Plastuny, parents, and friends of Plast from Victoria – as well as some visitors from afar – gathered at Sokil in the Great Otway National Park, Victoria, to celebrate the vibrant spirit of Tabir Khodom Rush – from 27 December 2024 to 4 January 2025! This year’s event marked a double milestone: 100 years of the Novatstvo branch and 75 years of Plast in Australia. We were honoured to welcome special guests from overseas: Myron Spolsky, Head of Holovna Plastova Bulava (Plast Global) – who made the trek from Kyiv and left tabir early to also participate in Plast NSW’s tabir – and Olenka Bondar, General Secretary of Holovna Plastova Bulava (Plast Global), who came from Paris. Their presence enriched the camp and provided invaluable insights into Plast’s global mission and direction.
The camp’s programs offered something for every age group:
For Ptashata (2-5 years old), the youngest Plastuny engaged in activities introducing them to Plast’s traditions through singing, creative play, and outdoor fun. Parents participated alongside their children, fostering a sense of community. This year, seven (?) ptashata proudly grew wings and flew to Novatstvo at the end of the tabir.
Novatstvo (6-11 years old) embarked on a medieval adventure, continuing the story of Camelot through daily quests. Each day was filled with highlights that transported participants back in time, from jousting lessons to building shields and swords to concocting the perfect potion. A highlight was their 10km coastal hike from Aireys Inlet to Anglesea, deemed “The Quest for the Golden Grail,” was a true test of endurance and camaraderie. The journey included a challenging 5km sandy stretch, but with knightly determination, the novatstvo pressed on, drawing closer as a group while gathering stories to share around the evening vatra.
For Yunatstvo (12-17 years old), the campwas a true Olympian challenge of physical and mental endurance. Their hike began in heavy rain—a marathon of determination that led to blisters, tears, and laughter but ended in a gold-medal-worthy sense of accomplishment. Completing the challenging VFV program tested their limits and brought home the “bronze, silver, and gold” of personal growth. These activities proved that Yunatstvo’s spirit is always ready to go the distance.
On December 30, the seniory enjoyed an insightful evening with Myron Spolsky, who shared the history, structure, and strategic vision of Plast worldwide. He also provided his unique perspective on the significant changes in Ukraine’s government, business, and society over the past 30 years, particularly since February 22, 2022. A lively Q&A session followed, sparking thoughtful discussions and inspiring participants to reflect on Plast’s future. Дякуємо, Myron, for such an engaging and inspiring evening!
The camp’s open day on January 1, 2025, showcased the vibrant and welcoming spirit of Plast. Visitors toured the pidtabory of UPN and UPY, attended the New Year’s Moleben, and participated in the Defilyada ceremony on the main oval. Novatstvo and yunatstvo embraced the whole-camp Terenova Hra, a Taskmaster-style game filled with creativity and laughter, and challenges which included catching a ‘fish’ from the bottom of the pool and for bonus points, Ukrainian dancing. The afternoon was filled with activities such as a vatra, and the much-loved Zolota Hitara (Golden Guitar) contest. The winning team wore their hats with pride for the remainder of the camp. Standout performances included Cirque du Novatstvo, featuring acrobatics and other impressive skills, and Yunatstvo’s new tabir song. These acts captivated the audience and highlighted the incredible talents of our participants. We look forward to a challenger knocking yunastvo off the winner’s pedestal next year.
Throughout the tabir, participants learned new songs and games from our overseas guests and bonded with interstate attendees from Adelaide, Perth, and Brisbane. These connections strengthened the sense of community and enriched the experience for everyone involved.
Tabir Khodom Rush was a powerful celebration of Plast’s traditions, growth, and spirit of togetherness. The memories, lessons, and friendships formed will resonate long after the camp’s conclusion. Thank you to everyone who contributed to making this tabir an unforgettable success. Until next time, ХОДОМ РУШ!
