An enthusiastic group gathered at Thredbo on 19th April 2024 to celebrate the 80th anniversary of Kosciusko State Park, now known as Kosciuszko National Park. The celebration, hosted by the National Parks Association, was attended by the Polish ambassador, current and former National Parks staff, representatives of the Polish-Australian community, conservation and bushwalking groups, the Public Service Association and other supporters of Kosciuszko National Park.
‘It was a privilege to mark this milestone in Kosciuszko’s history, especially in the company of so many people with such deep connections to the park’ stated NPA NSW President Dr Grahame Douglas.
‘Kosciuszko National Park is truly is an Australian icon, a majestic alpine landscape, the largest conservation reserve in NSW, the source of the mighty Murray, Murrumbidgee and Snowy Rivers and the irreplaceable home of so many unique species.
‘In celebrating the 80th anniversary of the park’s declaration we pay homage to the First Nation custodians who cared for the Australian Alps over millennia. We also thank all those who have advocated for the protection of the high country and especially the rangers and other staff whose work has sustained that legacy’.
Kosciuszko Heritage Incorporated spokesperson Urszula Lang stated ‘Kosciuszko Heritage Incorporated and the Polish Community are honoured to be part of KNP’s 80th birthday celebrations as stakeholders passionate about the Park’s history and future. Polish explorer Sir Paul Edmund Strzelecki, when he climbed Australia’s highest mainland peak in 1840, gave it the name of Kosciuszko, after General Tadeusz Kosciuszko. Kosciuszko was a champion of equal rights, freedom and liberty. Like Australia’s First Nations, Poles through history have fought hard to have country acknowledged when Poland was invaded and partitioned. For these reasons, our connection to Mt Kosciuszko and Kosciuszko National Park, and the values associated with the name of Kosciuszko and its history, are very strong indeed.’
Former Kosciuszko regional manager Dave Darlington said ,‘this is an important opportunity to get many of the former park employees together to share their memories about the challenges they faced managing this very complex national park since the 1960’s through to more recent times’
ENDS
Media contacts:
NPA NSW: 02 9229 0000
Spokespersons are available from NPA NSW, Kosciuszko Heritage Inc and two of the 80 year olds who were special guests at the celebration.
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