Who we are
Future Ukraine Limited is a DGR-approved company limited by guarantee that was formed on the initiative of the Australian Federation of Ukrainian Organisations (AFUO), the peak body for the Ukrainian diaspora community in Australia.
Future Ukraine is complementary to the AFUO’s Ukrainian Crisis Appeal which is directed at providing emergency relief and humanitarian aid to Ukraine and Ukrainians.
Future Ukraine’s three Directors are drawn from the Board of the AFUO to ensure strategic alignment.
How we are different
Future Ukraine is about building back better, transitioning from wartime, and focusing on Ukraine’s upcoming era of post-war innovation and prosperity.
Featuring DGR status and fully tax-deductible donations, Future Ukraine also uniquely provides its high-level donors and supporters the opportunity to collaborate in identifying, designing and delivering projects that have a maximum positive impact.
Future Ukraine allocates 97.25 per cent of revenue to projects, spending only 2.75 per cent on administrative costs.
Our Board
Stefan
Romaniw
Stefan is the Executive Director of Community Languages Australia and Co-Chair of the Australian Federation of Ukrainian Organisations (AFUO).
Stefan has held senior Australian government and management positions; served terms as Chairperson of the Victorian Multicultural Commission and the Victorian Government’s Australia Day Committee; and sat on many Boards including the Starlight Children’s Foundation (Victorian), RMIT University Language Advisory Board, the Board of Council of Adult Education and the Commonwealth Ministerial Standing Council on Immigration and Multicultural Affairs.
He is Australia’s representative on the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Ukraine.
Stefan is the First Vice President of the Ukrainian World Congress (UWC) and has chaired many Ukrainian-Australian organisations over a 50-year involvement in the community.
Stefan was awarded the Order of Australia Medal in 2001 and the Centenary Medal in 2003. He has received Orders of Recognition and Medals from the President of Ukraine, and has received a Foreign Affairs Ministry of Ukraine medal for services to international relations. He is a Member of the Hall of Fame at St Bernards College.
Kateryna
Argyrou
Kateryna Argyrou works as a Portfolio Manager in the financial industry, focusing on the Real Estate sector. Prior to her current role, Kateryna was the Head of Australian Real Estate equities research at Credit Suisse.
Kateryna was born in Ukraine, spent her childhood in Canada, and moved to Australia 10 years ago. She graduated with honours from the George Washington University and the London School of Economics. In her volunteering capacity, Kateryna is Co-Chair of the Australian Federation of Ukrainian Organisations (AFUO) and a Co-Founder and NSW Representative of the Australian-Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce (AUCC).
Jarema
Polatajko
Jarema was Born in Adelaide. He transferred to Melbourne in 1974 as a Trainee Accountant, whilst employed by a Public listed Company. He graduated in Accounting and Business Studies in 1976. He was employed as an Accountant in a further two Public listed Companies, until he opened his own Accounting and Tax practice in 1983.
Jarema is a member of: Tax Institute Australia – Chartered Tax Adviser; National Tax & Accountants’ Limited – Member; Australian Federation of Ukrainian Organisations – Finance Director since 1 April, 2012; Federal Plast Ukrainian Scouting Organisation – Federal Leader of Senior Scouts in Australia; Karpaty Foundation – Director; Future Ukraine Limited – Director; Ukrainian School Council of Victoria – Treasurer; Ukrainian Elderly Peoples Home – Founding member 1 January, 1993; Association of Ukrainians in Victoria – Member.