Anna Owczarenko nee Nebozuk was born in Mosty Welyky, Ukraine on the 22nd April 1930. Since making her home in Ballarat in 1951, Anna has worked as a Director of the Ballarat Ukrainian Language School,, Director of the Ballarat School of Performing Arts and International Leader of the Ukrainian Scout Group, representing Australia internationally in her role with Scouts between 1950 and 2001.
Anna often acted as an interpreter and support person for new arrivals and for elderly members of the Ballarat Ukrainian community. Building into her community, Anna organised for the Ukrainian services to be held at the Church of the Little Flower on Wendouree Parade and contributed to the Begonia festival and to Australia Day multicultural events by helping with coordinating and participating in decorating floats and performances. Anna also regularly accepted invitations to attend civic functions as a represent the Ukrainian community.
Throughout her life Anna’s main desire was to give Ballarat people the opportunity to experience Ukrainian culture through dance, song, art and history. As a much loved family member, she is remembered as such a spirited woman, she danced, she sang and she was loved by all around her. In the words of her Niece, “Anna’s passion to share her heritage and to promote acceptance and tolerance in the Ballarat region is worthy of recognition. Anna enriched and brought greatness to the City of Ballarat and our Community by sharing her cultural heritage and promoting cultural pride.”
Anna passed away 27th July 2011 and is buried in Ballarat New Cemetery, Highview Gardens, Row 9, Grave 10. |
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