FEDERATION OF POLISH ORGANISATIONS IN SA (Inc)

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 of coordinating the activities of Polish organisations.

The Federation is an umbrella body for 19 Polish Organizations (link») 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 Federation 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. The worker over the years has been providing a counselling and referral service to the Polish community at large and a settlement service to the newly arrived migrants from Poland. The worker assisted in the establishment of youth, seniors’ and women’s support groups and more recently has established a carers support group. This scheme, which was later called the Community Settlement Service ceased to receive government funding from September 2003.

The Emergency Relief Program was introduced in 1984 to provide financial relief to people in crisis. This program is funded by the Department for Families and Communities.

In 1988 through the efforts of the Federation and with funding from the Federal Government, the Port Adelaide Central Mission purchased a Nursing Home (St. Teresa’s) in Croydon giving priority of access to individuals from Polish background.

Since 1990 the Polish Link with Seniors Coordinating Committee has addressed the specific needs of the Polish elderly. The Vice- President of the FPO is automatically elected to the position as Chairperson of this Committee. This Committee coordinates and supports the activities of the 9 Senior’s clubs that meet in the Metropolitan area.

In 1992 through the efforts of the Federation and with funding from the Federal Government, Southern Cross Care (Inc) built the John Paul II Hostel in Klemzig giving priority of access to Polish residents.

In 2001 the Federation received funding from the Department of Health and Ageing to set up Community Care Service with 25 Community Aged Care Packages. This service began as a collaborative venture with Uniting Care Wesley Bowden but from 2006 has operated completely independently. All staff members (Coordinator and care-workers) are of Polish background ensuring that the service is culturally and linguistically appropriate for the needs of clients.

In 2003 the Federation received funding through the Home and Community Care Program to provide a Polish Social Support Service. Through this service volunteers provide social support and transport.

In September 2004 also through funding from Home and Community Care, the Federation began a pilot program of home delivered Polish Meals. This program provides hot meals to 20 members of the ageing Polish population living in the Western Suburbs 5 days per week. The meals are prepared by a professional chef working from Dom Kopernika at Athol Park.

In May 2006, through funding from the Department of Families and Communities, the Federation employed an Ethnic Aged Care Worker whose program promotes active and healthy ageing among the Polish Community.
Through its programs, the Federation aims to support the Polish community by offering a wide range of services.

The Federation offers services such as:

• Referral service
• Financial assistance via the Emergency Relief Program
• Monthly information sessions
• Meetings and support to Polish carers
• Consultations and meetings with other agencies and organisations Close working relations with the polish monthly “Panorama”
• Close working relations with the polish radio programs
• Home visits to those unable to come to the Federation Offices
• Provide assistance to those with language difficulties eg. Filling out forms, making appointments etc

*  *
 

The Federation of Polish Organisations in South Australia has formed the following Committees (link»):

• Polish Link with Seniors
• St Teresa’s Nursing Home Advisory Committee
• John Paul II Advisory Committee
• Polish Hill River Church Museum
• Migration Museum