It was 1972 and the club’s board of directors – S Mikolajski, E Fredericks, J Tomaszewski, P Kunicki, K Chabierski, (pictured front row) W Stanford, S Jaworski, F Pietruch, S Lesniewicz and L Eisak – had used their own homes as collateral to build their beloved club which is this year celebrating its 50th anniversary.
A long-term member of the Polish dancing group which her mother taught, Jolanta said the deeds to their homes were returned within months as soon as the bank debt was repaid.
“The Polish Club has always been a big part of my life,” the club director-secretary said.
“I can still remember the visit of Polish Cardinal Wojtila who would later become Pope John Paul 11, to officially cut the ribbon following the club opening.
“I’ve lost track of all the celebrations that have been held on the years in the club as well as all of our fundraising initiatives.
“Just recently, we raised $40,000 at an auction to help displaced Ukrainians.
“The Polish school used to run out of the club but we still operate our dancing group, table tennis and theatre groups.”
Club membership was around 500 when it first opened and now there are now about 200 as many of the older members have passed away, with many descendants also moving out of the area.
But with a function centre available for booking, an upmarket Polish restaurant, VIP lounge, private dining rooms, bar and entertainment, the Polish Club is more alive than ever.
“We’re all looking forward to the next 50 years,” Yolanta said.
