The record that started it all
St Bernadette's primary school St Marys SA (mid October 1973)
The Polish Youth Orchestra at Polish Hill River 1982, with my first blue "Tempo" drumkit from 1974. The band includes Richard Portakiewicz and Joe Konestabo on trumpet and Andrew Portakiewicz on guitar (R.I.P). Lucy Mrstica, Stefan Kozlowski, Joe Gocur, Anita and David on accordian. Ziggy Matuszewski is the conductor of course.
Trip to Berri in 1983
At the Austrian Club with The Polish Youth Orchestra circa 1983. Members as above but also including Tomasz Valencjc on accordian end of front row on right
30th Anniversary Concert of Tatry Dancing Group at Her Majesty's Theatre 1988
I'm back row 2nd from left, Isolde 6th from left (see below in the German Brass Band), Ziggy Matuszewski centre, Henry Kowalec 3rd from right. Wasel and Michael also in Nova with me and Henry are front row 1st and 2nd right. Nova was formed in October 1995 (gig date 11.11.1998 Dom Polski Centre)
You have been warned!
Click here for more info on Mikolaj Kopernik
Monica, me and Tony
Michael, Monica, me, Wasel
Great food at The Hungarian Club
Playing with Monica and Tony in The Continentals
Mum standing next to the harvest display (wianek) or wreath
Playing in the Beer Tent with The Continentals
Like most artists, it is not until they die that they get recognised. Lidia Groblicka was born in the same year, and in the same part of Poland as my mother (see the Miroslaw Hermaszewski part of the Little Sparrow website). The youtube below is a dedication to her work, taken at The Art Gallery of South Australia, and is on show until the 10th of February 2013. Click here for more info.
An interesting pairing of ads in the Polish magazine Panorama
Some traditional Sheet Music
German Brass Band playing at the Port Noarlunga Surf Club for a Shrek themed Party
German Brass Band (7 Sept 2013)
Kevan the tuba player
I'm back row 2nd from left, Isolde 6th from left, Ziggy Matuszewski centre back, Henry Kowalec 3rd from right.
Wasel and Michael from Nova front row. ( gig date 11.11.1998 Dom Polski Centre)
Wasel and Michael from Nova front row. ( gig date 11.11.1998 Dom Polski Centre)
A Tuba and Sousaphone sandwich with Etta and Kevan
With Wolfgang, the band's Trombonist and leader
With Kevan the Sousaphone player
Great value Polish meals at the Kopernicus Club with Daniel, Lucy, Vanessa, Anna and Wala looking after the band
Pictures of me playing with The Adelaide German Band on Sunday, May 15th 2016 in Mitcham Reserve for Norwegian Day Celebrations
Click here for the German Brass Band in Strathalbyn 2016
Sunday 7th August 2016
2016
2017
Wasel, Henry, Wala, Me, Michael
We will play this one
The future Premier was there with his shirt on
Slovenian Carnevale
Dozynki 2018
Slovenian Hall (Saturday, 15th February 2020)
Malanka 2021
Malanka 2024
Nova
Sunday 28th April, 12 noon till 5pm
5 Ebi Ball
Croation Club, 68a Second St Brompton
Sunday 28th April, 12 noon till 5pm
5 Ebi Ball
Croation Club, 68a Second St Brompton