| It is my pleasure and honor today, on behalf of the Polish Community Council of Australia, to bid a fond farewell to His Excellency Ambassador Mr Michal Kołodziejski, who is soon returning to Warsaw after almost five years of his diplomatic mission in Australia.
This period was extraordinary as far as unprecedented events are concerned, because they occurred for the first time in history or simply took the world by surprise and required us all to quickly adapt to dynamically changing circumstances. Polish Community Council of Australia (I will refer to my organization as PCCA further on) and the Ambassador maintained continuous relationship working on joint initiatives that aim to promote the best image of Poland.
I first met Mr Kolodziejski one year before he assumed his post as Ambassador when he, as the Director of the Asia-Pacific Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, attended the meeting of the Australian Committee for the Kosciuszko Year Celebrations.
Since the Ambassador arrived in Canberra in 2017, many events followed. I would like to mention a few significant initiatives and occasions which involved PCCA Executive Committee and its member organisations.
First of all, very complex organisational preparations for the first official visit of the President of the Republic of Poland in Australia. Planning commenced in late 2017, with PCCA actively involved in engaging and assisting in organising meetings with the Polish community.
2018 was most memorable because it marked a centenary of Poland regaining its independence after 123 years of occupation by neighbouring countries. Celebrations were held in all states. I was delighted to participate, together with the Ambassador, in events held in Perth, Canberra and the unforgettable concert held at the beautiful Town Hall in Sydney on 1 June. We were truly moved by sincere words of appreciation extended by the Ambassador.
The visit of the President of Poland - Mr Andrzej Duda and the First Lady, Ms Agata Kornhauser-Duda took place in August 2018 over three very busy days when we flew to Melbourne, Canberra and Sydney to attend variety of events. Each of them was different and very interesting.
2018 culminated with the 10-day long Festival of Polish Visual and Performing Arts PolArt in Brisbane. Polish community was delighted that the Ambassador became a patron of the event. I think that the visual promotion in Brisbane city and program of the festival spanning so many days of continuous concerts, theatrical performances, exhibitions and children activities surpassed Mr Ambassador’s expectations! May I also add that the Festival was officially opened by the Premier of Queensland, the Honourable Annastacia Palaszczuk.
2019 was quieter, but was not lacking in joint activities, for example, a successful cooperation of Polish community in Queensland, PCCA Executive Committee and Consulate General of the Republic of Poland to re-establish the Polish Association of Queensland and save the Polish House, a community property in Brisbane.
And then, the difficult and heartbreaking 2020 came along – first, the unprecedented bushfires, which tragically affected so many Australians and damaged our beloved Kosciuszko National Park with its furry and feathered residents. Polish community and the Embassy of the Republic of Poland again – jointly organised a Polish Fundraise for the Recovery of Kosciuszko National Park.
Shortly after this terrible natural disaster, we faced the COVID-19 pandemic which for ever, has revised our perspectives, plans and daily activities. We had to learn how to live and function in completely altered circumstances – Polish diplomatic corps and Polonia in Australia had to face new, unpredictable problems and challenges.
In September 2021, in anticipation of the upcoming 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Poland and Australia, PCCA received an invitation from Ambassador Kolodziejski to undertake a joint project which culminated in a publication entitled Polish-Australian Connections – our shared history and experience, released this year. The small book journals common histories and experiences of Polish-Australian relations, including contributions of Polish migrants to the building of multicultural Australia – from the first half of the 19th century to modern times. We are very happy that this joint initiative was well received in Australia and by Poland’s government overseas.
Since 2018, PCCA has been organizing, together with the Polonia Club in Plumpton, the annual Independence Run at a distance of 1918 meters, during which the team of the Consulate General in Sydney competes with the Embassy team, alongside members of the community.
I would like to mention one more significant event which took place in Sydney in 2021 – initiated by the Hon. Robert Borsak, Member of NSW Legislative Council whereby representatives of the Polish community together with Mr Ambassador and Consul-General Dr Kończyk had the opportunity to celebrate Poland’s Independence Day at the Parliament of NSW, at the invitation of the President of the New South Wales Legislative Council, The Hon. Matthew Mason-Cox, alongside other Members of Parliament. On that day, the Polish flag was proudly raised in front of the Parliament House.
I am delighted to stress that PCCA’s relationship with the Embassy of the Republic of Poland has been punctuated by good communication and timely response to all matters concerning building a positive image of Poland and protecting the good name of the Polish community.
I have only mentioned a few joint initiatives and events in which the Executive Committee of PCCA participated, but it is important to note that PCCA comprises 22 member organisations which have also undertaken many joint projects with the Embassy over the years. One of the most recent and very meaningful to all of us was the event organised by the Embassy together with Kosciuszko Heritage Inc. (member of PCCA) during which 50 trees were planted to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Australian-Polish diplomatic relations; and a memorial plaque unveiled to commemorate the 182nd anniversary of Strzelecki's passing Geehi Flats on his way to Mt Kosciuszko.
On behalf of all of us, I would like to thank you, Mr Ambassador, for your support and your cooperation with us, Australian Poles, during your diplomatic mission in Australia.We wish you all the very best in your future endeavors.Thank you for your attention.
Małgorzata Kwiatkowska
President, PCCA
Sydney, July 16th 2022
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