ill (b/w), p.158., lists.non-fictionA Short History of Polish soldiers migration to Australia after WWII. Part I The Surplus Heroes 5 The Foundation of the Polish Republic operating in exile 7 Formation of military 10 Change in relations with the Allies 18 The Polish military in the closing stages of the war 21 The consequences of the Yalta Conference 22 1945 Elections in Britain 24 The Polish Resettlement Corps [in UK] 28 The notion of "Betrayal" 31 The Future 32 Part II Destination Australia 35 Background 37 Polish Armed Forces in the West 39 The "Polish Issue" 43 Polish Resettlement Corps (PRC) 49 Solution? 52 Portrayal of the Poles 54 Australian government decision-making 57 SS Asturias - September 1947 and December 1947 Tasmania: Hydro-Electric Commission 64 SS Strathnaver - August 1948 64 Hobart 69 Victoria 71 Queensland 71 Manus Island 71 South Australia 72 New South Wales 72 Asturias - August 1948 - Sydney 76 Asturias - November 1948 - Western Australia 78 Life at the Tasmanian Hydro-Electric Commission 79 Citizenship 85 Deportation 91 Australian veterans groups 93 Polish veterans groups in Australia 96 Establishing a life 100 Families 103 Polish communities 105 Annexes 109. Includes photographs, facsimiles and maps.immigration - australia - polish community, australia - displaced persons

demonstration of Polish community activityIn Sydney during their fledgeling stage immediately after world War twophotograph of the Kondratowicz family in the Sydney area. One of the very few available photographs of the beginnings of the Polish community in Sydney. Photographic document showing interaction with local clergy.photographsydney, polonia, post world war two, christmas pageant

during 1980 when when military government was impose on Poland and the free solidarity you trade union was banned. The Australian Polish community established that help Poland live campaign where it gathered funds for humanitarian purposes. Such boxes were widespread during the collection process.one of the very few remaining help Poland live collection boxeswhite painted wooden collection box from 1980 with the solidarity symbol on the side'read solidarity logo on the front of the box coin slipped on top. Metal handle on the backhelp poland live, collection box, solidarity

In 1955 the Polish Community in Chile wanted to Commemorate the 10th Anniversary of the ending of the 2nd World War but, since it was not a happy occasion, as Poland had been betrayed and placed in the Soviet sphere of influence, they chose to create a Pennant with a plea for the Patron Icon of Eastern Poland - Our Lady of the Sharp/Morning Gate (Matka Boska Ostrobramska/Zaranna) in Vilnius (Wilno) - to give them a new Miracle on the Vistula, in reference to an epic battle which took place on 15th August 1922 on the banks of the Vistula (Wisla) River in which the Polish troops defeated the Soviet Army and turned back the march of Communism to the West. This particular Pennant was purchased by Stanislawa Zamecznik (nee Zakrzewska), while living in Chile after deportation from her birth place in Sianozatki near Bychov (Bychow) to Schweningen in Germany from which they emigrated to South America as Displaced Persons. It was brought to Australia when the Zakrzewski Family emigrated from Chile in 1956, first to Port Augusta and then subsequently to Sydney.It is significant in that it tells the story of the aspirations of the Polish Diaspora displaced from it's Homeland in the Kresy Region and scattered throughout the World, including the Americas and Australia.Pennant of red cloth with screen printing in white, mustard yellow and black hung on copper wire with gold cord Front: Polish inscription "KROLOWO POLSKI / BLAGAMY CIE O NOWY / CUD NAD WISLA / SANTIAGO DE CHILE / 15.VIII.1955" Back: Spanish inscription "LA CASA DE BANDERIN AHUMADA 61"polish pennant polski proporczyk orzel eagle matka boska ostrobramska zaranna our lady of vilnus santiago chile cud nad wisla miracle on the vistula

This insulator disk for the high voltage carrying electrical cables was manufactured in 1964 and used by the SEC Vic (Kiewa Hydro Electricity Scheme) from that date until late 1900's. It was used to connect high voltage cables to their "towers" going from various Hydro Generators to and from power "stations". During this time period, high quality "cable" insulators were manufactured in Japan. In an earlier time they would have been sourced from Europe or England. After the 1950's the sourcing of electrical hardware was being influenced by the lower costs obtainable from Japan. Later on other Asian sources also became available.The need for a mountainous and a large area of operational requirements, such as the SEC Vic Kiewa Hydro Electricity Scheme, to distribute the electricity produced in the Victorian Alps to the major users required power transmission lines to "carry" high above the sometimes inaccessible land mass electricity generated at the power stations to the various sub stations along the valleys and ranges to flatter populated regions. The significance of this insulation "high voltage" disk to the Kiewa Valley region relates to the impact of modern technology (at that time) upon a mainly rural environment. These power lines are a stark visual "show" of the impact that the "Scheme" has on the mostly rural landscape of the Kiewa Valley and what a boost of "modern" equipment into the area has taken place. The "Hydro Scheme" had facilitated the transition of a semi rural area to an advanced rural region within a shorter time frame, than would have taken under "normal" evolutionary time. The speed of information of all "new technology" had a relatively slow assimilation rate before the SEC Kiewa Hydro Scheme came to those living in the then quieter rural communities. This high voltage (330 KV) insulation disk is made from non conductive porcelain stoneware. It is highly polished brown in colour and has a clip fastening for the high voltage cable to be attached to. This disk was hit by lightning and the burn marks are quite noticeable. The top metal connector has a "mushroom" extension jutting below the semi cone like insulation disk. Also four circular ridges or grooves (old 78 rpm disc recording style).Cable bell on top of insulation disk "4K " next to it the international symbol for electricity (triangle containing one horizontal line under one V line and one vertical flame like line.) On the opposite side "2" and to the right "64"sec vic kiewa hydro scheme, alternate energy supplies, alpine (above ground) high voltage electricity cables, volt cable, 330000 volt cable

This small piece of wood was cut from a rib of the wreck of the Enterprise in c1885 by Mr John Flett (1869 – 1944), whilst it was lying on the beach in Lady Bay, Warrnambool. Mr Flett was about 16 years old at the time and used the wood (with other pieces from the wreck) to make a picture frame. A newspaper report published in the Gippsland Gazette on Tuesday 16th July 1912 titled "An Interesting Relic" describes a picture frame being displayed in Mr. Flett's shop in Warragul which was of interest as it had been made from wood taken from the wreck of the Enterprise when it was lying on the beach at Lady Bay, Warrnambool. This was still in his possession in the 1930’s when Mr. Flett presented the small sample of wood to Mr. Henri Worland of the Warrnambool Museum and Art Gallery - along with a signed letter of ownership. A transcription of the letter is as follows - “Kalos” 12 Yendon Road Glen Huntly S.E.9 Dear Mr Warland, I am enclosing herewith a small piece of timber which, about 50 years ago, I cut from a rib of the old wreck which at that time was well known as the old “Enterprise”. I am prepared to sign a sworn statement that this is a piece of that wreck and has never been out of my possession since I cut it from the wreck. Since returning to the city I visited the museum and inspected the walking stick and small model of a boat, presented I think, by Mr Richie. I notice the different grain of the timber and would suggest that they are not Blue Gum, and the piece I am enclosing is definitely of that Tasmanian timber. Of course there may have been other imported timbers used and only the frame of the vessel made of the Blue Gum; I am not suggesting an error on the part of Mr Richie, who evidently knew the old wreck [in an?] earlier date than I did. The piece I am enclosing was incorporated in an old picture frame which I made 50 years ago, and although not used for many years has always been in my possession. With kind regards Yours faithfully J Flett (signature) P.S. I have other small pieces in a small photo frame which I may let you see some day, but not just now. Mr R. Christian will recognise the other frame when he sees it, as we were working together when it was made. J.F. There were several branches of Fletts living in Warrnambool in the mid to late 1800’s. They were all related and had emigrated from Stromness in the Orkney islands – arriving mostly in the 1850’s on different ships. John Flett’s mother was Jessie Isbister who arrived in Australia in 1852 with her family on board the Ticonderoga. Over 168 passengers died on the voyage including two of Jessie’s sisters and one of her brothers. Mrs Jessie Flett's obituary (titled "An Old Colonist") which appeared in the West Gippsland Gazette on Tuesday 8th September 1914 describes her early connections to Warnambool and the Ticonderoga. John Flett moved from Warrnambool to Birchip, Warragul and later went to Melbourne where he worked for the YMCA. During WW1, he worked at the Caulfield Military Hospital and volunteered for active service with the YMCA in France -caring for the welfare of the soldiers. After the war, he continued to work with the YMCA in a secretarial capacity. THE ENTERPRISE 1847-1850 The wooden, two-masted schooner Enterprise was built in New Zealand in 1847 and registered in Melbourne, Australia. The Enterprise carried a cargo of agricultural produce and other commodities for trade between the ports of the Colony. On September 14, 1850, the Enterprise was at anchor in Lady Bay under its Master, James Gardiner Caughtt, loaded with a cargo of wheat and potatoes. A strong south-easterly wind caused the vessel to drag on its only anchor and the rudder was lost. The gale force wind blew it sideways and it became grounded. A local aboriginal, Buckawall, braved the rough sea to take a line from the shore to the Enterprise. All five members of the crew were able to make it safely to land. The Enterprise was totally wrecked. The Enterprise wreck was in an area called Tramway Jetty in Lady Bay. Since then the area became the location of the Lady Bay Hotel and now, in 2019, it is in the grounds of the Deep Blue Apartments. In fact, with the constantly changing coastline through built-up sand, the wreck site is now apparently under the No 2 Caravan Park in Pertobe Road, perhaps 150 metres from the high tide. Its location was found by Ian McKiggan (leader of the various searches in the 1980s for the legendary Mahogany Ship). DIFFERENTIATING the New Zealand Schooner “Enterprise” from John Fawkner’s “Enterprize“ Dr. Murray Johns, Melbourne, says in his article The Mahogany Ship Story “… In fact, as I documented in 1985, the Warrnambool wreck was of an entirely different ship, also called Enterprize [with the spelling ‘Enterprise’], but built in New Zealand in 1847. Fawkner’s ship had already been sold to a Captain Sullivan in 1845 and was wrecked on the Richmond Pier in northern New South Wales early in 1847. “ - (further details are in NOTES: and FHMV documents) Mr Flett had assumed the timber was Tasmanian Gum as he thought it had come from the Enterprise which had been owned by Mr Fawkner and built in Tasmania but we now know the ship was built in New Zealand and the timber was most probably New Zealand Rimu.This piece of wood is significant for its association with the wreck of the schooner Enterprise, now on the Victorian Heritage List VHR S238, being a New Zealand built but Australian owned coastal trader. The wreck is also significant, by connection with the Enterprise, for its association with indigenous hero Buckawall who saved the lives of the five crew on board. The original owner of the wood (Mr John Flett) is significant as a member of one of Warrnambool’s pioneering families, which has contributed to the growth of the community in several ways over the years, living and working in the area.Small square piece of brown wood with a handwritten inscription on the back. The front is polished with a prominent grain and a shallow indentation along two sides. The back has the words "FLETT" and "ENTERPRISE" written in ink with a line separating them. The back is rough and has two indentations - possibly from a nail or tack. The wood sample is accompanied by a letter. Handwritten letter (two pages) of authenticity by Mr. John Flett to Mr. Worland (Manager of the Warrnambool Museum and Art Gallery). Transcribed below"FLETT" and "ENTERPRISE"flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, carpentry, enterprise, lady bay warrnambool, schooner enterprise, wreck of the enterprise 1850, buckawall, shipwreck relic, john flett, warrnambool museum and art gallery, flett relic, letter, flett letter, ticonderoga, henri worland

TROVE : Weekly Times (Melbourne, Vic. : 1869 - 1954), Wednesday 17 June 1942, page 13 '…………… CHANDLER'S for Better Value!............ "SPARKO" SELF POLISHING WAX . . . . at 1/- large bottle…... (D. & W. CHANDLER LTD.) 276 BRUNSWICK STREET, FITZROY. J4145 (7 lines) 234 FLINDERS LANE, MELBOURNE. T4175 (4 lines) VICTORIA MARKET, BALLARAT. COLAC, HORSHAM, WANGARATTA, WARRNAMBOOL'. TROVE :Age (Melbourne, Vic. : 1854 - 1954), Saturday 15 September 1951, page 28 ‘…… TRAVELLERS calling on country stores in Victoria. We have an excellent line. Apply Sparko Speciality Sales Service, 17 Perry-street, Collingwood. JA3042. — TRAVELLERS, calling north of the river, we have additional lines, contact Sparko Specialty Sales Service, 17 Perry-street, Collingwood. JA3042……………………’ Brown rectangular bottle for stopper seal, with ridged pattern of ridges on both sides and back. Text embossed around base , on two sides at the shoulder, on the front side and on base.Embossed on rear shoulder 'POISONOUS NOT TO BE TAKEN', running around the four sides at bottom 'THE PROPERTY OF SPARKO SPECIALITY SALES SERVICE', on front at shoulder, a logo of a silhouette of Australia with a band diagonally across containing the word 'SPARKO'. on front running down the bottle 'Sparko Self Polishing Wax'. On base AGM logo, 'F451', 'D45', 'M. on edge of base '34A' in mirror text.

8355.1 - Small, roughly "flattened tetrahedron"; one face shows 'polished' look of slip-surfaces; another face shows fragments of woody and (possibly) leafy matter.

identity cardsissued to members of the Polish military forces in the West.unique documents of the Polish military fighting under the command of the British Allied forces belonging to a significant individual in the Polish communitysoldiers identity card from world War two belonging to Stanislaw Blumnerves in the vehicle'smilitary identity card, blum

Polish Cross of valour awarded in June 1941 to Sgt Jan Artymiuk of the 300 Polish squadron based in Swinderby Lincolnshiredocuments linked to a significant activist within the Polish community in Victoria who was highly awarded during world War twoidentity card made from card whites paperpprintpolish air force, polish cross of valour,

Polish wartime ship arrived in Sydney - welcomed by fledgling community and local supporters of Polanddocumentation of Polish presence and activities for the war cause during WWIIsydney, polonia, navy, photo, world war two

This memorial was erected by the residents of Apollo Bay and District in 1922.Colour photograph of the War Memorial at Apollo Bay, that features a scuplture of an Australian soldier with slouch hat and holding a rifle. It includes a list of those who served during World War One and World War Two. A characteristic figurative monument, the memorial comprises a single standing soldier, looking down the main street, a top a polished granite pedestal with honour roll set on a huge rock faced granite block.The memorial is fenced by heavy set square concrete bollards supporting heavy gauge chain between each. tBuilt by J. Wilson & Co. of Bendigo, the Apollo Bay Memorial depicts the lone soldier, a typical symbol of the sentiments of communities who had lost faith in heroism and had learnt to recognise the level of loss caused by war amongst ordinary volunteers. This recognition,which occurred throughout Australia, marked a turning point as the 'unknown soldier' was increasingly commemorated instead of military leaders as had previously been the traditional practice. apollo bay war memorial, australian soldier memorial, cawood, mitchell, finlayson, marriner, maguire, mclennan, stephens, vipont, lang, turner, thomson, h.f. smith, a.e. hunt, ormsby, elston, gooday, p. bird, costin, de vere, de forest, j. bowie, c. hughes, r. irving, mcminn, newman, riley, sculley, townsend, thornton, thurst, wright, j. wilson, stonemason

This memorial was erected by the residents of Apollo Bay and District in 1922.Colour photograph of the War Memorial at Apollo Bay, that features a scuplture of an Australian soldier with slouch hat and holding a rifle. It includes a list of those who served during World War One and World War Two. A characteristic figurative monument, the memorial comprises a single standing soldier, looking down the main street, a top a polished granite pedestal with honour roll set on a huge rock faced granite block.The memorial is fenced by heavy set square concrete bollards supporting heavy gauge chain between each. tBuilt by J. Wilson & Co. of Bendigo, the Apollo Bay Memorial depicts the lone soldier, a typical symbol of the sentiments of communities who had lost faith in heroism and had learnt to recognise the level of loss caused by war amongst ordinary volunteers. This recognition,which occurred throughout Australia, marked a turning point as the 'unknown soldier' was increasingly commemorated instead of military leaders as had previously been the traditional practice. apollo bay war memorial, australian soldier memorial, cawood, mitchell, finlayson, marriner, maguire, mclennan, stephens, vipont, lang, turner, thomson, h.f. smith, a.e. hunt, ormsby, elston, gooday, p. bird, costin, de vere, de forest, j. bowie, c. hughes, r. irving, mcminn, newman, riley, sculley, townsend, thornton, thurst, wright, j. wilson, stonemason

This memorial was erected by the residents of Apollo Bay and District in 1922.Colour photograph of the War Memorial at Apollo Bay, that features a scuplture of an Australian soldier with slouch hat and holding a rifle. It includes a list of those who served during World War One and World War Two. A characteristic figurative monument, the memorial comprises a single standing soldier, looking down the main street, a top a polished granite pedestal with honour roll set on a huge rock faced granite block.The memorial is fenced by heavy set square concrete bollards supporting heavy gauge chain between each. tBuilt by J. Wilson & Co. of Bendigo, the Apollo Bay Memorial depicts the lone soldier, a typical symbol of the sentiments of communities who had lost faith in heroism and had learnt to recognise the level of loss caused by war amongst ordinary volunteers. This recognition,which occurred throughout Australia, marked a turning point as the 'unknown soldier' was increasingly commemorated instead of military leaders as had previously been the traditional practice. apollo bay war memorial, australian soldier memorial, cawood, mitchell, finlayson, marriner, maguire, mclennan, stephens, vipont, lang, turner, thomson, h.f. smith, a.e. hunt, ormsby, elston, gooday, p. bird, costin, de vere, de forest, j. bowie, c. hughes, r. irving, mcminn, newman, riley, sculley, townsend, thornton, thurst, wright, j. wilson, stonemason

This memorial was erected by the residents of Apollo Bay and District in 1922.Colour photograph of the War Memorial at Apollo Bay, that features a scuplture of an Australian soldier with slouch hat and holding a rifle. It includes a list of those who served during World War One and World War Two. A characteristic figurative monument, the memorial comprises a single standing soldier, looking down the main street, a top a polished granite pedestal with honour roll set on a huge rock faced granite block.The memorial is fenced by heavy set square concrete bollards supporting heavy gauge chain between each. Built by J. Wilson & Co. of Bendigo, the Apollo Bay Memorial depicts the lone soldier, a typical symbol of the sentiments of communities who had lost faith in heroism and had learnt to recognise the level of loss caused by war amongst ordinary volunteers. This recognition,which occurred throughout Australia, marked a turning point as the 'unknown soldier' was increasingly commemorated instead of military leaders as had previously been the traditional practice. apollo bay war memorial, australian soldier memorial, cawood, mitchell, finlayson, marriner, maguire, mclennan, stephens, vipont, lang, turner, thomson, h.f. smith, a.e. hunt, ormsby, elston, gooday, p. bird, costin, de vere, de forest, j. bowie, c. hughes, r. irving, mcminn, newman, riley, sculley, townsend, thornton, thurst, wright, j. wilson, stonemason