Celebrating 65 Years of Success : Dnister Ukrainian Credit Co-operative Limited AGM 2024
Honoring Our Legacy, Embracing the Future
On November 10 2024, Dnister proudly celebrated its 65th Annual General Meeting (AGM) at our newly renovated head office. This milestone moment allowed us to reflect on the remarkable achievements, growth, and strong community connections that have shaped our journey over the past six decades.
The war in Ukraine has forced many families to flee and rebuild their lives in Australia. Over the past few years, Dnister has been dedicated to supporting displaced Ukrainian immigrants by providing financial services to help them settle and integrate into our community. It is both an honour and a privilege to welcome them as new members of the co-operative. As a financial institution founded by Ukrainian immigrants, we remain deeply committed to offering stability and resources during this challenging time.
“Our support goes beyond financial services; it’s about standing with our community and offering practical assistance. Through tailored products, services, and outreach, Dnister continues to be a pillar of support for those impacted by the war and displacement.”
— Sasha Vazhnenko, Mobile Manager and Community Development.
The AGM was held in our modernised office space, a symbol of Dnister’s commitment to innovation and progress, while staying true to the values passed down by the Ukrainian immigrants who founded our Credit Co-operative. Our new headquarters reflect this balance—embracing forward-thinking strategies while honouring the deep-rooted traditions of our founders. This year, we also took significant steps in expanding our digital services, introducing Apple Pay and Google Pay to offer our members faster, safer, and more convenient banking options.
A Strong and Safe Financial Institution
We are proud to share that our 2024 financial results demonstrate Dnister’s ongoing strength and stability as a trusted financial institution. Our performance this year reflects responsible management, sound financial practices, and our commitment to supporting our members’ and communities’ financial wellbeing. These strong results ensure that Dnister remains a safe and reliable partner for our members, positioning us for continued growth and success in the future.
The Heart of Our Success: Our Members
CEO Andrew James explains:
“While the dedication of our Board, Management, and staff is essential to our achievements, it is the support and commitment of our members that truly drives our success.”
Dnister’s ability to grow and thrive is a direct result of our members choosing to bank with us and place their trust in our services. For this, we are deeply grateful and look forward to continuing to serve our community for many years to come.
A Tribute to Our Founding Vision
As we marked our 65th anniversary, we reflected on the vision of the Ukrainian immigrants who established Dnister all those years ago. What started as a small, community-focused group has grown into an APRA-regulated, strong financial institution and a trusted partner for our members, including those in the Ukrainian and Latvian communities.
We were honoured to welcome back several former Directors and CEOs who were able to attend the AGM. Their leadership has been vital to Dnister’s success, and their legacy continues to guide us today. Past Directors in attendance included Jaroslaw Kutny, Jarema Polatajko, Nestor Jaworsky, Richard Horban, Walentyn Mykytenko, Greg Anolak, and Michael Kwas. We were also privileged to have Liam Tiernan, Stefan Kosylo, and Robert (Bob) Malcolm, who previously served as CEOs of Dnister. We thank them for their continued support and for joining us on this special occasion.
One of the highlights of the evening was the presence of Mr. Jaroslaw Kutny, a founding Director and member of the original Board of Directors, who at the age of 94, attended to help us mark this important milestone. Mr. Kutny spoke fondly of Dnister’s journey, saying:
“It’s amazing to see how far we’ve come. I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve built, and I hope Dnister continues its journey for another 65 years and beyond.”
Directors Elected
We are pleased to announce the re-election of Director Andrew Pavuk, and the election of Director Michael Karaszkewycz to Dnister’s Board of Directors. Their leadership, vision, and commitment to our values will be crucial to Dnister’s continued success as we move into the future.
Investing in the Future
Looking forward, Dnister remains dedicated to ongoing growth and innovation. Our new office facilities and expanded digital services are part of our commitment to meeting the evolving needs of our members. We are focused on ensuring that Dnister continues to be a trusted financial partner for generations to come. Expanding our digital capabilities and services will be a key priority as we work to provide our members with seamless, modern banking experiences.
A Blessing for the Future
We were honoured to have Fr. Mykytiuk, Fr. Voziak, and Fr. Vons bless our new premises, offering prayers for continued success and prosperity.
“Looking ahead, Dnister is committed to continued growth, innovation, and supporting the evolving needs of our members. Our newly renovated facilities and enhanced digital services are part of this commitment to delivering modern, accessible banking solutions. However, we also recognise the broader context in which we operate. We have amazing members, staff and Management. Thank you to everyone who joined us for this historic occasion. Here’s to the next 65 years of success!”
— Chairman Bohdan Wojewidka
Voting Results
| For | Against | Proxy’s Discretion | Abstain | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Resolution 1 Approval of Remuneration of Directors | 78 | 12 | 22 | 8 | 120 |
| Resolution 2 Confirm the appointment of Mr Pavlo Smoliy as a Director | 82 | 9 | 20 | 6 | 117 |
| Resolution 3 Confirm the appoinment of Mr Michael Karaskewycz as a Director | 68 | 34 | 10 | 4 | 116 |
