Polish Women's Association in Adelaide

Adjourned debate on motion of Hon. J.S. Lee:

That this council—

1. Congratulates the Polish Women's Association in Adelaide (Kolo Polek) for reaching the special milestone of their 70th Anniversary in 2024;

2. Recognises the Polish Women's Association in Adelaide as the oldest Polish women's association in Australia;

3. Acknowledges the important work of pioneering Polish women, founding members, current and past presidents, committee members and volunteers of the Polish Women's Association for their hard work, dedication and contributions in delivering 70 years of outstanding community service in South Australia;

4. Commends the Polish Women's Association for their charitable contributions and philanthropic endeavours, particularly through their support of local charities and aged-care services for elderly members of the Polish community;

5. Acknowledges the remarkable work by Kolo Polek in compiling the 70th Anniversary Exhibition that showcases the history, legacy and memorabilia that demonstrate the strength, determination, compassion and spirits of Polish women over the last 70 years; and

6. Reflects on the many achievements of the Polish Women's Association over the seven decades and recognises the impact of the Polish Women's Association and its contributions to enrich multicultural South Australia.

(Continued from 16 October 2024.)

The Hon. T.T. NGO (17:58): I rise to speak in support of the Polish Women's Association (Kolo Polek), one of Australia's oldest Polish women's associations. I thank the honourable member for her motion and the opportunity to highlight the association's unique contributions as we mark the 70 years of service and support it has provided.

The association was established in Adelaide in 1953 with a mission to support Polish refugees. Kolo Polek's humanitarian aid in the 1950s and 1960s stands as one of the association's great achievements. This organisation has rescued, supported and given hope to displaced Polish people who have lost everything in the war.

In order to highlight the support and services our South Australian Polish women have provided over many decades now, it is important to reflect on the courage and resilience of Polish women in their homeland. History tells us that Polish women have never been passive in service. They have fought, resisted, led, educated and nurtured their families and communities through some of the most difficult periods in European history. When Poland was invaded by Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union during World War II, many women were at the forefront of the Warsaw uprising, one of the largest resistance efforts against Nazi occupation.

Polish women served as special operation agents, undergoing parachute training, acting as couriers, intelligence operatives and radio operators for the Polish resistance. Over time, the ability to adapt and overcome challenges has become a hallmark of the Polish women's character. Irena Sendler is a shining example, a Polish social worker and nurse who smuggled 2,500 Jewish children out of the Warsaw ghetto, saving them from death in the Nazi concentration camps. It was not until the 1990s that her incredible bravery gained international recognition. The world learned decades later how she used fake documents to place the children in Catholic orphanages, convents and Polish foster homes, sometimes sedating young infants so they could be smuggled out in toolboxes, coffins or under train seats.

During the 1980 solidarity movements, Polish women continued to play a part in helping to overthrow communist rule by working in underground publishing, organising strikes and smuggling banned books, ensuring that information and resistance efforts continued, despite the government's efforts to suppress them. These women made significant contributions to keeping their native language, their history and their culture alive.

Over the past several decades, Australia has benefited enormously from Polish migrants who, during those first waves of migration, helped build our infrastructure with that same Polish strength and resilience. Employment opportunities in South Australia, particularly in Adelaide, Whyalla and Port Augusta, included growing industries such as construction, manufacturing and mining, where many Polish migrants were employed.

In more recent times, after Poland joined the European Union in 2004, our Polish migrants migrated on a range of visas, including skilled migration, pathways, excelling in business, medicine and academia. The Kolo Polek Association's continued commitment has strengthened Polish identity in South Australia, helping those who could not return to their homeland to still feel connected to their roots. The work of Kolo Polek has not only changed lives but has also built a lasting legacy of generosity, resilience and compassion within South Australia's community.

Adelaide's Polish Women's Association has done so much more than lay the foundation needed to help migrants begin building a new life. It has inspired future generations to continue the legacy of helping people in need, regardless of their background. On behalf of the Malinauskas Labor government, I thank Kolo Polek for the difference that they have made to the lives of many, for reaching out to Adelaide's wider community, and by doing so enriching the multicultural fabric of South Australia.

The Hon. L.A. HENDERSON (18:04): I rise briefly to support the Hon. Jing Lee's motion. As lead speaker on behalf of the opposition, I take this opportunity to recognise the remarkable 70^th anniversary of the Polish Women's Association in Adelaide (Kolo Polek). Reaching such a milestone is a testament to the enduring spirit of this organisation and the ongoing dedication of leaders, committee members and volunteers to the vision of its founding members.

As the Hon. Jing Lee's motion indicates, Kolo Polek is Australia's oldest Polish Women's Association. The organisation has been instrumental in preserving Polish heritage and providing a support network for Polish women and their families. They are well-known for their charitable and philanthropic endeavours, offering humanitarian aid to displaced Polish people following World War II, supporting Polish patients in Adelaide hospitals, fundraising for local charities, supporting aged-care facilities and organising cultural celebrations.

We celebrate not just their past but their ongoing impact in enriching our society. Their contributions remind us of the power of community, heritage and service. I commend the Polish Women's Association for its outstanding work and proudly support this motion in recognition of its legacy.

The Hon. J.S. LEE (18:06): I would like to thank the Hon. Tung Ngo and the Hon. Laura Henderson for their wonderful words in congratulating Kolo Polek on their 70^th anniversary. Their contributions will be valued by the association.

Motion carried.