Polish Museum and Archives in Australia
Muzeum i
Archiwum Polonii Australijskiej
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The
Polish Museum and Archives in Australia was established in 1991 as an
initiative of a number of people who saw the importance of collecting
and preserving historical materials that reflected the individual and
community life of Polish immigrants living in Australia. The
organisation was incorporated in 1992.The aims of the organisation are to:
- Collect and preserve documents, medals, objects, photographs and other materials that have historical significance to the Polish community and the wider community in Australia.
- Make materials available to members of the general public and academics for research and other activities, such as exhibitions.
- Work cooperatively with organisations that have similar goals.
- Publish reference materials and books about the history and experiences of Polish immigration to Australia.
- Seek support for the Polish Museum and Archive’s activities from mainstream, government and non-profit organisations and individuals.
Collections Project:
The Polish Museum and Archives continually seeks significant objects, documents and photographs that relate to the story of Polish post war migration experiences. It would be a lost opportunity to make our mark on the multicultural mosaic of Australia and for our own sense of cultural identify, if we were to lose these treasures, just because their true significance was not recognised at the time.
Oral History Project:
The post-war Polish immigrants are today our senior citizens. It is therefore important to document the experiences of these early pioneers. Such experiences include:
- Pre-war life.
- War-time experiences.
- Early life in Australia - life in migrant hostels, the two-year work contracts.
- Establishing homes, community structures and cultural life.
- Reflections on Polish migrants’ lives today.