Andrew Kleeberg, born March 1920, Warsaw. His father was Juliusz E. Kleeberg, mother Halina Olszynska. Immediately on completing his secondary schooling in 1939 he joined the Polish Air Force. He was shot down over Bremen in October 1941, being injured and incarcerated in a prisoner-of-war camp for the remainder of the war. He was decorated with Poland's Virtuti Militari and the War Cross medals.

He arrived in Australia in 1948, commenced tertiary studies in 1950, went into business with his parents 1953-1960, became an AMP agent in Cooma 1963-1980. In Cooma held senior executive positions on the local council, various organisations and being instrumental in building a TAFE college there.

Moved to Canberra in 1980 where he joined the Polish Ex-Servicemen's Association, Canberra Branch no.5, becoming its President 1982. Has represented this body on various organisations, congresses. He has been active in lobbying the Commonwealth government about equity for Polish veterans. On his retirement he has also been involved with various charities including Meals on Wheels.

In the 1990's he saw a need to find, record and store the archival records of prominent Poles and national Polish organisations in Australia in order that the history of settlement in this country was not lost. In 1996 he formed the Polish Historical Institute in Australia . Mr Kleeberg is married to Ina Ratliff (NZ). They have three children, daughters Alicja and Krystyna, and a son Marek. Mr Kleeberg was honoured in the 1995 Queen's Birthday Honours List with the Order of Australia for his work among the war veterans including his work for the Polish community.
From: www.polesact.org.au/phia/kleeberg.html

Kleeberg - Kosciuszko Festivals in Cooma in the 60ties. Click here to read

Kleeberg's grand daughter "A wonderful soprano with Polish roots"