As soon as we saw the colourful and whimsical Christmas postcard designs that Australian postcard warriors have sent to the front lines this year, we wanted to know more.

These cheerful festive postcards are not the first project that Australian artist, Debbie Daks has undertaken to support Ukraine. Like most postcard warriors, Debbie, from Romsey, Australia, early identified a need for support following the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. She quickly put her artistic talents to work; first, to boost the morale of her friends, Helena and Anastasia in Lviv, with colourful paintings of elves and fairies.

Debbie expanded her talents beyond friendship by creating more whimsical works sold to raise funds for the Rotary Club of North Melbourne that supports Ukrainians sheltering in Australia.

During a period of cancer treatment in spring 2024, Debbie turned to art creation as part of her personal treatment and healing process. Her whimsical and colourful works were featured alongside the artwork of children in an Arts in Healthcare exhibition at the Olivia Newton-John Centre (ONJ Centre), to cheer patients and their families. All to raise funds for the ONJ Centre.

Debbie employed her art-as-healing philosophy in workshops that she has offered to Ukrainian children sheltering in Australia, through the Association of Ukrainians in Victoria. The workshops eventually led to a fundraising exhibition, Art with Ukraine in the Heart, all art created by the children and some Ukrainian adults who also participated.

Her concern for children of Ukraine led Debbie to support the Antytila Charity Foundation that provides a variety of supports to the children of the fallen comrades of 130 Battalion, such as education and medical aid.

And it hasn’t ended there! Debbie painted a series of her trademark colourful whimsies that feature animals of Australia, such as koalas and kangaroos, all to support Ukraine’s largest children’s hospital, Okhmatdyt, severely damaged by Russian missiles in summer 2024. Although hospital staff were able to evacuate patients, ten were injured, one later dying from their injuries.

Debbie’s original works were packed with dozens of teddy bears to protect them for the long journey, as well as to be gifted to children receiving treatment and care at Okhmatdyt.

Meanwhile, prints and postcards of each of the paintings are sold to raise funds for the hospital.

And this Christmas, adorable, colourful and cheerful Debbie Daks postcards are on their way to the front lines to boost morale amongst Ukraine’s Defenders.

Need ideas about what to write on your cards? Check our Tips page, and our Ukrainian phrases page. Maybe you want to organize a group of family, friends or others to write postcards? Check our website for tips, How to Run a Postcard-Writing Workshop.

Share our website – postcardstothefrontcanada.com

Subscribe

~~~

Remember – Your cards do make a difference

As Nadia in Zaporizhzhia region, Ukraine reminds us –

Postcard support gives strength and courage.

Thank you for your continued support of Defenders of Ukraine!