Drozd, Elizabeth

Elizabeth Drozd was born in Poland and arrived in Australia in 1982 under the Special Humanitarian Program. She has worked in a paid and voluntary capacity for the Polish community in Victoria for many years and currently holds the position of Chief Executive Officer of Australian-Polish Community Services (APCS). She is also an Executive Member of the Ethnic Communities Council of Victoria.

Under Elizabeth Drozd's leadership, Australian-Polish Community Services has undertaken to conduct research within the Polish community that has significance beyond this group. Projects have looked at problemsfor elderly people isolated in aged-care units, the incidence of depression within the community and other mental health issues as well as providing help and advice for the victims of domestic violence.

As well as promoting initiatives in these welfare areas, Drozd has maintained a keen interest in promoting an appreciation of Polish heritage and culture within the the community. Of particular concern to her is the drift away of young people from heritage based organisations.

Directed

• Australian-Polish Community Services (1983 - )

Featured in

• Being Seen And Heard: Migrant Women Organising In Australia, A Documentary History (2006 - )

Of Polish Heritage

• Poland Born Community of Australia

Online Resources

• Drozd, Elizabeth and Cahill, Desmond, Polonia in Australia: Challenges and Possibilities in the New Millenium, Commmon Ground Publishing, 2004, http://www.apcs.org.au/attachments/publications/Polonia_in_Australia.pdf. [ Details... ]
• Wiench, Monika and Drozd, Elizabeth, Polish Migrants' Stories, Australian-Polish Community Services, 2006, http://apcs.org.au/attachments/publications/polish_migrants_stories.pdf. [ Details... ]