Poland in Australia

As a result of 2019-20 bushfire season – the most catastrophic ever experienced in the country’s history, 33% of the Kosciuszko National Park completely burned, threatening many unique and previously endangered species with extinction. In an expression of solidarity, on the initiative of volunteer firefighters from Poręba Spytkowska in southern Poland, 420,000 PLN were collected for the restoration of the park. The funds were symbolically handed over to the Australian Ambassador to Poland, Lloyd Brodrick at the ceremony on 13 February 2020 in the presence of the President of the Republic of Poland Andrzej Duda. Additional funds for the restoration of Kosciuszko Park were also transferred by the Polish community in Australia.

On 18 February 2021 a joint field trip to the Kosciuszko National Park took place with the participation of Michał Kołodziejski – Ambassador of Poland to Australia, Mick Pettitt – Director of Southern Ranges Branch, NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service and David Pumphrey – Director of the National Parks and Wildlife Foundation and Chair of the Projects Committee. They visited the areas where the ongoing recovery works are funded by Polish donations. In addition to the significance of the amount of support provided, prompt transfer of funds was of great importance. In order for the damage not to be irretrievable, first protection measures had to be taken without delay, before winter. These were possible thanks to rapid fundraising by volunteer firefighters and assistance in transferring the money offered by the Foundation for National Parks and Wildlife (FNPW).

Polish funds help restoring the habitat of the most endangered species, such as Mountain Pygmy Possum, Microbat, Broad-toothed Rat and Smokey Mouse; reclaiming and preventing soil erosion on mountain slopes absorbed by fire. While the first necessary actions were taken in a timely manner, the full recovery process will have many distinctive phases stretched over decades. The dominant trees found in Kosciuszko National Park are Eucalyptus pauciflora (Snow Gum tree) which, compared to other lowland subspecies, do not regenerate after being caught by fire. Until new trees have grown up, the situation of the animals inhabiting the area remains uncertain.

Kosciuszko National Park with Mount Kosciuszko, the tallest mountain peak in mainland Australia, is of particular importance to Poles and the Polish community in Australia, and carries out a symbolic role in the history of Polish-Australian relations. 181 years ago Polish explorer and traveller Paweł Strzelecki climbed the mountain and named it after the Polish national hero.

The local Aboriginal communities of Monaro Ngarigo and Wiradjuri Wolgalu also have deep cultural connections to the Kosciuszko National Park. The park has a rich Aboriginal and European history, and individual mountains, their people and their exploits have become a part of cultural heritage and helped shape Australia's national identity.