On 26 January, on Australia Day, a commemorative event honouring Stefan Romaniw was held at the Hennadii Udovenko Diplomatic Academy of Ukraine at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine. Stefan Romaniw was a prominent Ukrainian-Australian public and political figure, First Vice President of the Ukrainian World Congress, and Co-Chair of the Australian Federation of Ukrainian Organizations.

The event was initiated by Halyna Symkha, founder of the international platform “Thank you from the heart”, Chair of Supervisory Board of the ICF "Ukrainian Family", and founder of the Ukrainian–Australian House, with organizational support from the Hennadii Udovenko Diplomatic Academy at the MFA.

The event was attended by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Olexandr Mischenko, Ambassador of Australia to Ukraine Paul Lehmann, Ambassador of Ukraine to Australia Vasyl Myroshnychenko (online), the leadership of the Diplomatic Academy headed by Director Ihor Ostash, representatives of the Ukrainian World Congress and Ukrainian World Congress Mission to Ukraine, the Australian Federation of Ukrainian Organizations, Ukrainian and Australian diplomats, as well as colleagues, friends, and like-minded associates of Stefan Romaniw.

During the event, Halyna Symkha presented Deputy Minister Olexandr Mischenko with the “Knight of a Great Heart” fibula award, which will subsequently be presented to the Romaniw family in Australia.

In his address, Deputy Minister Olexandr Mischenko emphasized the symbolism of the occasion: “Today’s event, dedicated to the memory of the outstanding Australian of Ukrainian descent, Stefan Romaniw, takes place on a significant date — Australia Day. Australia is one of Ukraine’s key military allies outside NATO, strategic partner, and reliable friend. Since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale armed aggression against our state, Australia has provided substantial military assistance, including direct deliveries of weapons to Ukraine — in particular M1A1 Abrams tanks, air defence radar systems, ammunition, and combat engineering equipment. In addition, Australia has contributed to NATO’s PURL initiative to provide Ukraine with critically important equipment.”

Olexandr Mischenko underscored Stefan Romaniw’s special role in mobilizing Australian support for Ukraine: “Stefan Romaniw was one of the driving forces behind the consolidation of Australia’s support for Ukraine. Working closely with the Australian Government and the Ukrainian diplomatic mission in Australia, he united the Ukrainian community and inspired Australian society to demonstrate solidarity with our country. His example showed how democracy, sovereignty, and territorial integrity should be defended within the framework of international law.”

He also highlighted the multi-level nature of Stefan Romaniw’s work: “By combining leadership roles in both the Australian Federation of Ukrainian Organizations and the Ukrainian World Congress, Mr Romaniw shared this positive experience with Ukrainian communities across Australia and far beyond its borders.”

In his speech, Olexandr Mischenko, who served as the first Ambassador of Ukraine to Australia (2004–2005), shared personal recollections about the establishment of Ukraine’s diplomatic mission in Canberra and underscored the invaluable support provided by the Ukrainian community in Australia, led at the time by Stefan Romaniw.

Participants of the event also noted the importance of the activities of the Stefan Romaniw Youth Leadership Foundation.