How I fled evil war
Ukrainian refugee’s life in FNQ a world away from home
DMITRIY Gorbenko left his home in Mariupol, Ukraine on February 19 last year for a holiday in Europe with his girlfriend.
It was the last time he saw his family and hometown as news of Russia’s invasion into Ukraine dominated headlines days later on February 24.
“We were on holiday in Portugal on February 19 and the war started one week later,” Mr Gorbenko said.
“From that point it was dangerous for me to go back to Donetsk. My parents and brother are still there, living in my brother’s house and thankfully still alive.”
Mr Gorbenko’s flat is “still there” but there’s no one living in it.
He said most establishments have been burnt to the ground including his first school.
Mr Gorbenko, a dentist by profession with 11 years of experience, spent some time in the Czech Republic before his mate in Cairns helped him move to the Far North permanently in June.
“I have previously learnt English and so decided to move to an English-speaking country,” he said.
“For one month, I was out of work, and then I started searching for dental opportunities.
“I first came here alone and lived on my friend’s mattress in the living room for months. After five months, my girlfriend was able to join me but the government here
It was dangerous for me to go back. My parents and brother are still there ... and thankfully still alive.
DMITRIY GORBENKO (LEFT)
abruptly shut the visa program after about four months.”
Mr Gorbenko works as a disability support worker four days a week and a dental assistant once a week at Cairns Dental Boutique in the Botanic Gardens.
He hoped to return to full-time dentistry and said accreditation with Australian Dental Council was a long process that could take a few years.
“We are waiting for my girlfriend’s bridging visa and meanwhile living in shared housing in Paramatta Park as it is not easy to get a rental without references.”
Mr Gorbenko is one of several displaced refugees from Ukraine rebuilding their lives in the tropics with 60 settled in the Far North.
Natalia Arens, immigration agent and spokeswoman for the Ukrainian settlement, said it was beautiful how the Russianspeaking community in Cairns had stepped forward “with open arms” to welcome refugees.
“Residents of the former Soviet Union – Lithuania, Latvia, Belarus, Uzbekistan – have all assisted by donating prams, furniture, accommodation, meals, personal care items,” Ms Arens said.
“On January 1, the Russian speaking community celebrated New Year’s and we saw Ukrainians join Russians, go beyond politics.”
According to Ms Arens, the Ukrainian community was settling well in the Far North, with many sharing accommodation with families and entering the workforce as soon as they were able to obtain a work permit.
“A lot of migrants have started in agriculture,” she said.
“Some positions are very basic, like working in banana plantations or chicken factories, but it is a start.”
Ms Arens extended her gratitude to the wider multicultural community of Cairns and said
Centacare FNQ was instrumental in assisting humanitarian settlement.
“The pressure of continuous war would have got me to the ground flat,” Ms Arens said.
“We want to say thank you to the region for the welcome from the bottom of our heart.
“Open your hearts to anyone running away from bombs. The fact that these were people from my country of birth opened my eyes to the plight of refugees globally.”