I grew up in Poland and after graduating as a teacher, I worked for a number of years in the Primary schools and Kindergartens.
During the Solidarity uprising in Poland, my husband, two children and I migrated to Australia in 1982. To support my family, I worked for few years as a seamstress at Kortex in West Geelong. After leaving Kortex, I work for 21 years, until my retirement, as the Activities Coordinator at the Multicultural Aged Care Centre in Geelong. It was there that I had the opportunity to meet so many people from different multicultural backgrounds.
Very soon after arriving in Australia, I became heavily involved in the Geelong Polish community.
I taught Polish for 17 years in the Victorian Saturday School of Modern Languages. I was also the dance instructor for the Geelong “Krakowiak” Dance Ensemble for ten years.
I always found it very rewarding to be involved in the organisation of the various Polish functions and events at White Eagle House, where for years I was able to promote our rich Polish culture and heritage in the general Geelong community.
In 2014, I was elected President of Polish Community Association in Geelong, a position, which I have proudly held for just over four years.