Our team

Nell

92 year old Nell Bilyk from Ulverstone, has been supporting fundraising for Ukraine in Tasmania by knitting wonderful beanies in Ukrainian colours. In fact, Nell, who has been a passionate knitted all her life, has been knitting beanies for decades to assist charities who support children from places as diverse as central Australia and Kenya. She is pleased to be supporting the Ukrainian resistance.

Nell endured the German occupation of Holland when she was a little girl. After the war her family emigrated to Australia and settled in Burnie on the North West Coast of Tasmania. There she met John Bilyk, a Ukrainian who also came to Tasmania after the war. While not Ukrainian by birth, she is very much a part of the close knit Ukrainian community in Tasmania who continue to provide vital support to family and friends back in Ukraine.

Other members of the community are so impressed with Nell’s contribution, that they have started a range of other knitted products that are available for purchase at Ukrainian rallies and other events.

Hanna

Hanna has been knitting for a couple of months and she really enjoys the process. In the beginning, she thought it would be too complicated for her.

For Hanna, being a member of Tassie for Ukraine is a way to support Ukrainian defenders and to feel connected with her Motherland.

'I have Ukrainian DNA and I am proud to introduce my country in different ways. Handmade knitting, crocheting and sewing are something our grandmothers and great-grandmothers used to do. When I knit on my own or gather with my soulmates, I feel the connection to the generations of Ukrainian women before me,' - says Hanna.

Darya

Darya moved from Ukraine to Tasmania three years ago. Working in the community development space, Darya is passionate about building connections and helping others use their creative skills.

Darya has never been much into crafts and only learned to knit only a few months ago, but she is enjoying the way knitting calms her down and helps her reflect.

Darya loves Tassie for Ukraine because it gives her a joint purpose and connection with local Ukrainian women. It also involves the larger Tasmanian community in helping Ukraine in a meaningful way.

Tanya

Tanya came to Tasmania last year because of the Russia's war in Ukraine. She started knitting again, after a long break. The hands quickly remembered what her mother had taught her.

'I revived this almost forgotten hobby when I realized that 26 sold pairs of mittens is one helmet that will save the life of someone's brother, husband or father,' says Tanya.

Anastasiia

Anastasiia is an artist and a digital creator. She moved to Tasmania a year ago, from a city in Ukraine heavily impacted by the war.

Her journey in art began by denying her talent to pursue a more respected and practical career in bookkeeping. However, eventually, Anastasiia went back to her passion and after many hours and years of learning, made art her job.

In her artworks, Anastasiia channels her feelings and experiences. She believes in the therapeutic power of art and its ability to create connections, so she highly enjoyed teaching other Ukrainian women acrylic painting skills.

Recently she took up knitting and it helps her expand her horizons as an artist and creator. Anastasiia is also a designated photographer and graphic designer for Tassie for Ukraine, helping beautifully showcase the products other women make.

Katia

Katia learnt how to knit as a child from her mom. For her, knitting is always associated with relaxing, coziness and kindness.

Katia came to Tasmania with her children after the beginning of the full-scale war in Ukraine. She fell in love with this beautiful place.

'Every thing I make for Tassie for Ukraine contains Ukraine's warmth and Tasmania's beauty,' says Katia.

Tania

Being a software engineer and a knitter, Tania knows that coding and knitting require the same mindset. While supporting female coders through Coding Sisterhood, Tania came up with an idea to support displaced Ukrainian women by creating a knitting group.

Seeing handmakers joining Tassie for Ukraine and exchanging knowledge makes her feel happy and hopeful.

'Every little mug wrap we make and sell saves lives. We invite every Tassie maker to join us on our mission to support Ukraine,' says Tania.

Bernadette

Bernadette have loved knitting since she was 8 years old and knits every evening at home as it is a very relaxing pastime for her. Her father was Ukrainian and it is very important to her to knit for Tassie for Ukraine and help in any way possible for the courage of the Ukrainian defenders, their families and the people who are suffering in their homeland.