Initiatives
POLES-A-PART
on-line exhibition
Book on the history of Polish settlement in the ACT and surrounding
regions
The idea for a book on the Polish community in the ACT and surrounding
region grew out of our realisation that the exhibition to be held
at Canberra Museum and Gallery in May 2004 could only look at
a small cross section of the lives, histories and experiences
of the community.
The idea is simple. The execution and realisation of the idea
is more complex and is the result of many discussions, meetings,
failed deadlines and unsatisfactory drafts. PHIA members, Polish
groups and many others have contributed information, suggestions,
unpublished material, ideas and their time. We are grateful to
them all.
The material we collect is put into one of 11 thematic groups
and these will form the core of the book. Some of the themes are:
- Background - a short history of the ACT and a short history
of the Poles in Australia.
- Vital Statistics - census records, citizenship, ethnic affliliation,
demographics.
- Patterns of settlement - Snowy scheme; hostels; ACT and region
(Canberra, Yass, Goulburn, Cooma, Queanbeyan); influence of
proximity of clubs, other Poles, church; waves of migration;
sponsorship schemes. Personal stories and reminiscences.
- Polish Language Media - radio, books and newspapers, internet
sites; their creators and audience.
The material will include documents from Australian government
agencies, international websites, extracts from published and
unpublished material and, of course, contributions from the Polish
community.
The editors and compilers of the book do not aim to judge, justify
or seek validity for the Polish community's actions or activities.
Like all communities, the Polish one in the ACT and region, is
made up of individuals - these individuals are very special to
all of us. Our lives would be all the poorer without them, their
energy, inspiration, their dreams…
For further information on the Book Project please contact Joanna
Biega by email: jbiega@nla.gov.au
or phone (evenings): (02) 6295 3401 (h).
This committee, loosely translated as Committee of Polish Archival
Heritage, was initiated by the Polish Education Ministry in 1998,
to monitor archival awareness, activities and preservation of
Polish archival materials of the Polish diaspora. Its membership
includes representatives from the Museum at Rappersville; Polish
Library (London); Polish State Archives; Polish Ex-Servicemen's
Association (World federation) amongst others.
The visit to Australia by the Polish State Archives representative
Prof. Nalecz saw her interested and pleased in the agreement signed
by the Institute and the National Library of Australia. Participation
between the Institute and the Committee currently is through Professor
Nalecz, Polish State Archives.
Contributions to online publications
Article on Polish dance in Australia
The Institute members contributed to the article on Polish dance in Australia in the Australia Dancing portal. The article provides a list of releveant research materials, including ephemera collections and websites of Polish folk dance groups in Australia.
The Poles in Australia Index (PAI) is
a selective index of articles in magazines, newspapers, scholarly
journals, Internet publications, conference papers, books, radio
and TV transcripts in any language but particularly Polish. More...
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