In the tiny regional Victorian town of Buxton, healing is taking place.
It's here that 14 Ukrainian children and six mothers are experiencing a sense of safety and belonging for the first time in a long time.
Fleeing their war-torn homeland, they have left behind fathers, grandfathers and brothers — men who have stayed behind to fight the Russians and may never see their loved ones again.
The Ukrainian Youth Association of Melbourne has offered support and invited the children to its annual winter camp.
"It's very important to begin the healing processes and there's a long way to go," association member Nick Soloczynskyj said.
"But the children are very resilient.
Welcomed with open arms
The association's main goal is to maintain Ukrainian culture and heritage by running educational classes, including in traditional dancing and singing.
It has owned an outdoor education facility in Buxton since 1963, where summer and winter camps are run.
The organisation rebuilt the facility after the Black Saturday bushfires ripped through the town.
Now its "family is growing" as members open their arms to displaced Ukrainian children and mothers.
"Having to flee the aggression and invasion, leaving their fathers and partners behind, in this day and age is beyond belief and downright unfathomable," Mr Soloczynskyj said.
'It's been brilliant'
Over the four days of the camp the children have enjoyed a range of activities, including free snow play at Lake Mountain Alpine Resort.
The association has also reached out to refugee support group Foundation House to provide psychological care for the children and mothers.
Mr Soloczynskyj said many children were staying in touch with their loved ones.
"Thank goodness for technology these days, they can still make contact," he said.
He said the families were working towards 786 humanitarian visas, which would allow them to stay in Australia for three years.
"It's been brilliant, the support, the way people have reached out," Mr Soloczynskyj said.
