POHOS chairperson’s report 2010 & 11
Report covers 2 years as EOFY changed

Polish Heritage Trust of Otago and Southland

 

Chairperson’s Report

1 October 2009 to 31 March 2011

 

On behalf of the Board, I am pleased to present the Annual Report on Activities of the Trust which took place during the last 18 months. These activities benefited local and wider New Zealand communities in many ways while we were working steadily towards achieving the following Trust’s objectives:

 

• We tried to enrich New Zealand society by promoting cultural and spiritual awareness of Polish heritage in New Zealand by:

 

• Joseph Conrad Twixt Land and Sea International Exhibitionwas followed up by a presentation in Gdansk, Poland of Margaret Howard framed prints. Done on our behalf by Prof.Josef Wozniak of the Technical University of Gdansk to:

1. President of Gdansk (Prezydent Miasta)
2. National Maritime Museum in Gdansk (Narodowe Museum Morskie)
3. Maritime University in Gdansk (Wyzsza Szkola Morska)
4. Technical University in Gdansk (Politechnika w Gdansku)
5. Central Library in Gdansk (Biblioteka Centralna)

May 2010

 

• Joseph Conrad Twixt Land and Sea International Exhibition was followed up by POHOS representatives (Russell Childs & Ewa Rozecka-Pollard) at the official celebration of the maiden voyage of the Frigate “OTAGO” in Dunedin harbour. Lieutenant Commander Simon Rooke and Russell Childs & Ewa Rozecka-Pollard exchanged gifts of framed prints of “OTAGO”. Ours by Margaret Howard has taken proud position in the Captain’s cabin on the Frigate.

July 2010

 

• Bicentenary of birth of Fryderyk Chopin. We took part and organized several events during this very important year specially to all Polish emigrants.

1. Afternoon Tea at the Savoy with live music performed by music students
2. Marama Hall, Otago University. Professor Terence Dennis presented a lecture/recital on the early life and works of Frederic Chopin featuring rarely-heard Polonaises and Mazurkas from the first years of his career prior to his departure from Poland. In recognition of this occasion the Polish Ambassador and Polish Consul to New Zealand, Beata Stoczynska and Slawomir Stoczynski attended this special function.
3. To celebrate the Bicentenary Donald Cullington presented a wonderful soirée entitled *The Many Faces and Phases of Chopin’s Music*: an in-depth exploration of his works for piano solo.
4. Also with the co-operation of Donald Cullington and his family (organs, flute, cello) and Angela Donaldson’s vocals we were mesmerised by music and words (reading of Chopin letters) on the anniversary of his death on the 17^thof October at Broad Bay Church. The final piece Death March played on flute did not leave a dry eye in the Church.

April, May & October 2010

 

 

 

 

• Polish History & CultureCecylia Klobukowska gave a lecture about History & the culture of Poland to Year 10 Students of Columba College

June 2010

 

• We supported the maintenance of historical properties of Polish heritage in New Zealand:

 

• Work in progress on preservation of the Historic Polish Church, Mary Queen of Peace at Broad Bay on the Otago Peninsula: year around.
• Specifically in early 2010 substantial repairs has been carried out on the Church’s roof. Cost covered by donation from Polish Embassy in Wellington and funds from POHOS.
• We also maintain the gardens surrounding the Church.

January 2010

 

• We co-operated with other historical trusts and organizations:
• The Trust is a Member of the Otago Settlers Association and Taieri Historical Society.
• We co-operate with Port Chalmers Historical Society, Polish Heritage Trust and Associations in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch. Waikato and Bay of Plenty.
• Together with Southern Heritage Trustwe help organised two events at the Savoy:

 

1. Afternoon Tea celebrating Polish Christmas. The Christmas Tree was decorated by traditional, hand made by Pani Czesia Panek stars, angels, snowflakes, bell and chains. This was accompanied by Polish cookies and cakes served by students in Polish costumes.
2. Afternoon Tea celebrating 200 Anniversary of birth of Fryderyk Chopin, with live music performed by students from Columba College.

April & December 2010

 

• We support and encourage cultural, educational and economic links and exchanges between Poland and New Zealand

 

• See above – presentation of “OTAGO prints in Gdansk
• Limited edition of Margaret Ann Howard prints were donated to Chopin Museum and New Zealand Embassy in Warsaw
• ANZAC Day – POHOS was represented by Russell Childs, Cecylia Klobukowska, Ewa Rozecka-Pollard & Peter Rozecki-Lewis and laid the wreath at the annual ceremony at Queens Gardens, Dunedin.
• Polish national flag is now traditionally raised at the municipal building in Octagon, Dunedin Town Centre at Polish National Day 3^rdof May.

May & July 2010

 

 

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In April 2010 the Polish nation suffered an enormous loss. Lech Kaczynski, The President of Poland, the First Lady Maria Kaczynska and more than 90 top Polish officials and representatives of the Katyn Families were killed in a horrific airline crash near Smolensk. The delegation was on its way to the 70^th anniversary service to mark the execution of thousands of army officers and intellectuals in the Katyn Forest in 1940 by the Soviet secret police. A commemorative Mass was held at St.Joseph’s Cathedral, Dunedin and was attended by over one hundred mourners. Messages of sympathy, tributes sincere condolences were passed on to the Polish community, amongst others, by Mayor Peter Chin and Cr Paul Hudson.

Mass was celebrated by the Roman Catholic Bishop of Dunedin, the Most Rev Colin Campbell.

 

The Polish flag was flown at half mast at the Dunedin Civic Centre.

 

Polish Community planted 98 white and red tulips in the Broad Bay Church garden to commemorate all victims of this terrible plane crash these were the favourite flowers of the tragically killed First Lady of Poland, Maria Kaczynska.

 

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I would like to thank all members and friends of the Polish Heritage of Otago and Southland here in New Zealand and Poland specially to: Czesia Panek, Jeanie and Peter Hayden, Margaret and Neil Howard, Carol Meikle, Bozena and Alfred Haug, the Schep Family, Angela Donaldson, Ula Nowostawski, Lynnette Chiles, Wojciech Klobukowski, Mary-Beth Mitchell and many others.

 

We also thank Therese Sharma for accepting position on the Board and understand that for personal reasons she needed to step down.

 

A final vote of thank goes to the current trustees: the Secretary of the Trust Russell Chiles, Trust Treasurer Cecylia Klobukowska, board members Mariusz Nowostawski, Paul Klemick, Carol Mikle, Lisa Warrington and John Roy-Wojciechowski.

Therese Sharma

It has been an honour and privilege to be part of the Board dedicated to the Polish Heritage of Otago and Southland. Thank you for your commitment, reliability and dedicated work. On behalf of the Trust I would like to thank John Devereux, the Trust’s Auditor for his professional service done on a voluntary basis.

 

We look forward to the year 2012.

 

Thank you

 

Ewa Rozecka-Pollard

Chairperson

23^rd of August 2011