Published Tue, 12 May 2026
We believe everyone belongs. Our community is stronger when people from all backgrounds feel welcome, valued and supported.
We also recognise the experiences of refugees and people seeking safety, and the importance of helping everyone feel part of the community.
Recently, we spoke with Khrystyna, who arrived in Sydney from Ukraine four years ago.
Khrystyna was just 15 when war broke out in her hometown. She remembers her mum waking her at 4am to tell her.
“I just looked out the window and the street that I had just walked yesterday was on fire. Just seeing places that you used to live being destroyed in a split second… that hurt a lot.”
At first, she and her mum hoped things might settle. But as the situation escalated, they made the difficult decision to leave Ukraine and seek safety in Australia, where relatives had settled years earlier.
Australia was never part of the plan. We were well-settled in Ukraine - my mum had a good job, I was studying. My mum didn’t believe we could ever settle here. But looking back...she was wrong. Now I can call Sydney my home.”
However, at first, arriving in a new country as a teenager came with its own challenges.
“The first few weeks were very overwhelming and nerve-wracking. Everything felt very different. It was very hard because of the language.”
Over time, Khrystyna found a place where she felt a sense of belonging, which was through the Ukrainian aqua community at Ian Thorpe Aquatic Centre.
At Ian Thorpe, you can feel the sense of community. Everyone knows each other. As soon as you enter, people greet you. By my second class, I already felt like I was part of the place.
That connection made a lasting impact.
“That helped a lot - having that support here.”
Through her experiences, Khrystyna understands how challenging it can be to start again in a new country, especially at a young age. Her advice to others is simple but powerful:
Get out of your comfort zone and challenge yourself. If you feel drawn to something, try it. The worst thing you can do is not do anything. Socialise, make new connections...you never know what doors it can open.
Now 19, Khrystyna is studying at the University of Sydney and has recently completed her Mat Pilates certification. She’s looking forward to teaching classes at our City of Sydney gyms and continuing her journey by becoming a Reformer Pilates instructor.
Four years on from that life-changing moment, she has built a life filled with opportunity, connection and purpose.
“Now when I walk around the city, I can call this my home. I feel the warmth of my home.”
Khrystyna’s story is a powerful reminder that belonging can grow from even the most difficult beginnings, and that community can make all the difference.
