Australian Ukrainian wins prestigious ballet award

Valerie Tereshchenko, a soloist with The Australian Ballet of Ukrainian descent, has won the prestigious $20,000 Telstra Ballet Dancer Award.

An Ukrinform own correspondent reports this with reference to the press service of the Australian Federation of Ukrainian Organisations (AFUO).

"We are happy with the success of every Ukrainian in Australia and sincerely congratulate Valerie Tereshchenko on high appreciation of her skills," AFUO Chairman Stefan Romaniv.

Valerie's parents, Iryna and Gregory, emigrated to Australia when she was six years old. Gregory was a fighter pilot and Iryna worked in a laboratory testing fuel for the army. Settling in Melbourne they set up a shoe repair and clothing alteration shop in St Kilda, where they still work. In Melbourne, Valerie began to attend ballet classes.

Valerie won the prestigious $20,000 Telstra Ballet Dancer Award, recognising dedication and artistry by a performer in The Australian Ballet and judged by the company’s artistic director David McAllister and Cecily Ryan, Daily Telegraph head of lifestyle, among others, The Daily Telegraph reports.

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