Edward settles for achievement award

By Callan Date
EDWARD Bialy is living proof of the value migrants bring to this country.
The Endeavour Hills man left his birthplace of Poland aged four after being displaced by the onset of World War II.
His family continued to live an unsettled life until, at the age of 21, he departed for the shores of Australia.
More than 50 years on and Mr Bialy has been honoured for his tireless service to the local community after receiving a Senior Achiever Award from Minister for Senior Victorians Lisa Neville.
The 71-year-old has been an active member of the Victorian Polish community for the past 25 years and for the past nine years has been president of the Polish Senior Citizens Club in Rowville.
Mr Bialy also helped to establish the Polish House in Rowville, a centre that provides people with a place to meet and learn about their Polish heritage.
And on top of that, the volunteer has served as vice-president of the Eastern District Polish Association for several years.
Mr Bialy said he was grateful to receive the award, one of only eight handed out in the state.
“I came to Australia in 1957 and have been helping in the local community for the last 24 years or so,” he said.
Mr Bialy, who spent a good part of his working life on the production line at General Motors, said he loved volunteering and helping other people.
“I came here with my mother and father and wife.
“I used to live in Frankston for a while before we moved to Dandenong and then eventually we bought a house in Noble Park and after all those years I moved to Endeavour Hills about eight years ago.”
Although firmly settled in Australia, Mr Bialy revisited his birthplace six years ago in a trip he described as unbelievable.
“After being here for so long I went back to Poland and it was quite an experience,” he said.
“I went to the village where I was born and it was so beautiful.”
The valued member of society said he plans to continue to offer his help to the local community for as long as he can.