Ukrainian war: Stonnington Council plan to turn town hall yellow and blue

An inner-city council will become the latest to put on a light show to show its support for war-ravaged Ukraine. This is when it’s happening.

A group of Stonnington councillors want to light up Malvern Town Hall to show support for war-ravaged Ukraine. File picture.

An inner-city council will follow the lead of Melbourne landmarks and light up its town hall in support of war-ravaged Ukraine.

Stonnington councillors unanimously voted on Monday night to turn Malvern Town Hall blue and yellow, the colours of Ukraine’s flag, in a show of solidarity in its war with Russia.

The hall will be lit up from Wednesday night for a week until April 5, at a cost of $4700, covered by existing funds in the council’s budget.

Cr Alex Lew, who moved the motion along with councillors Marcia Griffin, Kate Hely and Nikki Batagol, said the cost has increased by $1200 following a misquote and discussions with the lighting company.

The state government turned buildings including Flinders Street station, Rod Laver Arena and the Bolte Bridge yellow and blue when Russia began its invasion last month.

Councils including Moonee Valley and Greater Dandenong have also lit up local buildings in support of Ukraine.

Cr Lew said the idea was put forward following a request from members of Stonnington’s Ukrainian community, and the council was “a little late to the party” on the issue.

But Cr Lew acknowledged it had been three weeks since the council had met, and was proud of the bipartisan support the initiative had received.

“This is about showing those in our community hurting the most that Stonnington stands with you and supports the survival of democracies and freedom in this crucial point in history,” he said.

In agenda notes, the four councillors said they wanted to light up the town hall to “acknowledge the trauma this event is having on our local Russian and Ukrainian communities”.

“Lighting the Malvern Town Hall is intended as a gesture of solidarity to those impacted and of hope for peace and unity,” they wrote.

“We join with nations around the world in calling for an end to the conflict.”

Association of Ukrainians in Melbourne president Slawko Kohut told Leader on Friday the lighting up of the hall would be “a lovely gesture” from the council.

“We’re all under strain for losing families and everything, so this would be a lovely gesture,” he said.

“It gives us a sense of belonging and solidarity in difficult times … and support from the community we belong to.”

Ratepayers Stonnington president Dean Hurlston welcomed the move, after saying on Facebook the council was continuing to “drag its heels” on the issue this week.

“It’s important that both our local Ukrainian and Russian communities (who are united in wanting peace) are supported,” he said.

“Council is showing its support which is a good thing … it should consider a more permanent lighting option so that these things become cheaper and more accessible over time.”