In the last 70 years, since the Unification has been publishing in Australia, the newspaper has seen five chief editors. It has gone from being an anti-communist publication to a neutral weekly newspaper catering to the Russian diaspora. However, its focus on events and stories from the life of the Russian-speaking community in Australia has remained unchanged.
Sydney couple Vladimir and Olga Kouzmin have been publishing the newspaper for the last 15 years.
“Since the first wave of immigration was mainly political, the newspaper's focus reflected this. The newspapers were founded by members of the People's Labor Union and therefore they were an anti-communist platform," Mr Kouzmin told SBS Russian.
Vladimir Kouzmin and his wife Olga Source: Submitted by V. Kouzmin
The Unification was started in Melbourne and it later moved to Sydney in 1977. The period when it was published from the Victorian capital is especially remembered for the Russian balls the newspaper organised.
They rented huge halls where up to 800 people gathered. Vladimir Kouzmin tells from the words of Alexander Il'yin from Melbourne:
The poster of the Russian ball of the newspaper "Edinenie", 22.05.1964 Source: Vladimir Kouzmin
“He says that there were two different orchestras playing at both ends of the hall. One for the youth, the other for the elderly.
“They took place almost every year, and at these balls, funds were collected to continue the work of the newspaper. Because nobody has ever supported the newspaper financially, it has always existed only for the money of the subscribers, readers."
When the political system in Russia changed and the old editor left, the focus of the newspaper also changed. It moved away from political confrontations and began to focus on the life of the Russian community.
1964 - Ball of the newspaper "Unification" at the Royal Exhibition Building. Melbourne. Source: Alexander Il'in
The total readership of the paper - both online and print - is now about 5,000-6,000.
“The base of the readers of the printed newspaper is, of course, the old emigration. Many of our readers have been subscribing to the newspaper for 30-40 years. But recently, a lot of new emigration, young people have come. This makes us especially happy."
Mr Kouzmin admits that he is most interested in talking about the people of the Russian emigration who lived in Australia many decades ago.
“For example, about the fact that the first coffee shops in Sydney were opened by a Russian emigrant Repin. Or Pulkovnik's chocolate - I recently interviewed his daughter. Everyone knew that the best chocolate in Sydney was Pulkovnik's.”
Vladislav Pulkovnik at his store in Paddington, Sydney Source: Newspaper 'Unification'
The newspaper regularly talks about those Russian balls that are taking place in Australia now. For example, the Sydney graduate balls, where up to 500 people come. Among them are both Russian guests and Australians and local officials.
"I know that New South Wales MP, Victor Dominello, regularly comes to the school balls."
However, as in the old days, Unification not only covers events organised by the representatives of the community, but also holds its own.
47th Graduation Ball of the Russian School in Hombush Source: Newspaper 'Unification'
So, this year the newspaper organised an online exhibition of artworks made by Russian-Australian artists and sculptors. The artworks were selected by Professor Sasha Grishin AM, FAHA an Emeritus Professor at the Australian National University.
“We did not expect what it would turn into. We have gathered 80 artists and more than 200 works - these are only those that have been selected. "
You can view the exhibition here.
Russian-Australian art online exhibition, 2020 Source: "Unification"
The newspaper was and is being published by enthusiastic people. Mr Kouzmin emphasizes that it is very difficult to publish a newspaper without the help of the state or foreign organisations for 70 years.
“Newspapers have never been for profit. Almost all the money we manage to collect from the sale of the newspaper and advertising goes to printing, mailing the newspaper and modest support for the editorial staff. There is enough for tea, bread and milk."
Today, the newspaper team, in addition to working on new materials, is slowly digitising old issues - the entire archive of Unification is kept at the Vladimir and Olga Kuzmin's home and occupies a whole closet.
“I hope we have a long future ahead of us,” says Mr Kouzmin.
