BOOK NOTES

Stefania Dobriansky-Radyvyl on Australia's Ukrainian women

"Ukrainian Women's Association in Australia," edited by Stefania Dobriansky-Radyvyl. Sydney, Australia: Ukrainian Women's Association of Australia, 2001, 373 pp., $20.

After World War II, Australia realized the need to increase its population for two main reasons: to secure its vast and vulnerable coastline from future attacks, and to enlarge its inadequate and aging workforce. To bring new immigrants to its shores, Australia developed an immigration policy known as the Displaced Persons Scheme, which resettled in Australia 170,700 Central and Eastern European refugees, including nearly 20,000 Ukrainians.

The book "Ukrainian Women's Association in Australia" reflects the endeavors and contributions of the Ukrainian immigrant women who were instrumental in creating a strong Ukrainian community out of the 20,000 embattled displaced persons who came to Australia with few posessions and no knowledge of the English language or Australian culture. The women of the UWAA set up schools, developed Ukrainian cultural centers, published Ukrainian materials and took part in a wide array of humanitarian and philanthropic activities, including the support of Ukrainian parishes.

The English-language portion of the book, by Dr. Sonia Mycak, Australian research fellow, contains an overview of the history of Ukrainian immigration to Australia and a comprehensive historical analysis of the role of the UWA.

The Ukrainian portion contains a historical assessment of the UWA by Evdokia Ostrowskyj, and outlines of the work and personalities of each of the organization's 27 branches, including many group and individual member photos.

To order a copy of the book, contact Evdokia Ostrowskyj, 43 Victor Ave., Valentine, NSW, 2280, Australia; fax; 0249 466990.

Copyright © The Ukrainian Weekly, August 4, 2002, No. 31, Vol. LXX

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