Poles-A-Part - Catalogue

Poles-A-Part provides a snapshot of the Polish community in Canberra and region. The story of Polish settlement in the Canberra region is one of transformation from refugee, émigré and migrant to Canberra citizen. The characteristics and peaks of Polish migration to Canberra and the region mirror national trends. Poland and the preservation of Polish cultural identity remains a central concern to Canberra Poles.

Poland's borders and status as an independent nation have changed over the centuries. Slavic tribes settled Poland in 2000 BC. In the ninth century some of these united under the Polane, the largest Slavic tribe. By the sixteenth century, the Polish empire covered a large part of eastern and central Europe. From 1772 Austria, Prussia and Russia began to seize Polish territories and by 1795 Poland ceased to exist as a country. The Polish people kept their culture, nationalism and language alive through to the end of WWI when the country was once again established as an independent Polish republic.

On 1 September 1939, Nazi Germany invaded Poland thus beginning WWII. Within a month the country had been divided between Germany and the USSR. The Polish population suffered greatly during the War. Through death, displacement and shifting borders, the Polish population went from 35 million people in 1939 to 24 million in 1945.

At the end of the war 600,000 displaced Poles refused to return to Communist Poland. These Poles comprised three major groups. The first and largest, comprised those who had been deported to Germany as forced labourers in agriculture and industry and had been liberated by the Allied Forces at the end of the War.

The second group consisted of Poles who had been deported to Siberia by the USSR. In 1941 these people were freed when the Polish Government in exile signed an agreement with the Russians. A Polish military force was formed under General Anders and some 75,000 men who had been imprisoned in Siberia enlisted. As these forces were evacuated to Iran, Iraq and Palestine, some 33,000 women and children were saved from starvation and transported with them. Many of these people were moved during the war to refugee camps in places such as India and East Africa.

The third group of Poles unwilling to return to Poland were ex-servicemen who had been demobilised in Britain at the conclusion of the war. Polish ex-servicemen were assisted by the British Government to settle overseas and some 4,000 chose to settle in Australia.

In July 1947 Australia signed an agreement with the International Refugee Organisation (IRO) to receive Displaced Persons (DPs).

The first post-war Polish migrants arrived in Australia in 1947. Those arriving as refugees under the Displaced Persons Scheme were required to work a two year contract in jobs assigned to them by the Australian authorities. These were generally menial with little regard to the refugee's trained skills. Once the obligatory two year contract was completed, the majority of people settled in the larger cities working in skilled or semi-skilled jobs.

Poles who migrated as a result of WWII have a high degree of self-reliance, they are survivors who for many years mistrusted authority. Their community and accompanying infrastructures were formed to celebrate their Polish heritage and patriotism. For many years they lived with a refugee mentality, hoping to return to Poland. The fate of Poland was always central to them and their activities.

In 1956 the Polish government relaxed its tight emigration laws which allowed family reunions to take place. This allowed extended families who had been separated by the War to reunite on Australian soil. Those with relations in Canberra mainly chose to make this city home.

The most recent wave of Polish immigration is often referred to as the 'Solidarity Wave'. In 1980 the Solidarity Trade Union began its fight against communism. On 13 December 1981 Martial Law was imposed and Solidarity was declared illegal. For the next eight years the Solidarity movement was forced underground with its supporters and activitists encouraged to leave Poland. Australia offered asylum to Poles who could provide evidence of persecution on political grounds during these years. Throughout this period, Polish Australians and their counterparts showed 'solidarity' with the Polish people by protesting in front of Polish Consulates and Embassies, collecting money, medical supplies and food for Polish citizens. The Polish Ex-Serviceman's Club in Canberra provided sponsorship for several families to settle in Canberra.

From the first settlement of Poles in Canberra, the Polish community has endeavoured to provide services for its members. The refugees who arrived in 1948 drew on the self-reliance they had developed during their refugee years and turned to each other and their community for support. The provision of welfare, religious, cultural and social support continues to be a high priority for the Polish organisations of the Canberra region.

The importance of the Polish language is paramount. Language has been used to preserve culture and traditions and to retain the link to Poland and to being Polish.

Poland is now a democratic country and a member of the European Union. Her independent sovereignty - the fate of Poland so dear to the heart of all Poles - has been assured. Yet Polish Australians will visit her and still call Australia home.

Polish Historical Institute in Australia

All figures taken from Jupp, James (ed.) The Australian People, Angus & Robertson Publishers, 1988

Poles-A-Part is a joint project between the Polish Historical Institute in Australia and the Canberra Museum and Gallery. The exhibition has been several years in the planning and is the result of a process of ongoing communication with the Polish community in Canberra.