Dear friends, I flew to Canberra for a very special event at the Parliament building – the screening of Simon Target’s documentary “Masha and Valentyna”.

The event was introduced by the member for Bean, Mr David Smith, MP. and attended by prominent members of the Ukrainian, Polish and Australian communities, including Ms Agata Utnicka, Chargé d’Affaires ad interim, Embassy of the Republic of Poland in Canberra, Mr Stefan Romaniw, Co-Chair of the Australian Federation of Ukrainian Organisations. Unfortunately, His Excellency Ambassador of Ukraine to Australia, Vasyl Myroshnychenko, could not attend due to an urgent meeting in Ukraine. His wife, Liana spoke on his behalf.

It was an excellent opportunity to meet face-to-face again with some of the AIPA members in Canberra, particularly with the film creator Simon Target and Beata Zatorska, an impressive couple and outstanding film-making associates (Beata has produced this film), as well as AIPA Board member, Dr Kasia Williams from ANU.

It was a very moving experience and a reminder of how wartime tragedy can shatter our lives anytime.

Please see this film and promote it through friendship groups, social media, and other channels.

Best regards,

Dr Alexandra Dunwill

AIPA President