Pahiatua Museum

26/10/2026

🇦🇺On a recent holiday in Tasmania, I had the pleasure of finally meeting Izabella Williamson, daughter of Pahiatua Polish child, Edmund Jablonski .

🇦🇺We have corresponded for some time, and I had arranged to meet her with my family at the Salamanca Market, where she and her family sell ice creams and coffee which she generously supplied us all with.The lavender ice cream was a firm favourite.😉

With the 82nd Anniversary coming up next week,I would like descendants in other corners of the earth to know their loved ones are still remembered here in Pahiatua,and are considered part of the biggest family in the world.

🇦🇺While Izabela and likely other descendants too, are far from Polish Associations when people gather to remember the children’s arrival, I would like to share some of her dad’s experiences over the coming week.

🇦🇺Izabela shared these thoughts with me in 2022:

“NZ and the people of Pahiatua welcomed my Dad as a young boy escaping the war with open arms, for which he is forever grateful.
And he has so many memories of his time.”

25/10/2026

NZ National Film Unit films the visit of Archbishop O'Shea (NZ Metropolitan) to the Polish Children's Camp in Pahiatua, 25 January 1945.
Some girls surrounding the Archbishop are named as follows: ‘Dac Maria. Nowacka Regina. Adamczyk Jadwiga. Kaczon Rozalia. Wierzbicka Irena. Pacanowska Zofia. Holownia Danuta aka Czerna-Holownia. Antoniak Maria’.
Image source: PHTM #533-24 'National Film Unit' / Zawada Collection

22/10/2026

21/10/2026

A lovely sunny day for this group of ladies from the Terrace End Probus Club to explore Pahiatua.🌷
Very interesting to learn from Ann Boniface (née Gray) that she had one of the Polish working boys living with her family in Hawera-Bronislaw Gmyterko.
Sadly, Bronislaw’s sister died at the camp from Influenza in 1948 aged 17 years, (Bronislaw just 12 years old at the time ) and is buried at the Mangatainoka Cemetery.
He became like a brother to Ann and she has many happy memories of Bronislaw and his young Polish friends.
Upon his death some years ago, and having no family of his own,good friends of Bronislaw donated his Polish medal to the museum which Ann is holding.

20/10/2026

❤️How very special to be able to spend time with Polish ‘child’ Anna today,along with daughter, Basia,and son-in- law Murray.
I asked Anna about her favourite early memory of arriving as a young nine year old.She described the wonderful sight of all the colourful houses on the hillsides in Wellington which looked like something out of a fairytale.This contrasted with the greyness of Persia.
Thank you for sharing your memories Anna.❤️🌷

20/10/2026

What an asset the talented Kate and the Repertory Society is to our community.😘

PRODUCTION TEAM - PETER PAN JR 🎭

Choreographer | Kate Tua-Davidson 🌟

Kate is a local Dance/Fitness instructor and the owner of Base Movement fitness 🏋🏼‍♀️

An intro from Kate ⬇️

“Teaching and supporting our tamariki is a big passion of mine, so when asked if I’d like to join the Peter Pan production team I jumped at the chance. Knowing how much performing builds confidence and creates joy for all, it was an easy decision. Everyone has worked really hard on this project, I can’t wait to see our little stars shine.” ✨

We are so happy to have Kate on board with her expertise, passion, and energy for dance! Thank you for joining the Peter Pan Junior team at PRS 🙌🏼

20/10/2026

🇵🇱Thank you to visitor on Sunday, Roman Jaques, who donated these ‘Ship News’ from the Hellenic Prince to our display.
🇵🇱Roman has also provided his mother’s story as a DP- well known local lady Erica Jaques.❤️

19/10/2026

Thank you to those who have responded to our invitation.Its quite likely we will have four of our Polish children join us for Sunday mass.That’s wonderful.😘
Just a reminder it’s not too late to join us.😉