COMMITTEE
Management Committee
President
Henry Kurylewski
Polish heritage
Born in Brisbane to post WWII Polish migrants, native fluency in Polish and English
Involvement in the Polish community to date
- Artistic Director: Polish Song & Dance Company of Brisbane "Obertas" (39 years)
- Artistic Director: 5 individual Festivals of Polish Visual & Performing Arts "PolArt" (15 years)
- Committee Member: Polish Community Council of Australia (6 years)
- Secretary: "Polonia" Polish Association of Queensland (3 years)
- Polish Tutor: UQ Institute of Modern Languages (5 years)
- Teacher: Polish Saturday School (5 years)
- Scout Leader: Polish Scout movement (10 years)
- Student Polish Saturday School (10 years)
- Altar Boy: Our Lady of Victories Parish (10 years)
- Current membership of Polish organisations in Queensland includes the “Kościuszko” Polish Association, Darra, the Polish Ex-Serviceman’s Association (SPK Koło Nr. 8, Capalaba), and "Polonia" Polish Association of Queensland
Awards
- 2021: Pro Patria Medal: To honour persons especially distinguished in cultivating the memory of the struggle for the independence of the Homeland
- 2017: National Education Commission of Poland Medal (for significant services toward Education and Youth Formation)
- 2009: Polish Community Council of Australia Medal (for signification contributions toward Polish Culture in Australia)
- 2003: Honorary Life Member of the Polish Association of Queensland (in recognition of outstanding service to the Polish community through the promotion of Polish Culture in Australia)
- 2001: Polish Consul General’s Commendation (for significant contributions toward Polish Culture in Australia through PolArt 2000)
- 1999: Queensland Multicultural Service Award (in recognition of outstanding volutary service and contribution to the promotion of multiculturism and improved community relations in Queensland)
- 1999: Polish Consul General’s Commendation (for significant contributions toward Polish Culture in Australia through Folkloric Song and Dance)
- 1990: Poland’s Silver Cross of Merit (for significant contributions toward Polish Culture in Australia through Language Education and Folkloric Song and Dance)
Polish organisation represented
Polish Song & Dance Company of Brisbane “Obertas”
Academic qualifications
- Diploma of Teaching (Kelvin Grove CAE)
- Graduate Diploma in Religious Education (ACU)
- Bachelor of Education (Brisbane CAE)
- Master of Educational Leadership (ACU)
Professional Background
- Secondary Teacher (43 years)
- Assistant Principal (12 years)
Vice-President
Chris Dutkowski
Polish heritage
Born in Melbourne to post WWII Polish migrants, fluent in Polish and English
Involvement in the Polish community to date
- Scout Instructor: Polish Scouting Association ZHP (30 years) including current position of National Chairperson (5 years)
- Chairperson “PolArt 2018” Brisbane
- Executive Committee “PolArt 2000” Brisbane
- Performer at 3 PolArt Festivals; Executive Committee “PolArt 2000” Brisbane
- Dancer in 3 Polish Folkloric Ensembles: “Polonez”, “Obertas” and “Wisła”
- Polish School student
- Youth Leader: “Polana” Youth Camps (4 years)
- Cub and scout: Polish Scouting Association ZHP
Awards
- 2019: Polish Community Council of Australia Medal (for significant contributions toward Polish Culture in Australia)
Polish organisation represented
Polish Scouting Association Z.H.P in Australia – ZHP
Academic qualifications
- Diploma of Art (Industrial Design)
- Bachelor of Built Environment (Industrial Design)
Professional Background
- State and National Sales Roles within the graphics, printing and design industry
Secretary
Waldek Duda
Polish heritage
Born, university qualified and professionally trained in Poland; native fluency in Polish and English
Involvement in the Polish community to date
- Management Committee member: Polish Association Incorporated, Darra
- Co-partner: Polish cultural, art, textiles and design touring experiences “Experience Poland”
Polish organisation represented
”Kościuszko” Polish Association, Darra
Academic qualifications
- Bachelor of Law and Administration (MCS University, Lublin, Poland)
- Master of Comparative Law (UQ)
Professional Background
- Finance Law (Poland)
- Taxation & Superannuation Law, Commercial Litigation (Australia)
Vice-Secretary
Jason Mordacz
Polish heritage
Born in Brisbane to post WWII Polish migrants
Involvement in the Polish community to date
- Committee Member of Kosciuszko Polish Association of Darra (1 year)
- Student: Polish Saturday School Darra (3 years)
- Altar boy: Our Lady of Sacred Heart Darra (5 Years)
Polish organisation represented
”Kościuszko” Polish Association, Darra
Professional Background
- Senior Manager – Toyota Motor Corporation Australia (Northern Region)
Treasurer
Anna Sierkiewicz
Polish heritage
Born in Tczew, Poland, emigrated to Australia in 1984, fluent in English and Polish
Involvement in the Polish community to date
- Treasurer: KPH “Pomorze” in 2019
- Performer: Polish church choir (6 years)
- Participant: many Polish summer camps at “Polana” Healesville
- Student: Polish Saturday School (7 years)
- Student in Poland: Year 3 & Year 8
Polish organisation represented
Koło Przyjaciół Harcerstwa “Pomorze”
Academic qualifications
- VCE both in English & Polish School
- Cert II & IV in Information Technology
- Diploma in Hardware Development
- Cert IV in Business Management
- MYOB Certificate in Accounting for Non-Accountants
Professional Background
- IT Help Desk
- Administration
- Finance Officer
- Finance Manager
Vice-Treasurer
Darren Koropatwa
Polish heritage
Born in Parczew, Poland, to Polish parents, emigrated to Australia as a child in 1971, fluent in English and Polish
Involvement in the Polish community to date
- Treasurer: "Polonia" Brisbane (late 1980's)
- Dancer and original member: "Wisła" (2010 - present)
- Dancer and original member: "Obertas": 1982 - 2009 (27 years)
- Dancer and original member: Koło Młodzieży Polskie (KMP) 1981 - 1982 (2 years)
- Student: Polish Saturday School, Darra (10 years)
- Current membership of Polish organisations in Queensland includes "Polonia" Polish Association of Qld, Milton, "Kościuszko" Polish Association, Darra, and the Polish Ex-Serviceman's Association (SPK Koło Nr 8, Capalaba)
Polish organisation represented
Polish Song and Dance Group “Wisła”
Academic qualifications
- Bachelor Bus Accountancy (QUT-Gardens Point)
- Diploma in Policing (QPSA)
- Cert IV in Training and Assessment
Professional Background
- Manager in Banking Industry (Westpac) - 6 years
- Police Officer (24 years in General Duties and Specialist Policing)
Public Relations Officer
Eliza Hess
Polish heritage
Born in Bielsko-Biala, Poland; native fluency in Polish and English; emigrated to Australia as a child under the refugee migrant program in 1982
Involvement in the Polish community to date
- Student: Polish Saturday School (10 years)
- Dancer: Polish Song & Dance Company of Brisbane "Obertas" (3 years)
- Scout: Polish Scout movement (3 years)
- Current membership of Polish organisations in Queensland includes the Polish Australian Creative Club, Polish Literary Club, “Kościuszko” Polish Association, Darra, and the Polish Ex-Serviceman’s Association (SPK Koło Nr. 8, Capalaba)
Polish organisation represented
Polish-Australian Creative Club
Academic qualifications
- BA - Japanese language (UQ)
- LLB (UQ)
- LLM (Columbia University)
- GradCert - Creative Industries Management (QUT)
- Currently undertaking a GradCert - Policy & Governance (QUT)
Professional Background
- Lawyer with almost 20 years of professional experience in the legal field in Australia and the United States working across specialties including intellectual property, telecommunications, immigration, and legal education