Visnyk Winter 2026

Welcome to the Winter 2026 edition of the Plast Australia E-Visnyk.

As the weather turns colder, we reflect on a winter filled with the warmth of community, tradition and the many hands that continue to strengthen Plast across Australia.

This edition celebrates the dedication of our branches, the development of our leaders and the experiences that bring our members together. Across the country, branches marked our patron saint St Yuriy, renewing our shared commitment to courage, service and friendship.

Adventure remained an important part of the season. UPY from Sydney and Melbourne joined a canoe expedition at St. George’s Basin, while Plast WA challenged themselves on a hiking journey through the Western Australian bush. Experiences such as these build confidence, resilience, independence and friendships that endure well beyond each activity.

Leadership, mentoring and education within our educator cadre remain paramount to the strength and continued development of the Plast program. In Adelaide, the 408th Rada Orlynoho Vohnu brought Plast members together from across Australia for Priamo Hljanj (Прямо Глянь!) the Kadre Vykhovnykiv (KB1) UPN leadership training course for our novatstvo leaders.

Plast Australia also worked with Plast Global (HPB) leadership and Plast Groups to coordinate the online training program, Hajda do Plastu — Guide to Plast (Гайда до Пласту). Bringing together leaders, educators, instructors, parents and supporters from Australia and internationally, the program strengthened shared knowledge, connections and support for developing Plast communities.

It has also been a season of renewal within the Plast Australia leadership. We welcomed pl. sen. Andrei Kostka, ChM, to the Plast Australia Executive as Secretary.

We extend our deepest Plast gratitude to pl. sen. ker. Michael Kwas for his many years of dedicated service as Chief Financial Officer of the Plast Australia Executive (Financial Referent KPS). Michael has now joined the Plast Australia Board (KPR), continuing his service while enabling pl. sen. Andrew Radion to step into the Chief Financial Officer role. We sincerely thank Michael for his longstanding commitment and warmly welcome Andrew to this important responsibility.

Our plastuvannia shows that service, remembrance and connection to Ukraine remain at the heart of Plast life. Through acts both large and small, Plast develops character through service and keeps our connection to Ukraine alive in the hearts of future generations.

This year, three of our members brought that international spirit home:

st. pl. virlytsia Nina Kostka — experience in Ukraine
st. pl. skob Andriy Mykhailyk — time at Vovcha Tropa in the United States
st. pl. Iryna Loboda — participation at Novyi Sokil

Through these opportunities, our members experience different Plast traditions, learn from fellow Plast members around the world, and form friendships that extend far beyond their own local communities.

This season also brought well-deserved recognition for Plast members whose volunteer service, leadership and contributions have been acknowledged within the wider community in Australia and internationally. We warmly congratulate all those recognised and celebrate the positive impact they continue to make beyond Plast.

Plast is sustained by the steady commitment of our leaders, volunteers, families and members. This edition captures that commitment and the continuing strength and growth of Plast in Australia.

Read these stories and more on the Plast Australia News page.

SKOB!