The Federation of Polish Organisations in SA
The Federation of Polish Organisations in SA (Inc) was founded in 1968 with the aim of providing a representation for the Polish Community in SA and coordinating the activities of Polish organisations. The Federation is an umbrella body for 18 Polish organisations representing cultural, educational, sporting, social, historical and welfare aspects of Polish community life and activities. In 1974, the Federation played a leading role in establishing the Polish Radio Committee, which enjoys broad support from the community, and in 1976 began publishing its own monthly bulletin, The Slowo Polskie. In 1981, the organisation received funding from the Federal Government through the Department of Immigration and Ethnic Affairs to employ a full time social welfare worker under the Grant-In-Aid Scheme. Over the years the worker provided a counselling and referral service to the Polish community at large and a settlement service to the newly arrived migrants from Poland. She assisted in the establishment of youth, seniors' and women's support groups as well as a carers support group.
The Federation also offered English Language classes made possible through funding from the Adult Community Education Unit of the Department of Education, Employment and Training. These classes were held twice a week for those who do not qualify for formal English as a Second Language (ESL) courses and have proved very popular and beneficial to the Polish seniors who migrated to Australia in the 1980s and 1990s. Applications for the funding of this program were unsuccessful in 2002 and 2003.
In 1987, through the efforts of the Federation and funding from the Federal Government, the Port Adelaide Central Mission purchased a Nursing Home (St. Teresa’s) in Croydon with priority access to Polish residents.
In 1992, once again through the efforts of the Federation and funding from the Federal Government, Southern Cross Care (Inc) built the John Paul II Hostel in Klemzig?? with priority access to Polish residents.
In 2001 the Federation of Polish Organisations in SA Inc. received funding from the Department of Health and Aging to set up Community Aged Care Service with 25 Community Aged Care Packages. This service is run collaboratively with Wesley UnitingCare in Brompton providing support to the Federation. All staff are of Polish background ensuring that the service provided is culturally and linguistically appropriate.
For the first 20 months, the program was based at the Wesley Uniting Mission. Since December 2002, the office of the Polish CACPs and the Polish Welfare Bureau has been situated in the Dom Polski Centre, 230 Angas Street, Adelaide. This enables greater access to the Federation’s welfare work for the community.
Currently the CACP Program employs one coordinator and 10 careworkers who attend to 30 clients living in the metropolitan area of Adelaide. A Polish podiatrist attends to the needs of the clientele.
In 2003 the Federation received funding through Home and Community Care (HACC) to establish a Polish Social Support Service. This service employs a part time coordinator who is responsible for a team of volunteers who provide transport and home visiting to the frail, aged members of the Polish community in the metropolitan area of Adelaide.
Additional funds were also received from HACC to undertake a needs analysis identifying the community care needs of older and frail persons, with moderate, severe or profound functional disabilities in the Polish community. The project will develop a strategic plan for the implementation of a comprehensive service response to the community care needs of the target group.
For more information, visit www.polishfederation.org.au