COMPETITION FOR YOUNG POLES IN AUSTRALIA

April 17, 2026

The Polish Australian Education Committee (KOPA) invites children and youth from Australia to participate in a unique competition: „100 Years That Connect Poland – Railways in the Eyes of Young Polonia.

Contest „100 Years That Unite Poland – The Railway in the Eyes of Young Polonia” it is organized to commemorate one of the Patrons of the Year 2026 – Polish Railways. 2026 marks the centenary of the establishment of Polish State Railways. The Sejm's resolution highlighted that Polish State Railways and its employees – both past and present – have significantly contributed to the building and strengthening of Polish statehood, shaping the ethos of service to Poland, and working towards the development of modern public transport.

The aim of the Competition is also to broaden the knowledge of Polish diaspora children and youth about Polish State Railways, to develop interests related to railways, to develop creative skills (literary, artistic, and technical), and to develop language competencies in using the Polish language.

The competition is organized in the following artistic and age categories:

plastic – age categories: 5–8, 9–12, 13–18 years;
Literary – age categories: 10–13, 14–18 years old;
multimedia – age categories: 10–13, 14–18 years.

Submissions should be sent electronically to: polisheducationau@gmail.com.

Artistic works must also be sent by traditional mail (details in the regulations).

Each participant can report one, self-made job.

Contest schedule:

Contest AnnouncementApril 17, 2026
Submission deadline: August 16, 2026
Evaluation of literary and multimedia works by the Competition Committee: August 17–31, 2026
Public art competition voting: August 24–30, 2026
Results announcement: September 1, 2026
Email delivery of diplomas and listing of awards: October 2026

The competition was held under the honorary patronage of the Embassy of the Republic of Poland in Canberra, the Consulate General of the Republic of Poland in Sydney, and Polish State Railways S.A. The competition is supported by the media: „Tygodnik Polski,” Puls Polonii portal, and the Polonia in Victoria portal.

The sponsors of the awards in the competition are: Polish State Railways S.A., the Educational Commission of Australian Polonia, and the Federation of Polish Organizations in Victoria.