Poland in Australia

The visit agenda included meetings with the Polish diaspora, including Polish community organizations in various cities and Jewish communities in Melbourne, as well as political consultations in Canberra. The presence of the Deputy Minister enhanced the official opening of the Office of the Defense Attaché of the Republic of Poland in Canberra, which marks an important step in the development of Polish-Australian relations in the field of security and defence.

The delegation of Minister Władysław Teofil Bartoszewski and Director Anna Sochańska covered also a significant Polish diaspora component. In Melbourne, on May 2, there was held a meeting with representatives of Polish community organizations at the office of the Polish-founded aid organization “Polcare.” This provided an opportunity not only to present the government’s and the Ministry’s priorities toward the Polish diaspora, but also to exchange experiences and discuss current challenges faced by the community. The delegation participated in the annual gala dinner celebrating the Constitution of May 3, as well as in an academic event organized by the Polish community for this occasion. It was also a time to jointly celebrate the Polish Flag Day, Polish Diaspora Day, and the Constitution Day. The delegation also visited the Marian Shrine in Essendon. Director Sochańska visited the  “Polana” Camp in Healesville and the Polish Club Albion in Melbourne. Minister Bartoszewski also visited the Holocaust Museum in Melbourne and met with representatives of the Australian Society of Polish Jews and Their Descendants (ASPJ). At the Museum, the Minister delivered a lecture titled “The Revival of Jewish Life in Poland After 1989” which was received with great interest by participants. The lecture was followed by a screening of the documentary film “The Commandant’s Granddaughter,” directed by Masha Makarova and produced by the Warsaw Ghetto Museum (event coverage: www.youtube.com/watch?v=TQZS0WTBz4c).

In Sydney the delegation visited the Marayong Care Center, founded by the Polish community and still run, among others, by Polish nuns from the Congregation of the Sisters of the Resurrection. Approximately 70% of its residents are still of Polish origin. The guest from Poland has also a meeting the rector of the Shrine of Our Lady of Częstochowa. An important element of the visit was a working meeting with representatives of the Polish Australian Congress, the Federation of Polish Organizations in New South Wales, scouting organizations, the Association of Polish Combatants (SPK), Polish clubs, Polish educational institutions and the Polish business community. This provided an opportunity to engage with the activities of the Polish diaspora in Sydney. Director Sochańska also held meetings at the Polonia Sports Club in Plumpton and the Polish Club in Bankstown.

A special element of the program was the visit to the Rookwood Cemetery in Sydney, where Minister Bartoszewski laid wreaths at the graves of Bolesław Korpowski, a pilot and Polish community member, and Zbigniew Jasiński, the poet of the Warsaw Uprising. Owing to the efforts of Melbourne-based journalist and writer Bogumiła Żongołłowicz, the graves were entered into the register of veterans’ graves by the Institute of National Remembrance (IPN). The Minister visited also the Tobruk Siege Memorial, where he laid a wreath to commemorate the 85th anniversary of the battles.

The visit to Australia also included an economic component. During a meeting with the Minister for Industry and Trade of the State of New South Wales, Mr. Anoulack Chanthivong, opportunities for economic cooperation between Poland and Australia were discussed in the context of concluding negotiations on the free trade agreement between the European Union and Australia. A working lunch with representatives of the Board of the Polish-Australian Chamber of Commerce, the PAIH office in Sydney, and the CEO of the European Australian Business Council, Mr. Jason Collins, allowed both sides to discuss opportunities and challenges faced by Polish companies planning to operate on the Australian market.

During his stay in Sydney, Deputy Minister Bartoszewski also paid a visit to the Lowy Institute, a globally recognized Australian think tank.

In Canberra, on May 7, Minister Bartoszewski held political consultations with Secretary of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Ms. Jan Elizabeth Adams. He also conducted consultations with Assistant Minister for Defence, Mr. Peter Khalil. The political agenda also included a number of working meetings with representatives of the Australian administration, research institutions, and major Australian media outlets. Discussions focused on the current geopolitical situation, including the situation in Ukraine, as well as defence cooperation and the arms industry.

In Canberra, Minister Bartoszewski and Director Sochańska participated in a meeting with Honorary Consuls of the Republic of Poland representing Papua New Guinea, Tasmania, Victoria and Queensland.

As part of a separate program in Canberra, Director Sochańska took part in a series of meetings with representatives of the Polish diaspora in the Australian Capital Territory and with local partners active in promoting Polish culture in Australia.

Photo: Embassy of the Republic of Poland in Australia / Consulate General of the Republic of Poland in Sydney