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Stepping across the border from worn torn Ukraine to striding out on the Bibbulmun track, two worlds could not be further apart however thanks to a DLGSC Hiking Participation Grant awarded to the United Ukrainians of Perth this was the experience for a number of people.

The Ukrainian Hike Project is a monthly group hike opportunity for Ukrainian refugees to get out of the city and into the bush. The aim is to facilitate community building whilst experiencing and learning about Australian nature, fauna & flora and heritage. There is a focus on the physical and mental health benefits of hiking.

“We arrived in Australia from Ukraine, escaping the war. Like millions of our compatriots, we had to leave our homeland, leaving behind family, friends, belongings, jobs, and established lives. With suitcases weighing only 15-20 kg and worries about our remaining relatives and friends, we crossed the Ukrainian border. Living in quiet and prosperous Australia, we couldn't truly enjoy life due to constant anxieties and concerns about our loved ones. We followed the news to find out which areas of our cities were being bombed and where bombs were falling in the cities of our friends. We worried whether our relatives were alive and if they were missing on the front lines. But everything changed when the wonderful travel project, sponsored by Department of Local Government Sport and Cultural Industries, came into our lives. This project brought back our interest in life and made our existence in Australia meaningful.”

DLGSC provide grants of up to $25,000 for organisations to grow hiking participation in Western Australia.  The financial support aims to develop and deliver new opportunities for participation and increase skill and capacity of hike leaders, guides and volunteers.

Applications are now open to eligible organisations.  Projects should align with the WA Hiking Strategy and the Australian Adventure Activity Standards.