Polish Constitution Day (3rd May) Celebrations in Melbourne

This year’s Polish Constitution Day celebrations on 2nd and 3rd May were especially meaningful for our community in Melbourne, marked by a unique occasion alongside the official visit to Australia of Władysław Teofil Bartoszewski, Secretary of State at the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, accompanied by Anna Sochańska, Director of the Department for Cooperation with the Polish Diaspora and Poles Abroad.

The first part of the visit took place in Melbourne, bringing a dynamic program of meetings with representatives of the Polish community, local gatherings, official speeches, and visits to long-established Polish institutions that have been nurturing Polish identity and culture in Australia for decades.

An important aspect of the visit included stops at Polish memorial sites, which serve as a reminder of the history and contributions of Polish migrants to Australia — places that hold deep significance for the shared experience of Polish heritage abroad.

During his time in Melbourne, Minister Bartoszewski met with members of the Polish community at Polcare (Polish Community Care Services), attended a formal dinner celebrating the anniversary of the Polish Constitution of 3 May 1791 at the Melbourne Arts Centre, and visited the Polish Sanctuary in Essendon. There, he had the opportunity to meet with Polish scouts, students of Polish schools, and war veterans.

These celebrations and the distinguished visit highlight the strength, unity, and ongoing contribution of the Polish community in Australia, as well as the importance of maintaining cultural ties across generations.