| It was a truly multicultural „Polish” Festival. For the first time K’Ozzie Fest (organised every year by the Polish community) succeeded in gathering communities which have a long settlement history in the area: the Aboriginal Ngarigo people who have been in Monaro Land ever since Dreamtime, the descendants of the first Irish convicts followed by Irish pioneers settling in and around Jindabyne, and Polish who cherish the memory of Paul Edmund Strzelecki , their great countryman who explored Snowy Mountains and named Mt Kosciuszko. And obviously it was Strzelecki himself who has been the connecting factor: an admirerer of indigenous culture who befriended Aboriginal guides, a great humanitarian who played such a significant role during Great Famine in Ireland.
The Sixth Kosciuszko Festival, under the patronage of the Polish Ambassador Andrzej Jaroszyński, was held on 14th and 15th of April 2012 in Jindabyne, in two fabulous venues. On Saturday a Polish-Irish picnic was held next to a historic St Thomas church in Moonbah (with land donated by Thomas Pendergast in 1861). The descendant of the Pendergast family, Councillor Neen Pendergast, was naturally in attendance. The highlight of that day’s program was launching of a monography written by Felix Molski “The Best of Human Nature. Strzelecki’s Humanitarian Work in Ireland.” It was interesting to hear what the Mayor of Snowy River Shire, John Cahill said about his great-grand-mother who, having miraculously survived the Great Famine, was brought as a small girl to Australia. Amongst surrounding hills, Celtic tunes were played by Lynn and Darryl of the Canberra Celtic Pipe Band. To the applause of the public, Polish folkloric ensembles danced elegant polonaises and fiery obereks on a portable stage provided by an Irish man. After the picnic at Moonbah, and Polish lunch washed down with Australian (Kosciuszko Pale Ale) and Slovak (Złoty Bażant) beer, the action moved to Banjo Paterson Park. During traditional photo session under the Strzelecki Monument photos were taken of the visitors, for the first time with the Aboriginal guests. So it was a historic moment. In the evening, two piano recitals took place: a 14 year old Olivia Urbaniak playing Chopin, and after an intermission, maestro Krzysztof Małek played Chopin as well as J.S. Bach and F. Liszt.
Message from the Polish Ambassador, Andrzej Jaroszynski |
Next day the public moved to Jindabyne Aero Club to watch Polish-Aboriginal Fraternity Flights over Mt Kosciuszko. On both day they have enjoyed a perfect weather while just a few day before the festival, an unexpected heavy snow fall occurred in Jindabyne. All went well. Ten flights were organised alltogether (3 on Cessna, 2 on Mooney, 3 on Jet Ranger helicopter and 2 on Nanchang).Four local pilots (donating their time for the good Polish-Aboriginal cause) Michael Fischer, Ian Funnel, Mike Roberts and Paul Duncan have taken 7 Ngarigo passengers (the oldest being 83 and the youngest just 6 yo.) along for a ride with representatives of the Polish community, including cameramen and photographers. Two VIPS also enjoyed a flight over Mt Kosciuszko and the Jindabyne Lake: Hon. Peter Phelps representing the premier of NSW and Polish Consul General Daniel Gromann. Two brave women: a Jindabyne journalist Carole Thomas and Małek’s girl friend Adriana Crugnale agreed to fly with Mike Roberts who made the helicopter dancing and pirouetting in the air. All Aborigines, as well as pilots said they were looking forward to continuation of fraternity flights next year. A documentary film about the flights is to be produced by Kosciuszko Heritage Inc. in time for a movie premiere in Jindabyne Cinemas during K’Ozzie Fest, 23-24th February 2013.
SOME LINKS
K’Ozzie Fest 2012, Saturday Audio Report
K’Ozzie Fest2012, Sunday Audio Report
Arek’s flight over Mt Kosciuszko
A festival wedding at the Strzelecki Monument
Newly wed dancing at the Strzelecki Monument
A Festival Mass on Mt Kosciuszko
A report and a gallery on the JAC website
Author of the "Strzelecki in Ireland" monography meeting with Sydney Famine Memorial Committee
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