Community Life
Part of the Resettlement Process
The following milestones within community life, in the first years of Polish post war settlement, were largely identified throught the Polish Weekly (Tygodnik Polski).
They provide an outline of that which was important to these migrant settlers, as well as the social and cultural needs which emerged with time.
1947-48
Arrival of 1,457 Polish servicemen, who had fought under British command. They arrive under the Ex-Servicemens Scheme. The majority of the Polish "Rats of Tobruk" went to Tasmania, while most Polish airmen settled in New South Wales and Victoria.
1949
The establishment of the "Catholic Weekly" (Tygodnik Katolicki) in the Bathurst migrant camp in New South Wales. The editor was Fr. Edmund Trzeciak. In 1954 the Tygodnik moved to Melbourne, where it subsequently changed its name to the "Polish Weekly" (Tygodnik Polski).
The commencement of the publication of "Polish News" (Wiadomosci Polskie) in Sydney under the editor Zygmunt Przybylkiewicz.
The establishment of the Association of Poles in South Australia.
In a major public ceremony in the presence of Arthur Calwell, Minister for Immigration, 194 former Polish "Rats of Tobruk: become Australian citizens, in Butlers Gorge, Tasmania.
The first Polish mass at St Vicents in Ashfield, an inner suburb of Sydney.
The establishment of the Polish Airforce Association in New South Wales. The largest concentration of Polish airmen landed initially in Sydney.
The establishment of the Association of Poles in Victoria. The organisation was initiated after two transports of Polish DPs, residing at the migrant camp at Fishermans Bend, participated in an Easter gathering At this gathering between "new arrivals" and members of the existing fledgling prewar Polish community, Profesor Stanislaw Tarczynski (the head of the Melbourne conservatorium of music) invited those present to his home. At this first meeting of over thirty new Polish migrants there was a general proposal that a Polish organisation be formed. Eventually the Association had branches throughout the suburbs of Melbourne and Victoria, whereever there was a concentration of Polish people. The Association conducted a range of activities including social and cultural gatherings, a library of books and newspapers, mutual welfare support. cultural and linguistical maintenance amongst the younger migrants, as well as fund raising.
The establishment of the Polish scouting movement in Australia, which subsequently spread thoughout most states. The first scouting troops were set up in migrant hostels.
The beginning of the Polish folkloric dance ensemble in Adelaide, under the auspice of the Polish Association in South Australia.
101 Polish former airmen become Australian citizens in Sydney.
The establishment of a Polish church choir in Brisbane.
At Bathurst migrant transit camp in New South Wales, a Polish midnight mass (pasterka) is celebrated, with the participation of over 1,500 new arrivals.
The performance of Lucjan Rydel's nativity play "Jaselka Polskie" is staged in Ashfield, New South Wales.
These pages will be constantly updated with milestones. If you have any additions or ammendments please send us an email.
