An old bowls club in Brisbane's southern suburbs that's been transformed into a fully functioning restaurant offers more than just delectable dishes. Its employees are mainly Ukrainians who've fled their homes during the Russian invasion. Many say the restaurant has become a second home for them.
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00:00It's a slice of Ukraine served up in Brisbane's backyard, made by those who know the country
00:09and culture best, whose backstories are haunting and heartbreaking.
00:16We understood that any day the capital city could be occupied.
00:20There were explosions, sirens, and we had to stay in the basement for a month without
00:24a chance to get out.
00:26It was hard, so I decided to leave the country because I had to save my child.
00:31Ina Vishnevska had just 30 minutes to pack her belongings and escape Kiev with her young
00:36son.
00:37When the chance to leave finally came, she had to act, and managed to flee the country
00:42to live with relatives in Brisbane.
00:45Stories like hers aren't unique in this kitchen.
00:48She's calling me, like, bombs dropping, we're actually scared.
00:53It's like crazy, because one day, you know, you have like family, friends, house, like
00:59everything, and just in one day, bang, you don't have nothing.
01:05With a wave of families arriving in Brisbane, the Queensland Ukrainian Club decided to transform
01:10their clubhouse, an old bowls club, into a restaurant, only employing displaced Ukrainians.
01:17We are very proud that we are able to provide some opportunity.
01:22Of course, it's not the main income, it's part-times or casuals.
01:27It serves up traditional dishes, including chicken keef.
01:30You can't not love Ukrainian food.
01:34But for its employees, it's become so much more than just a place of work.
01:38It's like my second family, to be honest.
01:40It's something for their soul as well, for their passion.
01:43The kitchen is open every Friday and Saturday.
01:46The message from the club, by coming here, you're not only getting good food, you're
01:50supporting a place that's like a second home to so many people who've been forced to flee
01:55their own.
01:56I'm trying to make this place run as a house, as a family.
02:02We're all like a family.