The History of Polish Scouting in Australia

1940-49

•  1949 – May – In Sydney, a Senior Scout Group is established (founded in May by scoutmaster Władysław Wiącek and his wife Marysia), and by the end of the year the first scout patrol forms.

  1949 – September – Scoutmaster Jerzy Zaborowski is appointed Delegate of the Chief Scout Headquarters (GKH) to Australia.

  1949 – December – The Senior Scout Group named after Andrzej Małkowski is established in Adelaide (11/12/1949), and the first scout gathering takes place in the Botanical Gardens (convened by scoutmaster Władysław Dembski).

1950-59

• 1950 – In Melbourne, the first scout and girl scout units are formed, including Venturer Scouts (led by Maria Dalidowicz – now Życzyńska – and Marzenna Żurek – now Piskozub).

  1950 – In Brisbane, the 43rd Senior Scout Circle named after Tadeusz Kościuszko is established (an initiative of scout Lech Bieliński). It operates until the end of 1954.

  1951/52 – Camp of Sydney scouts at Katoomba Park, Blue Mountains, NSW (led by Władysław Wiącek and Witold Szupryczyński).

  January 1952 – Establishment of the Scout Region (Chorągiew Harcerzy) – commander: scoutmaster Henryk Ostrowski – and the Girl Scout Region (Chorągiew Harcerek) – commander: scoutmaster Zofia Dembska. In August, the ZHP Australia District is formed – the first chairman of the District Board is scoutmaster Władysław Dembski.

  1952 – Two patrols of scouts are formed in Blacktown (Sydney).

  1952 – First scout gathering in South Brisbane at the St Mary’s parish hall (10/5/52) – organised by Franciszek Kuropka and Fr. Wacław Czapla. First scout gathering in Darra – patrol “Eagles” (July). Beginnings of the 2nd Polish Scout Troop (2MDH) named after King Władysław Jagiełło.

  1953 – District initiative "Youth Offensive" – aimed at recruiting new scouts.

  1953 – First scout gathering in Wacol – Brisbane. A third patrol, “Squirrels”, joins the 2MDH named after King Władysław Jagiełło (the patrol operated until 1955).

  March 1953 – Beginning of scout activities in Perth. A girl scout troop “Włóczęgi” and a scout troop are formed. Troop leaders: Genia Czekałowska, assistant Lusia Mrozowska, and Janusz Kurzeja.

  1953 – Cub Scout activities begin in Melbourne.

  1953 – A correspondence course for Cub Scout leaders is organised by the Australia District (11 participants from Melbourne and 2 from Brisbane completed the course).

  1953/54 – First camp of Brisbane scouts in Capalaba, QLD (on the grounds of the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth).

  15 May 1954 – First girl scout gathering in Brisbane (organiser: Elżbieta Stuligłowa-Duda). Beginning of the 3rd Girl Scout Troop (3ŻDH) named after Queen Jadwiga. Girl scout activities continue until mid-1958.

  July 1954 – A boys’ Cub Scout pack “Sailors” is formed in Brisbane (leader: Franciszek Kuropka).

  1954/55 – A Venturer Scout patrol from Melbourne takes part in a camp in Capalaba, Brisbane.

  1955 – A correspondence bulletin for all function leaders is organised by the Australia District.

  1955 – Cub Scout packs and girl scout and scout troops are formed in Adelaide and Perth. Girl scouts in Perth operate until 1956.

  1955 – Two Cub Scout packs (boys and girls) are formed in Canberra (run by Mr and Mrs R. and F. Hądzląw with help from T. Kościuszko and Irena Kulesza). Over time, these evolved into male and female scout patrols.

  1955 – Scouting in Brisbane actively promotes Polish culture: a Polish Folk Dance Section is created and an altar servers’ group is formed at 2MDH in Bowen Hills, Brisbane.

  1955 – Scouting in Adelaide actively promotes Polish culture: first radio broadcast titled “Tribute to Poland” airs, and a Polish school is established in Woodville Gardens and Prospect, run by scouts. Adelaide also sees the creation of the first National Treasury Commission in Australia (and one of the first worldwide), initiated by District Leader scoutmaster Władysław Dembski.

  1955 – Scout District “Podhale” is established in Melbourne, Victoria.

  December 1955 – A special issue (“Jednodniówka”) is published to commemorate 5 years of scouting in Australia.

  July 1956 – Girl Cub Scout pack “Bees” and boy Cub Scout pack “Highlanders” are formed in Darra, Brisbane. A separate scout patrol “Bison” is also formed in Darra (patrol leader: J. Fleczaj), and in Capalaba, a separate patrol “Eagles” (patrol leader: J. Adamski) is established and holds its first meeting. The Capalaba patrol continues until 1959.

  September 1956 – Scout District “Pomorze” is established in Brisbane, Queensland (district leader: Franciszek Kuropka), and Scout District “Mazowsze” in Adelaide, SA (district leader: scoutmaster Władysław Dembski).

  1956 – A girl scout troop is formed in Canberra. This is the beginning of the 1st Girl Scout Troop (1ŻDH) named after Queen Jadwiga.

  1956 – A Friends of Scouting Circle is formed in Adelaide (president: Marian Furtak).

  January 1958 – ZHP Australia District Rally at Cotter Mouth, Canberra, ACT.

  1959 – Scout District “Pomorze” Brisbane: from an independent scout patrol in Milton, the 13th Polish Scout Troop (13MDH) named after Zawisza the Black is formed.

  18 September 1959 – Scout District “Pomorze”: first girl scout gathering at Bowen Hills.

 1960-69

• 1960/61 – ZHP Australia District: Jubilee Camp celebrating the 50th anniversary of ZHP, held in Lorne, Cumberland Valley, Victoria.

  1961 – Scouting continues to grow: the first scout and girl scout gatherings are held in Cabramatta and Bankstown (Sydney). The 4th Girl Scout Troop (4ŻDH) named after Maria Konopnicka “Warta” is formed in Cabramatta. Under the "Pomorze" District (Brisbane), an independent scout patrol “Hawks” (“Jastrzębie”) is established in Bowen Hills.

  1962 – The “Polesie” District is established in Sydney, NSW. The Senior Scout Circle “Znicz” is also formed. In Adelaide, a scout campsite is established on Hindmarsh Island – the base of the “Mazowsze” Scout District. At the end of the year, the “Pomorze” District celebrates the enthronement of the image of Our Lady of Częstochowa (brought from Poland) at Our Lady of Victories Church in Bowen Hills.

  1962 – The “Podhale” District (Victoria) organises a Scout Instructor Training Course. One year later, the “Podhale” and “Pomorze” Districts conduct a theoretical Podharcmistrz (sub-scoutmaster) course and a troop leader course in Melbourne and Brisbane.

  1963/64 – A region-wide instructor camp/course is held in Healesville, VIC (for the ranks of pwd, phm, and hm), followed by the “Skole” Instructor Course in Healesville, VIC (15 participants).

  1963 – The “Pomorze” District actively promotes Polish culture: its Song and Dance Section takes part in the Toowoomba Flower Festival – their first public performance. In 1965, the group performs on television with a highlander-style program, and three years later they appear at the Brisbane Botanic Gardens concert on Australia Day and win first place in a televised competition.

  1963/64 – Region-wide “Skole” Instructor Camp/Course in Healesville, Victoria.

  1964 – Scouting expands:

  • Polesie District (Sydney): Cub Scout packs are formed in Bankstown and Cabramatta. Girl scout gatherings begin in Blacktown-Marayong and, two years later, also in Ashfield (marking the beginning of the 12th Girl Scout Troop “Leśni Ludzie” named after Maria Rodziewiczówna). Friends of Scouting Circles are established.

  • Pomorze District (Brisbane): The “Hawks” Venturer patrol evolves into the 13th Polish Scout Troop (13MDH) named after Zawisza the Black. A girl Venturer troop begins operating, eventually becoming the 11th Girl Venturer Troop (11ŻDW) “Warszawa.”

  • Mazowsze District (Adelaide): Polish schools are established in Norwood, Tranmere, and Salisbury, along with a junior high course, all coordinated by the scouting organisation.

  1965 – Blessing of new scouting standards for the “Pomorze” District in Brisbane and the “Mazowsze” District in Adelaide.

  1965/66 – District Jamboree: Millennium Camp commemorating 1,000 years of Poland’s baptism.

  1966 – Scouting activity is revived in Perth: a new girl scout troop and a Friends of Scouting Circle are formed. In 1968, the “Perth” Scout Centre is officially established.

  1967 – The first Girl Scout Instructors’ Conference is held in Canberra, ACT.

  1968 – Visit of Bishop Władysław Rubin to Australia. Formal blessing of the “Mazowsze” District’s Scout Centre on Hindmarsh Island.

  1968 – Girl Scout Region Camp (Zlot Chorągwi Harcerek) at Cotter Dam, Canberra, ACT.

  1969 – 1st World ZHP Jamboree near Monte Cassino, Italy (25th anniversary of the battle).

  1969 – The district magazine Czuwaj is first published.

 1970 -79

• 1970 – ZHP Australia District: 60th Anniversary Rally of ZHP, held on Hindmarsh Island, SA. Bishop Władysław Rubin was present at the rally.

  1970 – The Girl Scout Region of Australia (Chorągiew Harcerek Australia) is established. The first regional commissioner is scoutmaster Marzenna Piskozub.

  1970 – The "Polesie" District receives a new scouting standard, funded by former soldiers and blessed by Cardinal scoutmaster Władysław Rubin.

  1970 – New districts and centres are formed:

  • Sydney – Two districts are established: the Girl Scout District "Polesie" and the Scout District "Polesie". The first girl scout district leader is phm Wera Bułat.

  • Melbourne – Two districts are established: the Girl Scout District "Podhale" and the Scout District "Podhale". The first girl scout district leader is pwd Irena Dobrzyńska-Stanisławska.

  • Brisbane – Two districts are established: the Girl Scout District "Pomorze" and the Scout District "Pomorze". The first girl scout district leader is phm Elżbieta Stuligłowa.

  • Canberra – The "Canberra Scout Centre" is officially established.

  1971 – A new scout centre is established in Hobart, including scouts, girl scouts, and cub scouts.

  1973 – The “Perth” Centre acquires its own property – Pole Kopernika (Copernicus Field), a scout campsite near Perth.

  1973 – Visit of His Eminence Cardinal Karol Wojtyła to Hobart, Brisbane, Sydney, and Melbourne.

  1975 – “Polesie” District: Welcoming of the Prime Minister of the Polish Government-in-Exile, Mr. A. Urbański, at the airport.

  1976 – Visit of Chief Commissioner hm Elżbieta Andrzejowska to Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane.

  1976 – 2nd World ZHP Rally pgk “Our Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow”, held in Kaszuby, Canada.

  1976 – In Adelaide, two new districts are formed: Girl Scout District "Mazowsze" and Scout District "Mazowsze". District leaders: hm S. Szumliński and Alicja Gladys.

  1978 – ESGAV (Ethnic Scouts and Guides Association of Victoria) is founded in Victoria as an international scouting organisation. The first ESGAV camp is held.

1980 -89

• 1980 – The scout centre in Hobart adopts the name “Pieniny”.

  1982 – 3rd World ZHP Jamboree pgk “Service to Poland”, Comblain-La-Tour, Belgium.

  1983 – Girl Scout leaders' evening with the Prime Minister of the Polish Government-in-Exile, scoutmaster Kazimierz Sabbat, held in Melbourne with the instructor corps from Melbourne and Sydney.

  1983 – "Polesie" District of ZHP: opening of a new scout hall in Ashfield. The opening was conducted by scoutmaster Stanisław Broniewski “Orsza,” Commander of the Grey Ranks (Szare Szeregi). The blessing was performed by the district chaplain, phm Fr. K. Bajda.

  1984 – "Pomorze" District of ZHP: visit of blind children from Laski, Poland.

  1986 – ZHP Australia District Jamboree: 75th Jubilee Jamboree, held at Gilwell Park, VIC. The event included a visit by the Chairman of ZHP, scoutmaster Ryszard Kaczorowski. For the first time in the history of scouting in Australia, participants from the UK, Canada, and the USA attended.
  The jamboree slogan:
  “Once a scout, always a scout – once a girl scout, always a girl scout.”
  Also held during the jamboree: the 6th ZHP Australia District Assembly. hm Stefan Janus was elected District Chairman.

  1986 – Visit of Pope John Paul II to Australia.

  1986 – "Pomorze" District of ZHP: opening of the Polish Youth and Recreation Centre “Zakopane”.

  1988 – 4th World ZHP Jamboree pgk “Rise! Walk Toward the Sun!”, Rising Sun, Maryland, USA. Australia was represented by a delegation of 24 people.

  1988 – The “Pieniny” Scout Centre hosts the President of the Republic of Poland, scoutmaster Kazimierz Sabbat, and his wife. The visit included a meeting with youth and a slide presentation.

  1988 – Visit of Cardinal Józef Glemp, Primate of Poland, to the “Pieniny” Scout Centre in Hobart and to the "Pomorze" District in Brisbane.

  1988 – The Scout Fund (Fundusz Harcerski) is established. Its purpose was to collect financial resources to support the broader activities of ZHP in Australia.

 1990 -99

• National Jamborees: „Nieprzerwany Łańcuch” (Bielany NSW 1991) - „Szare Szeregi” (Zakopane QLD 1996)

  Girl Scout National Jamborees: Yarra Junction VIC (1994) - „Dziedzictwo” Kariong, NSW (1999)

  Boys Scout National Jamboree: Tumbarrumba NSW (1994)

  National Venturer Scout Hikes : Góra Kościuszki (1990) - Góry Błękitne (1991) - Wyspa Fraser (1992) - Góry Grampians (1993)

  Training Courses:

  Troop Leaders: „Uderzmy w Głąb” (Hobart 1992) - Instructor Course: „Puszcza Ojczysta” (Bielany 1992) - Guides: „Złączeni Węzłem” (Hindmarsh Island 1993) - Guides: „Płomienie” (Hindmarsh Island 1994) - Patrol Leaders: „Drogowskaz II” (Sydney 1996) - Patrol Leaders: „Drogowskaz III” (Brisbane 1997) - Cub Scout Leaders (Brisbane 1998) - Troop Leaders: „Wieniec Liści Laurowych i Dębowych” (Brisbane 1999) - Patrol Leaders: „Harcerskie Szczyty” (Brisbane 1999)

  Newly Registered Troops: - 16ŻDW „Włóczęgi” im hm Heleny Grażyńskiej w Sydney - 17ŻDH „Jutrzenka” im Olgi Małkowskiej w Sydney - 18ZDH „Ekologistki” im Jadwigi Fałkowskiej w Sydney - 23MDH „Westerplatte” im Majera Henryka Suchorskiego w Brisbane

  1990 – The Girl Scout Region introduces new uniforms for Venturer Scouts: navy skirts and grey blouses. Previously, Venturer Scouts wore grey skirts and white blouses.

  1991 – The Chairman of ZHP, hm Stanisław Berkieta, visits Australia.

  1993 – The Chief Commissioner, hm Krystyna Szwagrzak, and Chief Scout, hm Bogdan Szwagrzak, visit Australia.

  1996 – The „Pomorze” District in Brisbane celebrates its 40th anniversary.

  In November 1996, district patches were introduced, and shortly after, a neutral patch was introduced for the District Chair and Region Commanders.

  1997 – The Chief Commissioner, hm Danuta Andersz, visits Australia.

  1999 – The Girl Scout District „Polesie” in Sydney changes its name to „Kraków”.

 2000 -2009

• National Jamborees: 50th Anniversary of Polish Scouting in Australia at Gillwell Scout Park (VIC 2002) - Bielany (NSW 2004) - „Watra” in Hobart (TAS 2007)

  Training Courses: Cub Scout Troop Leaders (Brisbane 2000) - Troop Leaders „Znicz” (Melbourne 2007)

  Venturer Scout Gatherings:

  • „Wyspa Skarbów” Fraser Island (2001)

  2003 – 1st World Venturer Hike „Patrioci” on Fraser Island. This was the first world venturer gathering held in Australia.

  2008 – 2nd World Venturer Hike „Siła Ducha” on the Great North Walk near Sydney, NSW, connected with International Youth Day.

  2002 – The Girl Scout Region Australia introduces practical hats for the uniforms of instructors, girl scouts, and venturers.

  2002 – The Chief Commissioner, hm Teresa Ciecierska, visits Australia.

  2002 – The 2MDH „Puszcza” named after Władysław Jagiełło in Brisbane celebrates its 50th anniversary.

  2007 – On the initiative of the District Chaplain, ks hm Wiesław Słowik, the Kornik Harcerstwa in Victoria for the years 1950–60 was published.

  2004 – The ZHP Australia delegation participates in the ZHP pgk Jamboree in Poland on the 60th anniversary of the Warsaw Uprising.