Tuesday, 30 July 2024

Members statements

Stefan Romaniw

Lee TARLAMIS (South-Eastern Metropolitan) (15:14): It is with much sadness that I acknowledge the passing of Stefan Romaniw OAM on 26 June 2024. Stefan was a highly respected and revered community leader and advocate who dedicated his life to promoting diversity, inclusion and multiculturalism. His unexpected passing is a significant loss to all who knew him and the numerous communities he tirelessly served. Stefan’s leadership extended to state, national and international levels, advocating for multicultural diversity in the Ukrainian community. His relentless advocacy for the Ukrainian diaspora, especially following the illegal Russian invasion in 2022, influenced government policies and provided vital support for those impacted.

Throughout his career Stefan held numerous leadership roles where he demonstrated his unwavering commitment to supporting multicultural communities. He served as the co-chair of the Australian Federation of Ukrainian Organisations and was the first vice-president of the Ukrainian World Congress and executive director of Community Languages Australia. His contribution spanned many committees and councils, including the Refugee Review Tribunal, the Australia Day committee, the Victorian Multicultural Commission and Multicultural Arts Victoria.

Stefan’s contributions to language, education and cultural maintenance were remarkable. The depth and breadth of Stefan’s service were further highlighted by his roles as the principal of the Ukrainian Community School in the north of Melbourne for 17 years, a chair of the Ukrainian School Council of Victoria and an inductee to St Bernard’s College hall of fame. His tireless promotion of the importance of education and language learning was acknowledged with an Order of Australia Medal in 2001. Stefan’s extraordinary legacy will live on through the lives he touched and the future generations he inspired. We extend our heartfelt condolences to Stefan’s family and all who knew him. Vale. You will be deeply missed.