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New Zealand's First Refugees: Pahiatua's Polish Children

Recreation and culture

Recreation and culture

On Sunday afternoons, the girls would play tennis, basketball or netball, go out for a walk or organise a dance to which boys from the Polish Boys' Hostel, and later Polish ex-soldiers, would come. Father Leahy strongly supported the Polish basketball team Białe Orły (the White Eagles). With his encouragement they even won a tournament in 1951, beating the best team in Wellington.

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Sometimes Polish plays would be put on. Often you could hear somebody singing, practising the piano or playing records. The piano was paid for from the profits of a concert held in St Francis' Hall in which girls from the hostel took part.

Church feast days, national days (such as the Polish Constitution day on 3 May), Christmas, important visits and the 10th anniversary of the Polish children's arrival in New Zealand gave opportunities to put on a concert for which Polish dances, songs and recitations had to be learned. In 1955, Professor Rytel, a well-known Pole from the US who visited the hostel, was amazed at how well the children spoke Polish. One frustration was the lack of written or recorded music – it had to be recalled from memory and played by ear.

The costumes for dancing, on the other hand, dropped from heaven! Father Leon Broel-Plater, who replaced Father Michał Wilniewczyc as the Polish chaplain, received US$1,000 from the US – a present for the children. From that money, material was bought to make Polish costumes and there was great rejoicing when they were finished.

Life was happy and busy.

Monsignor Arthur McRae addresses the 10th anniversary gathering of the Polish Children's arrival in New Zealand at the Polish Girls' Hostel in Lyall Bay, Wellington, in 1955 (the children arrived on 1 November 1944). To his right is Stefania Sondej (Manterys)

Monsignor Arthur McRae addresses the 10th anniversary gathering of the Polish Children's arrival in New Zealand at the Polish Girls' Hostel in Lyall Bay, Wellington, in 1955 (the children arrived on 1 November 1944). To his right is Stefania Sondej (Manterys)