Ngarigo Elder Aunty Rae with singer Beata Wald

• Background to aims/objectives of FKPP, Cultural Foundation of Puls Polonii - Some objectives: The promotion of the contribution made by Sir Paul Strzelecki to Australian exploration, and the importance of General Tadeusz Kosciuszko, whose name is borne by the highest peak of Australia, Mt Kosciuszko; The organisation of a regular, special event called K’Ozzie Fest (formerly The Mound and Mount Kosciuszko Festival), to be held in Jindabyne and Cooma, and from time to time, in other suitable locations;

• Proposal (by public announcement to the media) to change name of Mt Kosciuszko to “something more Australian" by George Martin , the then Mayor of Tumbarumba Shire in 2000, during Tumba Trek 2000, without any consultation with the Polish community. The Trek was organised, as an annual event by Tim Fischer, member for Farrer.

Link to Australian press cuttings and an article in Polish

• Name change proposal was then incorporated into the Kosciuszko Park Plan of Management, which when publicly consulted, resulted in a strong and emotive response from the Polish community, and also hostilities with the NPWS and the Aboriginal Community.

• FKPP was created in 2007 to try and resolve the issue, and promote the good names and significance of both General Tadeusz Kosciuszko and Sir Paul Edmund Strzelecki, and to help to raise the profile of the Polish community as stakeholders in all matters relating to Mt Kosciuszko, Kosciuszko National Park, the statue of Sir Strzelecki in Banjo Paterson Park in Jindabyne, Polish migrant contribution in the Snowy Scheme, and the Polish heritage generally in the region.

• FKPP, in consultations with National Parks, asked to meet with Aboriginal Elders and was given the opportunity through regular workshops organised by Kosciuszko National Park authorities.

• First meeting was awkward. FKPP invited the Aboriginal elders to contribute to a Festival which we were planning in Jindabyne, we showed them photos of the Mt Kosciuszko concert.

Link to a photogallery "Kosciuszko Music on Mt Kosciuszko"

• They weren't particularly interested but we persisted. The second meeting we told them more about Kosciuszko, why he was a hero of democracy, about him fighting for rights of American negroes etc. We gave them written materials. When we showed them a postcard of the Jindabyne Statue of Strzelecki, one of the elders threw it back at us, and said that there should be a Statue to Aboriginal leaders. Of course they did not attend our Festival.

• The action inspired us to consider what sort of role the Aboriginal guides Jackey and Charlie Tarra played in Strzelecki's expedition to the summit of Mt Kosciuszko, and we came to the conclusion that there was probably teamwork involved which should be acknowledged. We looked at the way in which Strzelecki wrote about Aboriginal culture in his book Physical Description of New South Wales and Van Diemens Land (London 1845) - in fact he was the first white man to write about aboriginal culture in a respectful and admiring way, and to argue that we should not try to change it. (A copy of Strzelecki’s “On Aborigines” presented to Mr Lynch). After telling the Aboriginal elders about Strzelecki's attitude to his "black friends" at the next workshop, we experienced a complete turn around in attitude to us. They even said, that Strzelecki must have been a good man, otherwise the spirits would not have let him reach the summit of the mountain. That was the night that we were invited to stay and have dinner with them.

• The next Festival, which had the theme "Strzelecki and His Team - working together" was not attended either by the Aboriginal community but it had a photographic competition which showed an image of a Polish child and an aboriginal child sitting in harmony together. This was noticed by all, including other prominent members of the Aboriginal and Jindabyne community.

• At our next workshop, the Elders showed even more interest, and promised to come to the next Festival. We stayed again for dinner.

• Aboriginal Dancers performed at the 2009 Festival, making special friends with the youth of the Polish Ensembles, and subsequently, Ursula and Tony Lang were invited as "friends" to NAIDOC week celebrations in July 2009. At that NAIDOC, National Parks showed a film produced by a young Polish filmmaker, Oskar Kantor. The film explored the Aboriginal perspective on "being invaded" - the film was not bound by protocols of what is "politically correct" in Australia. This film greatly impressed a large number of families who sat through the film which lasted for nearly an hour, including parts in just Polish. Open discussion followed. Every meeting from now on was warm and friendly, even informal meetings in the park or in the supermarket.

• In 2010, Aboriginal dancers performed again at the March Festival, and indeed all the Aboriginals who came were treated as VIPs. NPWS facilitated their attendance by making their regular quarterly workshop the same weekend as the FKPP Festival. The festival highlight was the attendance by two Aboriginal Aunties who were given a special welcome, invited to speak, and received gifts of highland scarves and flowers from children in Polish costumes. A special song of "I'm sorry" was performed for them by singer Beata Wald. They really appreciated this.

• Link to "Dreamtime Dancing" & photos

Link to a video report “Kozzie Fest & Kosciuszko Run 2010"

• In July 2010, Ernestyna and Andrzej Kozek represented FKPP at the NAIDOC celebrations in Jindabyne, and again the reception was extremely warm and friendly.

• Future Plans:

• Joint concerts to show friendship and harmony between Polish community and Aboriginal community, especially Ngarigo. There is considerable interest amongst Poles in relation to Aboriginal culture - both nations are "displaced persons" (in fact there was a time Poland had not existed on the map for over a century, as it had been partitioned by its powerful neighbours).

• Sister Park relationship between Tatrzanski Park in Poland, and Kosciuszko National Park (negotiations already commenced, stopped by Minister Carmel Tebbut). Ultimately an invitation for a delegation from Australia, including Aboriginal representatives, to visit Poland;

• Future consultations via NPWS on sharing the cultural significance of Mt Kosciuszko (Note FKPP submission on Mt Kosciuszko to NSW Heritage Advisory Council, and augmentation of the Statement of Significance relating to Mt Kosciuszko, to express the values of the Polish Community);

Full text of our submission to National Heritage Commission, May 2008

Victory! Mt Kosciuszko on Heritage List!

• Planned event at Horningsea Park in Liverpool (where P.E. Strzelecki resided in 1830s), classical concert/exhibition, Heritage Week?

• Kozzie Fest 2011 - now has a sporting theme, but could Minister sponsor an Aboriginal runner?

How can Minister Lynch help?

• Take an interest and read the material about Kosciuszko and Strzelecki, attend and be patron of events, help with funding via Grants;

• Assist with Horningsea Park event, in the Liverpool Area. (It is noted that Dr Andrew McDonald is in fact the member for this area, and we will go and see him as well)

Link to a report on “Lajkonik” Ensemble Anniversary Ball when Min. Lynch was presented with some books about Kosciuszko & Strzelecki