| Strzelecki: 1840 Omeo to Melbourne.Commemorating a multi-cultural journey across Gippsland.Omeo in East Gippsland Victoria will hold a weekend of multi-cultural Celebration, Commemoration and Recognition commencing on Friday 27 March 2020 to Sunday 29 March 2020 at the Omeo Soldiers Memorial Hall. Kosciuszko Heritage Inc. will host the Community Event to celebrate 180th anniversary of naming Mt Kosciuszko and exploration of Gippsland. The event will include Kosciuszko Book Launch, and Strzelecki The Hero of the Great Irish Famine exhibition. A conference and multicultural concert including energetic Polish folkloric dances, musical collaboration performances and an evening dance will also take place.
It is 180 years since Polishman Paul Edmund Strzelecki, English immigrants James Macarthur and James Riley their assistants Englishman James Nolan and John Rent of African descent were ably guided by their Indigenous guides Charlie Tarra and Jackey on a journey from Sydney across Gippsland in south-eastern Australia. The journey included the naming of Mt Kosciuszko. The last two stopovers of the travelling group were close to the present-day Omeo township at the Stations of Edmond Buckley an established Irishman, and Lachlan Macalister a well established Scotsman.
Count Strzelecki and his companions arrived in Melbourne on 19 May 1840 and Paul Edmund Strzelecki promptly named the newly traversed south east region of Australia “Gipps Land”.
Quote: “Along the way through Gippsland, the travelling exploration group led by Strzelecki suffered hardship and were fortunate to be guided by Indigenous man Charley Tarra. This was a truly multi-cultural and significant event in Australia’s history.” said Dr Ernestyna Skurjat-Kozek, President, Kosciuszko Heritage Inc.
“It is hoped that this event will be well attended by the community as a Celebration of Multi-culturalism.”
Our next event will take place in May 2020 in Tumbarumba.
FURTHER INFORMATION - Contact
Dr Ernestyna Skurjat-Kozek
President, Kosciuszko Heritage Inc.
& Editor, Puls Polonii
office@kosciuszkoheritage.com
Ph. (02) 9484 1740
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