Books currently available

A compilation of histories of the Polish Community Council of Victoria and its member organisations (over 45). Published in 1992 on the thirtieth anniversary of  the creation of this state Polish umbrella organisation. An excellent overview of how the Polish community created bodies which responded to its varying and growing needs.  397 pages plus photographs (in Polish with a synopsis in English) Cost:  $A 20 plus postage.  Available from the Polish Community Council of Victoria.

An extensively researched biography of Sir Paul Edmund Strzelecki, the famous Polish explorer of the Australian continent, South America and the Pacific. This definitive work written by the well knowned Polish-Australian historian Lech Paszkowski, author of Polacy w Australii i Oceanii 1790-1940. Paszkowski explores various aspects of this public figure who is most well known for having named Australia's highest peak, Mt. Kosciuszko. 370 pages (in English) Cost:  $A 25 available from Polonia Bookshop in Melbourne.

A moving account of a migrant's introduction in the "new" post-war Australia.  This eloquent odeyssey starting in the displacement camps in Germany, through Italy and then describing the two year compulsory contracts in various part of Australia will inspire and entertain all readers. 307 pages (in English) plus photographs Cost: $ 25 plus postage available from the Polish Community Council of Victoria

The long awaited biography of Andrzej Chciuk - "ulan, literat, kucharz, nauczyciel, dziennikarz, spolecznik" - one of the most talented writers of the Polish diaspora.  The author of various novels and poetry published widely within the Polish British and French press, including "Kultura" and "Wiadomosci".  His most famous works include Atlantyda (1969), Emigrancka Opowiesc (1969), Wizyta w Izraelu (1972) and Towarzysze z Bezpieczenstwa (1970). Bogumila Zongollowicz's thoroughly researched work, including extensive contacts with Chciuk's family, friends and colleagues, pays due tribute to this outstanding figure of the Polish-Australian community. 222 pages plus photographs (in Polish) Cost: $A 30.  Availability through Wydawnictwo Literackie in Poland and the author, Bogumila Zongollowicz.