Krystyna Cyron Oral History

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DescriptionThis interview consist of four part audio recordings and transcripts. Krystyna Cyron was interviewed on 13 February 2002 at the Whitlam Library, Cabramatta by
Shirley Kingsford McLeod.Interview SummaryKrystyna Cyron was born in Silesia, Poland in 1937. She had a happy childhood until the war broke out. The part of Poland where Krystyna’s family lived, an area rich in coal, was fought over by the Russians and the Germans.

During occupation, her father was drafted into the German army and suffered a terrible injury where he lost his leg. As a result of the politics of war, Krystyna’s family was separated. Her mother moved to Germany with her brother and her father was transferred to a hospital in East Berlin. Krystyna was left in the care of friends and family back home and she did not see her parents again until decades later.

Despite growing up in difficult times, Krystyna studied Chemistry and Industrial Chemistry at a Technical College in Chorzów. Fortunately, education was free in Poland at this time. She started working at a chemical factory in Auschwitz, which was then called Oświęcim. In the laboratory she helped produce phenyl, a poisonous substance which has caused Krystyna lose her teeth.

Krystyna married George, a young man from her home town, and they had a daughter together. Krystyna’s mother was living in Australia by then and the young family decided to migrate as well. On 18 January 1959 they left Poland and travelled by train to Italy. In Italy, they boarded the ‘Toscana’ and arrived in Sydney on the 3 March 1959.

At the time of the interview (2002), Krystyna was the President of the Polish Association. She also volunteered for other organizations such as Meals on Wheels and was awarded the 2010 Citizen of the Year and Order of Australia (OAM) in 2020.

Audio

Interview with Krystyna Cyron

Interview with Krystyna Cyron - part 4

Interview with Krystyna Cyron - part 3

Interview with Krystyna Cyron - part 2

Interview with Krystyna Cyron - part 1

Transcript

Interview Transcript Krystyna Cyron - part 3

Interview Transcript Krystyna Cyron - part 4

Interview Transcript Krystyna Cyron - part 2

Interview Transcript Krystyna Cyron - part 1

Krystyna Cyron

Details

IntervieweeKrystyna CyronInterviewerShirley Kingsford McLeodDate of interview13/02/2002Duration01:11:44Transcripts availableYesRightsFairfield City councilAccess ConditionsAccess open for research, written permission required for personal copies and public useExternal LinkInterview on NSW Migrant Heritage Centre website

Connections

Oral History ProjectThe Way We Were - People of FairfieldAll Oral Histories