’t End – Critical Storytelling as Trans and Queer Refugee Activism | Wednesday 3 September 2025 | 3.30-5pm AEST
This is an official side event of the Forcibly Displaced People Network (FDPN)
2025 Queer Displacements Conference, hosted by A/Prof
Debanuj DasGupta.
ST KILDA | FDPN | SCREENING | Out of Iraq – Fundraising Side Event | Wednesday 3 Sep 2025 | 6.30-9pm AEST
This is an official side event of the Forcibly Displaced People Network (FDPN)
2025 Queer Displacements Conference. Proceeds support Forcibly Displaced People Network’s advocacy and support for LGBTIQA+ forcibly displaced people.
ST KILDA | FDPN | GATHERING | 2025 Queer Displacements Conference | 3–5 September 2025
Centering lived experience and delivering action-focused outcomes for LGBTIQA+ forcibly displaced people. Presented by Forcibly Displaced People Network.
INNER WEST NSW | IWPC | SEEKING | Members for Inner West Pride Centre Community Advisory Group | EOI closes 11 Sep 2025
Seeking 10-12 volunteer members to guide the Pride Centre in building a strong LGBTQIA+ community in the Inner West and greater Sydney.
AUST | SSF | WORKSHOPPING | Queer Youth Sexual Violence Prevention
For those Aged 16–18,
StrongSafeFabulous (SSF) is a program developed by by
Prosper (Project Australia) in partnership with
Rainbow Families NSW. By community, for community, covering: Setting personal boundaries, connecting with the LGBTQ+ community, speaking up when things aren’t right, trusting your gut and spotting red flags. Workshops run throughout the next 12 months and are open to young people across Australia.
Ways To Support
Become a Giveout Day Corporate Partner
Why partner?
- Show your brand’s commitment to LGBTQIA+ communities
- Align with a movement built on love, joy, and impact
- Boost visibility through Matched Funding or Product Giveaways
- Your support = Real impact
Together, we can prove joy is the most powerful response to challenging times.
Rainbow Giving Australia: Working towards an empowered, sustainable and united rainbow community 5.8 WORLD | AFUO | UPDATING | Awareness, Support and Funds for Ukraine Crisis Appeal
Remarkable generosity has been a true lifeline for a war-torn country. Together, Australian Federation of Ukrainian Organisations (AFUO)'s Ukraine Crisis Appeal has raised over $14 million Australian dollars from every walk of life. Every donation, from a single child's pocket money of $24.10 to generous sums of $500,000, has combined to change, save, and improve the lives of thousands.
We are indebted to donors, as is every person in Ukraine whose life you have touched.
Even with this incredible success, the humanitarian situation in Ukraine remains dire, and the daily reality for millions is a continued fight for survival.
The most urgent problems are not only just about immediate relief; they are the fundamental challenges that threaten the future of a nation. This includes the massive psychological toll of trauma and the growing mental health crisis among those who have witnessed unthinkable tragedy, especially children and families.
We also face the monumental task of rebuilding homes and critical infrastructure like hospitals and schools; the constant struggle to deliver basic necessities like food and medical supplies to those in war-torn regions; the struggle to educate a generation of children displaced from their homes; and the looming threat of winter, which will make a lack of shelter even more dangerous. Additionally, we must not forget the thousands of veterans and their families who are facing immense physical and psychological challenges as they work to rebuild their lives.
Donor support is a lifeline. It allows us to directly address these life-or-death issues, restoring hope and ensuring that communities have the tools and resources they need to heal and rebuild for the long run.
Attached is a brief overview of the aid that life-changing donations have made.
Thank you to Donors again for incredible support.
#TogetherWeStandWithUkraine
With gratitude
Diahanna (Darka} Senko, Chair, Ukraine Crisis Appeal
Director, Humanitarian Aid & Medical Aid Initiatives
Australian Federation of Ukrainian Organisations
Humanitarian & Medical Aid Report | June 2025
The
Ukraine Crisis Appeal (UCA), powered by
Rotary Australia World Community Service (RAWCS) and supported by the
Australian Federation of Ukrainian Organisations (AFUO), continues to deliver urgent humanitarian and medical assistance to communities devastated by russia’s ongoing war against Ukraine.
This report highlights the key initiatives undertaken by the Ukraine Crisis Appeal (UCA) to June 2025, detailing the significant impact achieved on the ground and outlining the strategic priorities that will guide our ongoing response.
Together, through coordinated efforts and generous support, we remain committed to aiding in alleviating suffering and restoring hope in Ukraine’s most affected regions.
Key Humanitarian and Medical Aid Programs
Emergency Humanitarian Response — Sumy Region
In mid 2025, Caritas Ukraine launched an urgent appeal to support vulnerable communities in Sumy Oblast — one of Ukraine’s most exposed regions near the Russian border, including Bilopillia, Seredyna-Buda, and Krasnopillia, enduring daily shelling, infrastructure destruction and repeated evacuations, severely limiting access to food, hygiene and safety.
Public services in the region are stretched far beyond capacity. Hospitals, schools, and community facilities struggle to function under the strain of damaged infrastructure, dwindling resources, and the constant risk of renewed strikes. Ongoing security threats make it extremely difficult for humanitarian workers to reach those in greatest need, leaving many communities isolated and desperate.
In partnership with Caritas Sumy, Caritas Ukraine is stepping in to provide comprehensive humanitarian assistance tailored to each community’s needs. This includes the delivery of emergency food parcels, hygiene kits, warm clothing, blankets and other essential items, along with targeted support to help families survive the harsh winter months.
The project places special priority on the most vulnerable — persons with disabilities, large families struggling to care for children, single parents, and individuals over 60, many of whom are unable to evacuate or live in damaged homes. Every step of the response will be guided by transparency, accountability, and flexibility, ensuring that aid is delivered swiftly, fairly, and effectively to those who need it most.
For the people of Sumy Oblast, every act of support is more than charity — it is a lifeline, a reminder that they have not been forgotten. This is addition to the humanitarian aid we provided in 2022-23 were our aid reached an estimated 1,182 million people and provided 30,000+ displaced people with emergency housing.
Together, we can help protect lives, restore dignity, and bring hope to communities living on the very frontlines of this war.
UCA Impact:
- 900 individuals provided with essential food aid
- 1,100 individuals received hygiene kits, including items tailored for people with disabilities, families with infants, and the elderly
- Budget: AUD $100,000
National Rehabilitation Centre “UNBROKEN”
The Charity Foundation
UNBROKEN, in partnership with the First Lviv Territorial Medical Union, provides world-class medical care to civilians and defenders who have suffered life-changing injuries as a result of Russia’s full-scale invasion. Since the start of the war, the centre has treated over 20,000 patients with the most severe and complex injuries — including traumatic amputations, burns, fractures, and neurological damage.
Beyond saving lives, UNBROKEN is dedicated to helping patients reclaim their independence and dignity. The medical team includes some of Ukraine’s leading surgeons, rehabilitation specialists, and psychologists, working side-by-side to ensure every patient receives not just urgent treatment, but a pathway to recovery.
Most recently, the centre opened a specialised Rehabilitation Department for Patients with Spinal Cord Injuries — a first-of-its-kind initiative in Ukraine — designed to care for up to 30 of the most complex cases at any given time. Here, patients receive intensive physical therapy, advanced assistive technologies, and personalised care plans aimed at restoring mobility, function, and quality of life.
Every person treated at UNBROKEN carries a story of unimaginable resilience. With ongoing support, the centre will continue to be a lifeline for thousands more — proving that even in war, healing and hope are possible.
Key UCA Achievements:
- Funding of 10 hospital beds designed for spinal cord injury patients
- Beds feature electric adjustment, independent backrest and leg positioning, and Trendelenburg functionality
- Cost per bed: 123,900 UAH
- Committee representatives Darka Senko and Teresa Lachowicz visited the Centre in 2025 to monitor funded equipment and patient care outcomes
VAC Ulta Negative Pressure Wound Therapy Systems
With the relentless intensity of the war and the alarming rise in complex traumatic injuries – from devastating blast wounds to severe burns and infected soft-tissue injuries – Ukrainian hospitals face a critical need to expand their wound care capacity.
One highly effective solution is the VAC Ulta — an advanced Negative Pressure Wound Therapy (NPWT) system that is proven to save lives and improve recovery in conflict settings.
The VAC Ulta provides significant clinical benefits:
- Promotes faster wound healing by applying controlled negative pressure to remove infectious material, reduce oedema, and encourage tissue growth.
- Reduces the risk of severe infection, including in high-risk blast injuries.
- Allows for automated wound cleansing with instillation therapy, minimizing the burden on overstretched medical staff.
- Proven in conflict zones – NPWT is a gold standard for managing complex wounds and contaminated injuries in war settings.
Thanks to the generosity of our donors, we are now able to deliver two of these vital units directly to surgeons in Lviv, Ukraine, ensuring they can provide faster, safer, and more effective care to those most severely injured by the war.
Every machine is more than just equipment – it’s a chance to save a limb, prevent an infection, and give a patient the best possible shot at recovery.
Faith U-CRANE has arrived
We are pleased to announce purchase of a 50-tonne rescue crane for the State Emergency Services operating in Odesa. The crane, which will operate in regions affected by war-related destruction, will play a critical role in search-and-rescue missions, the stabilization of damaged buildings, and the safe removal of debris in hard-hit communities.
However, this lifesaving piece of equipment required a name and the 'Name the Crane' competition was launched across Ukrainian Cultural Schools. After numerous inspiring submissions, the results are in: the new heavy-duty rescue crane has officially been named "FaithU-Crane" as suggested by Roman Lototskyi from Sydney and Lara Vivian from Adelaide.
The name stood out for its powerful wordplay, combining a direct reference to Ukraine with a nod to the machine’s vital function in lifting debris and supporting life-saving rescue efforts.
“We have been delivering ambulances into Ukraine for sometime, but I then received a request from the Ukrainian emergency services team (SESU) in Odesa that they needed a 50-tonne rescue crane! On a recent visit to Lviv, SESU showed me how the first responders would use the rescue crane to quickly remove the rubble from bomb sites, so that the survivors can be immediately evacuated and moved to the ambulances. Dozens of generous Australians did not hesitate to fund the purchase of the rescue crane when they saw the horror of Russians continuing to bomb hospitals, ambulances, schools and apartment buildings – attacks that have no possible justification. I am proud to say that we Australians continue to find innovative ways to provide humanitarian support to Ukraine’s first responders – funding ambulances, rescue cranes, generators, medical supplies, firefighting facilities, and much more.” – Ukraine Crisis Appeal project manager Chris Leptos
SESU has now requested a fire truck and emergency vehicles, which we are now looking to raise funds for.
Vscan Air CL Ultrasound Initiative
Portable ultrasound technology saves lives— especially in the chaos of the battlefield and in emergency hospital wards.In Ukraine, where medics and doctors work under relentless pressure, the ability to diagnose injuries quickly and accurately can mean the difference between life and death.
The Vscan Air CL is a state-of-the-art, wireless handheld ultrasound system that has proven its value in both frontline and hospital settings.
Progress:
- 145 Ukrainian technicians trained to use Vscan Air CL devices, funded by UCA donors
- 20 additional units to be purchased in 2025 (AUD $104,500)
- CPD-accredited training delivered by Dr Andrew Dobrotwir, coordinated by Teresa Lachowicz
- Contingency plan for online delivery and shipment via Nova Poshta if Kyiv-based sessions are unsafe
In Ukraine, the Vscan Air CL has already demonstrated its life-saving impact— giving doctors in field hospitals and emergency rooms the tools they need to make swift, informed decisions, even under fire.
This technology is more than just equipment. It is speed, precision, and hope — placed directly into the hands of those saving lives on the frontlines.
Paediatric Neurosurgery – Tabletochki Foundation
In 2024, the Ukraine Crisis Appeal (UCA) contributed AUD $100,000 to the
Tabletochki Charitable Foundation to supply advanced neurosurgical devices for the treatment of children with brain and spinal cord tumours – the most common form of childhood cancer in Ukraine.
In 2025 Ukraine Crisis Appeal then provided lifesaving surgical equipment via Tabletochki to the Clinical Centre of Paediatric Medicine in Lviv, to ensure Ukrainian children receive the vital treatment they need and deserve, at a total cost of $273.000 AUD.
This centre is one of Ukraine’s leading Children’s Hospitals, home to an exceptional neurosurgical team of highly skilled specialists. The team performs over 300 life-saving surgeries each year, including around 120 procedures for children battling cancer. Their expertise and dedication give young patients the best possible chance at recovery, even in the most complex cases.
Over the next five years, 1,500 children will rely on the Centre’s ability to deliver critical, life-saving and life-enhancing care. Each piece of equipment provided through this project directly supports these surgeries — enabling precise interventions, reducing complications, and improving long-term outcomes for young patients.
In the midst of war and instability, this partnership ensures that children with cancer in Ukraine are not forgotten, and that they can continue to receive the world-class medical treatment they desperately need and deserve.
2024 Outcomes:
- 37 children from across Ukraine received life-saving surgical supplies
- 40 complex procedures performed at National Children’s Specialised Hospital Ohmatdyt and Children’s Medicine Centre, Lviv
Ambulance & Emergency Vehicle Supply
In 2024 Partnering with Medical Lifelines Ukraine (MLLU), the Ukraine Crisis Appeal (UCA) supported the procurement, refurbishment, and delivery of fully equipped ambulances and emergency response vehicles to communities across Ukraine. Each vehicle is fitted with essential life-saving equipment — from defibrillators and ventilators to trauma kits — enabling medics to provide critical care at the scene and safely transport patients to hospital. These ambulances are a lifeline for civilians and defenders alike, ensuring that urgent medical help can reach those in need, even in the most dangerous and hard-to-access areas.
A new convoy is planned for November and 2026.
Impact to date:
- 10 ambulances delivered
- 4 evacuation vehicles deployed
- 4 Generators
- Volunteer drivers, including Australian supporters, ensured safe transport across the Polish border into Ukraine
Nazareth Veteran Rehabilitation Program – established in 2019
Nazareth Rehabilitation Centre provides comprehensive physical, psychological, and social reintegration support for war veterans and their families.
The Ukraine Crisis Appeal funded a gymnasium for the Nazareth Centre, named in honour of our late leader, +Stefan Romaniw. He dedicated his life to Ukraine and its people and the Diaspora, and deeply valued the Centre's work, calling it 'Jesus's work’.
Nazareth is more than a rehabilitation centre — it’s a place of hope and community. Here,veterans find strength to recover physically, heal psychologically, reconnect with family, and rediscover a sense of purpose. Spouses and children receive the care and support they need too, so no one has to walk this journey alone.
Every step taken in the Nazareth gym, every conversation in its counselling rooms, and every shared meal in its community spaces is a step toward healing — proving that recovery is not only possible, but deeply human.
Key Milestones between August 2024 and July 2025:
- 116 veterans in inpatient psychological recoveryprogram (average duration - 18 days);veterans in inpatient psychological recovery program;
- 34 veterans in rehabilitation from alcohol, drug and gambling addiction;
- 40 received direct assistance (foreveling their own business, home repairs, utility bills, medical treatment, etc.)
- over 700 covered through outreach activities - pottery workshops, coordination meetings, hospital visits, etc
- 163 women - wives or mothers of veterans or active seice men ere covered through psychological consultations or oreach actities.
- 37 children of veterans participate in Nazareth activities.
- Gymnasium funded in honour of the late Stefan Romaniw
Humanitarian & Medical Aid Shipments
Since 2022, the Ukraine Crisis Appeal (UCA) has coordinated the shipment of over AUD $2.7 million worth of life-saving medical and humanitarian supplies to Ukraine, working in close partnership with Rotary Donations in Kind in Australia and Rotary Gdynia in Poland.
This effort has resulted in:
- Four fully loaded 40-foot shipping containers delivered to the Rotary Lviv warehouse — with a fifth scheduled for late 2025.
- Contents including radiology and orthopaedic equipment, trauma care supplies,surgical instruments, dried protein meals, winter clothing, generators,defibrillators, and other urgently needed items.
- Support for over 20 hospitals and clinics, ensuring frontline medics and civilian healthcare facilities have the tools they need to save lives.
- An additional 232 pallets of supplies airlifted in the first 18 months of the war through the support of Qantas and the Australian Defence Force.
These shipments have reached communities across Ukraine, delivering hope alongside critical resources – from medical devices that enable complex surgeries, to warm clothing and food that sustain families through harsh winters. Every container represents a powerful network of generosity, logistics, and determination to stand with Ukraine in its time of greatest need.
Container # 5 is scheduled for late October 2025 and we are sourcing medical and surgical equipment and would be grateful for assistance with locating donated equipment.
Safe Homes & Psychosocial Care
Through Caritas Ukraine, the Ukraine Crisis Appeal (UCA) supports displaced families with children through the Safe Homes Project — a lifeline for those who have lost everything to the war.
The project provides:
- Secure shelter in Dobrivliany for up to 20 families at a time
- Counselling, educational support, integration activities, and small-scale farming
- To date, 400 children and 40 adults have been supported
- UCA has committed over $91k for 2025
Since its launch, the Safe Homes Project has supported over 400 children and 40 adults, offering not just a roof over their heads, but a safe and nurturing environment where they can begin to heal and rebuild their lives.
For 2025, UCA has committed over AUD $91,000 to continue and strengthen this vital program — ensuring that even in the midst of war, children can experience safety, stability and joy.
Child Friendly Space – Berdychiv
In Berdychiv, where the war has left 240 families grieving the loss of a parent, the Ukraine Crisis Appeal (UCA) funds vital trauma-informed spaces designed specifically for children and their caregivers.
These safe, supportive environments provide tailored therapy, mobile outreach, and resilience-building programs that help families navigate the profound emotional challenges caused by loss and conflict.
2025 Results:- 450 children & 105 caregivers reached so far
- Ongoing goal: support 500+ children and adults annually through mobile outreach, therapy, and resilience-building programs
- UCA committed over $70k in funds for 2025
Through this support, children and families in Berdychiv are finding pathways toward healing, strength, and hope – proving that even in the darkest times, compassionate care can rebuild lives and futures.
Individual First Aid Kits (IFAKs)
The Operator IFAK (Immediate First Aid Kit) is a compact, high-quality trauma care kit designed to deliver life-saving medical attention at the point of injury — critical in fast-moving frontline and emergency situations.
Each kit contains essential tools to manage severe injuries until professional medical help can arrive, including:
- 1 x Tourniquet for controlling life-threatening bleeding
- 1 x 4-inch Olaes Bandage for wound dressing and pressure application
- 1 x Hyfin Vent Compact Chest Seal to treat chest injuries and prevent complications
- 2 x pairs of Nitrile Gloves to ensure hygiene and safety
- 1 x CPR Face Shield for safe resuscitation
- 1 x Trauma Shears for cutting clothing or bandages in emergencies
- 1 x Casualty Card to record vital patient information for first responders
It is now recommende by the Ukrainian Government that each individual carry an individual first aid kit. Thanks to the generosity of our donors, the Ukraine Crisis Appeal has procured 100 of these life-saving kits to supply to Ukrainians living close to the front lines.
Every Operator IFAK is a vital tool that empowers civilians, volunteers, and defenders alike to provide immediate, effective first aid — saving lives when seconds count.
Committee & Governance
The Committee are all dedicated volunteers and experienced in understanding community and the needs of Ukraine. They oversee project management, partner selection, due diligence, fundraising, and financial oversight.
Conclusion & Acknowledgement
Thanks to the extraordinary generosity of 16,700 donors, volunteers, and partner organisations in Australia and Ukraine, the Ukraine Crisis Appeal continues to deliver hope, vital supplies, and life-saving care to those who need it most.
Together, we stand in unwavering solidarity with Ukraine’s most vulnerable – working to restore dignity, rebuild health, and inspire hope for a brighter future.
Support us today and make a tax-deductible donation to help save lives and rebuild communities. Every gift, no matter how much, makes a difference.
Diahanna (Darka) SenkoAFUO Director Humanitarian and Medical Aid
Chair, AFUO Humanitarian Aid Initiatives Committee (HAIC)
Chair, Ukraine Crisis Appeal and Ukraine Crisis Appeal Resettlement Funds
