Minute by the Lord Mayor
To Council:
The devastating humanitarian crisis caused by
the Russian Federation’s immoral and illegal invasion of the Sovereign State of
Ukraine on 24 February 2022 has no signs of ending.
While the brave people of Ukraine have
valiantly resisted the Russian onslaught, recapturing occupied lands, including
the city of Kherson, Russian missile strikes and military action have
continued, destroying cities and towns and leaving hundreds of thousands of
people without food, water, heat, electricity or medical care for lengthy
periods. Tens of thousands of people have lost their lives and many more have
been injured. Millions have fled Ukraine, creating a refugee crisis.
Approximately 5,000 Ukrainians have found safety in Australia including 1,750
who have settled in NSW.
Soon after the invasion on 24 February 2022,
the City joined with others in showing solidarity with all Australians of
Ukrainian heritage by flying the Ukrainian flag and lighting Sydney Town Hall
with its colours.
At our Council meeting on 21 March 2022, all
persons present in the Council Chamber stood for one minute as an expression of
solidarity with and support for the people of Ukraine and the Ukrainian
diaspora, including the millions who had fled their country.
Council also unanimously agreed to provide
cash sponsorship to the Ukrainian Council of NSW Inc to assist it to hold an
event to raise funds to provide humanitarian aid and support.
The Ukrainian Fundraising Concert, held in
Sydney Town Hall on 28 March 2022, was attended by 750 people and raised
$32,000 for the Ukraine Crisis Appeal. This appeal is a collaboration between
the Australian Federation of Ukrainian Organisations Rotary Australia World
Community Service (RAWCS) and Caritas Ukraine. The Appeal’s priority is
providing emergency humanitarian aid for food, shelter, medical aid,
psychological support and child welfare.
The Ukrainian Council of NSW is planning to hold
another fundraising event in support of the Crisis Appeal on or close to the
first anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine and has again sought the
City’s support. I propose that Council continue to stand in solidarity with the
People of Ukraine by agreeing to this request. Specifically, I am recommending
that Council again approve a cash sponsorship to the Ukrainian Council of NSW
Inc for an amount of up to $50,000 towards the use of an appropriate City
venue, which may include Sydney Town Hall, subject to its availability on the
day of the event.
This sponsorship complies with the City of
Sydney’s Support for Charities Policy adopted by Council on 21 November 2022.
Australians may also continue show solidarity
by donating to the Ukraine Crisis Appeal: www.ukrainecrisisappeal.org.
COUNCILLOR
CLOVER MOORE
Lord Mayor
Moved by the Chair (the Lord Mayor), seconded by Councillor Gannon –
It is resolved that:
(A)
Council
reaffirm its commitment of solidarity with and support for the people of
Ukraine and the Ukrainian diaspora, including the millions who have fled their
country;
(B)
Council
approve a cash sponsorship to the Ukrainian Council of NSW Inc for an amount of
up to $50,000 (excluding GST) for venue hire and associated costs to use an
appropriate City of Sydney venue for a Ukraine Crisis Appeal event, with funds
to be sourced from the 2022/23 General Contingency Fund; and
(C)
authority
be delegated to the Chief Executive Officer to negotiate, execute and
administer a sponsorship agreement with the Ukrainian Council of NSW Inc in
relation to (B) above.
Carried unanimously.
S051491