Stefan Romaniw OAM was a leading light of our proudly multicultural state and nation.
He believed, deeply, that Victoria was enriched by its diversity, and made stronger through our differences. He believed in it so staunchly, he made it his life's work.
Stefan showed that same dedication to the Ukrainian community, both here in Victoria and around the world. He was a restless advocate, determined to speak out against the illegal Russian war in Ukraine.
Stefan served our state as the Executive Director of Community Languages Australia and previously as the Chair of the Victorian Multicultural Commission and Multicultural Arts Victoria.
He also held a number of leadership roles within the broader Australian and Ukrainian communities, including the Australian Federation of Ukrainian Organisations, as 1st Vice President of the Ukrainian World Congress, and as a member of the Starlight Foundation Victorian Advisory Board.
Stefan's legacy will live on through the Victorians he reached, and the future generations he inspired.
On behalf of our state, I extend my heartfelt condolences to his wife Anastasia, his children Peter and Theresa, son in law Jeffrey, daughter in law Stevie, and his beloved grandchildren.
I've been in contact with Stefan's family. We're working with them on how to best recognise his contributions to Victoria, with further details to be provided at a later date.
In the meantime, we're thinking of Stefan's family - and everyone whose life was made better by his work.
