On Saturday 18th of November 2000 the Russian Flag was finally raised in Cooma NSW Australia . The raising of the flag was to honour those of Russian origin who worked on the Snowy Mountains Hydro-electric Scheme. The Scheme has been recognised as one of the great engineering feats of the world.

As a bit of background when the Snowy Mountains Hydro-electric Authority
was established in 1949, and as a result there was a serious national shortage of skilled personnel, equipment etc an intensive recruitment campaign overseas was started in Europe. Workers from over 30 countries came
to work on the project including many Russians.

To commemorate this work an “Avenue of Flags” was originally unveiled in 1959.

The most significant part of the ceremony was that, officiating at the event on Saturday 18th November, 2000 were the Archbishop of the Russian Orthodox Church Abroad (outside of Russia), the Ambassador of the Russian Federation, as well as Russian immigrants. This event marks the start of the long reconciliation process for Russians worldwide. Such an event would not have been possible even 10 years ago, due to the lingering Cold War and public sentiment at the time. The then Russian national anthem to the tune of Glinka was played.

WRITTEN BY

ANTONINA KISLIAKOV November, 2000 Sydney Australia