I migrated to Australia in 1950, together with my parents and two sisters when I was two years old, from Germany as Polish “Displaced People”. Our family settled in Geelong in 1952. I was very much involved in Polish cultural activities throughout my teenage years in Geelong; as a result, I can proudly boast that I am fluent in most aspects of the Polish language.
I completed my secondary education in Geelong and went onto University where I completed my Bachelor of Science (Honours) Degree in Chemistry and my Diploma of Education. I worked in the Victorian Education Department for 50 years, as a classroom teacher, Assistant Principal and a Principal of a secondary college in Melbourne for over 10 years.
In the mid 1980’s, the Victorian Premier, Mr John Cain, established the Victorian Ethnic Affairs Commission. I was appointed Part-time Commissioner in 1985 by the then Minister for Ethnic Affairs, Mr Peter Spyker. A position I held for six years.
In the 1993, I was elected to the Committee of the Polish Community Association in Geelong and served as the Secretary until 2003. I was re-elected again as Secretary in 2015, a position I currently hold.