Bow made at Tailem Bend will be presented to Ukrainian president
A Murraylands veteran and bowyer has caught the attention of Volodymyr Zelenskyy for his generosity.
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Tailem Bend veteran and master bow-maker Ashley Ralston has been invited once again to the Ukrainian Embassy in Canberra — this time for a special honour.
His handmade Zaporizhzhia Cossack bow will be shipped to Kyiv, where it will be presented to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
A second bow will remain on display at the Australian Embassy.
This will be the third time Mr Ralston has been formally thanked by Ukraine for his generosity.
Over the years, he has become known for crafting longbows and donating them to charities, veteran groups, and community raffles.
His work has reached as far as the United Kingdom and the United States, with one of his most recent efforts being his donation 80 longbows to the Ukraine Society for Refugees in Australia, helping raise vital funds for displaced families.
The Zaporizhzhia region of Ukraine — home to the legendary warrior Cossacks — inspired the design of Mr Ralston’s latest bows.
“I never imagined my bows would travel this far or stand for something so important,” he said.
“If they can show solidarity and hope, then every bit of effort was worth it.”
From Tailem Bend to Ukraine, Mr Ralston’s craftsmanship and generosity continue to carry a message of unity, culture, and compassion across borders.
