The competition “100 years that unite Poland – railways through the eyes of the young Polish diaspora” is organised to commemorate one of the 2026 Year Patrons – Polish Railways. In 2026, the centenary of the establishment of Polish State Railways falls due. In the resolution of the Sejm, attention was drawn to the fact that Polish State Railways and their employees – both those of the past and those currently serving – have made a significant contribution to the building and strengthening of Polish statehood, the shaping of the ethos of service to Poland, as well as to work for the development of modern public transport.

The aim of the Competition is also to broaden the knowledge of children and young people of Polish origin regarding Polish State Railways, to develop interests related to rail transport, to develop creative skills (literary, artistic and technical), and to enhance language competence in the use of the Polish language.

The Competition is organised in the following artistic and age categories:

•  visual arts category – age groups: 5–8, 9–12, 13–18 years;

•  literary category – age groups: 10–13, 14–18 years;

•  multimedia category – age groups: 10–13, 14–18 years.

Entries should be submitted electronically to: polisheducationau@gmail.com.

Visual arts works must also be sent by post (details in the rules).

Each participant may submit one independently created work.

Competition schedule:

• Competition announcement: 17 April 2026

• Submission deadline: 16 August 2026

• Assessment of literary and multimedia works by the Competition Committee: 17–31 August 2026

• Public voting on visual arts works: 24–30 August 2026

• Announcement of results: 1 September 2026

Email dispatch of diplomas and postal dispatch of prizes: October 2026

The Competition has been granted 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. The Competition is supported by the media by: the Polish Diaspora Portal in Victoria, “Tygodnik Polski” and the Puls Polonii portal.

The prizes in the Competition are funded by: Polish State Railways, the Australian Polish Education Committee and the Federation of Polish Organisations in Victoria.

Download the materials here to take part in the contest.