Polish service personnel made up the fourth largest allied force in World War II fighting for the freedom of their native land.

They fought heroically and were renowned for their loyalty, courage and determination which they displayed in many military campaigns such as Monte Cassino, Tobruk, El Alamein and the Battle of Britain. The Polish nation lost a fifth of their pre-war population in the World War 11 conflict.

Two years after the war, still wearing their Polish Army officers’ uniforms (without the insignia of course) Bernard Mrynski and Wladek Frelek were among the first to arrive in Tasmania.

In Butler’s Gorge with their personal belongings and the blankets issued them by the Hydro to keep them warm at nights in the severe climate in the mountains, they are getting ready to start work in sun, rain and snow.

The Carpathian Brigade consisted of internees in Hungary and Romania, begun its life in Syria in 1940.

It participated in the defence of Tobruk in 1941.

After the war, the ex-soldiers formed The Polish Carpathian Brigade – Tobruk Association with their headquarters in London and branches in eight other countries.

In 1947-48, the first Government sponsored non-British migrants to come to Tasmania were over 800 Polish men, who were predominately ex-service men.

These men were recruited to work in harsh conditions for the Hydro Electric Commission throughout the central highlands in Tasmania, on the schemes featured between the columns of this monument.

Many of them later settled in Northern Tasmania where they raised families and became active members of the Polish-Australian community.

With Tasmania’s rapidly expanding hydro-electric network, over 800 Polish ex-servicemen were recruited to work for the Hydro Electric Commission on the following hydro power schemes: Bronte Park, Tarraleah, Butlers Gorge, Liawenee, Waddamana, Poatina, Wayatinah and Trevallyn Dam. Their enormous contributions to the Hydro and the broader community, helped to create the Tasmania that we know today.

The “Hydro Poles” working in difficult conditions and long hours earned good money in the highlands. Many of the 478 bonded to work with Hydro, after 2 years’ labour saved enough to buy a house or a building block in Launceston and started building their homes.

About 20 single men spent their spare time erecting their homes, majority in Kings Meadows, preparing “nests for girls of their dreams”, they hoped to find soon. Many other Poles in partnership with their ex-army friends bought homes already in 1949 and used them as boarding houses for their fellow countrymen.

Dancing groups were quickly organised and traditional regional costumes of Krakow were made.

Singing and dancing on several Launceston dance floors.

On requests, trips to the Hydro villages were made as well as to Hobart and Burnie.

There was a great joy and pride to show the Polish tradition; entertainment for all.

In the “Good Old Days” every girl wanted to get married and there were many Polish boys to chose from.

Dozens of Poles proved their love by bonding for life for better or for worse.

We met dozens of Australians and other beautiful girls too. We met them at several socials organised by the churches, Good Neighbour Council, 7EX Radio, YMCA, Soroptomist Club, Lyons Club, Zonta Club, Liberal Party of Tasmania and more. Some of the organisations set up an evening for migrants with dancing music as a yearly event for three or five years in a row.

This song was sung with emotion at the conclusion of every Polish service.

For eleven years, St. Ailbies Hall was used for Christmas, New Year, Polish National Day celebrations as well as for general meetings. Here the church committee was formed.

Some ladies started Saturday classes teaching the Polish songs and dances.

Catholicism, Our Lady of Częstochowa (The Black Madonna) and the Church of the Apostles hold a special spiritual connection with Polish Pioneers and their families. This church was a setting for well attended Polish masses and many memorable family and communal events.

Soon a finance committee was formed.

A large number of Polish Pioneers were employed in the construction industry as builders, carpenters, bricklayers, labourers, plasterers, plumbers, electricians and other trades.

They worked in the residential sector and on many of the largest building projects in Launceston including government buildings, schools, hospitals, factories and churches.

These Pioneers contributed greatly to the foundation of the Northern Tasmanian economy. What they built remains as a monument to their contribution.

In October 1961 Special Meeting of all Poles was called: Full control of the project was given to well-known and respected real estate developer Leon Keyna.

He chose a committee of established Launceston builders: Jan Siejka, Wḻadek Ḻebski, Józef Stanisz and Leon Kolka.

Meanwhile Polish teachers gave up their time each Saturday afternoon for Polish classes. They would teach children songs, verses and national dances. They would also introduce them to meet several dignitaries from London-based Polish Government and bishops from home who came over to visit us at a regular periods.

These visits were highlights of our everyday life, reminding us of our unity with other Polish centres we shared our national flag. Wo would then watch with great pride our children sing and dance.

Polish women were actively recruited into the workforce to assist in the post-World War II economic resurgence. Many found their way into the textile, hospitality, manufacturing and allied support services, which enabled them to support their growing families and integrate into their communities while maintaining their values and traditions.

The Australian Ladies married to Poles found a need to join with their husbands for social activities, to know each other better and simply to talk about their families.

The Poles and their wives formed an English speaking club. The first meeting was in 1963 at John and Hall Kacprzak, Joe Szoka was elected the first president. They called it “The Polish Partners Club”.

There were monthly meetings at private homes. They celebrate Mother’s, Father’s Day, Christmas and New Year with dinner in hotels. For many years dances, bush walks slide evenings etc. were organised, including fundraising activities to support the Polish Association and Red Cross.

After 12 years of fundraising, 10 years of building, Dom Polski was officially opened by the president of the Polish Association of Australia, Mr. J. Kleeberg.

There were over 500 people to celebrate that event. Also a number of community leaders and Government representatives.

Dom Polski (Polish House) on the corner of Canning and Bathurst Streets, was a meeting place, hall and cultural centre, not only for the Polish community but various groups in Launceston. It was a symbol of an association between Polish migrants and the Tasmanian community they helped to shape. The Polish Pioneers and the wider Polish community with support from the Launceston business community, contributed to raise the funds and materials to build the Dom Polski.

The honourable guests were Bishop of Tasmania Rt. Rev. R.E. Davies, Mh PhD, Archbishop of Hobart Most Rev. Guilford Young DD and Federal and State Government representatives.

It is probably the biggest pretty building in Launceston built by voluntary labour and from funds raised by a small community without any Government assistance.

The Polish House was completed foe the use of social communication and to foster Polish cultural traditions.

To express their appreciation of their new country, Wladek Frelek and other Polish Ex-Service Men built a barbecue and picnic ground at Trevallyn. It is a gift to Australia and her people.

Ian Kacprzak and Marian Ferenc called a meeting and formed “Polish Ex-Service and Senior Club”. The club started with 39 members. The Commonwealth Government granted $7,960 towards furnishing the club room and cover costs of bus trips to various locations for its members.

This monument honours the Polish Pioneers who settled in Launceston after World War II between 1947 and 1957. The support of the local community has been invaluable in giving these people many to advance themselves and allow them a new life in their adopted State of Tasmania.

Polish immigrants have made a significant contribution to Northern Tasmania in promoting Polish culture, their heritage and love of their mother country for future generations.

“Jeszcze Polska nie zginęła, kiedy my żyjemy”
“Poland will never disappear while we are living”.

The White Eagle (Orzeł Biały) is the national coat of arms of Poland. It is a white eagle with a golden beak and talons, and wearing a golden crown, in a red shield.  Its head faces right, as if gazing in the direction of truth, while its wings are fully spread out to protect all Poles and people of Polish descent, wherever they may live.