Chairperson’s Report for the Period Ending 31March 2024

On behalf of the Board, I am pleased to present my Annual Report on the activities of POHOS, over the last 12 months. These activities benefited the local and wider New Zealand communities in many ways. We have also worked and focused on our Trust’s objectives, specifically:

• • Enriching New Zealand society by promoting cultural and spiritual awareness of Polish heritage in New Zealand;
  • Supporting the maintenance of historical properties of Polish heritage in New Zealand;
  •  Cooperating with other historical trusts and organizations;
  • Supporting and encouraging cultural, educational and economic links and exchanges between Poland and New Zealand.
• Throughout the reporting year April 2023 to March 2024, the Board of POHOS, in various sub-committees, worked on several major projects, including:
   

• A fund raising art exhibition (our fourth) entitled From Dunedin with Love
• Celebrations of the following three anniversaries:
  • 250 years of the first Polish presence in New Zealand-
  • 75th of Mary Queen of Peace Church in Broad Bay-
  • 25 years of POHOS
•  The main focus this year was the long-awaited book launch of POLES DOWN SOUTH by Paul Klemick with Emeritus Professor Peter Matheson
•   In addition to these initiatives, we actively participated in various events hosted by other Polish associations across New Zealand.

 Edward Sakowski Book Launch

June 1st is celebrated in Poland as International Children’s Day and on this date the Dunedin City Library hosted the launch of two books by Edward Sakowski:

• poetry collection – Wojna.Com / War.Com and
• children’s book – Do Fotografa Przyszła Żyrafa /A Giraffe Was To Be Photographed.

Both books are published in Polish and English.

This charming children’s book was the result of the cooperation between Edward, the poet, and Aleksander his graphic designer son and dedicated to Edward’s grandchildren.

Edward is a great supporter of the Polish community in Dunedin, especially since the beginnings of the Polish Heritage Trust in 1998. Edward’s support was recognised in November 2022 when during the 150^th Anniversary Celebration he was awarded the Honorary Medal of Merit for Polish Culture, which is bestowed by the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage of the Republic of Poland for distinguished contributions to Polish culture and heritage.

Edward was a long-time Dunedin resident prior to moving to Kaiapoi in Canterbury. In spite of ‘retirement’ he continues to work on painting and art restoration projects.

FIFA Women’s World Cup 

Some of the FIFA games were held in Dunedin and one of the volunteers helping the organisers was our own board member Nathalie Wierdak. This is what the Otago Daily Times (ODT) wrote about her:

Wierdak said her journey with football was “as international as it gets”. Born in Ecuador, raised in Venezuela, and of Polish descent, Ms Wierdak has proudly called Dunedin home since moving to the city in 2015.

Multi-ethnic evening

A multi-ethnic evening was held at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in St Clair on Saturday, 22 July. Multiple rooms were decorated in styles representing different international cultures of Dunedin’s residents.

Paul & Tracey Klemick represented Paul’s Polish roots.

Paul organized a small exhibition and presented a short version of Polish history and geography and to the delight of the listeners he and Tracey ended the presentation with a beautiful Polish dance – Kujawiak.

Tracey baked ‘pierniczki’ (ginger biscuits), ‘chrust/faworki’ and prepared scrumptious ‘pierogi’ (dumplings) which were all very much appreciated.

Valerie Roy Wojciechowski

It is with great sadness that we heard the news from John Roy that his beloved wife Valerie, passed away from cancer. John and Valerie actively supported all POHOS undertakings. John was one of the original Founding Members. John and Valerie took an active part during the November 2022 celebrations of the 150^th Anniversary of the first Polish Settlers arrival in Dunedin in 1872.

M.R. Decorating Ltd, who did an amazing job renovating and painting Mary Queen of Peace Church in Broad Bay, not only received well-deserved praise from the Polish and the Broad Bay Communities, but their efforts were also recognized by Master Painters New Zealand with this special award.

Dunedin Heritage Festival, 11 – 29 October 2023

As a part of the Dunedin Heritage Festival, Mary Queen of Peace Historic Church was open to the public on October 22 from 11am to 4pm. It was a delightful surprise to many, and was appreciated by all those who visited.

On Friday 17 November at 10am, OAR 105.4FM Dunedin broadcast an hour-long show publicising the book launch of Poles Down South. The book launch took place on Saturday, November 18  at Toitū Otago Settlers Museum. Author Paul Klemick, POHOS Genealogist, and POHOS Chairperson, Ewa Rozecka-Pollard were OAR 105.4FM Dunedin’s guests.  Radio presenter Arina Aizal was not only gracious, but also knowledgeable and very well informed about the Polish community and our background. It moved us very much and I hope that the show was interesting for all listeners.

Friday, November 17, at 6pm, the Official Opening of the Art Exhibition

“From Dunedin with Love”

This is POHOS’s fourth exhibition on the same theme, presenting a selection of the best artists, photographers and sculptors from Dunedin and Otago. This year the exhibition featured 98 works by 41 artists.

2023 also highlighted the celebration of three important anniversaries for the Polish community, with three beautiful and informative panels gracing various locations.

250 Years since Polish Naturalists visited NZ

25 years of POHOS

75 years of Mary Queen of Peace Church in Broad Bay

Saturday, November 18, Toitū  Otago Settlers Museum at 2pm, POHOS hosted a function celebrating two important events:

• The 250^th Anniversary of the first ever recorded Polish Presence in Aotearoa
• The Official Book Launch of Poles Down South 

1. The opening address was delivered by Sean Brosnahan, Toitū Otago Settlers Museum’s curator, an Honorary Member of POHOS, and a recipient of the Gold Cross of Merit from the Republic of Poland. Sean delighted a capacity audience with his knowledge and passion for history by retelling with aplomb some of the stories glimpsed from the diaries of the Resolution ship’s voyage to New Zealand. This was a great way to acknowledge the 250 year anniversary of the first ever recorded Polish presence in Aotearoa of the two Polish naturalists travelling with Captain Cook, father and son, Johann & Georg Foster. During their visit in 1773, they discovered and catalogued 120 plants and 40 bird species in Dusky Sound, Fiordland and Queen Charlotte Sound in the Marlborough Sounds. Based on their detailed diaries and meticulous illustrations Georg published in 1777 a book Voyage Round the World. A copy of this incredible first edition is held in the Dunedin City Library’s Heritage Collection.

2. Probably the most important event in the POHOS calendar in its 25 years of existence was The Official Book Launch of Poles Down South: A Story of the Early Polish Settlers in Otago & Southland, Aotearoa New Zealand, by Paul Klemick with Emeritus Professor Peter Matheson. In attendance were the Polish Ambassador to New Zealand, Mr Grzegorz Kowal and Dunedin City Councillor, Ms Christine Geary

Our engaging academic, Emeritus Professor Peter Matheson whose historical insight and book publishing expertise combined with Paul Klemick’s expansive and in-depth knowledge of the subject resulted in this incredible volume. They shared memories of their journey and Paul acknowledged the many supporters who stood behind his book project and numerous Polish descendants of early Polish settlers, who shared with him their family heirlooms, diaries, letters, photos and secrets.

While Paul was signing copies of the book, the rest of the audience enjoyed a yummy cake, which always accompanies Polish celebrations.

Saturday, November 18, Dunedin Club at 6pm 

The 25^th POHOS Anniversary Dinner at the Dunedin Club

All 25^th anniversaries need a celebration, and a wonderful dinner for POHOS’s 25th was organized by the indefatigable Anna McCreath Munro at the Dunedin Club. Our guest speaker was the Polish Ambassador to New Zealand, Mr Grzegorz Kowal. The MC for the evening was Ina Bercinskas, and Ewa Rozecka-Pollard assisted with the evening’s programme. The anniversary festivities really were about celebrating and thanking the incredible members and former members of POHOS.

POHOS Life Fellowship was conferred on:

Patricia Clark
Rena McIntyre
Czesława Panek
Zdzisława Pociecha
Ludmiła Sakowski 

POHOS Honorary Membership to ‘outsiders’ for special service to the Polish Community was awarded to:

The Biggemann Family – Sergio, Alicia, Carlos;
Dr. Peter Matheson 

POHOS official thanks went to ‘long standing board members’:

Paul Klemick 25 years
Cecylia Klobukowska 25 years
Ewa Rozecka-Pollard 20 years
Carol Meikle 15 years
Lisa Warrington 15 years
Anna McCreath Munro 10 years

Sunday, November 19, Mary Queen of Peace, Broad Bay at 11am 

It’s 75 years since the church, built with the help from the early Polish settlers on Nore Street in Waihola in 1899, was relocated from its original location to its position at Portobello Road, Broad Bay, Otago Peninsula. After the move, the church was re-named Mary Queen of Peace but originally it was consecrated as St Hyacinth, after a XII century Polish saint, Święty Jacek Odrowąż, known as the “Apostle of the North”, who was very popular in the Pomerania region of Poland.

The beautifully restored and repainted church was ready for the Celebratory Mass presided over by the Catholic Bishop of Dunedin, Michael Dooley, in the presence of Dunedin MP Rachel Brooking, the Ambassador of the Republic of Poland in New Zealand, Mr Grzegorz Kowal and the Polish and the Broad Bay Communities.

A Dunedin City Council historic places panel features in front of the church whilst inside a panel summarises the church’s history.

Monday, November 27, Grand Casino Dunedin at 5pm

The Polish Heritage of Otago and Southland Charitable Trust was awarded a grant from the Dunedin Grand Casino Trust, which went to fund a portion of the book project and publishing. Receiving the grant at the Monday ceremony event, on behalf of POHOS, were: Chairperson Ewa Rozecka-Pollard, POHOS Treasurer Cecylia Klobukowska, and Board member and IT specialist, Nathalie Wierdak Carlesso. A huge thank you to the Grand Casino Dunedin for supporting the work of POHOS.

Monday, December 4, Wellington Club, Wellington  at 1pm

The Annual Meeting of the representatives of Polish Organizations from all over New Zealand was hosted by the Ambassador, Mr Grzegorz Kowal at the Wellington Club.
POHOS was represented by Anna McCreath Munro, Cecylia Klobukowska and Ewa Rozecka-Pollard.

Ambassador, Mr Grzegorz Kowal and representatives of other Polish societies presented their events, activities, and achievement over the last year, along with plans for the future.Of course, I mentioned our book and POHOS gave everyone present our 2024 calendar.

Tuesday, December 12, Mary Queen of Peace, at 7pm

Christmas Carols

Our traditional Christmas Carols event at Mary Queen of Peace Church attracted the usual large crowds from the Broad Bay community, and Polish and international communities. Carols were sung in seven languages. The Master of Ceremony was Peter Hayden, whose charming reading of humorous holiday traditions entertained the congregation.

Over the last three months, the POHOS Board concentrated on promoting and selling the book Poles Down South. Copies have been distributed to libraries and shops in Dunedin, Oamaru and Christchurch; currently we are dealing with orders from Invercargill and Gore. Online sales, via our website are proving successful as well.

Saturday, March 2, Allanton at 1pm

In a beautiful location on Jim Binnie’s estate at 24 Caernarvon Street in Allanton, the site of the ‘old Switalla Cottage’ Paul talked to a captivated audience about his discoveries of things Polish through his genealogical research. The weather was stunning, and the shared afternoon tea was wonderful – an afternoon filled with joy.

Thank you Paul.

Tuesday, March 12, Oamaru Library at 6pm

Many thanks go to the staff of the Oamaru Library who not only purchased copies of the book, but also very efficiently and

happily organised and promoted the book launch

. Nothing was too much trouble, leaflets were designed, the venue was advertised. The event gathered a room full of people and lasted longer than expected, since the interested audience had many questions for the author. At the end, of course, cake was served.

Saturday, March 16, South Dunedin Street Festival from 10am to 3pm

The South Dunedin Street Festival is a great opportunity to engage with the public to promote services, courses and programmes, recruit members and helpers, sell your creations, advocate, inform and/or teach skills, fundraise and meet friends. Stall holders included local artisans, businesses, food vendors, community groups, clubs and organisations. We were there with our books, cards and calendars.

We thoroughly enjoyed it. There were great conversations, some sales, and Paul had a chance to show off his rock and roll skills.