VAL ZAHARIEVSKI - VACCI Estate Agents

COVER STORY

VAL ZAHARIEVSKI

An Ode to Inspiring Women Winning the Hearts of a Community

Images: Dobre Motley Media and Hari at Enfox

Written by JASMINA SIDEROVSKI

eYs Magazine has devoted this edition to celebrating and honouring women for International Women’s Day. As the Chief Editor of a noble humanitarian publication, and a women’s empowerment lobbyist I am asked all the time ‘what defines an inspiring woman?’

For me, an inspiring woman is someone with the desire or urge to do something worthwhile. A woman, who lives her life free from definitions, constraints, and attachment to generally accepted ideals and stereotypes of beauty and success. My perception of an inspiring woman is that you must make a conscious effort every day, with each interaction, to approach people, topics, and situations with altruism in your heart and handle negative situations, people, and words with grace.

Many people confuse that being an inspiring woman equates to being overly successful in a traditional sense. The truth of the matter is that you don’t need a high-paying job or an admirable career, be a best-selling author, or an expert and, you certainly don’t need to be perfect. In fact, the most inspiring women are completely, utterly, and beautifully imperfect.

VAL ZAHARIEVSKI and Angela VOUTLIANTIS from Taper's Hairdressers Hurstville

Shaving her long black hair for Multiple Sclerosis

Val Zaharievski, the Principal of VACCI Estate Agents in Sydney, Australia was our unanimous winning candidate as an inspirational woman for the front cover of this edition of eYs Magazine. Purely based on her determination, passion, and struggle to raise much-needed funds for Multiple Sclerosis (MS), a cause that is very close to her heart during what is the most difficult time of philanthropy as we endure the unprecedented recent events – when the world literally STOPPED!

“Multiple Sclerosis is a disease in which the immune system eats away at the protective covering of nerves. In MS, resulting nerve damage disrupts communication between the brain and the body. Multiple sclerosis causes many different symptoms, including vision loss, pain, fatigue, and impaired coordination. The symptoms, severity and duration can vary from person to person. Some people may be symptom-free for most of their lives, while others can have severe, chronic symptoms that never go away. Physiotherapy and medication that suppress the immune system can help with symptoms, and slow disease progression.”

“Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a condition of the central nervous system, interfering with nerve impulses within the brain, spinal cord, and optic nerves. It is characterised by sclerosis a Greek word meaning scars. These scars occur within the central nervous system and depending on where they develop, manifest into various symptoms. MS affects over 25,600 in Australia and more than two million diagnosed worldwide. Most people are diagnosed between the ages of 20-40, but it can affect younger and older people too. Roughly three times as many women have MS as men. There is currently no known cure for MS however there are a number of treatment options available to help manage symptoms and slow progression of the disease.” MS Australia

Zaharievski’s commitment to give back to the community by organising yearly, Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Fundraising events and awareness. Her contribution to champion this worthwhile cause began her fundraising journey when a close friend of hers was diagnosed with this debilitating disease. The suffering and pain that MS patients go through daily are unthinkable and sadly, there seems to be a lack of awareness throughout the world of what Multiple Sclerosis is. Her journey throughout a global pandemic was hindered by the ongoing COVID-19 restrictions causing the anticipated fundraising event to be thrown into chaos and uncertainty as the daily changes became a nightmare and a headache for any event host. Facing these challenges, Zaharievski didn’t let these deal breakers undermine what she was passionate about, and that was to raise funds for MS.

Embracing the emotions of the night with her mother Roza

On the night Zaharievski surprised her donors as she shaved her beautiful long thick black hair. So many emotions experienced by friends and family, and the people who attended the event, watching Zaharievski shed a tear and a brave face, especially since we live in an era where women are faced with self-confidence and insecurities in a dynamic world of beauty and fashionista. Confronting this head-on cemented a daunting realisation of sacrifice and strength, her insecurities, and any questions she may have had in her heart became her purpose to do what she needed to do to stimulate donations and awareness for a cause that meant so much to her.

Zaharievski raised an outstanding $115,000 AUD in 5 hours with only 300 people in attendance at the fundraiser. The proceeds to Rotary Health Australia to fund a PhD Researcher dedicated to research and a cure for Multiple Sclerosis. The enormity alone certainly deserved this ambassador and inspiring young woman, Val Zaharievski to embrace the front cover of eYs Magazine. A dream 90% of the global population will never achieve in their lifetime.

Val with her friend Milica Jovanovski

During her involvement in fundraising, Val has discovered more about the condition through her continued interest and personal empathy to better understand the disease in more detail and raise awareness in the general community, about its symptoms, and effects it has on the person, their family, and friends. The symptoms are unique to each person and can affect people in different ways. Zaharievski stands by her community and stresses that it’s very important we all play a supporting role, give a helping hand, and raise funds to find a cure. Her passion is fundraising for these groups of communities to show that society does care and are willing to contribute through donations, and others to raise the necessary funds used to support and help make their daily lives a little less suffering.

Behind the scenes, we have witnessed the world of philanthropy change radically in the past year. A discombobulated mess, as we found ourselves responding to the Australian bushfires, floods, and global pandemic of COVID-19. Against a troubled backdrop, philanthropy has adapted and changed dramatically. The impacts have been felt in all facets of the field, from relationships to communities and the arts through to the emergence of new best practices. Many of the shifts have been profound, with impacts that will continue to be felt as we emerge into a post-pandemic world. While billionaires were quick to respond to the pandemic globally, what was given, was a drop in the ocean compared to what some billionaires made during the pandemic. This was also reflected in Australia as established billionaires saw massive increases – in some cases, doubling – to their wealth.

It takes a single love for humanity, a passion to pay it forward and the courage to contribute in the most selfless ways that create the change our world needs from people such as Val Zaharievski to remind each of us that we can all be part of something much larger than life. It is all too easy to fear the incomprehensible without the knowledge, support, and resources available at hand. No one said our goals would come lightly, but as Maya Angelou once said, “Whatever you want to do, if you want to be great at it, you have to love it and be able to make sacrifices for it.” Build your bridges and network with the like-minded, lead by example and fear not trying. The courage, tenacity by this exemplary and exceptional young fearless woman has won the hearts of her community and the gratitude of the victims of Multiple Sclerosis.

We commend Val Zaharievski on her generosity as a cumbersome leader striving to achieve what is in the best interest of her loved ones, her community, and her nation.

You are an eYs Inspirational Woman.