We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the place now called Victoria, and all First Peoples living and working on this land. We celebrate the history and contemporary creativity of the world’s oldest living culture and pay respect to Elders — past, present and future.
Please be aware that this website may contain culturally sensitive material — images, voices and information provided by now deceased persons. Content also may include images and film of places that may cause sorrow.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are advised that this website may contain culturally sensitive material — images, voices and information provided by now deceased persons. Content also may include images and film of places that may cause sorrow.
Some material may contain terms that reflect authors’ views, or those of the period in which the item was written or recorded but may not be considered appropriate today. These views are not necessarily the views of Victorian Collections.
Users of this site should be aware that in many areas of Australia, reproduction of the names and photographs of deceased people is restricted during a period of mourning. The length of this time varies and is determined by the community.
Reuse of any Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander material on this site may require cultural clearances. Users are advised to contact the source organisation to discuss appropriate reuse.
Booklet was published in 1957 to celebrate 10th anniversary of arrival in Australia of the first group of Polish ex-servicemen.
one of a few items of this kind which has survived to present days
13 pages including cover page and letter from Editor
signatures of some members of Polish Carpathian Group on the cover page
this contained the family belongings leaving Germany to come to Melbourne Australia in 1950
one of a few items of this kind which has survived to present days
solid timber construction, painted green with a metal fastener on the front and two metal handles on either side
crate
this baby bath came out with the refugee family post second world war from Germany
one of a few items of this kind which has survived to present days
made of galvanised iron, 2 handles either side
baby bath, refugee
international license (internationaler führerschein) was issued on 16 June 1947 in Ingolstadt. It was issued according to international agreement from 24 April 1926; this document belonged to deceased Marian Dabrowski, ex-soldier, migrant from Poland who came to Australia as a refugee after II World War
one of a few items of this kind which has survived to present days
brownish paper, 42 pages, back cover blank, page 37&38 folded page 2 contains list of countries where this license could be used page 4 -
front cover: stamp and signature of authorised person page 3: stamp, photo of holder Marian Dabrowski and handwritten info about holder of license page 38; 2 stamps which identify the category of license (A&B), handwritten info about holder
international license, migration, germany, document
this item belongs to the Polish family; it was home made in the displaced persons camp in Paderbonn, Germany; the family arrived in Australia in 1950 and settled down in Melbourne
one of a few items of this kind which has survived to present days
steel, sharp perforations, rusted
grater, migration, displaced person camp
photo was taken on "Hellenic Prince" in 1950; ship left Naples in Italy and arrived in Australia (Melbourne) on 25th April 1950 (Anzac Day)
one of a few items of this kind which has survived to present days
black and white photo, carved edge
photo, migration, hellenic prince
Australian - Polish Community Services was established as an independent organisation at the inaugural meeting on the 10th May 1983. There were four full-time workers who used office at 1 French Street, Footscray by the courtesy of MRC Footscray. The office acted as a first point of contact for all persons of the Polish community who needed welfare services or assistance of any kind. Currently the agency manages eight aged care programs (funded by the federal and state governments) that support over 500 clients a week, with a particular focus on elders from Eastern European backgrounds. Additionally, organisation's activities include emergency relief, English and computer classes, aged care courses and several sustainability projects per year.
first Annual Report in history of Australian - Polish Community Services which highlights initiatives and achievements undertaken during the first year of existence
colour: cream, 10 pages including cover page, one-sided printing
signature of Treasurer J.B. Talaska
annual report, 1983, polish community
Australian Polish Community Services was established in 1983 as a community, non for profit and charitable organisation, with the main purpose of responding to the needs and aspirations and promoting the interests of the Polish Australian community in western suburbs of Melbourne. The first Committee of Management meeting was held on 10/05/1983
first official document in history of Australian Polish Community Services
2 sheets of paper from exercise book
handwritten document
minutes, australian polish community services, polish community
certificate of Polish Veterans Association - Ex-soldiers Mutual Aid was issued on 1/05/1948 by Branch 601 - Ingolstadt (American Zone of Germany); this document belonged to deceased Marian Dabrowski, ex-soldier, Polish migrant who came to Australia as a refugee after II World War and settled down in Melbourne
one of a few items of this kind which has survived to present days
brownish paper
certificate number 545 cover: red stamp of Polish Veterans Association, Branch 601 inside: photo of holder and his signature, 2 green stamps of Polish Veterans Association, American Zone of Germany, signature of Chairman and signature of Branch Director
certificate, migrant, polish veterans association, ex-soldiers mutual aid
it was given by Red Cross to the Polish family with one child in the displaced persons camp in Paderbonn, Germany, 1950 prior to migration to Australia
one of a few items of this kind which has survived to present days
glass
"made in USA 3 A 45" mark on the bottom of the bottle
baby milk bottle, refugee, red cross
prescription was issued by Dr F.H. Hocking, The Paisley Street Medical Group, 20/06/1956 this item belonged to deceased Marian Dabrowski, ex-soldier, Polish migrant who came to Australia as a refugee after II World War and settled down in Melbourne
one of a few items of this kind which has survived to present days
cream paper
stamp of Bannon's Pharmacy at 133a Hopkins St. Footscray
prescription, footscray, paisley street
This coupon has been issued in Australia and was exchangeable in any country of the Universal Postal Union for a postage stamp, 50s, bought in Bathurst camp, NSW Australia by Polish migrant Marian Dabrowski who came to Australia after II World War
one of a few items of this kind which has survived to present days
cream paper, blue print
stamp - Bathurst camp, NSW Australia
coupon, 50s, postage stamp
this travel suitcase belonged to deceased Marian Dabrowski, ex-soldier, migrant from Poland who came to Australia as a refugee after II World War and settled down in Melbourne
one of a few items of this kind which has survived to present days
A portable rectangular container for carrying clothes, colour blue, brown inside
travel suitcase, migration
this document belonged to deceased Marian Dabrowski, ex-soldier, migrant from Poland who came to Australia as a refugee after II World War; It was issued on 8 August 1946 in Bad Reichenhall (Germany)
one of a few items of this kind which has survived to present days
green paper
cover - stamp of town hall, No: DPG 09703260 inside - photo of holder Marian Dabrowski and his signature; stamp of town hall and signature of authorised representative
driving licence, germany, migrant
Apparel and fashion in Poland has been influenced by the resources available, climate, and also by the other cultures. There are German, Czech, Russian, Lithuanian, Romanian, Austrian and other influences in the traditional dress of each region. Because of these diverse influences, each region of Poland has its own local traditional dress. There are roughly 60 unique costumes attributed to the different areas in Poland.
one of a few items of this kind which has survived to present days
white top, apron, colorful skirt, vest, garland
outfit, poland
Apparel and fashion in Poland has been influenced by the resources available, climate, and also by the other cultures. There are German, Czech, Russian, Lithuanian, Romanian, Austrian and other influences in the traditional dress of each region. Because of these diverse influences, each region of Poland has its own local traditional dress. There are roughly 60 unique costumes attributed to the different areas in Poland.
one of a few items of this kind which has survived to present days
white top, apron, colorful skirt, vest, garland
traditional dress, outfit, poland
The falg was displayed during the meeting of Pope John Paul II with Poles from Australia on MCG in 1986; the eagle on the flag (national Polish emblem) has a crown on its head, which was not allowed during a communist regime in Poland
commemorate the visit of Pope John Paul II in Australia
red and white, cotton
Polish emblem
pope, flag, pol
The pillow case was a part of the wedding dowry of Zofia Mioduszewska. She maid it herself. It was tradition that every young girl had to prepare her own items needed in her new household. Made in 40s.
example of embroidery from Podlachia
white, linen pillow case
initials ZG (Zofia Godlewska)
craft, podlachia, poland, embroidery, wedding dowry
The card authorise Stanislaw Nowak to wear commemorative badge of 5 Kresowa Dywizja Piechoty. Issue date 14 August 1946
one of a few items of this kind which has survived to present days
cover: green with yellow and blue lines, emblem of 5 Kresowa Dywizja Piechoty and map of Poland before II World War inside: cream with white marks
stamp of 5 Kresowa Dywizja Piechoty; signature of Commander of 5 Kresowa Dywizji Piechoty, Brigadier General Sulik Nikodem
commemorative badge, nowak, kresowa dywizja piechoty
travel document of Stanislaw (Bill) Nowak, born in Poland 14/01/1927, he came to Australia in 1951 as a refugee after II World War, this document was used instead of national passport
one of a few items of this kind which has survived to present days
green book, contains information about Stanislaw (Bill) Nowak, document served in lieu of a national passport, issued on 15th October 1946, the holder of this document was the concern of the International Refugee Organization, this document contains 32 pages, exclusive of cover
many inscriptions in relation to Stanislaw (Bill) Nowak including visas and description of person
immigration, id, travel document, bill nowak
Victorian Collections acknowledges the Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the first inhabitants of the nation and the traditional custodians of the lands where we live, learn and work.
