Fr J. Kolodziej being decorated |
Polish President Andrzej Duda thanked the Polish diaspora of Sydney, Australia, on Monday, telling them it is because of them that Poland is respected in Australia.
-This is testament to the type of people you are here,- Andrzej Duda commented. -You are loyal citizens of Australia, friendly people, good neighbours, honest, reliable workers, entrepreneurs, and you are simply respected. And if you are respected, then because of you, Poland is also respected.
-I thank you hugely for that, that you give such an account of our country," he added. "I invite you to Poland, it is better all the time. Maybe it's worth thinking about coming back? Please consider it.
President Duda wished Poles living in Australia to stay the way they are and not change, going on to congratulate them on their frequent successes. He also appealed to Poles to remember that extremely important thing, the Republic, whose name is Poland, their homeland.
Andrzej Duda went on to thank the organisers of Polish civil life in Australia and all those engaged in the creation of associations and various initiatives, which, he said, bring Poles together, mutually strengthen them (and) which also cause people to see that we make a community.
The President made reference to the long history of Polish emigration to Australia leading to today's community of around 180,000 Poles in that country. He also drew attention to the fact that on the centenary year of Poland regaining independence, he was conducting the first official visit to Australia by the president of a free, independent, sovereign Polish republic. (PAP)
Canberra journalist Eugeniusz Bajkowski being decorated by President Duda |
All awardees with President on stage in Marayong |
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