A PIECE of Poland came to the Upper Murray yesterday, marking 181 years to the day one of its sons began a trek that saw him name Australia's highest mountain..
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Costumed Polish dancers and Poland's ambassador to Australia Michal Kolodziejski joined a a throng for the celebration of Paul Strzelecki who set off from Welaregang Station on March 9, 1840, on a journey that resulted in him labelling Mount Kosciuszko.
A plaque commemorating that moment and acknowledging the assistance of convict servants and an Aboriginal guide was unveiled by Mr Kolodziejski and member for Albury Justin Clancy.
IN OTHER NEWS
The ambassador told The Border Mail that while diplomatic ties between Australia and Poland only date to 1972, the deeds of Strzelecki demonstrate a more enduring connection.
"Events like this emphasise that it is not only about having embassies in two countries, our relations started 180 years ago, not 50," Mr Kolodziejski said.
"Diplomatic relations are not everything, it is really important people to people relations."
Underlining that point, Mr Kolodziejski told how 20 volunteer firefighters from the village of Poreba Spytkowska in mountain country in the south of Poland had raised $150,000 to help with bushfire relief in Australia following the Black Summer.
A long banner behind the plaque, with written thanks, or dziekuje in Polish, to the firefighters was unfurled with the help of NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service also on Tuesday.
Mr Kolodziejski said Strzelecki was a household name in Poland and Mount Kosciuszko's titling was one of three things his compatriots readily knew of Australia.
"If you ask the average person in the street or children in Poland what they know about Australia, they say 'kangaroo, koala and Kosciuszko mountain'," he said.
"The Polish community feels very much emotionally attached to the mountain."
The peak honours Thaddeus Kosciuszko, a Polish hero who was involved in the American War of Independence.
Mr Clancy said the event was a great cultural intersection and noted traditional owners the Ngarigo had been acknowledged and the Irish ambassador to Australia Breandn O Caollai was also a witness to the unveiling.
Strzelecki in 1846-47 played a crucial role in providing sustenance to those left starving through the Great Famine in Ireland.
Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content:
- Bookmark https://www.bordermail.com.au/
- Make sure you are signed up for our breaking and regular headlines newsletters
- Follow us on Twitter: @bordermail
- Follow us on Instagram @bordermail
- Follow us on Google News.