APCS history

Australian Polish Community Services

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 Dąbkowski who saw a need for a welfare organisation assisting Polish people in the Western suburbs. The Employment Initiation Program was the first project launched by APCS in 1983 and operated until 1994 and this was followed by the Community Education Program from 1984 to 1986. A priority in the early days was to contain the growing isolation of 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 the MRC in Footscray and employed its 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.

At present we continue to provide high quality services to the Polish community and expand the popular PolCare Brokerage Program. The Committee and staff continue to organise initiatives and strategies which aim to advocate on behalf of the Polish community and 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 and conferences. In 2003 the Victorian Multicultural Commission acknowledged APCS commitment and achievements through an Award for Meritorious Service in the Community - Victoria's Award for Excellence in Multicultural Affairs.

2007

• High Commendation Award from Maribyrnong City Council
• Runner up - ACSA aged care awards

2006

As in previous years, 2006 was another active year for APCS Committee, staff and volunteers.  In addition to the 11 direct services that support over 500 clients a week, we implemented over 18 projects, which aimed to identify appropriate service models and acknowledge the role of volunteers in the community. The projects included: The Faces of Good will - a photographic exhibition about Polish volunteers, First Polish Women's Forum, Eighty Plus and Still Kicking, Heritage project, Volunteer Community Transport initiative, Depression/Mental Health Education, printing and distribution of Polish Language Cards for aged care providers, Health Promotion Plan for the Polish community in Victoria, exploration of disability in the Polish community, finalisation of the Access and Equity project.

February began with the completion of several initiatives including the documentation project, which is now available as a resource kit.  Also, staff were busy allocating additional packages to clients who had been most in need.

2005

APCS has started 2005 with a sprint. We have had two launches of recently completed publications. The Hon. Peter McGuaran MP, Minister for Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs, launched Polonia in Australia and Lest We Forget at Hilton on the Park in March. April saw the launch of Zanim będzie za późno (Before it's too late) by Senator, the Hon. Kay Patterson, Minister assisting the Prime Minister for Women's Issues at the Melbourne Town Hall. Attendees at the launch also heard from Bogumiła Więcław, First Counsellor for Culture & Science, Australian Embassy of Poland and Elizabeth Szczepanska, author of the report. The audience was moved by the recounting of the experiences of a young Polish woman who was still dealing with the impacts of domestic violence.

In March APCS joined women from many cultures in celebrating International Women's Day with a celebration of Polish and Ukrainian women performing artists and a display of artwork by women from diverse backgrounds.

APCS was successful in receiving funding from the Department of Human Services for the Well For Life initiative. This project will involve the development of a physical activity and nutrition program for members of the Polish Planned Activity Groups based in Sunshine. Members of the groups participated in the development of the proposal by identifying what they want to achieve through such a program. The year ended on a positive note with APCS receiving a significant increase in funding including additional client places in the Community Aged Care Packages program, which will now include assistance to other Eastern and Central European communities in the western and northern region of Melbourne.  Other funding included project money for: documenting healthy living activities for older people, depression education in the Polish community, development of a volunteer database to assist older people with community transport needs.  

The Hon. Gavin Jennings, State Minister for Aged Care, in the presence of almost 200 people, launched the first APCS DVD, which describes our services in both English and Polish.

APCS continued to work on the issues of domestic violence and social / emotional wellbeing, mental health to raise awareness of the issues for the Polish community and in November 2005 participated in the first Polish festival at Federation Square where over 3000 show bags were distributed by staff.

2004

2004 began with preparations for the HACC Audit conducted by the Department of Human Services. We were very pleased to receive the highest possible mark (20/20).

2004 sees APCS turn 21, an achievement in this day and age.

In May 2004 APCS organised a cocktail party at the Victorian Parliament to celebrate the Polish National Day and provide a professional networking opportunity.

APCS has received funding from the Helen McPherson Smith Trust, Victorian Multicultural Commission and the William Buckland Foundations to Document the Development of an Ethno Specific Support Service. This project will identify how APCS has been able to grow and the strategies used to achieve this. A resource will be developed that will provide information to other communities to assist them in their aim to develop responses to address the needs of their communities.

Polish migrants with limited English language skills now have access to two classes held in Rowville every week. We are grateful to the Board and Management of Eastern Region Adult, Community and Further Education (ACFE) for providing the funding to establish this needed program.

APCS continues to apply for funds on an ongoing basis and we have recently been successful in obtaining $6,500 from the Bokhara Foundation to establish a domestic violence support group for Polish women. The City of Maribyrnong has provided a grant of $1,500 to identify isolated Polish residents in aged-care facilities in that local government area and to link them to Polish-speaking volunteers. We have also been successful in obtaining funding from VicHealth to conduct a conference later this year on Best Practice in Health Promotion for CALD communities.

2003

December 2003 was a busy month for APCS. It began with a successful Christmas lunch for all APCS clients held at the Polish centre in Albion. This was followed by an End of Year function organised for staff, volunteers and members of the Committee of Management, at the Polish Centre, Millennium, in Footscray.

2003 ended with the Victorian Multicultural Commission acknowledging APCS' commitment and achievements through an "Award for Meritorious Service in the Community - Victoria's Award for Excellence in Multicultural Affairs".

2003 saw the 200th anniversary of Australia's first Polish Settler, 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 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.

2003 - a state-wide conference entitled: the Polish Community - where to now?, was attended by 130 people, including representatives from 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.

On the funding front, APCS was successful with several applications for grants including $50,000 to establish a Culturally Equitable Gateways Strategy for the Polish community in Victoria, $10,000 from Helen McPherson Smith Trust to document the development and growth of APCS aged care services, and $12,000 to establish English language classes for the Polish community in the eastern region of Melbourne

2002

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 (CACP) was extended to Geelong and a new version of the Polish Services Directory was published. 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).

2001

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. Amongst many other initiatives that year were: the publication of two reports - They Have Come a Long Way and It is My Duty, development of a partnership with Polish-speaking missionary sisters and the 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.

2000

In 2000, through funding from the State Department of Human Services, we organised a successful conference entitled: Planned Activity Groups: Best Practice Models in Servicing Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Communities. 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.

1999

1999 was the year APCS initiated a Polish Women's 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, who provided a 2-year grant to continue to provide settlement-related assistance to the Polish community in Victoria. 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.

1998

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.

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 Honourable 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 promotional strategy regarding the needs of the Polish community.

1997

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.

1996

In 1996 APCS continued with all of the existing programs. In addition the APCS staff and management committee 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.

1995

In 1995 APCS was accredited with Adult Community and Further Education (ACFE) 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 Aged Care Packages program was expanded, servicing 30 clients in the Western and Northern regions.

1994

In 1994 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.

1992-1993

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 premises in Pickett St, Footscray. In 1993 APCS received additional funding to assist Polish elderly and unemployed migrants. The Friendly Visiting Program, with 23 volunteers, continued to thrive and a new initiative, the Community Visitors Scheme, was established. This scheme organises volunteers to visit nursing homes and hostels to provide companionship for isolated Polish elderly. Funding was also received to initiate the Community Aged Care Packages program which provided case management, personal and home care, and transport to and from medical services for 15 clients.

1986-1991

In 1986 Zbigniew Dąbkowski, the leader and tireless worker for APCS, died. In 1987 APCS obtained funding to conduct 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 land-mark research, demonstrating the needs and gaps in services to elderly Poles in the Western suburbs. During 1987, the workload of APCS continued to grow. Over a thousand cases a year were dealt with, 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 effects of social policy and their future implications, and a paper delivered by Marie Kabala (Research Fellow at the Bureau of Immigration and Population Research), which covered the political influence of the Polish community in Australia. The conference sought to identify and emphasise the current and anticipated issues affecting the Polish community.