Jerzy "George" B. Zubrzycki AO CBE MBE (Military) (12 January 1920 – 20 May 2009) was a Polish-born Australian sociologist, widely regarded as the "Father of Australian Multiculturalism".[1]

He was born in Kraków, Poland. He escaped from Nazi rule in World War II, and joined the Free Polish forces in the United Kingdom. For his services there he was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire (Military Division) by the UK Government.[2]

In 1956 he was appointed to a post at the Australian National University in Canberra, Australia, where he remained for the rest of his life.[2]

He chaired the Australian Ethnic Affairs Council 1977–81, served on the council of the Institute of Multicultural Affairs 1980–86, and on the interim council of the National Museum of Australia. He travelled widely with members of the Fraser government to help explain their multiculturalism policies.[2]

He was a member of the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences, and he was also honoured by Poland and the United States.[2]

He died in Canberra on 20 May 2009, aged 89.[3]

A biography of Jerzy Zubryzcki, The Promise of Diversity, by John B H Williams and John Bond, was published by Grosvenor Books Australia in 2013. It was translated into Polish and published in Warsaw in 2016.

Honours

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In 1967 Zubrzycki was elected Fellow of the Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia.[4] For his work promoting multiculturalism in Australia, Zubrzycki was appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in 1978,[5] and an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) in 1984.[6]

Bibliography

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  • Polish immigrants in Britain : a study of adjustment. The Hague: Nijhoff. 1956.
  • Immigrants in Australia : a demographic survey based upon the 1954 Census. 1960.
  • Immigrants in Australia : Statistical supplement. 1960.
  • Settlers of the Latrobe Valley. Canberra: The Australian National University. 1964.
  • "Edward Shils – a personal memoir". Quadrant. 40 (1–2): 61–63. January–February 1996.

Notes

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  1. ^ ABC Radio National: Big Ideas – 25 May 2003 – Wisdom Interviews: Jerzy Zubrzycki
  2. ^ a b c d James Jupp, "An advocate for multiculturalism". Sydney Morning Herald, 26 May 2009. Retrieved 10 November 2017
  3. ^ "The Australian, 21 May 2009". Archived from the original on 6 June 2009. Retrieved 23 May 2009.
  4. ^ "Emeritus Professor Jerzy Zubrzycki AO, CBE". Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia. Retrieved 25 May 2018.
  5. ^ It's an Honour: CBE. Retrieved 10 November 2017
  6. ^ It's an Honour: AO. Retrieved 10 November 2017
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