July 2022 Report
Greetings from Poland where I am currently enjoying precious time with family in Kielce and the Holy Cross Mountain region. As always, the Polish summer is gloriously warm and sunny.
Back in Milton, there have been some exciting new developments that I’d like to share with you. First of all, the long awaited solar panels have finally been installed! As many of you will know, in 2020, Polonia received Federal Government funding for the installation of solar panels to improve our energy efficiency and save on electricity costs. However, the project was stalled until we could upgrade
Polonia’s electrical infrastructure to support the solar connection. Thanks to strong trading in the final quarter of
2021, we amassed the necessary funds to purchase a custom-built main switchboard, which was installed in June, and the panels were installed and connected in mid-July. This project was beset by many challenges including delays arising from the impacts of COVID-19 and the February floods. At times it felt like a Herculean effort to get it completed, so we are thrilled it is finally done and we look forward to the cost savings ahead! We are very pleased with the work of the solar supplier/installers, MC Electrical, who were very good to deal with and very understanding of our situation.
We owe tremendous thanks to Polonia member Juliusz Ciapała and his family company AA Electrical & Air for donating their services for the switchboard upgrade, and persevering despite various challenges – this saved Polonia thousands of dollars in electrician’s fees. Thanks also to member Bob Gur and Polonia Secretary, Eliza Hess, who provided invaluable assistance for this project. Finally, we would like to acknowledge the generous funding for the solar panels provided by the Commonwealth Department of Industry through its Community Energy Efficiency and Solar Grants program.
The second notable development of the past month is that we have a new tenant for the café tenancy on Polonia’s lower ground floor. The outgoing tenant was no longer in a position to maintain the lease and sourced a replacement tenant to take over the existing lease. We would like to welcome Trong Bui and his business “Vietnam House” to the space. You may recognise the name as they have an existing Vietnamese restaurant of the same name in Fortitude Valley; the Milton location represents their first expansion into suburban Brisbane. They will be open for business once they complete a refurbishment of the tenancy. If you’d like some “pho” to complement your pierogi, pay them a visit!
Following the changeover in tenants, we need to dispose of some large items including metal shelving, a large bain-marie, a deep fryer, old chairs, and some kitchen appliances. Some of these items may be suitable for metal recycling. If you have a trailer and are willing to assist us free of charge or for a small fee, please contact secretary@polonia.org.au.
In other developments, thank you for the positive feedback about the new Polonia website (Click here to view: Polonia). We would like to acknowledge the work of member and web designer Kasia Blumberg, who created a fresh and modern design that we are proud to use as the home of Polonia online. We are working with Kasia to add additional features including a payment portal that will enable online credit card payments for membership, donations, and more. And for all those who have asked, rest assured, work has begun on the Polish version!
Our next project is upgrading Polonia’s IT infrastructure, so stay tuned for future reports on that front. If any of you are IT specialists and would like to be involved, please contact president@polonia.org.au.
The July winner of our children’s colouring competition has been selected and has won a free children’s meal from the restaurant. A new image for August is now available. A reminder that pictures must be coloured-in by children whilst at the club. At the end of each month, a winner will be selected by Polonia’s kitchen staff. Entry forms will be available from the staff. Happy colouring!
Our “Zabawa Zakopiańska” on 9 July was a fun evening and raised over $1,500 towards ongoing maintenance and running costs of our rural retreat “Zakopane”. Thank you to Management Committee member Ala Tabor and her team of volunteers for organising such wonderful decorations and raffle prizes, and to all who attended and supported this event. Committee Member Robert Myszkowski and the “Zakopane” subcommittee have put in countless hours of work over the past year in maintaining the property including installing a new water pump and hot water system, replacing burst pipes, replacing cabin roofing, maintaining the access road, and keeping the lantana and other weeds under control. Special thanks to all involved, especially Jurek Zając and Tomek Krasucki.
Bookings for “Zakopane” are now open to the end of June 2023. For more information or to book your stay, please email zakopane@polonia.org.au. Note, “Zakopane” is a private property owned by Polonia and is for the exclusive use of our members.
Don’t forget the next Polonia Market Day will be on Saturday, 13th August. Doors open to the public at 9am and we will be open until 1pm (or until sold out). Our range of stalls will feature regular favourites and we’ll be grilling krańskis in the beer garden, with the downstairs bar open from 10am. Come and try our delicious “grzaniec” (mulled wine), which has been a hit with patrons over the winter months! The Polonia restaurant will be open from 11am until 2pm and then again from 5pm until 9pm. We encourage you to reserve a table by calling 3369 2747. The Library will be open from 9am until midday.
We are in the process of planning events for the second half of the year including a film screening, concerts featuring Polish performers, and Polonia’s Annual General Meeting (AGM). We will also continue to host events organised by various Polish groups and others, including the Brisbane Polish School’s Harvest Festival “Zabawa” (Dance Party) coming up on 20th August and Gary Williamson’s The Plastic Age alternative 80s music dance party on 27th August. The Polish Club continues to be one of Brisbane’s best venues for dancing the night away – come see for yourself!
We are still searching for motivated and experienced casual Kitchen Staff, Front-of-House (Maître d’) Staff and Wait Staff. The Management Committee would very much like to expand what Polonia can offer to its members and the public, but this is simply not feasible until we secure additional staff. If you know of anyone interested in work on a casual “as-needed” or roster basis, in particular for Friday and Saturday shifts, please invite them to make contact via: president@polonia.org.au. Polish language skills are advantageous but not essential.
Please share this opportunity among your networks.
Have you renewed your Polonia membership yet? Join over 250 members who have already renewed and keep enjoying your discounts and other member benefits while providing much needed financial support to Polonia through your membership funds. Information about renewing your membership is available on our new website. Click here for “Membership”. You can also renew in person at the Club.
MEMBERSHIP FEES
Ordinary Membership (you must be Polish or of Polish descent)
- $55 Couple
- $33 Single
- $33 Pensioner Couple
- $22 Single Pensioner
- $22 Student Member (over 18 years of age) Associate Membership (for non-Polish persons)
- $22 Associate Member (all categories)
BANK ACCOUNT DETAILS
Please make your Membership payment at any Westpac Bank branch or using online banking. You can also pay in cash or card at the Club.
Account Name: “Polonia” Polish Association of Queensland Inc. BSB: 034072 Account Number: 321095
In order to assist us process your payment:
- Write your initial and surname in the Reference/Description line (so we know who the payment is from).
- Forward a confirmation of payment to secretary@polonia.org.au or by post to 10 Marie St, Milton QLD 4064 (so we can verify payment and process your membership application).
- Bring your current membership card to Polonia for updating.
Important: If we cannot identify your payment, we will not be able to process your membership application or renewal.
See you when I get back in Mid-August. I’ll be more than happy to share my 2022 experience of Poland.
Henry Kurylewski
President
01.08.2022
To stay fully informed about what is happening at “Polonia”, I encourage you to regularly look at the calendar on our new website: Click here to see “Events” and follow our Facebook page: Click here to go to our Facebook page and/or our Instagram account: Click here to go to our Instagram page.