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Helping pool industry people in war-torn Ukraine Compass Pools chief operating officer Anthony Cross describes the plight of a Compass Pools Europe dealer in Ukraine, and what we can do to help. By Anthony Cross
RIGHT: The family of Andrej Flores, dealer from Cernikov. They moved to the Czech Republic and sent their thanks for the support from Compass Pools
BELOW: Aleksander Segin with other fighters. His family stays at Eduard Bobyk’s house
I
want to speak about the war in Ukraine, and I’d like to start by sharing a very human story. Eduard Bobyk is the owner of Compass Pools Ukraine, which is a dealer of Compass Europe. Compass Europe is not connected with our businesses in Australia and New Zealand, but we remain friends with their management, especially Tibor Meszaros from Slovakia, where they manufacture Compass Pools for all European dealers. Tibor shared this story with me. Eduard Bobyk arrived at Tibor’s in western Slovakia unexpectedly several weeks ago with his young wife and baby daughter. Eduard is 62 years old, so he’s permitted to leave Ukraine, whereas other men aged between 18 and 60 years of age must stay and fight the war against Russia. Eduard had fled his home when his family was in fear of their lives. They took nothing with them and they had no home or business to return to. Eduard’s plea to Tibor was simple: “How can I help my Ukrainian staff and their families, all 100 of them, who have fled their homes and businesses.” Eduard is their leader with no one else to guide them. Those that could leave had travelled with Eduard to the Ukrainian border with eastern Slovakia. Slovakia is not a rich country and has virtually no social safety net. But Eduard knew that Tibor would help him. Over the following days, as Eduard’s family lived in Tibor's home, Compass Europe, together with Compass Pools Deutschland, arranged for a transparent bank account to be established. And calls were made to
all Compass Europe dealers in more than 20 European countries. So far, over the last four weeks, 48,000 Euro has been raised. Go to www.splashmagazine.com.au/QuickLinks142 for a link to the donations page that also shows the withdrawals from Eduard to pay for medicine and for food and emergency accommodation in eastern Slovakia. In total, Eduard has brought 47 of his staff and their families that are allowed to leave Ukraine across the border to relative safety. This story of Eduard Bobyk his family and co-workers is just one of the countless examples of human suffering that is the humanitarian crisis unfolding in the besieged democratic nation of Ukraine. The world has seen the amazing resilience and strength of the Ukrainian people and their leader, President Zelensky over the past month or so. Eduard Bobyk is just one of those amazing people. Eduard and his family visited us here in Australia a number of years ago on an R&D tour with his Compass Europe colleagues. On their return to Ukraine, Eduard’s first wife Ludmila sent Ian and Kerri Mewitt a small gift for their grandchildren. The gift was a children’s book of Ukrainian folk stories signed by Ludmila and Eduard. And for those wondering, Ludmila is safe and currently living in France. Ian and I believe it is now time to send Eduard his family and displaced work colleagues a gift of support in return. And I know that Kerri would agree if she were here today. I’m sure that I speak for all of us in the Australian and New Zealand pool industry, an industry that has experienced unprecedented growth over the past two years. The beautiful and amazing citizens of Ukraine need our support. And if we can help one small group of swimming pool builders and their families, then it’s the least we can do. I encourage all pool industry businesses in Australia and New Zealand, manufacturers suppliers and builders, to contribute to either Eduard Bobyk and his family and colleagues through the transparent account, or to an established charity that is helping the people of Ukraine. Thank you.
Want to help?
Go to www.splashmagazine.com.au/QuickLinks142 for a link to donations information. n 36
SPLASH!
June/July 2022