Polish refugee Bogdan Platek has been recognised for his remarkable contributions to Victoria. 49441
By Tania Martin
BOGDAN Platek has been honoured for dedicated his life to nurturing Polish culture in Australia after fleeing his homeland more than 26 year ago.
The Healesville Polana Camp volunteer has become a reluctant hero after being named as one of 20 immigrants recognised for their remarkable contributions to Victoria.
He was rewarded with A Victorian Refugee Recognition Record for his work with the Victorian Polish Community since arriving in 1984.
Mr Platek has dedicated his life to supporting local organisations including the Polana Camp in Healesville.
He is also the president of the Polish Association in Melbourne.
Mr Platek said he was amazed by the gong and couldn’t believe his work had been recognised.
He has been instrumental in setting up a hiking camp at Polana in Healesville for Polish teenagers between 12 and 16.
It all started more than 10 years ago when his children where attending the Polana Camp.
But the organisation only had activities for kids up to the age of 12.
“We wanted to do something for those older ones and came up with a hiking camp,” Mr Platek said.
“I liked hiking and we thought we would give it a try, this was nine years ago.”
Mr Platek said the camp was mainly for children from Polish backgrounds but they were also welcome to bring their friends along.
He said the camp was a great way for kids to maintain their Polish heritage. “It’s a good lesson for them.
“It’s very important to maintain their heritage to communicate with grandparents or if they want to follow their roots and go to Poland one day,” Mr Platek said.
He has dedicated the award to his family and all the people who help run the Polana Camp.
“It’s not just for me but for everyone,” Mr Platek said.
Mr Platek said he never regretted making the move to Australia.
He escaped from the grasp of the secret police after serving more than a year in jail. Mr Platek had joined the Solidarity trade union movement in the 1980s which was opposing the Communist government.
The union was banned by the Polish Government and many of its members went underground.
After more than a year in prison waiting for his day in court, Mr Platek was released after the government proclaimed an amnesty on those involved in the Solidarity movement.
Despite gaining freedom, he was still detained on several occasions by militia, sometimes for a few hours or even a day.
“My family didn’t know where I was or what was going on,” Mr Platek said.
Mr Platek said at this time those who had been involved in the movement were given government grants to help with their immigration to another country.
He was just 28 when he arrived on Australian with his wife and son.
“It was the first time we had experienced such freedom.
“I had never travelled to a country before that had not been under the Russian power,” Mr Platek said.
“It’s been a great move.”
