Alarms sounded somewhat later, today – the groups not required to present themselves at Charlotte’s Pass by 6:30 a.m. Chilly winds greeted those awakening, and, as we were later to discover on the Pass, wind speeds had also risen somewhat overnight.

The slightly lower temperatures were no doubt a relief for those suffering sunburn – additional amounts of sunscreen would not be forgotten this following day.

The Sydney Windjammers execute their pieces marvelously, despite stronger winds.

Prior to breakfast, the team at Pygmy Possum made excellent use of its common/dining room and held, thanks to the presence of its Jesuit father, a morning Sunday mass at 8 a.m. Psalms and prayers echoed through the corridors, guitar strings plucked in accompaniment to shared song.

Preparations accelerated following breakfast, the groups packed and ready for departure at 10 a.m. sharp – the journey to Charlotte’s Pass taking only 2 minutes from the valley.

Crowds line the grassy slopes and rocks to catch a glimpse of the performances.

Equipment was unloaded about the observational deck and surrounding rocks in a similar manner to that of the previous day; singers, dancers and instrumentalists, as well as special guests, arriving swiftly at the meeting point, where a crowd of passing tourists had already begun to build.

Toward a sweeping vista capturing Mounts Kosciuszko, Caruthers and Lee, the concert for Free-Dom was launched at 10 o’clock – the deep, fierce greens of the native eucalyptus trees tearing through slightly overcast skies. His Excellency, Jerzy Wiêc³aw, again addressed the audience and the message of Dr Rokosz from Cracow was also repeated.

A smaller stage - the Lajkonik ensemble perseveres with the greatest professionalism despite having less room to move.

Playing their Polonaises that Sunday, the Sydney Windjammers quickly became aware of the fact that their scores, as well as musical stands, could not rival the stronger gusts that continually kept sending their musical notations scattering into the air. Two miniature Polish flags ceremoniously guarded the performers, arranged between the planks of the deck on either side.

Mr Richard Strzelecki of Cooma followed the Windjammers, delivering an inspiring speech addressed particularly to the youth gathered at Charlotte’s Pass that day.

Mrs Halinka Gad, dressed in a traditional Polish mountaineer's costume, contemplating on a boulder.

Mr Strzelecki, and his son Les, both emphasised the need to maintain strong ties with one’s cultural heritage and to never forget the roots of lingual and historical memory.

The Lajkonik Ensemble and John Hospodaryk once more charmed onlookers with their performances, interweaving both Polish and Australian sentiment into their respective pieces. Mrs Halinka Gad then repeated her recital of Ave Maria from the previous day, though this time, the larger audience stood totally hypnotised when listening to her sumptuous voice.

The concert concluded at approximately 12:30 p.m. The crowds would, undoubtedly, long remember the singular events of the day and the historical vision that the Snow Mountains and the Polish Community had impressed upon their minds.

Mr Ryszard Strzelecki.

An effort requiring the highest possible motivation and toil – logistically, organisationally and structurally – the Concert for Free-Dom, Kosciuszko’s Music played on Mount Kosciuszko, will stand testament to the devotion of the Polish community in Australia, to its organisers, sponsors and supporters, to the singular beauty of the mountain landscape, and to the fellowship held with the Australian community.

Interviews conducted following the performances, with Les Strzelecki and Dr Ernestyna Skurjat-Kozek.

It reminds each individual of the lasting impression that music irreversibly imprints upon one’s character.


Photographs: Puls Polonii - Lukasz Swiatek.

Spare balloons left over from the event? Not a problem! Several of the Pygmy Possum guests quickly popped them in a gesture of farewell.