New Zealand's First Refugees: Pahiatua's Polish Children
Farewell – 9 March 1958
Farewell – 9 March 1958
Sunday. The day began with a Mass celebrated at St Anne's church by Father Broel-Plater. After Mass, the Polish community in Wellington gathered in St Anne's hall. It was full but the people were subdued. The following people gave speeches, all thanking the Sisters and regretting their departure – Father O'Neil (representing Archbishop McKeefry), the Polish chaplain Father Broel-Plater, Ellinor Zaleska (wife of the last delegate of the Polish Government-in-Exile), Kazimierz Wodzicki (the last Consul of independent Poland), Bronisław Nawrocki (president of the Polish Association), Jerzy Pobóg-Jaworowski (president of the Polish Ex-Combatants Association) and Stefania Sondej (Manterys) on behalf of the hostel girls.