Australian-Polish Community Services
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APCS HISTORY

Australian Polish Community Services (APCS) was founded in May 1983. The founding members were a group of warm-hearted and dedicated people led by Zbigniew Ben Dabkowski who saw a need for a welfare organisation assisting Polish people in Western suburbs. The Employment Initiation Program was the first project launched by APCS in 1983-94 and this was followed by the Community Education Program in 1984 - 86. A priority in the early days was to contain the growing isolation of the Polish- Australians due to ageing and the lack of support networks. APCS saw clubs for the elderly as an answer and helped to initiate Senior Citizen Clubs in Ardeer, Footscray, Glenroy, St. Kilda and Springvale. The tradition continues and currently these clubs have hundreds of elderly members and meet regularly at many Polish Senior Citizen clubs.In 1984 APCS moved to MRC in Footscray and employed the first social worker. In 1985, Emergency Relief funding was obtained to meet a variety of requests from a growing number of clients, and this has continued every year.

In 1986 Zbigniew Dabkowski, the leader and tireless worker for APCS died. In 1987 APCS obtained funding for research about the long-term needs of the elderly Polish community in the Western suburbs. As a result "The Coming Winter" by Grazyna Mackiewicz was published. In migrant aged welfare this was a land-mark research in demonstrating needs and gaps in services to the elderly Poles in the Western suburbs.During 1987, the workload of APCS continued to grow. Over a thousand cases a year were attended to, covering areas such as: family conflict, health, practical aid and accommodation. By 1989 - 90, most of the senior citizen clubs were self - managing and self - sufficient and as a result APCS could reappraise its welfare focus. It recognised a need to concentrate on the needs of new migrants.

The following year was one of change and planning for the future. It was instigated by an APCS conference entitled "The Polish Community: Where to from here? Creating a New Future". Amongst the speakers were Prof. Jerzy Smolicz (University of Adelaide) who presented a paper on identity and culture in the Polish community, Adam Jamrozik (University of South Australia) who spoke on the social effects of social policy and their future implications and a paper delivered by Marie Kabala, which covered the political influence of the Polish community in Australia (Research Fellow at the Bureau of Immigration and Population Research). The conference sought to identify and emphasise the current and anticipated issues affecting the Polish community.

In 1992 APCS started to run English Language Classes for newly-arrived migrants and a Friendly Visiting Program for isolated elderly living in the Western suburbs. The same year, APCS moved to its current premises in Pickett St Footscray. In 1993 APCS received additional funding to assist the Polish elderly and unemployed migrants. The Visiting Program with 23 volunteers continued to thrive and a new initiative the Community Visitors Scheme was established. This scheme organised volunteers to visit nursing homes and hostels to provide companionship for isolated Polish elderly. Also, funding was received to initiate the Community Care Packages program which provided case management, personal and home care, and transport to and from medical services for 15 clients.

In 1994-95 APCS focused on the equality of access to mainstream services. APCS sought to raise awareness among various organisations about the needs of the Polish community and to organise services to cater for these needs.

In 1995 APCS was accredited with the Adult Community and Further Education as a registered education provider enabling APCS to organise and run educational courses. With the funding APCS has been able to employ a teacher specialising in English as a Second Language. These English classes enjoy much success. The Community Care Packages program was expended servicing 30 clients in the Western and Northern region.

In 1996 APCS continued with all of the above programs. In addition the APCS staff and management committee have held a series of planning meetings with the help of a professional facilitator to analyse and assess current activities and to plan for the future. A bus was purchased to provide a much needed transport medium for clients.

During the 1996/97 financial year, the Committee of Management and staff continued to consolidate services and programs. Amongst some of the achievements were the development of the Policy and Procedures Manual and publication of a first ever research report about unemployment within the Polish community. Professor Desmond Cahill was the guest at the Annual General Meeting and spoke on the topic: Hansonism – A Challenge for the Polish Community.

The following year, Mr Bill Nowak took over the leadership of the organisation. One of the first significant events was the launch of the In the Queue report by the Honorouble Phil Honeywood, Minister for Tertiary Education and Minister assisting the Premier on Multicultural Affairs. Next, APCS embarked on the process of reviewing its services and appointed Compass and Associates to undertake those reviews. As part of the process of continuous improvement, APCS was successful in developing a partnership with the Williamson Leadership Program which resulted in a promotion strategy regarding the needs of the Polish community.

Towards the end of 1998, APCS had the privilege of Sir James Gobbo, the Governor of Victoria, launching a study on the needs of Polish-residents in aged-care facilities in Victoria. The launch also included the celebration of the 80th anniversary of Poland gaining independence and a place on the map of Europe after almost 150 years of foreign occupation.

1999 was a year when APCS initiated a Polish Women Memoirs Competition which aimed to document their unique experiences. A motto “linking together, proudly serving” was adopted as a way of encapsulating the focus of APCS’ efforts in that year and for many years before that. We were very pleased with the trust shown in us as a Polish-community based organisation by the Dept of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs which provided a 2-year grant to continue to provide settlement-related assistance to the Polish community in Victoria.

At present, we continue to provide high quality services to the Polish community and expand the popular Polish A-Z Brokerage Program. Also, the Committee and staff organise initiatives and strategies which aim to advocate on behalf of the Polish community, raise awareness of the existing needs and gaps in service provision. We continually initiate projects by using community development principles eg. Carers Retreats, Information sessions, conferences. One of the first public relations functions was the launch of Lonesome No More…, A study into the needs of older Polish women who arrived in Australia in 1980s and 1990s. Funds have recently been approved to implement the recommendations of the study findings.

In 2000, through funding from the State Department of Human Services, organised a successful conference entitled: Best Practice and the Planned Activity Group programs. Also, significant funding was obtained to expand the always popular Community Aged Care Packages program. APCS also applied to establish a support service for older persons in Geelong.

2001 was one of the most successful years in the history of APCS. Through additional funds from the State and Commonwealth governments, APCS was able to move to much better premises in Droop St, extend its services to three other Eastern European groups (Ukrainian, Czech/Slovak and Latvian) and establish a new HACC Access program for the Polish community. Amgonst many other initiatives that year were: publication of two reports - They Have Come a Long Way and It is My Duty, partnership with Polish-speaking missionary sisters and establishment of a weekly outreach program in Dandenong. 2001 was the International Year of Volunteers and APCS awarded almost 100 older persons who voluntarily manage or assist the 27 Polish Senior Citizens Clubs in Victoria. This was an extremely well received initiative. Finally, APCS appointed experienced consultants to help develop a Polish 10-year Aged Care Plan in view of the rapidly ageing Polish community and the urgent need for support services.

In 2002, APCS consolidated its services and continued to provide flexible, responsive and quality services for the Polish community. Its Community Aged Care Packages program was extended to Geelong and a new version of the Polish Services Directory was published. Also, in partnership with the Inner Western Region Migrant Resource Centre, APCS provided practical work experience(through the Community Jobs Program) to Polish-background persons who were unemployed. In addition, APCS was invited to speak at high-profile conferences including: Beyond Tolerance (Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission), Poland and Polonia: common expectations (Szczecin University).

2003 - State-wide conference entitled: the Polish Community – where to now?, attended by 130 people including representatives of interstate Polish welfare organisations
9th May 2003, Open Day to celebrate the 20th anniversary of APCS
24th May 2003, 20th anniversary dinner held at Millennium House

2003 saw the 200th anniversary of the first recorded Pole arriving in Australia, Josef Potaski. To celebrate this bicentennial, APCS organised a 200th Anniversary Concert which was held in October. A range of artists performed classical music and operetta and Dalmae Barton, an indigenous performer, travelled from Queensland to perform three songs she adapted for the occasion. Over 200 people attended the concert on a drab October afternoon to support the Polish community in their celebrations. Special guests who attended included: Dr George Luk-Kozika, the Honorary Consul of the Republic of Poland, The Hon. John Pandazopolous, Minister Assisting the Premier on Multicultural Affairs, and the Minister for Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs and Minister Assisting the Prime Minister, The Hon. Gary Hargrave. In addition, a number of state politicians were present at this event. (JOSEPH POTASKI, AUSTRALIA'S FIRST POLISH SETTLER)

 



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Australian-Polish Community Services Inc.
77 Droop Street • Footscray • Melbourne• 3011
Telephone: (03) 9689 9170 • Fax: (03) 9687 7446