NATALIA Polianska recalls her terror when Russian forces bombed her family’s Ukrainian home for the first time.
“I remember the night it happened – (son) Timmy had a fever, and I couldn’t understand why my house was shaking – then I looked on my cell phone, and Mum had been calling because she saw the fire.”
In early March, the Russians bombed the eastern Ukrainian city of Dnipro.
Ms Polianska, with, Timmy, 4, and mother Nataliia Skotarenko, fled the country and have now settled in Lake Boga.
“I think the point when I realised we needed to go was when we had to sleep on the corridor floor for a week because it was the safest place – you needed to have two walls between you and the windows,” she said.
“But I had to wait in line for cash for hours eight days in a row because the ATMs only allowed $150 out per day for each person.
“We only had three suitcases with us when we left – we put them in the boot of the car and packed a lot of food because you couldn’t buy any on the road.”
After spending two months in Krakow, Poland, she applied for temporary visas for herself, son and mother to come to Australia.
Thankfully for Ms Polianska, her years of travel meant an old mate from Lake Boga was willing to open his doors.
“We came here because we have a friend, and he is letting us stay on his farm – we love being here,” she said.
“Everyone is very friendly and helpful.
“It’s like a different planet for us – the food, electricity, roads and even washing machines are all different.”
Unfortunately, not all of Ms Polianska’s family could leave the country.
Her father, sister, nephew and brother-in-law are still in the war-ravaged nation to support its war effort.
“They could not leave because the men have to work – otherwise, our economy will die, and we all understand that,” she said.
“I hope we can stay here on permanent residencies, but we would like to visit our family again, maybe in two or three years after the war finishes.”
Ms Polianska left more behind than just her family – her shop is also sitting idle.
“I had an Instagram shop with my sister and mum – we made beddings for newborns and sold shoes for kids,” she said.
“We left everything there – our office and stock, but we gave the keys to our friends, and they sold everything for us.”
The family have been helped by Samia Fox, the Swan Hill co-ordinator at Sunraysia Mallee Ethnic Communities Council.
“We help refugees and asylum seekers come to Australia who’ve arrived on humanitarian visas and aid them in finding accommodation, health, paperwork – basically whatever they need,” Ms Fox said.
Ms Fox highlighted the immense challenges families like Ms Polianska’s face.
“The language is a culture shock – at the beginning, it’s all about finding a place, but when they start wanting to work, the language is a massive challenge,” she said.
“To get them accommodation is very challenging because they don’t have any references, so we do a lot of advocacy to find them a place.”
The community’s response to the family has been magnificent, but Ms Fox is hoping companies and people can go a step further.
“If people can give more chances to those who’ve just arrived, it would be terrific,” she said.
“They appreciate everything you do for them, and they like to work, they don’t want to just sit and do nothing.
“They are outstanding people and look after the property, so I don’t see any concern with all the people we’ve dealt with – they just want a roof over their head.”
“But I have to thank the people at St Vinnie’s – anytime they need something, all we have to do is give them a call – and they’ll lend a helping hand.”
Ms Skotarenko is taking English classes at Swan Hill Uniting Church, while Timmy is going to take up soccer.
