50 YEARS
OF ACTIVITIES - SUB-BRANCH NO. 5
THE LAST DECADE
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| The year 1993 was particularly important for the Polish Ex-Servicemen's Association Sub-Branch No. 5, because 40 years had passed since the time when a group of Polish soldiers united and joined the World Federation of Polish Ex-Servicemen's Associations through the National Branch of Polish Ex-Servicemen's Associations in Australia, which had been formed in Sydney at the same time. In order to celebrate this memorable date, the Sub-Branch organised a commemorative event in the form of a formal celebration on Saturday, the 14th of August 1993. The celebration was attended by about 200 guests from Canberra and other cities in Australia. Special guests at the festivities included the Ambassador of the Republic of Poland in Australia, Dr Agnieszka Morawinska, the President of the Federal Council of Polish Associations in Australia, Mr Christopher Lancucki AM, the President of the National Branch of Polish Ex-Servicemen in Australia, Mr Jerzy Misiak, presidents of the sub-branches in Melbourne and Launceston, the President of the Council of Polish Organisations in the A.C.T. Renata Rustowska, the Consul for Polish Community Affairs Piotr Longchamps de Berier, the Rector of the Society of Christ, Fr Stanislaw Wrona, and other presidents and representatives of the clergy. Among the Australian guests were the Federal President of the R.S.L. Sir Wiliam Keys, the President of the R.S.L. in the Australian Capital Territory Ms Colleen Thurgar, the President of the RAAF Association, Air Vice-Marshall Peter Alexander and the President of the Rats of Tobruk Association, Mr M. McLaren. During the celebrations the President of the Federal Council presented the emblems of the Polish Army, Air Force and Navy, the grandson of General Jozef Haller presented the Sub-Branch with a portrait of his grandfather, and Ewa Karpinska added to the occasion with her splendid piano performance. |
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| The following day, the 15th of August, on Polish Soldier's Day, a solemn mass was celebrated in St Joseph's Church at O'Connor. |
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| The 40th anniversary celebrations were a very important event in the life of Sub-Branch No. 5, but by no means was this the end of those normal activities, which had their beginnings on the 26th of June 1953. Barely a week after the jubilee celebrations the Sub-Branch held its next Annual General Meeting, when B.Z. Skarbek was again elected President and the committee membership remained largely the same: George Dab-Dworski and Arkadiusz Fabjanowski became deputy-presidents, John Gerula became treasurer, Stan Kowalski took over the administration of the Club, and Dr George Klim became public relations officer whilst Dr Frank Ziolkowski and Stefan Brozek became members of the Committee. Frank Machutta took on the duties of representing the Sub-Branch at the Sir Leslie Morshead War Veterans Home. |
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| The Committee has had very close and most cordial relations with kindred Australian servicemen's organisations. Representatives of the Sub-Branch took part regularly in celebrations organised on an annual basis, thus displaying the ties, which have existed between Poles and Australians since the battles at Tobruk during World War II, where they were fighting side by side against the common enemy. Thus it came as no surprise that one of the items discussed at the first meeting of the new Committee was the representation of the Sub-Branch at the anniversary celebrations of the Battle of Britain on the 15th of September. The Sub-Branch's representatives have been taking part in these celebrations every year. In 1993 the President of the Sub-Branch, Mr B. Z. Skarbek placed flowers at the Stone of Remembrance in front of the Australian War Memorial in the presence of former Polish airmen Andrew Kleeberg and Michael Gorzula. Later on that year the celebrations of the 11th of November were particularly important for the Sub-Branch. As always, members of the Sub-Branch and the Colour Party took part in the celebrations of the Polish Day of independence at the White Eagle Club and at Holy Mass in the newly opened John Paul II Polish Catholic Centre in Narrabundah, but also in the interment ceremonies for the Unknown Soldier at the Australian War Memorial. During the latter celebrations the President and his wife represented the Sub-Branch as one of the guests of honour. Another important matter raised at this first meeting was the deteriorating financial situation of the Sub-Branch, which became noticeable already in 1991. According to the report submitted by the treasurer and Club administrator, the past year had ended with considerable losses and the Committee began to discuss the introduction of savings, which were designed to achieve a balance between expenditure and income. |
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| The main reason for the deteriorating situation could be found in the changes, which were brought about by the policy of the Federal Government. Since its opening in the new premises at Tobruk House, the Polish Ex-Servicemen's Club was very popular among public servants, whose offices were situated in the same building or nearby, and who liked to come to the Club as associate members to have lunch or try their luck on the poker machines. When the Federal Government began to limit the number of public servants and to transfer them to other areas of Canberra, the adjoining buildings began to look more and more deserted and the number of associate members began to melt away. |
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| Another reason for the growing financial difficulties could be found in the fact that in the 1990's people began to limit their visits to the clubs, although the Committee did whatever it could to survive this difficult time. The restaurant, which also belonged to the Sub-Branch, was creating continuous problems, because the income of successive leaseholders was very small and the restaurant owners were often in arrears with their payments. From time to time the Committee was forced to remind the lessees that payments were overdue. |
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| As had been the case for many years, members of the Sub-Branch continued to participate in poppy sales, which were organised by the Returned Services League prior to Remembrance Day (11 November). The collections required considerable dedication from members who were not so young anymore and who stood for days on street corners or in front of shopping centres, during heat waves or in pouring rain. Alone in 1993 they collected $6,196.65, of which the Polish Ex-servicemen's Association received the usual 10% for needy members, which was $619.66. In 1994 an amount of $9,585.70 was collected and in 1995 this even increased to $11,000. Similar results were achieved in subsequent years. Particular mention has to be made of the dedication of Anna and Stanislaw Ziolkowski, Stefan Kulig, Alina and Stefan Brozek, Henryk Korab, Zbigniew Steindl, Maria and Bernard Z. Skarbek, Corie Machutta and Teresa Fryk. During the whole 10-year period the poppy-sales action was coordinated by George Dab-Dworski. |
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| Until 1992 fifty per cent of the collections organised to help the disabled was sent to the Australia Branch Committee. Since then all moneys collected for that purpose are kept at the Sub-Branch to assist needy members. The Committee organised also annual collections for "mutual aid to members" of the Sub-Branch and for the Fund to Assist Polish Language Schools in the Former USSR, sending collection forms to their members. The Committee was also covering the cost of tombstones for members who were former soldiers of the Polish Armed Forces and were buried in the military sections of Canberra cemeteries. |
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| As part of the Sub-Branch's charitable activities an invalid's chair was purchased for the child of a Polish family in Canberra. |
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| The Sub-Branch continued to support Polish-language education in Canberra, something it has done since the very beginning, and does so to this day by providing substantial financial assistance to the Polish Language School in Phillip. Other donations were made to the Polish Catholic Centre, homeless children in Poland, the Centre for the Blind in Laski, Polish schools in the former Soviet Union and the Sir Leslie Morshead War Veterans' Home. The Sub-Branch did also take part in a collection for the multidenominational church in the Army Camp at Kapooka near Wagga Wagga, and the Sub-Branch Secretary, Andrew Kleeberg represented the Sub-Branch in the company of his wife at the formal opening on the 30th of September 1993. |
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| It is only natural that the Committee did not forget its own members, organising the annual Christmas dinner and inviting also members of the Polish Embassy and the Polish priests. The Christmas parties would include a performance (Christmas carols, Nativity play, Christmas Eve tales) and the traditional supper (food, ceremonial breaking of bread). Preparing these celebrations required a lot of work and was the responsibility of John Gerula and Hanna Szalinska. They are the ones who should receive thanks for the success of the celebrations. |
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| It can be said that the Sub-Branch Committee has always been active, organising a number of functions, ex-servicemen's evenings and social get-togethers, a cabaret and discussion meetings. In addition, the quite considerable library, which has existed since the beginning and consists of more than 5,000 books, continues to be maintained. The Sub-Branch has also subscribed to magazines and newspapers from Poland, France, Great Britain and of course Australia. |
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| Late in November 1993 the patron of Poles abroad, Bishop Szczepan Wesoly, was in Canberra and also visited the Sub-Branch in the company of the Chaplain of the Polish Ex-Servicemen's Association, Fr Raymond Koperski OP and Fr Stanislaw Wrona S.Chr. Just as many others before them, the distinguished visitors signed the Visitor's Book and Bishop Wesoly was presented with a copy of the anniversary publication "40 Years of Activities of the Polish Ex-Servicemen's Association Sub-Branch No. 5 Canberra and District 1953-1993". |
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| The friendly relations with the Returned Services League were continued e.g. by inviting their representatives to the by now traditional dinners after the Anzac Day march and ceremony, which was held each year on the 25th of April. In the Polish radio program on the 18th of April 1994, President B. Z. Skarbek gave a talk about the tradition and importance of Anzac Day celebrations. Invitations to the traditional get-together after the march were issued to the Federal President of the R.S.L., General William B. James, A.C.T. Branch President Peter Mazengarb, Air Force Association President M. R. Finger and President of the Rats of Tobruk Branch M. McLaren. In turn the Sub-Branch received an invitation to the celebrations of the Battle of Tobruk and President B. Z. Skarbek placed a wreath at the Tobruk Memorial. These celebrations had become a tradition a long time ago and the Committee put a lot of care into the preparations for the occasion. The President would give a speech, appropriate to the occasion, at the celebration of the Third of May Constitution at the White Eagle Club. In addition, the Sub-Branch continued to participate in the annual celebrations of the Battle of Britain and the President would lay a wreath or flowers at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. |
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| The 50th anniversary of the Battle of Monte Cassino occurred in 1994 and the Sub-Branch Committee prepared very carefully for these celebrations. The suggested program was discussed with the administration of the Australian War Memorial. The celebrations began on Sunday, the 15th of May, with a special Holy Mass in the church at the Polish Catholic Centre in Narrabundah, in the presence of the Colour Party and many members, who prayed for the souls of those who had fallen in the Battle of Monte Cassino. The following day President B. Z. Skarbek, a veteran of the battle, gave a talk on the subject in the weekly Polish radio program. On the 18th of May members of the Sub-Branch formed a guard of honour at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, and the Colour Party accompanied the laying of the wreath. The next part of the celebrations was held in the hall of the Sub-Branch, when President B. Z. Skarbek gave a talk on the importance of the victory in this battle and the Ambassador of Poland, Dr Agnieszka Morawinska, remembered the battles of the Second Polish Corps as seen with the eyes of Poles in the home country. The Ambassador used the occasion to award the Commanders Cross of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland to Dr George Klim for his years of work for the Polish community in Australia. |
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| The Sub-Branch Committee understood the need to remind the wider community about the sacrifice of the Polish soldiers in the battles for the freedom of Poland during World War II. The celebrations of the 50th anniversary of the landing of the Allied Forces in Normandy were also held in June 1994. Using the occasion, Committee member John Gerula gave a talk in the Polish radio program about the contribution of the Polish Army in Operation Overlord. |
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| The 40th anniversary of the Warsaw Uprising was also commemorated in 1994. The latter commemoration was combined with Polish Soldier's Day. Sub-Branch members Wanda Hessler, a soldier of the Home Army, and George Dab-Dworski gave a talk in two Polish radio programs. The latter also prepared appropriate source material on the Uprising for journalist Frank Cranston, whose extensive article on the subject appeared in the Saturday edition of The Canberra Times on 30 July. Two of the Australian airmen, who took part in relief flights to Warsaw, were invited to the commemoration held on the 17th of September 1994. Alan Mclntosh and Thomas M. Badham told the audience about their experiences and impressions during the flights above Warsaw and about the anniversary celebrations, to which they had been invited by the Polish authorities. On the initiative of Dr Jerzy Drobiszewski an exhibition was held called " Along the Path of Polish Arms", which was mainly coordinated by John Gerula. |
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| Another important occurrence during 1994 worth mentioning was a visit of the Cardinal of Wroclaw, Henryk Gulbinowicz, who was very pleased to be able to see the premises of the Sub-Branch and the Club, and to sign the Visitors' Book. A short while later, in January 1995, a meeting was arranged with Count Adam Zamoyski, the author of a history of Poland titled The Polish Way, and with Professor Andrzej Rottermund, the Director of the Royal Castle in Warsaw. |
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| From the 18th until the 20th of November 1994, the Chairperson of the Cultural and Artistic Circle, Eta Rogoyska, organised an exhibition of paintings, sculptures, photographs, graphics and arts and crafts on the premises of the Sub-Branch. The Sub-Branch provided the hall and gave a lot of assistance with the installation of the exhibits. The opening was performed by Senator Margaret Reid. In spite of growing financial problems the Sub-Branch Committee understood the importance and significance of cultural events and the great need for them, and it frequently offered its premises free of charge, inter alia to the ,,Pro Musica" Society, which organised a magnificent concert in cooperation with the Eisteddfod Society. |
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| Apart from opening its premises to other organisations, both Polish and Australian ones, the Sub-Branch organised its own events as well. One of them was "Happy New Year's Eve" to welcome the year 1994, which was celebrated by about 70 guests. |
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| The matter of the Polish Ex-Servicemen's Foundation, as the successor of the Association, had been in the minds of the members for a number of years. As far back as January 1983, Andrew Kleeberg brought up the need to create such a body, which was meant to continue the work in Polish affairs after the dissolution of the original ex-servicemen's association. Delegates of the Sub-Branch were very active in the preparations by the Australia Branch Committee, which led to its creation. However, the Sub-Branch was not only active in these matters. Delegates going to the Branch conventions were voicing various demands, which were usually accepted by the body of members, such as sending an open letter to President Walesa in the matter of rehabilitation for Colonel Kuklinski, who had exposed the communist regime's intention to declare martial law in Poland. |
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| The anniversaries of the murder of Polish officers by the NKVD at Katyn, Miednoje, Kharkhov and other places of execution were commemorated each year with Holy Mass and an appropriate radio program. In 1996 President B. Z. Skarbek gave a talk in the Polish radio program about the fate of Polish prisoners of war, who had been murdered by the Soviets in Katyn, Miednoje and Kharkhov. |
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| Appreciating the need to inform the younger generation about those recent times the Committee sent some historical material to Victoria. It concerned operations of the Polish Army, Air Force and Navy during World War II and was intended to be included in a guide-book for schools, prepared by the committee "Australia Remembers" about various events during the war. The material was also given to the Australian War Memorial, which was preparing a similar guide-book for young people in Canberra schools. |
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| During the celebrations of Anzac Day in 1995 President B. Z. Skarbek presented certificates of honorary Sub-Branch No. 5 membership to Australian airmen Alan Mclntosh and Thomas M. Badham, as tokens of appreciation and respect for their sacrifices during the Warsaw Uprising. Present at the celebrations were the Ambassador of Poland, Agnieszka Morawinska, the former Federal President of the RSL, Sir William Keys, and the current Federal President, Major General Dr William James with their wives. Dr Morawinska presented one of the members, Jozef (Karol) Zawartko, with the Partisans' Cross for fighting as a partisan in the Kielce Region during World War II. |
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| The Polish Ex-Servicemen's Association used the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the end of World War II to prepare a "Polish Day". On the 12th of August 1995 it celebrated Polish Soldier's Day and the 50th anniversary of the end of World War II. The event was reported in the Polish Chronicle by Secretary Hanna Szalinska, who said that "the celebrations were enhanced by the presence of many Australian and Polish guests and Sub-Branch members, a total of more than 140 persons". In a talk prepared by Dr George Klim, President B. Z. Skarbek stressed the important part played by Polish soldiers in battles on all fronts. Mr John Gerula prepared an exhibition titled " Along the Path of the Polish Soldier7'. The concert included performances by pianists Krystyna Niemotko and Kathrin Grant, whilst Teresa Rayner provided some variety by singing military songs. |
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| The Polish Language School in Phillip organised a series of lectures titled ,,Talks by Witnesses of History7' and invited Sub-Branch members to present such talks to final years7 students. The talks were accepted with great interest by the students, who were happy to have been given the opportunity to listen to living witnesses of Polish history. As part of these talks Mr Bernard Zdzislaw Skarbek spoke about the Second Polish Corps, Mr John Gerula about the Polish Navy and commando units, Mr George Dab-Dworski about the Warsaw Uprising, Mr Felix Czyszek about the Polish First Tank Division, Mr Andrew Kleeberg about the Polish Air Force, Mr Stan Kowalski about the experiences of boy scouts and Mr Miroslaw Piotrowski about the Solidarity Movement and his experiences during 1981-1985. |
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| The administration of the Ex-Servicemen's Club had to deal not only with day to day matters connected with normal activities, but also with unexpected problems, which often had to be discussed by all Committee members, For example, the need arose to instal a barrier in front of the wall where beer was being delivered, because it had suffered serious damage. Another problem was the magnetic field on one of the walls where poker machines had been placed, and its elimination required long discussions with ACTEW and the building's administration concerning appropriate permission to do the work and the matter of costs. It was ACTEW, which insulated the transformer substation, and the Polish Ex-Servicemen's Association participated in the costs to the amount of $5,000. |
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| Apart from the activities associated directly with the work of the Association, the Sub-Branch took an active part in the general life of the Polish community, co-operating closely with the Council of Polish Organizations in the ACT and other bodies. Thus the Sub-Branch was always represented, together with its flag, at the Third of May and the Eleventh of November celebrations, organized by the White Eagle Club, whilst the premises of the Sub-Branch were often thrown open to other organisations. In February 1995 an evening was organized to present a video from the POL-ART Festival in Adelaide, which had been prepared by the leader of the "Wielkopolska" folk group, Christine Mikolajczak. In June 1995 a cabaret evening called "Kogel Mogel" was organized in co-operation with the Council of Polish Organisations, starring Barbara Nawratowicz, a well-known artist from the Cracow cabaret scene. When the next Annual Convention of Delegates to the Federal Council of Polish Associations in Australia was held in Canberra, also in June 1995, the Committee opened its premises for the proceedings and also welcomed the arriving delegates with wine and cheese. In a similar vein, during the World Convention of Catholic Women in Canberra in February 1996, the Committee helped the local Polish Women's Association to organize a get-together with participating Polish women from London. When a Polish soccer team was re-established after many years under the name "Crown Eagles Soccer Club", the Committee did not hesitate to provide financial assistance on a number of occasions. |
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| In 1995-96 the cultural and social scene was particularly eventful. A number of events were staged at the Ex-Servicemen's Club, for members as well as the Polish community in general. Upon an invitation by the Council of Polish Organizations, the Polish community was able to meet here with the writer Ryszard Kapuscinski. In March 1996 Father T. Winnicki, General of the Society of Christ visited Canberra and was able to meet with the Polish community at the Ex-Servicemen's Club on the 16th of March, whilst a meeting with the President of the T. Goniewicz Foundation, Jozef Adamski, allowed those present to become acquainted with the Foundation's work in helping Polish children in the former Soviet Union. A very successful concert by W. and M. Kornel took place on the 31st of March 1996, and there were also two cabaret performances staged by the local theatre group under its director Liliana Bogatko. Upon her return from a trip around the world, Barbara Meder gave two talks illustrated by a slide show. As part of the cycle of talks titled "Meetings with interesting people", Dr Jerzy Gray-Grzeszkiewicz spoke about the danger of misusing drugs. In addition, the Committee organized a number of film evenings. Just as was the case with Christmas parties, cultural and social events were successful mainly thanks to the major efforts of Committee members John Gerula and Hanna Szalinska. |
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| On the 15th of October 1995, when the Polish naval vessel "ISKRA" visited Sydney, the Sub-Branch organized a trip for its members to the welcoming ceremony at Sydney Harbour. Twenty-two members were able to take part in this trip. |
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| After their successful concert in March 1996, Monika and Wojciech Kornel performed again on Polish Soldier's Day, celebrated on the 17th of August 1996. The occasion was enhanced by a recital of poetry by Elzbieta Chylewska, whilst Committee member John Gerula organized an exhibition titled "The Contribution of Polish Armed Forces during World War II" |
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| In May 1996 another lessee gave up the running of the restaurant he was leasing from the Sub-Branch, and the Committee was faced with the renewed trouble of finding another lessee for the premises. It was then discovered that the existing economic situation as well as the position of the premises, outside the immediate city commercial centre, had created a serious obstacle to finding a new lessee. One was finally found for the restaurant thanks to the multidirectional endeavours of Committee members John Gerula and Hanna Szalinska (advertisements in the press, contacts with real estate agents, the building's owner etc.). |
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| In his concern for the future of the Sub-Branch, Committee member Dr George Klim raised the possibility of including some younger persons in the Committee, and he stressed the importance of this matter. The Committee supported the idea but it was not possible to follow it up, because a number of invited persons declined due to lack of time. |
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| In 1992, thanks to the initiative and under the leadership of Andrew Kleeberg, efforts were made to set up a Polish Historical Institute. The Institute was formally created in 1996 and about 50 persons from all over Australia became its members. The then Ambassador of Poland, Dr A. Morawinska, agreed to become its patron on behalf of the Polish Embassy. After the formal creation of the Institute on the 11th of February 1996, the Sub-Branch's Committee provided appropriate space for its needs. On the 22nd of November 2000 the Australian National University in Canberra accepted the obligation to conserve and secure the valuable "Polonica" collection on the basis of a special agreement.
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| The year 1996 saw a number of lively discussions taking place about a fusion of the Polish centres in this area into one body. The idea had been toyed with since 1983 and unofficial talks were held with interested persons and community leaders, but opinions on this subject were divided and the Committee did not come to any clear decision. |
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| In November 1996 a traditional St Andrew's Eve dance was held, organized by a group called "Come and enjoy yourself with us". Similar dance evenings were also held in subsequent years. Although they were not being organized directly by the Committee of the Sub-Branch, a lot of work required in this context was performed by the Committee and the administrators of the Ex-Servicemen's Club, John Gerula and Hanna Szalinska. For example, the occasion of the anniversary of the declaration of martial law in Poland, on 13.12.1981, by the communist regime, was used by Sub-Branch member Miroslaw Piotrowski to organize an exhibition from the 9th until the 21st of December 1996, ending with the screening of a documentary film. |
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| The charitable work of the Sub-Branch continued unabated. The Committee used the short visit by Bishop Szczepan Wesoly in October 1996 to make a donation to the restoration of the Church of St Stanislaus in Rome, and in 1997 to the construction of the Monte Cassino Monument. It organized also a collection for flood victims in Poland. In 1998 the Committee made a donation to provide study opportunities for priests in Poland and another to the T. Goniewicz Foundation, which was providing help to Polish schools in the former Soviet Union. The Sub-Branch was also supporting the activities of other organizations in Canberra, for example making a donation towards the quarterly Polish Chronicle, published by the Council of Polish Organisations, or towards the plaque commemorating the twentieth anniversary of the pontificate of John Paul II. Its concern for the good name of Poland caused the Committee to make a donation to the Federal Council of Polish Associations in Australia in 1998, intended to help cover the costs of publication of the book "40 twardych" [40 Hard Ones]. |
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| Poker machines had been the source of considerable income for the Ex-Servicemen's Club for a number of years. It goes without saying that this caused administrative problems and a lot of time was often taken by the Committee to discuss the modernization of machines, the purchase of new ones, joining the "Super Link" system and the like. As the number of visitors to the Club decreased, the income from poker machines also decreased. Whilst keeping the same number of poker machines (25), a decision was made to reduce maintenance costs from monthly to quarterly ones, a move resulting in considerable savings, and to modernise the machines in order to increase their attractivity for the players. The above moves were unavoidable, because the poker machines continued to be the basic source of income for the Club. |
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| The Committee did not cease to try and gain more rights for Polish ex-servicemen, similar to those enjoyed by Australian ex-servicemen. Inter alia, the President of the Sub-Branch held discussions with the Federal President of the RSL, Alf Garland, who promised to raise this matter at a meeting with the Prime Minister. He also talked with Senator Reid, who promised to present the case in Federal Parliament. |
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| In March 1997 it became clear that it was more and more difficult to keep the Club's returns on a more positive level. The administrators looked in vain for a new person to take over the bistro, which was managed by a Polish couple for some years until the business ceased to be profitable. In October 1997 a decision was made to lease out the premises of the former bistro to another business activity. |
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| In 1997 the World Federation of the Polish Ex-Servicemen's Associations celebrated its 50th anniversary. Seizing this opportunity and thanks to the untiring endeavours of President B. Z. Skarbek, Polish ex-servicemen were honoured in a special way, as they formed the third column in the Anzac Day march on the 27th of April 1997. Present at a formal luncheon were, inter alia, the Ambassador of Poland Dr Agnieszka Morawinska, Senator Margaret Reid and the ACT Minister for Education Bill Stefaniak. |
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| At the Annual General Meeting on 5 July 1997 Mr Frank Machutta was elected President of the Sub-Branch, although the Committee remained almost the same as before. George Dab-Dworski and Stefan Brozek became vice-presidents, Hanna Szalinska secretary, John Gerula treasurer, Bernard Z. Skarbek public relations officer and Andrew Kleeberg a member of the Committee responsible for contacts with Australian organisations. However an important change was introduced at the first Committee meeting, consisting of a new system of a regular duty roster for Committee members at the Sub-Branch's office. This provided a greater opportunity to participate in the running of the Club and dealing with current activities. |
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| During the celebrations of Polish Soldier's Day in August 1997, President Frank Machutta handed over an honorary membership diploma to Frank Cranston, a journalist with The Canberra Times, who was always careful to describe matters concerning Polish affairs and the Polish community in a factual and positive manner. |
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| The constantly diminishing number of visitors to the Club caused a considerable worsening of the income from the bar. In addition, there occurred unexpected expenses for repairs, e.g. after a breakdown of the system measuring soft drinks. |
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| Continuing its community activities the Committee made a donation to the "Wielkopolska" folk group for its trip to the national festival POL-ART in Melbourne in December 1997. |
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| The Sub-Branch continued to be in regular contact with other Polish ex-servicemen's branches in Australia and Sub-Branch delegates took part in all conventions. During a symposium organized after the convention in Adelaide in 1997, President F. Machutta presented the delegates with a number of points and proposals, which had been prepared by Sub-Branch members Arkadiusz Fabjanowski and Andrew Kleeberg, including those dealing with the protection of military memorabilia, the future of the Sub-Branches and the future activity of the Ex-Servicemen's Foundation. |
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| Being concerned for the future, President Frank Machutta held a number of talks with the administration of the Australian War Memorial and the President of the Polish Historical Society, Andrew Kleeberg, in order to arrange permanent care for the Sub-Branch's military memorabilia. |
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| The annual Christmas party in December 1997 was combined with an interesting exhibition prepared by Committee member John Gerula for the 200th anniversary of the birth of Sir Paul Edmund Strzelecki. Mr Gerula used the occasion to give a talk on the subject. |
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| In addition to his daily duties, President F. Machutta continued to represent the Sub-Branch at all important events, e.g. placing a wreath at the Rats of Tobruk Memorial during the commemoration of the anniversary of the battle or giving a paper during the Anzac Day luncheon about the heroism of Australian soldiers. |
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| In June 1998 the Sub-Branch had the pleasure of entertaining the President of the Polish Senate, Alicja Grzeskowiak and the senators in her party. This provided an opportunity to exchange opinions and get to know representatives of the political and social life in Poland. |
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| The celebration of Polish Soldier's Day in 1998 was again enhanced by a concert by Monika and Wojciech Kornel, which was followed by the audience joining in and singing popular soldier songs. |
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| In 1998 the economic situation in Canberra deteriorated even further and the transfer of public servants to other parts of the city resulted in a constant decrease in client numbers. The Club's financial situation was becoming more and more difficult. Problems with the restaurant did not stop either. In spite of losses caused by low profits from the Club, the Committee had already been forced earlier to lower the rent for the restaurant, which was also suffering because of the decreasing number of clients. |
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| Also in 1998 there arose the need to change the tombstones on the graves of deceased Association members, who were buried in the military section of Woden Cemetery. The Committee considered itself responsible for the conservation of these graves and at the next annual general meeting the members supported unanimously a motion to cover the necessary costs. |
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| A special meeting of the Sub-Branch's Committee was called on the 20th of May 1999 to discuss the future of Sub-Branch No. 5 in detail. Matters under consideration included whether to lease out the bottom part of the Club and keep the upper part for the Sub-Branch, or rather to sell the lot and to build a common Polish House together with the White Eagle Club and the Polish House in Queanbeyan. The decision was to be made by all the members of the Sub-Branch at the next annual general meeting. |
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| In July 1999 the Committee discussed the celebrations of the 50th anniversary of the Polish Ex-Servicemen's Association in Australia as proposed by the Australia Branch Committee. The Australia Branch Committee wanted to arrange the celebrations at the premises of the Sub-Branch, with the costs to be carried mainly by the Sub-Branch. The idea was not followed up because of the difficult financial situation at that time, however the Sub-Branch Committee agreed to participate in the cost of the celebrations on the basis of sharing them out equally among all sub-branches. |
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| At that time the Committee was also discussing in detail the need for an Ex-Servicemen's Foundation, even considering the possibility of creating a Sub-Branch No. 5 Foundation. Discussions regarding the future of the Polish Ex-Servicemen's Association had already been held for a number of years, in particular at the conventions of sub-branch delegates. They were caused by a concern to secure and properly utilize the assets of individual sub-branches. These matters were raised a number of times, but after the delegates convention in December 2000 it was obvious that the sub-branches were not interested in changing over to the Foundation or in introducing any type of changes. |
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| Also in July 1999 the "Pierwiosnek" youth ensemble from Baranowicze in Bielarus performed at the Ex-Servicemen's Club, delighting the audience with the high level of their vocal and instrumental performance and the chosen subject matter of love for the country of their ancestors. |
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| In August 1999 the Sub-Branch's treasurer, John Gerula, informed that the income from poker machines had decreased substantially and the Club's financial situation had become precarious. The Committee continued discussions concerning this important matter and decided in December to call an extraordinary general meeting of Sub-Branch members. |
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At the Extraordinary General Meeting, held on the 6th of February 2000 and chaired by the President of the Sub-Branch, Frank Machutta, the financial situation of the Ex-Servicemen's Club was discussed in detail. Former Sub-Branch President Bernard Z. Skarbek gave a historical outline of the Club's history since its beginning in 1988, thus allowing those present to get a clear picture of the current situation. President F. Machutta discussed the suggestions prepared by the Committee with the aim of achieving a change for the better, and he submitted a number of appropriate arguments. After a lengthy discussion a motion by former president B. Z. Skarbek was passed, authorizing the Committee to look for a solution to the existing situation and to select one of three options under discussion i.e.
| | 1) to lease out the club's premises (without the restaurant); | |
| | 2) to keep the club but without the poker machines and bar; | |
| | 3) to look into the possibility of selling the whole property of Sub-Branch No. 5. |
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| 60. The 60th anniversary of the murder of Polish officers by the Soviet NKVD was commemorated on the 30th of April 2000 by Holy Mass, in the presence of the Sub-Branch's Colour Party and many members. Fr Waldemar Szczepaniak gave the service an appropriately sublime character. In the afternoon a ceremonial placing of wreaths took place at the Club under the Katyn Sculpture in the presence of members and many invited guests. Among them were the President of the RSL, representatives of the Australian Armed Forces, Minister B. Stefaniak and representatives of the ACT Government as well as the Ambassador of the Republic of Poland. |
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During the ceremony a number of members of the Sub-Branch were awarded medals for their participation in the fight for the freedom of Poland. They were:
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Bill Stefaniak (for his deceased father) - "For participation in the 1939 Polish Campaign" |
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Ryszard Buszynski - "For his participation in the 1939 Polish Campaign" |
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Marian Domagala - "Partisan's Cross" |
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Henryk Korab - "Auschwitz Cross" |
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Stefan Pala - "Combat Action Cross of the Polish Armed Forces on the Western Front" |
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Tadeusz Nowak - "For his participation in the 1939 Polish Campaign" |
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Stanislaw Ziolkowski - "For his participation in the 1939 Polish Campaign" |
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Jan Gorski - "For his participation in the 1939 Polish Campaign" |
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Mikolaj Wolk-Lewanowicz -
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"For his participation in the 1939 Polish Campaign", |
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"Combat Action Cross of the Polish Armed Forces on the Western Front", |
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"The 1939 - 1945 Warsaw Medal" |
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George Dab-Dworski -
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"For his participation in the 1939 Polish Campaign", |
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"The Home Army Cross", |
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"The Warsaw Uprising Cross", |
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"Auschwitz Cross", |
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"The 1939 - 1945 Warsaw Medal" |
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Marian Kijak - "For his participation in the 1939 Polish Campaign" |
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| The ceremony ended with a cocktail party for more than 100 persons. The commemoration was preceded by a radio program, in which Past President B. Z. Skarbek and his granddaughter Stefanie gave their listeners a description of that tragedy, in which Mr Skarbek's father was also killed. |
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| The following day The Canberra Times printed an article by Scott Hannaford titled "West's cover-up of Polish massacre gutless" The journalist referred to the comments by George Dab-Dworski, "the highly decorated war veteran, who twice escaped from prisoner-of-war camps [and when he] speaks about West's cover-up of the massacre of 15,000 Polish officers during World War II, the only word that comes to his mind is 'gutless'". Furthermore, "The Nazis were originally blamed for their deaths, but evidence uncovered in 1992 proved that the Russian secret police were responsible." As the journalist continued, "Mr Dab-Dworski said concealment of the truth of the massacre, by countries like the United States and Britain, was shameful and a dark chapter in those countries' histories." |
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| The Sub-Branch Committee and particularly the administrators i.e. John Gerula and Hanna Szalinska were anxious to welcome the year 2000 particularly well, stressing the entry into the new millennium, by organizing a New Year's Eve Ball in the Club's auditorium. Thanks to the tremendous amount of work by John Gerula and Hanna Szalinska, appropriate expenditure, and the participation in the decoration of the hall by a student of the Polish School in Phillip, Natalia Moskwa, the result turned out to be a success. |
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| The Sub-Branch's financial situation did not improve, on the contrary, it was getting more and more critical in spite of all the endeavours of the Committee, which was finally forced to call an extraordinary general meeting to discuss the Club's future. During that meeting, in February 2000, it was decided to keep the property but to lease out the lower section. |
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| A meeting was held on the 5th of June 2000, which was attended by the Australia Branch President, Jerzy Misiak, and Branch secretary Krystyna Misiak. The discussions included the proposal of the neighbouring RSL Club to lease the lower section of the Club's premises for a period of 5 years, and plans for the future of the Sub-Branch as well as the possibility of transferring its assets to the Ex-Servicemen's Foundation. |
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| Negotiations with the RSL Club regarding the main conditions to lease out the ground floor were finalized in July 2000. Work in connection with the physical transfer of the leased out area and the completion of the required formalities regarding the Sub-Branch's personal property (furniture, poker machines, bar etc.), contacts with former contracting parties of the club, the taxation office, other authorities, with whom the Sub-Branch's administration was obliged to cooperate during the club's existence, continued until the end of 2000. The question of where to place the Katyn Sculpture, carved by Jadwiga Tupalska, was also an important matter to be considered. At first it was taken to the Polish church in Narrabundah only to be placed finally in the Sub-Branch's reading room, surrounded by other memorabilia of the Sub-Branch. In December 2000, as a result of the new situation, the Christmas Party was held for the first time in the hall of the Polish Catholic Centre in Narrabundah. |
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| Upon a request by the Council of Polish Organizations in the ACT, the Committee decided to provide financial help for the collating and mailing of the quarterly Polish Chronicle for the 2001 calendar year. It was also decided to provide $200 towards the cost of the Polish radio program in Canberra. |
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| The closure of the club and the leasing out of the ground floor to the RSL has limited the activities of the Sub-Branch. The remaining premises, situated on the upper floor, continue to accommodate the Sub-Branch's offices, the library and the reading room, where Polish newspapers continue to be av |
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| Despite the limitations of activities caused by the closure of the club and the leasing out of the lower section of the premises, the Sub-Branch's Committee has continued the tradition of commemorating the anniversaries of the battles on various battlefields for the freedom of Poland. Just as in previous years, representatives of the Sub-Branch have continued to take part in the annual commemoration of the Battle of Britain, and Polish ex-servicemen continue to participate in the Anzac Day march, "thus expressing their respect for those who have fought and died on the fields of Gallipoli", as President Frank Machutta has so aptly expressed it. Polish Soldiers Day continues to be celebrated with Holy Mass and a concert, which in recent years has consisted of an official and an unofficial part, combined with a luncheon for members. |
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| The Committee continues its work, preparing annual celebrations and commemorations, and caring for the welfare of its members. In 2000-2002 the Christmas Parties were held at the Pope John Paul II Centre in Narrabundah in a truly festive atmosphere, just as in former times. However, the get-together after Anzac Day has now been transferred to a hall in the RSL Club. In addition, the Committee has begun to set its archives in order and to secure documents of historical importance. Some of them have been set aside to be transferred to the Polish Historical Institute with the intention of preserving them for future generations. |
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| Considering the fact that all work connected with the new situation of the Sub-Branch has been finished and total stability has been achieved, the Sub-Branch's Committee, upon a motion by Hanna Szalinska, has decided to limit the activities of the office to four days a week and the duty roster for Committee members to three days a week. |
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| On Sunday the 22nd of April 2001, the 60th anniversary of the Battle of Tobruk, in which the Polish Carpathian Brigade under the command of General Kopanski had also taken part, was celebrated at the Rats of Tobruk Memorial. Members of the Committee were present at the celebrations and President F. Machutta placed a wreath in honour of Polish soldiers who had fallen in this battle. |
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| Polish Soldier's Day on August 2001 was celebrated as before with Holy Mass and a concert at the Sub-Branch's premises, during which eleven members received their commissions as officers. And thus, Stefan Brozek, John Gerula (posthumously), Kazimierz Kijak, Stefan Kulig, Boleslaw Lasota, Tadeusz Nowak, Jerzy Rosiak, Maria Skarbek, Mikolaj Wolk-Lewanowicz, Jozef Zawartko and Stanislaw Ziolkowski became second lieutenants. The following members were promoted to a higher rank: George Dab-Dworski to the rank of lieutenant colonel, Zdzislaw Skarbek and Franciszek Zurek to the rank of captain and Andrew Kleeberg to the rank of lieutenant. |
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| On the 1st and 2nd of December 2001 the Sub-Branch was host to the convention of presidents of Polish Ex-Servicemen's sub-branches. It is clear that this required some extra effort in planning meals, accommodation and premises for deliberations. A similar situation occurred towards the end of 2002, because the Sub-Branch was preparing for the convention of delegates of the sub-branches, to be held from the 10th until the 12th of January 2003. |
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| It did not take long to become obvious that the leasing out of the ground-floor area resulted in considerable improvement of the Sub-Branch's finances and this in turn allowed the Committee to continue its work for the community. For example, when the convention of Polish Women's Associations in Australia was held in Canberra in 2002, the Sub-Branch Committee helped the local Women's Association cover part of its costs by donating $300 for this purpose. At the same time the Goniewicz Foundation in Poland received $500, the Centre for the Blind in Laski (Poland) $300 and the Polish Studies Foundation at Macquarie University in Sydney $500. |
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| During a meeting of Polish Ex-Servicemen's sub-branch presidents in Adelaide in December 2001, President F. Machutta was elected representative of Polish ex-servicemen at Kindred Organizations, a body uniting former soldiers, which is also endeavouring to get equal rights for Polish ex-servicemen and their wives. At a meeting held on the 14th of April 2002, a motion was discussed to grant the Gold Card to Allied war veterans living in Australia. President F. Machutta had already made strong representations in this matter and he did not hesitate to put the appropriate arguments before the Independent Committee for the Review of Veterans' Entitlements. |
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| At a meeting of the Sub-Branch No. 5 Committee, S. Brozek proposed that the imminent 55th anniversary of the Warsaw Uprising should be commemorated with a metal plaque containing the names and military rank of Australians who took part in supply drops for the insurrectionists in Warsaw. |
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| Because nobody was prepared to take this project in hand, President F. Machutta undertook to draw up a plan for the plaque and to try and obtain permission for it to be placed at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra. When he did not receive permission to do so, he went to the Australian Air Force Association for assistance. He received a lot of help from its secretary, Wing Commander R. Usher. The National Secretary and the Secretary of the ACT branch approached the administration of the War Memorial and the National Capital Authority. On the 24th of November 1999 the matter was discussed with the Director of Cultural Projects and Promotions, but unfortunately permission was not granted. In any case, it was already too late for the 55th anniversary. |
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| Meanwhile President F. Machutta prepared the layout of the plaque and provided an appropriate text. In July 2002 President F Machutta got in touch with Group Captain Skimen. Group Captain Skimen not only has a lot of experience in planning such plaques, but he is also a historian and the administrator of the RAAF Memorial Grove in the A.C.T. With the assistance of Committee member H. Szalinska a meeting was arranged, which was attended by F. Machutta, H. Szalinska, and the retired Air Force officers Group Captain Skimen, Group Captain Hurst and Flight Lieutenant Fereday. After agreeing to a few minor changes it was decided that the RAAF Memorial Grove in the A.C.T. was an appropriate place for this plaque. A following meeting was attended also by Captain Alan Mclntosh, RAN (Retired), who had taken part in airdrops to the insurrectionists a number of times. |
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| In order to introduce further improvements another two meetings were held and these were also attended by G. Dab-Dworski and S. Brozek. The plaque has been cast and will be unveiled on the 1st of August 2003, the 60th anniversary of the Warsaw Uprising. |
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| From the 10th until the 12th of January 2003 Sub-Branch No. 5 was host to the 31st Convention of Delegates of the Polish Ex-Servicemen's Association in Australia. The Convention resulted in a very fundamental change in the aims of the Association. The objective of many years of endeavours to return Poland to true independence has been achieved. The organization, which had been formed to fight communism, has been transformed into a community and patriotic one. As can be seen from the first circular letter of the new Australia Branch Committee, "it is to uphold Polish traditions, care for its members and be a useful member of the Polish Community in Australia". Andrew Kleeberg was elected Federal President of the new Australia Branch Committee, now situated in Canberra, whose members included Andrzej Wojkowski as secretary, George J. Pietrzak as treasurer, Andrew Alwast as public officer, Jadwiga Ablamowicz as public relations officer, Renata Rustowska as legal officer and Andrew Zawartko and Tom Wodzinski as committee members. |
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| Fifty years of work have passed for the benefit of former Polish soldiers, but also for the benefit of the old country Poland and the new country Australia. It can be said with confidence that the present situation, which was the result of transferring the Australia Branch Committee to Canberra, as well as new aims and opportunities for Polish Ex-Servicemen's Association Sub-Branch No. 5, allow to see the future with a great deal of optimism. The activities of the Polish Ex-Servicemen's Association provide a lot of promise for future benefits for its members as well as the whole Polish community in Canberra and Australia, continuing the longstanding excellent cooperation with Australian organizations and retaining the tradition of loyalty towards Australia, but at the same time not forgetting its roots. |
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