2016 “Henryk Sławik Award” Presentation

March 29, 2016

The Henryk Sławik Award is presented in honour of the spirit of the life and deeds of Henryk Sławik, (saving over thirty thousand lives in occupied Hungary, five thousand of those being Jews). The ASPJ’s Board of Management of the ASPJ has decided to honour individuals who, or organisations which, have worked towards enhancing mutual respect and understanding between the Polish and Jewish communities.

The recipient of the 2016 Award is Krzysztof Łancucki OAM,
Past President of the Polish Community Council of Victoria (PCCV).

Krzysztof has a long history of serving Australia’s Polish community. When the ASPJ became active almost seven years ago, it was he who extended his hands in friendship. He opened the door to the Polish community for not only the ASPJ, but for the entire Jewish community.

Following an introduction by ASPJ President Bernard Korbman OAM, others to speak included current PCCV President Marian Pawlik, Krzysztof’s daughter, Monika, who spoke on behalf of her siblings, and Victoria State MP’s David Southwick and Nick Wakeling, who jointly presented the Award.

Guests were also entertained by two members of Klezmania, David Krycer and Lionel Mrocki, and later by our own Moshe Fiszman, who recited Yiddish and Polish poetry as only he can.

The 2016 Award was presented in the presence of the Honorary Polish Consul-General in Melbourne, Dr.George Łuk-Kozika who, himself, was the recipient of the inaugural Award in 2011.