“Where is everybody?”

Ernestyna was already to be found, alert and awoken, at five a.m. preparing sandwiches in the kitchen. She was astounded by the emptiness of the living room – it seemed no one had yet risen and that the sound of snoring still pervaded the lodge.

By six o’clock, however, the entire party had placed one foot out of the door and minds were already fixed firmly on the mountain. A myriad of PA and camera equipment, along with packs and bags, were hauled into car boots, which were driven to, and left at, Charlotte’s Pass for the day.

Sunrise over Charlotte's Pass Valley.

The early morning sun shone over the valley, orange tinges smudging olive-coloured trees and wiping the landscape with a honeyed, golden hue.

Lukasz Swiatek, walking to the summit, the Snowy River in the background.

A brief pause at Seamen's Hut - the group halts to re-capture some much needed air.

Light breezes accompanied the departure of the group, name tags and programs earnestly distributed before a Fairidge truck, bearing the Lajkonik dancers, slipped away – in their tow, two Four Wheel Drives of the New South Wales National Parks and Wildlife Services, carrying various members of the Sydney Windjammers and performing party.

On foot, behind the rest of the group, trekked the remainder of the party, having the courage (or perhaps physical stamina) to withstand both tiredness, and the thought of marching the entire route. The Snowy River greeted them on their way – majestic stone formations and flora also forming an entourage to every step taken across the mountainous landscape over Summit Walk.

A first stop was made at Seamen’s Hut, prior to reaching Rawson’s Pass. Here, the travelers halted to unbind their vocal chords and sing several Polish songs, sign the Park’s logbook and be filmed by a member of the television crews (perhaps they will also be immortalised in a later documentary?) Mrs Halinka Gad enchanted the group with her operatic rendition of Ave Maria.

The path beckoned, the trek advancing onwards!

A shorter stop was next made at Rawons’s Pass (home to the highest toilets on mainland Australia), for an appropriate change of attire and for the swift bite of a sandwich.

Organisation for the day's events begins on the summit.

The cameras of media, as well as those of local residents and relatives, capture every historical moment.

The trek was concluded with a short walk to the summit – where PA systems were swiftly installed, the Sydney Windjammers’ musical stands mounted and where Lajkonik held a brief practice on the treacherous, rocky pavement.

At 11am, following a restful interlude, the concert proper began. An address by his Excellency, the Ambassador of the Republic of Poland, Jerzy Wiêc³aw, highlighted the unique fusion of Australian and Polish solidarity, achieved that day through music.

“The programme for this commemorative trekking does wonderfully evoke the intriguing, versatile character of Tadeusz Kosciuszko,” His Excellency said. “Who, besides being a strategist and military engineer, was also a gifted drawer, painter and composer.”

A Message from the Chairman of the Kosciuszko Mound in Cracow, Dr Mieczys³aw Rokosz, followed the address of the Ambassador – the message read by Darek Król and Alinka Mrozik, also Masters of Ceremonies for the occasion.

The Lajkonik Dancers.

“The ideals of liberty, equality, social equity and brotherly love, were professed by General Tadeusz Ko¶ciuszko. He fought for them in America and in his homeland – Poland,” wrote Rokosz.

Editor of Puls Polonii, Dr Ernestyna Skurjat-Kozek, wisely selected attire to match the flag.

Kosciuszko’s Polonaise in C Major, Waltz in G Major and Polonaise in B Flat Major, were next performed by the Sydney Windjammers; who, donning shawls, scarves and bow ties, allowed their instruments to reverberate colourfully around the peaks with their melodies.

A special solo by Snowy Mountains local, Paul Dion, also took place - Paul arranging a special, "jazzy" tribute to Kosciuszko's compositions with a saxophone performance, and a rendition of his own "Snowy Mountains Anthem", which has already proven extremely popular with local communities.

John Hospodaryk’s General’s Song, Kosciuszko Paper Daisy, Across the Snowy and Adyna followed – also punctured by a performance from Lajkonik, dancing to a medley of mountaineers’ tunes. Curious tourists arriving on the summit, undoubtedly surprised to see the display, continued to join the rest of those assembled on the nearby rocks and grass, enjoying the historic exhibition of Polish culture.

Singer and banjo-picker John Hospodaryk.

S³awek Kazañ concluded the day’s entertainment, singing his Let’s Not Forget About Strzelecki. The concert ended at 12:30 p.m.

A photograph with the entire Lajkonik ensemble on the summit.

Camera equipment, PA systems and performance costumes were gathered and disassembled for the journey back, following several photos on the mountainside as well as engaging discussions with journalists and local residents. Some began their descent, while others halted on the mountain a moment longer to celebrate a short mass – the initiative of the Jesuit fathers who had conquered the mountain with us.

The return journey saw the path suddenly become less hostile; trucks and cars becoming the preferred method of travel for the party, the landscape whirring past in a flurry of grass and trees (some, however, preferred to symmetrically conclude the trip with a similar trek back.)

The afternoon presented a return to various lodges, both in Jindabyne and at Charlotte’s Pass.

A brief mass celebrated amidst rocks and boulders.

Exhaustion invaded the spirits of the party, who happily languished upon sofas and beds for a well-deserved rest, later followed by dinner and collective recuperation from sunstroke and exhaustion. (Rumours still circulate of Lajkonik’s party, held at Vasky lodge, later that afternoon…) A peaceful, starry night slowly blanketed the azure skies of the day.

Master of Ceremonies, Dariusz Krol.

Photographs: Lukasz Swiatek.