Tuesday, 21 June 2022

Polish community organisations

Ms SULEYMAN (St Albans) (12:43): I rise today to congratulate the Polish Community Council of Victoria on their 60th anniversary, an organisation that has contributed so much to Victoria. I want to especially thank Elżbieta Dziedzic, the first female president of PCCV, for her leadership in steering PCCV over the last 2½ years. I want to also thank the past president, the late Marian Pawlik OAM, a great friend of mine. I recently had the opportunity to join my good friends in the Polish community for a gala night celebrating over 60 years of successful community engagement in sports, folk dance, language and social supports.

I am particularly proud of the Albion Polish Club for all the work that they are doing. In particular I was part of the $800 000 investment in the club and also the Western Eagles football club in redeveloping their site and really making it a place not only for the Polish community of the western suburbs but also for other community groups. It has become one of the most successful community organisations and soccer clubs, I would say, in Melbourne. It is the envy of the Polish club in Rowville; they love coming out to Albion and seeing the fantastic facilities that are on offer thanks to our government.