Andrew OLEENIK
Andrew OLEENIK
Year of Birth: 1955
Last Seen: 7/3/2005 Geelong VIC
Height: 177cm
Build: Medium
Hair: Brown
Eyes: Green
Complexion: Fair
Circumstances:
Andrew Oleenik left his place of residence at Queenscliff, Victoria stating that he would
not be home for lunch but would be back for dinner. He attended at appointment
in Geelong at midday and has not been seen since. There are concerns for his
safety and welfare.
Andrew Olijnyk/Oleenik was born in 1955 in Melbourne to Ukrainian
parents who immigrated to Australia in 1951 from Germany.
Andrew spent his childhood in Glenroy, and later in Heathmont
where he obtained his secondary education, undertaking Fine Arts in his early
20's at Prahran TAFE.
He supported himself as a builder working in Queensland and then
in Victoria where he spent the last 15 years of his life, living on Phillip
Island and later in the Geelong area.
Art, Philosophy, Psychology, Jazz music and Nature were always an
important part of his life.
This enigmatic man was as charming as he was puzzling. He could
be soft, gentle and humble, as he could be arrogant, self-centered, cynical,
wilful and at times cruel. For those who knew him best were often in awe of his
wisdom and recognised the deep soul reflected in his eyes. They were delighted
when he laughed; despaired, anguished and frustrated when he did not.
It was Andrew's wish to house some of his artwork within one of
the Heath organisations, which assisted him over the years, in providing
psychological and physiological aid.
With the support of the Gordon Gallery, Barwon Health was able to
host a successful exhibition to celebrate the life and artworks of Andrew
Olijnyk/Oleenik in the way he wished.
Appeal for missing person - Andrew Oleenik
Final exhibition by missing artist
Michaela Farrington - Geelong Advertiser
11Oct07
QUEENSCLIFF artist Andrew Oleenik went missing almost three years ago. The
49-year-old man's disappearance has haunted his family, which suspects he took
his own life after many years of depression, although his body has never been
found.
They may never get the chance to bury him, but this week Mr Oleenik's family has
found a way to celebrate his life and help people affected by mental illness.
They have donated his artworks to the Barwon Health Foundation, which is hosting
a special exhibition of his works at the Gordon Institute of TAFE Gallery this
week.
The works will be auctioned on Thursday, with all money raised going towards the
Mental Health Triage Unit at the new emergency unit at Geelong Hospital.
Mr Oleenik's sister, Natalie Holowka, yesterday said she thought her brother
would have been happy to see his artwork used for such a cause.
``He used to say he would like to donate (his artwork) to organisations that had
helped him,'' she said.
``It's a positive thing to come out of all the turmoil that we went through.
It's particularly hard for my parents,'' she added. ``There's no closure.
``You just can't put all the pieces together.''
Ms Holowka said her loss began long before the day her brother went missing.
It happened slowly during the decades of depression and chronic alcoholism that
ate away at her shy brother.
``People think it's the person with the mental illness who suffers,'' she said.
``They don't really see how it affects the people connected to them.
``You are sucked into the whirlwind of this illness. It's as if you've lost your
own life.''
