Community Partners Program
(CPP)
The Ukrainian
Way
Information Kit
2012
Community Partners Program
(CPP)
Information Kit
The purpose of this information kit is to provide professionals working with people of Ukrainian
background with practical, up-to-date, accurate information, while its main aim is to assist both
the worker and the client. Most problems encountered in daily life are due to
miscommunication and we hope that this short guide will facilitate between the various service
providers and the 46,510 strong eastern European communities in Queensland.
Steering clear of stereotypes, we hope to have dispelled some common myths and
misconception. We believe that the information provided within this kit will give you an
overview of the Ukrainian history, customs and various resources which should form a basis for
developing better relationships with your clients.
Please also remember that, just like in any other ethnic group, each Ukrainian person is an
individual and what might be appropriate for one will not be for another. The best line of
action is to always ask questions of the person concerned to find out why they do what they
do.
We hope you find this information kit useful, your feedback and comments are always
welcome.
Table of Contents
1. Ukraine at a Glance
2. Demographics
3. Migration Trends
4. Language
5. Religion, Tradition and Custom
6. Food and Diet
7. Attitudes to Aged Care
8. Working with Interpreters and Bi-lingual Staff
9. Key Issues for the Ukrainian Community
10. Resource Guide
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Ukraine at a Glance
Background
Location: Europe
Languages: Ukrainian, Russian, Polish, Tartar
Area: 603,628 sq. km. land area.
Population: 52,309,000
Capital: Kiev
National Holidays:
January 1
January 7
March 8
April
May 1& 2
May 9
June 28
August 24
New Year’s Day
Christmas
International Women’s Day
Easter, Holy Trinity Day
Day of International Solidarity of Workers
Victory Day
Constitution Day
Independence Day
Neighbours: Ukraine borders the Russian Federation to the east and northeast, Belarus to
the northwest, Poland, Slovakia and Hungary to the west, Romania and Moldova to the
southwest and the Black Sea and Sea of Azov to the south and southeast, respectively. It was
formerly known as The Ukraine.
Climate: Ukraine has a mostly continental climate although a more Mediterranean climate is
found on the southern Crimean coast. Precipitation is disproportionately distributed; it is
highest in the west and north and lowest in the east and southeast. Western Ukraine receives
around 47 in of precipitation annually while Crimea receives around 15.7 in. Winters vary from
cool along the black Sea to cold farther inland.
Natural Resources: Ukraine is one of the natural resource leaders in Europe and the world.
Such resources as mountain wax, granite, graphite are among the richest. For ages Ukraine has
been a producer of various salts and has a rich base for metallurgical, porcelain, chemical
industries, for production of ceramics and building materials, sources of precious and
semiprecious stones. Ukraine is famous for its mineral water treatments (in Myrgorod,
Svaliyava, Truskavets, Feodosya and others) and medicinal mud.
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Almost 45% of the whole area is fertile farming land.
Ethnic Groups: 77.8% Ukrainians, 17% Russians, 4.9% Belarusians, Romanians and others.
Religions: The dominant religion in the country is Eastern Orthodox Christianity which has
heavily influenced Ukrainian architecture, literature and music.
Ukraine, known as the “breadbasket” of Europe, is the largest but one of the least-known
countries within Europe, with great natural beauty, rich culture and warm, hospitable people.
Its population of 48 million is Europe’s fifth largest. Ukraine is a modern country with a highly
educated population that is two-thirds urbanized. Even so, traditional family values still prevail,
including a strong work ethic.
Ukraina means borderland. As a frontier land bridging the east and West, Ukraine was
vulnerable to invaders from all sides. The foreign powers that occupied and ruled Ukraine
sometimes enriched the country, but also brought exploitation and devastation.
Kyiv Rus, the historical ancestor of Ukraine, was established by Vikings and populated by
various Slavic tribes. Kyiv was the centre of this powerful princely state that dominated Eastern
Europe from the 10th through to the 13th century. It was a centre of trade, Slavic culture and
Byzantine Christianity. In 988 Prince Volodymyr introduced Christianity as an official state
religion. The christening of Kyiv Rus took place in Kyiv on the banks of the Dnipro River. Internal
dissidence weakened the state and it ended with the Mongol conquest in 1240. The TartarMongols ruled for almost three centuries.
Kozak Period
Kozak, often spelt Cossack in English, comes from a Turkish word meaning free man. The term
was originally applied to refugees from serfdom and slaves that fled to the borderland that was
Ukraine during the 15th to the 18th century. The term later was applied to the Ukrainians who
went into the steppes to practise various trades and engage in hunting, fishing, beekeeping and
collection of salt. The Kozaks set up democratic military communities and elected their leaders,
who were called hetmans. From their island stronghold on the Dnepr River, the Kozaks
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launched attacks against the Turks and Tartars and struggled against the Polish and Russians.
Their establishment of an autonomous Ukrainian state is a high point of Ukrainian history.
During the middle of the 17th century, Poland controlled most of Left Bank Ukraine (lands west
of the Dnipro River) while Moscow controlled most of the Right Bank. Ukrainian culture
enjoyed a great revival during this period of ambiguous political status. Religious and
educational activity flourished. There was a high rate of literacy and the Ukrainian people were
among the most educated in the world. The first Constitution appeared in Ukraine in 1711.
By the late 18th century, 85% of Ukrainian land had fallen under Russian control and Ukraine’s
window to the west was closed. It was a time of colonialism and Russification during which
Ukrainian culture and the language were suppressed.
The 20th century was a time of great turmoil and suffering in Ukraine. After the Bolshevik
Revolution of 1917, Ukraine was engulfed in a chaotic civil war in which many different factions
and foreign powers fought for control. On January the 22 nd 1918, the Ukrainian Central Rada
formally proclaimed Ukraine’s independence and the next year joined with the Western
Ukrainian People’s Republic for a united, independent country. Soon however, the western
Ukrainians were defeated by Polish expansionists and soviet Russian troops seized Kyiv,
incorporating much of Ukraine in the Soviet Union. The Ukrainian intelligentsia was forced to
either entirely to captors or perish.
In 1932-1933 some seven to ten million peasants (according to differing estimates), Mainly
Ukrainians, were starved to death in a famine deliberately engineered by Joseph Stalin,
designed to force them onto collective farms. The famine was also used as an effective tool to
bread the renaissance of Ukrainian culture that was occurring in Ukraine. Moscow perceived
this as threat to Russian Soviet rule and therefore acted to crush this cultural renaissance in the
most brutal manner.
During the Second World War, Ukraine bore the brunt of the Nazi drive to Stalingrad and the
Red Army counter offensive. Another 7.5 million people were lost, including almost 4 million
civilians killed and 2.2 million taken to Germany as labourers. Cities, towns and thousands of
villages were devastated.
On April the 26th, 1986, the nation’s nuclear power plant at Chernobyl was the site of the
world’s worst nuclear accident.
Ukraine was not able to hold on to independence during its national liberation struggle in the
first half of the twentieth century. In the second half of the century Ukraine’s dissident
movement thrived, but as a buried nation, the world paid little attention to it.
With the Soviet Union collapsing, the Ukrainian Parliament proclaimed independence on
August the 24th, 1991. On December the 1st some 90 per cent of the Ukrainian electorate
endorsed independence and chose Ukraine’s first democratically elected president. The
national and cultural revival began almost simultaneously with radical changes in the sphere of
economic and social relations.
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Migration Trends
The majority of Ukrainians came to Australia after World War Two in two migratory waves that
began in 1948. The Australian Bureau of Statistics states that by 1951 approximately 200,000
Ukrainian displaced persons had settled in Australia. Estimates for Ukrainian population vary
from 15,000 upwards. Most migrants were from farming backgrounds but settled mainly in
cities.
The Ukrainians organised their community rapidly and had established the first Ukrainian
newspaper by 1949 in Sydney, NSW. The first Ukrainian Orthodox and Catholic churches were
established by 1950. By 1959 there were 52 Ukrainian schools operating throughout Australia.
This community is now ageing and Ukrainian people are focused on meeting the needs of their
elderly.
Ukrainian Population in Queensland – ABS Census 2006
AGE
0-44
45-59
60-69
70-79
80+
Brisbane North
15
6
18
19
Brisbane South
93
48
28
18
59
Logan
44
26
14
8
5
Language
Ukrainians speak mainly Ukrainian, (the national language), a Slavic language related to
Russian. Many also speak Polish, Russian and German. Western Ukrainians use the equivalent
of Mr and Mrs – pan and pani respectively – when addressing others. Eastern Ukrainians use
the patronymic naming system where the patronymic derives from the name of the father. For
example, if someone is named Ivan and his father’s name is Petro, then Ivan would be
addressed as Ivan Petrovych.
The Cyrillic alphabet is normally used, but the phrases below have been written using the
English alphabet only, and phonetically.
English
Pronunciation
GOOD MORNING
GOOD DAY
GOOD EVENING
GOOD NIGHT
HELLO
GOODBYE
SEE YOU LATER
DOBRIY RAHNOK
DOBRIY DEN’
DOBRIY VECHEER
DOBRANICH
HALO
PROSHCHAYTE
DOPOBACHENNYA
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HOW ARE YOU FEELING TODAY?
WOULD YOU LIKE A DRINK OF…
WATER
TEA
COFFEE
CORDIAL
WOULD YOU LIKE TO EAT?
SWEETS
SANDWHICH
MEAT
SALAD
CHICKEN
BREAD
BISCUIT
CAKE
SOUP
FRUIT
CHOCOLATE
WHERE IS THE PAIN?
ARM; LEG; CHEST; HEAD;
STOMACH; TEETH; FOOT; HAND;
BACK; HEART
ARE YOU WARM/COOL ENOUGH?
CAN I GET YOU SOMETHING?
BOOK; MAGAZINE; KNITTING;
MUSIC; TV
WOULD YOU LIKE TO GO TO THE
TOILET?
WOULD YOU LIKE TO HAVE A
SHOWER?
WOULD YOU LIKE TO HAVE A BATH?
YES; NO; PLEASE; THANK YOU
THE DAY/NIGHT IS……………..
WARM; COLD; HOT;
WINDY; WET
YAK POCHOOVAYETES S’OHODNES?
CHY BAZHAIETE NAPITIS’ A ……..
WODY
CHYOU
KAVY
LEMONADY
CHY BAZHAIETE SHCHOS ZYEESTI?
SOLODKE
SANDWHICH
MTASO
SALATA
KURKA
KHLEEB
BEESKVEETTI
TEESTECHKO
SOOP
OVOCHI
SHOKOL’AD
DE BOLIT?
RAMYA; NOHA; HRUDI; HOLOVA
ZHYVIT; ZOOBI; STOPA; ROOKA;
PLECHI; SERTSE
CHY WAM TEPLO/KHOLODNO DOSIT?
CHY MOZHOO VAM SHCHOSDEESTATI?
KNYZHKOO; ZHOORNAL; PLETIVO;
MOOZIKOO; TV
CHY BAZHAIETE EETY DO VYKHODKOO? or
CHY VAM POTREEBNOEETY DO VYKHODKOO?
CHY BAZHAIETE EETY PEED DOOSH? or CHY
KHOCHETE MATY DOOSH?
CHY BAZHAIETE EETY DO VANNY? or CHY
KHOCHETE KOOPATYSYA OO VANNEE?
TAK; NEE; PROSHOO; DYAKOOYOO
DEN/NEECH YE…………………………..
TEPLIY; ZYMNIY; HARYACHIY;
VITTRYANIY; MOKRIY
Religion, Tradition and Custom
Christianity came to Ukraine late in the 10th century. The Catholic and Orthodox churches split
in 1054 and Orthodoxy itself later split into three main branches, each one with a different
relationship to Moscow-controlled Russian Orthodoxy and to the Roman Catholic Church.
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The major religion among Ukrainians in Australia is Ukrainian Catholic of the Byzantine Rite,
which recognises Papal authority. The other large Christian denomination is Ukrainian
Orthodox which, while following much the same liturgical services, looks to its own Patriarch,
rather than to the Pope. There are also Jewish Ukrainians and Muslims who live in the Crimea,
most Protestants follow the evangelical Baptist or Pentecostal tradition.
Church holy Days are celebrated according to the Julian calendar, which is thirteen days behind
the more commonly used Gregorian calendar.
Special Days
Blessing of holy water outside the church,
Feast of Jordan,
Blessing of private homes by the priest,
Prayer and blessing of graves on All Saints Day,
Requiem Mass or concerts for fallen heroes or national leaders.
Easter
Easter is celebrated firstly by a religious procession around the church and the blessing of food,
e.g. paska (EasterBun), pysanky (decorated eggs), etc. The blessed food is eaten for Easter
Breakfast. On Easter Sunday there is a church service and celebration. The family, immediate
and extended, plays an important role in the celebration.
Christmas
Christmas Day falls on the 7th of January.
Christmas Eve supper consists of traditional Ukrainian dishes and no meat is eaten. A special
traditional dish kutia, consisting of boiled wheat, honey and poppy seeds is prepared.
On Christmas Sunday there is a church service followed by celebrations that include carols sung
By groups who visit private homes.
New Year
New Year is celebrated on the 14th of January with a New Year’s Eve ball known as Malanka.
On New Year’s Day there is also the feast of St. Basil the Great. It is a special day for all men
Named Basil and is celebrated with a church service.
St. Yuriy’s Day is celebrated in the first week of May. St. Yuriy is the Patron Saint of the Scout
and Girl Guide Organizations called plast. Special activities are also organised for the elderly.
St. Michael’s Day is celebrated in the last week of November. It is a celebration for youth and is
acknowledged by Ukrainian Youth Associations. Special activities are also arranged for the
older members of the community.
Lesia Ukrainka concert is the celebration of the Patron Saint of Women’s Associations. It is
normally held on the 22nd of September but the date is confirmed yearly.
Ukrainian Catholic and Orthodox Churches have Name Day celebration during the year. For
example, the Catholic Church celebrates the Name Day of St. Olga on the last weekend of July.
Service providers who wish to acknowledge these events should check the exact dates with the
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resident or their representatives and priest. The Ukrainian catholic and Orthodox Churches
have Name Day celebration during the year. For example, the Catholic Church celebrates the
Name day of St. Olga on the last weekend of July. Service providers who wish to acknowledge
these events should check the exact dates with the resident or their representatives and priest.
Food and Diet
The essential components of Ukrainian cuisine are those foods that provide the most
carbohydrates and fat rather than proteins e.g. bread, potatoes, meat, eggs and butter. Fresh
fruits and vegetables are rarely used in meals.
Ukrainian dishes show a sophisticated simplicity based on a pleasing combination of fresh,
pickled and smoked ingredients. Dishes may contain a great number of ingredients and unusual
combinations though cooking techniques are not complicated. Food is neither highly spicy nor
bland but skilfully seasoned to perfection.
Bread is the mainstay of the Ukrainian diet. It is such a central part of the diet that there is a
custom to give honoured guests and departing or arriving travellers the gift of a loaf of bread
and salt. This tradition is still used in welcoming ceremonies for dignitaries and other important
persons.
Borsch is certainly the national dish of Ukraine. The beetroot-based soup can contain as many
as 20 ingredients, depending on season, region and of course, personal preference of the cook.
It can be meatless or prepared from a rich meat stock and contain either beef or smoked pork.
Salads are very common, but rather than being lettuce-based a combination of fresh, cooked
and preserved vegetables may be mixed with meat, cheese or fish. With so many different
recipes, the only constant of Ukrainian salads are the presence of vinegar or mayonnaise.
Varenyky are dumplings made from boiled or fried dough, resembling ravioli. They can be filled
with meat, potatoes, cabbage and sometimes mushrooms for an entrée, or sour cherries or
sweetened cottage cheese and raisins for a dessert. Any kind is accompanied by butter or sour
cream.
The word holubtsi can be translated into little pigeons but really has nothing to do with fowl of
any kind. They are cabbage rolls stuffed with meat and rice or buckwheat and often are
covered with a thin tomato sauce.
There are many different kinds of pastries and cakes, usually less sweet than the ones made
outside of Ukraine.
A uniquely Ukrainian drink, kvas, a slightly sweet non-alcoholic beverage with a wheat-like
taste is sold from giant tanks on wheels in the summer throughout the cities.
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Meals
Breakfast: Usually this is a quick meal. Adults are likely to have an open sandwich with cheese,
ham or salami with a cup of tea. Children tend to eat a cooked meal consisting of a boiled egg,
omelette or kasha (any cooked grain or cereal served with milk, sugar and butter).
Lunch: this is the main meal of the day and is eaten between 1pm and 3pm. Lunch starts with a
small entrée e.g. Salted-herring or salad etc. this is followed by soup often made from the
homemade stock. After soup is the main course e.g. fish or meatballs. If a meat stew is eaten
they tend to have been flavoured using wild mushroom, pickled cucumber or special cream.
The main course is served with potatoes, pasta, cereal, salted-cucumbers and always served
with bread. Lunch is finished with either coffee, tea compot (stewed fruit) or fruit juice.
Afternoon Tea: Desserts or pastries are very popular and particularly enjoyed at this time. Tea
or milk follows.
Dinner (or Supper): This meal is eaten with the family around the table. Soup can be served
again and the main course might be vegetables like potato cakes with mushroom sauce or
cottage cheese.
Bread
Dark, heavy
rye bread,
toast
Cheeses
Cottage
cheese and
any other
kind of
yellow
cheeses are
popular
Vegetables
Beetroot,
cabbage,
peas, beans,
potatoes,
cucumber,
tomatoes.
onion and
garlic Honey
is very
popular
Meat / Fish
Chicken,
fresh water
fish,
meatball,
steak,
frankfurtertype
sausages and
beef, pork
meat
Fruit
Fresh fruits
not very
popular –
maybe only
apples and
berries.Stewed
or cooked
fruits
(compost) are
popular
Drinks
Tea, coffee,
tea with
lemon
beer, wine.
vodka
It is important for residential care providers to establish each person’s food preferences
cooking, style (e.g. fried versus poached), quality and timing of meals and recorded as part of
their care plan.
Recipe for Ukrainian Potato Pancakes (Deruny)
Ingredients:
1 large onion, grated; 6 potatoes, peeled & grated; 2tbls flour; 2 eggs; 2tsp. salt; 3/4 tsp. black
pepper; sour cream.
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Procedure:
In a large bowl use a mixer to puree all the ingredients, except for the sour cream. You may do
this in a food processor or a blender. Heat oil in a skillet and when hot, drop a large spoonful of
the mixture. Cook until browned on one side. Turn and repeat.
When done, remove, drain and place in a warm oven. Serve warm with a large dollop of sour
cream. This is a staple in Ukrainian homes. In many homes preserves or jam is also served on
these delicious pancakes.
Food sources
More and more of the larger food stores e.g. Woolworths, Coles stock Russian (or European)
foods, and you should check what is available at these types of stores in the first instance.
Below is the list of known suppliers of food in South-East Qld.
German Butcher Heinz 611 Stanley Street Woolloongabba Qld 4102 Ph. (07) 3391 3530
Rene’s Smallgoods 41 Tubbs Street Clontarf Qld 4019 Ph. (07) 3283 7711
Adams’s Continental Smallgoods 206 Cobalt Street Carole Park Qld 4300 Ph. (07) 3271 3044
Swiss Gourmet Deli 181 Boundary Street West End Qld 4101 Ph. 3844 2937
Euro Continental Food Quality Greek & European Products Shop 1/75-77 Russell St West End
Qld 4101
Franz Continental Smallgoods 15 Industrial Avenue Caloundra Qld 4551 Ph. (07) 5493 936
Attitudes to Aged Care
Role of the Family in Caring for the Elderly
The elderly person generally prefers to stay at home rather than to be admitted into the Age
Care Facility. It is expected that family will care for their parents and relatives at home for as
long as possible. This expectation derives from Ukraine where there are few nursing homes and
hostels and the standard of care is low. Extended family ties are especially strong. The elderly
are respected and the role of the male as the head of the family tends to be a dominant one.
Attitude Towards Residential Aged Care
The elderly do not readily accept being admitted into residential care. Generally, this is the
option considered only as the last resort. In home support programs will be accessed to
prolong independence for as long as possible. They respond with appreciation to carers making
genuine efforts to overcome the feelings of dependency and isolation. Leaving home and
moving into any other communal arrangement is the equivalent to losing their independence.
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Where residential placement happens, this is often due to the loss of family members or family
networks, rather than as a preference of the person.
Attitudes Towards Illness, Pain and Hospitalisation
Attitudes to illness and treatment do not differ markedly from the Anglo-Saxon culture. There
is cultural stigma attached to mental illness and intellectual disability.
Attitudes to pain are also very similar to those of Anglo-Saxon culture but some elderly prefer
to use traditional Ukrainian herbal preparations.
Hospitalisation is accepted.
Dying and Palliative Care
The concept of a hospice and palliative care is not known in the Ukraine. Care of the terminally
ill has been a family responsibility, and in some cases there can be some opposition to the
perceived ‘intrusion’ by outsiders. It is likely that Ukrainian-born elderly persons will be
unaware that such services exist or what it entails. If the person does know something about
palliative care he/she has learnt this whilst resident in Australia.
The dying should be given the attention and care to help them live their last moments in dignity
and peace. They will be helped by the prayers of their relatives who must ensure that a priest
administers the Sacrament of anointing of the sick. The body must be treated with respect and
charity, in faith and hope of Resurrection.
Burial Rituals in Accordance with the Ukrainian Catholic Tradition
Three separate services are typically celebrated, to which all are invited to attend and
participate. These services consist of:
- A vigil for a deceased, commonly known as prayer service which takes place on the
evening before the funeral and may be held in the church or funeral home. The service
ends with a viewing of the body.
- Requiem Divine Liturgy (Funeral) includes psalms and scripture readings. The reception
takes place in the church and entire service is usually sung.
- Rite of Internment (Burial), the funeral procession proceeds to the cemetery for the
final prayer service of committal (Panakhyda) and burial. Burial is still the Church’s
preference however, cremation is permitted. It is common for families and friends of
the deceased to gather in church for a memorial Divine Liturgy (mass) on the 40th day
following the date of death.
It is important for the residential care provider to establish each person’s wishes in the event of
palliative care or death and recorded as part of their care plan.
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Interpreters and Bilingual Staff
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Although people with moderate English skills may appear to understand discussions, use of
professional interpreters to communicate complex information is advisable. For many
professionals the need to work with interpreters may seem awkward and time consuming, but
effective use of interpreting services leads to successful communication. The role of bilingual
staff is distinctly different from that of an interpreter or translator. The fact that a worker
speaks Ukrainian does not mean that he/she is able to accurately convey messages of complex
nature between clients and service providers. Although very valuable on a daily basis, the
language assistance of a bilingual worker should be limited to simple matters, in order to avoid
possible misunderstandings and complications of a legal nature.
Service providers are encouraged to deal only with accredited interpreters and translators. The
National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters (NAATI) tests and accredits
translators and interpreters, at different levels and in most languages. These professionals may
work in interpreting and translating assignments as independent (freelance) specialists, or
under contract to a commercial or government agency.
Work of translators and Interpreters is codified by the AUSIT Code of Ethics which obliges
members to:
Respect their clients’ rights to privacy and confidentiality;
Decline to undertake work beyond their competence or accreditation levels;
Decline to mix promotional activity for clients with interpreting work;
Maintain professional detachment, impartiality and objectivity.
Information shared in interpreting and translating assignments is strictly confidential.
Disclosure of information may be permissible with clients’ agreement or when disclosure is
mandated by law. Interpreters are required to observe impartiality in all professional contracts
disclose any possible conflict of interest and take all reasonable care to be accurate.
Interpreters and translators are not responsible for what clients say or write they cannot voice
an opinion, solicited or unsolicited, on any matter or person in relation to an assignment. For
example, it is wrong to ask of an interpreter: “Does this person seem depressed to you?”
because this kind of assessment would be outside of their area of expertise. In order to ensure
the same access to all that is said by all parties involved in a meeting, interpreters relay
accurately and completely everything that is said. They convey the whole message, including
derogatory or vulgar remarks as well as non-verbal clues and they cannot alter, make additions
to, or omit anything from their assigned work.
In general, interpreters are not allowed to accept gifts and tips. However, some discretionary
latitude may be exercised in accepting a gift such as a small box of chocolates as a token of
gratitude.
Community Partners Program
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Key Issues for the Ukrainian Community
Ukrainian Community-Specific Issues
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Fear of authority and reluctance to seek assistance until crisis point is reached;
Cases of social isolation and limited English;
Service system disorientation;
Refusal to accept help due to cultural expectations that the family’s role is to provide the
necessary support;
Refusal to accept help from outsiders;
Experiencing embarrassment or even shame of having to deal with one’s personal problems in
public.
Many Ukrainian elderly can speak and understand English. However, some of them cannot read
or write English and may have problems with filling out forms. Some of those who say that they
can speak English can often understand and respond to simple sentences and situations and
are able to express their needs in a limited manner.
Key Issues for Service Providers
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The need for appropriate dementia care support services for the elderly and their carers.
The need for in-home support services that is culturally and linguistically relevant to potential
Russian consumers.
More strategic focus on the primary importance of carers.
Work on the eradication of under-utilisation of mainstream services, such as HACC and
Residential Care.
The need for culturally appropriate grief and death counselling.
Resource Guide to Ukrainian Service
Ukrainian Community of Queensland 2050
70 Cordelia St SOUTH BRISBANE Q 4101
Activities: Social, cultural, educational,
Senior citizen support
President: Mr Stephen Chomyn
Telephone: (07) 3844 4326
Fax: (07) 3844 4326
Mobile: 0402 458 314
Email: stephen.chomyn@projectservices.qld.gov.au
Secretary: Ms Kataryna Miljenovic
Community Partners Program
(CPP)
Telephone: (07) 3345 4661
Mobile: 0414 426 494
Email: kmilj1@eq.edu.au
Ukrainian Catholic Church– Protection of Mother of God 2052
36 Broadway St WOOLLOONGABBA Q 4102
Website: www.catholicukes.org.au
/tiki/tikiindex.php?page=Brisbane
Activities: Religious, educational, cultural
Contact: Parish Priest
Telephone: (07) 3391 6004
Fax: (07) 3391 6004
Email: jarkopasok@yahoo.com
Free interpreting services
The Australian Government, through TIS National, provides free interpreting services to nonEnglish speaking Australian citizens and permanent residents communicating with the following
approved groups and individuals:
 private medical practitioners providing Medicare-rebatable services and their reception
staff to arrange appointments and provide results of medical tests
 non-profit, non-government, community-based organisations for case work and
emergency services where the organisation does not receive funding to provide these
services
Note: Organisations that require language services (such as interpreting) and receive
government funding should incorporate the cost of these services into their application
for funding
 Members of Parliament for constituency purposes
 local government authorities to communicate with non-English speaking residents on
issues such as rates, garbage collection and urban services
 Trade unions to respond to members' enquiries or requests
 Emergency Management Australia
 Pharmacies for the purpose of dispensing Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS)
medications.
Non-profit, non-government, community-based organisations can apply for a fee exemption for
calls through TIS National. Please download and complete the Application for exemption from
TIS charges form. Applications should be faxed to the attention of the on-site supervisor.
See: Application for exemption from TIS charges (67KB PDF file)
Fax: 1300 654 151
If you have questions about your eligibility for free interpreting, please contact the Client
Liaison and Promotions team.
Community Partners Program
(CPP)
Telephone: 1300 655 820
Email: tispromo@immi.gov.au
Free document translation service
The Australian Government also provides a free document translation service through TIS
National, for people settling permanently in Australia. Permanent settlers are able to have their
personal documents translated into English during their initial two year settlement period.
Returning Australian citizens may also be eligible for the free translation service within two
years of returning to Australia to settle permanently.
Detailed information about the free document translation service is available online.
See: Help with Translations
Doctors Priority Line
The Doctors Priority Line is a free telephone interpreting service which helps medical
practitioners to communicate with their non-English speaking patients.
General practitioners and specialists can use the Doctors Priority Line when providing services
that are:
 claimable under Medicare
 delivered in private practices
 provided to non-English speakers who are Australian citizens or permanent residents.
The Doctors Priority Line is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Doctors who are not currently registered for the Doctors Priority Line can arrange access to the
service with TIS National by filling out an online registration form.
See: Medical Practitioners Free Interpreting Registration Form
The form is also available to download as a PDF file which can be faxed or posted as per
instructions
on
the
form.
See: Medical Practitioners Request Form for TIS National Client Code (41KB PDF file)
Telephone interpreting service for pharmacies
Free interpreting services are available to pharmacies for the purpose of dispensing
Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) medications. This scheme is aimed at assisting
pharmacists to communicate with people about the proper use of medications.
Lists of the pharmacies that have registered for the use of the service in Qld
See:
QLD registered pharmacies ( 96KB PDF file)
If your local pharmacy is not listed you can ask them to register for free interpreting services.
The pharmacy can register for the services with TIS National by filling out an online form.
See: Medical Practitioners Free Interpreting Registration Form
The form is also available to download as a PDF file which can be faxed or posted as per
instructions on the form.
See: Medical Practitioners Request Form for TIS National Client Code (41KB PDF file)