The Polish Educational Commission of Australia wishes to announce the results of the competition "100 Years that Connect Poland – Railways through the Eyes of Young Polish Australians", organised for Polish-Australian children and youth 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 the Polish State Railways (PKP).

A total of 39 entries across three artistic categories were submitted to the competition: 30 artworks, 7 literary works, and 2 multimedia works. Participants representing three states took part: Western Australia, New South Wales, and Victoria.

The literary and multimedia entries were assessed by the adjudicators, Anna Kryj (NSW) and Anna Danikiewicz (WA). The results are as follows:

Literary Category

• In the 10–13 age group, first place was awarded to Oliwa Podolska-Wacholska (VIC), second place to Olivia Jasińska (WA), and third place to Ola Lomman (WA).

• In the 14–18 age group, first place was awarded to Oskar Lomman (WA), second place to Mieszko Augustyniak (WA), and third place to Oscar Storey (WA).

Multimedia Category

• In the 10–13 age group, first place was awarded to Mialina Angell (NSW). Second and third places were not awarded.

• In the 14–18 age group, first place was awarded to Albert Rawdanowicz (VIC). Second and third places were not awarded.

Art Category

The artworks were assessed via a public vote held from 24 to 30 September 2026 on the Educational Commission's Facebook page. The winning entries were determined by the highest number of "thumbs up" and "heart" reactions.

• In the 5–8 age group, first place was awarded to Natalia Villapando (NSW), second place to Robert Borczon (WA), and third place to Hanna Pasalich (WA). The Competition Committee also awarded highly commended certificates to: Alaric Mannah (NSW), Henry Stasiak (WA), Maya Silich (WA), Kora Jeziak (WA), and Eliza Podolska-Wacholska (VIC).

• In the 9–12 age group, first place was awarded to Jakub Taskov (NSW), second place to Maksymilian Lomman (WA), and third place to Helen Siewiera (VIC). The Competition Committee also awarded highly commended certificates to: Felix Sharp (VIC), Viktoria Zarzecki (VIC), Pola Ejsmont (WA), Louka Fruleux (WA), Adam Rakowski (WA), and Lilian Siewiera (VIC).

An exhibition of all artworks submitted to the competition will be held on 25 September 2026 during a teachers' meeting at the Embassy of the Republic of Poland in Canberra.

Prizes for the laureates of the competition have been sponsored by the Polish State Railways (PKP) and the Perpetual Fund of the Polish Community Council of Australia. Every participant will receive a certificate of participation.

The presentation of awards will be facilitated through representatives of the Educational Commission in the respective states. 

We express our sincere gratitude to all participants for their involvement in the competition "100 Years that Connect Poland – Railways through the Eyes of Young Polish Australians", which marked the centenary of the establishment of the Polish State Railways.

We wish to acknowledge and thank our honorary patrons – the Embassy of the Republic of Poland in Canberra, the Consulate General of the Republic of Poland in Sydney, and the Polish State Railways – as well as our media patrons – "Tygodnik Polski", Puls Polonii portal, Polish Community in Victoria portal, Express: The Australian-Polish Magazine, and the Polish Educational Society in New South Wales (Polish Educational Society in NSW Incorporated) for their support in promoting and organising this event.

We also extend our thanks to the radio broadcasters SBS Polish and the Polish Section 3ZZZ in Melbourne for promoting the competition to their listeners.

We invite you to participate in future competitions organised by the Educational Commission.

Press release dated 1 September 2026