Andrew Stawowczyk Long interviewed by Mary Hutchison in the Canberra bushfires 2003 oral history project [sound recording]
- Bib ID:
- 3118317
- Format:
- Audio
- Author:
- Long, Andrew Stawowczyk, interviewee
- Access Conditions:
- Access open for research; written permission is required for personal copies and public use during the lifetime of the interviewee.
- Description:
-
- 2004
- 4 sound files (ca. 177 min.)
- Series:
- Canberra bushfires 2003 oral history project.
- Summary:
-
Andrew Stawowczyk Long speaks about coming to Australia from Poland in 1987 and living in Poland under communism and martial law; the experience of leaving one country and starting again in another; the decision to come to Australia because of greater social support; his feelings involved in emigrating, fear and excitement, new opportunities; coming to Canberra and settling in Duffy; contact with neighbours and a nearby Polish woman who migrated much earlier; spending the weekend down at the coast just prior to the fire; the experience of the previous years' fires near Canberra; returning to Canberra about a week before 18 January; becoming aware of presence of fire on the morning of 18 Jan.; becoming concerned and deciding to pack some clothes and documents; the fire and the decision to leave the house; nobody in authority in suburb; staying with friends in Jerrabomberra; returning to Duffy visiting the house site; Recovery Centre contact; how the immediate aftermath was taken up with practicalities and contact with friends and relatives.
Stawowczyk Long discusses the decision to rebuild; the experience of stronger community connections since the fire; the changes in Duffy as rebuilding happens; official anniversary activities; the importance of the Recovery Centre and support of Canberra people; the news coverage and his own media involvement; his interest in the official inquiries; the lost things regretted most; the emotional phases and the challenge; the impact of the fire on close relationships; his sons' responses to the fire; the main challenge in dealing with the experience is to be there for the family; the fire is now in the past; talking about the fire to people in Europe, getting them to imagine how it was, showing photographs, creating a movie for them, the importance of making sure that people know about this; the importance of remembering this powerful and tragic event in the history of ACT.
- Biography/History:
-
Andrew Stawowczyk Long emigrated to Australia from Poland with his wife Anna in 1987. They came to Canberra in late 1988 after some time in Albury and bought their house in Duffy, in about 1995. Their son Tomasz (Tom) was born in 1998. Their house was completely burnt on 18 January 2003. After much consideration they have rebuilt on the same block.
- Notes:
-
- The project is being conducted in association with Canberra Museum and Art Gallery.
- Recorded on June 22 and 24, 2004 at Canberra, A.C.T.
- Digital master available National Library of Australia;
- Index/Finding Aid Note:
- Timed summary (8 p.)
- Subject:
- Occupation:
- Other authors/contributors:
- Related Records:
-
This belongs to the Canberra Bushfires 2003 oral history project.
This collection contains 21 records. - Copyright:
-
In Copyright
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- Reason for copyright status:
- Until 2074 [Created/Published Date + 70 Years]
Copyright status was determined using the following information:
- Material type:
- Sound Recording
- Published status:
- Unpublished
- Creation date:
- 2004
Copyright status may not be correct if data in the record is incomplete or inaccurate. Other access conditions may also apply. For more information please see: Copyright in library collections.
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