“May you live a hundred years!”
“Sto lat, sto lat, niech żyje, żyje nam!”
The beloved Polish birthday song rang out joyfully for eight extraordinary residents of Brother Albert’s Home at Holy Family Services, Marayong – an aged care and early learning community under the pastoral care of the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth and a cherished haven for local Eastern Europeans. This time, however, the traditional tune came with a playful twist.
On Saturday 16 August 2025, wishes for 200 years felt more fitting because 809 years of life were being celebrated on this extraordinary occasion.
Celebrations began with a Mass of thanksgiving in the on-site Our Lady of Czestochowa Chapel, celebrated by Fr Marian Szeptak SCHR and Fr Ed Kenny, a retired priest of the Diocese of Parramatta and resident at Holy Family Services.
Fr Marian Szeptak SCHR and Fr Ed Kenny celebrate Mass for the centenarians and their families. Image: Alphonsus Fok/Diocese of Parramatta
Afterwards came a cultural program with a traditional Polish lunch and heartfelt tributes, joined by NSW Member for Blacktown Stephen Bali MP, Mayor of Blacktown City Brad Bunting, Polish Consul General Piotr Rakowski, and Holy Family Services CEO Alasdair Croydon.
Throughout the day, many returned to a simple yet profound creed that has shaped their lives: “Bóg, Honor, Ojczyzna” — God, honour, homeland.
Centenarian Stanislaw Szpilyk (right) from Holy Family Service’s Brother Albert’s Home in Marayong, is congratulated by NSW Member for Blacktown Stephen Bali. Image: Alphonsus Fok/Diocese of Parramatta
Against all odds
The chances of such a gathering were a birthday miracle. In 2023, only 6,192 Australians were aged 100 or older, according to ABS data — just 23 people in every 100,000.
This remarkable group included Barbara (“Basia”) Zbierzchowska, Alina Kizeweter, Stanislaw Szpilyk, Stefan Brozek and Maria Martyniuk, who all turned 100 this year. They were joined by Krystyna Dublewicz, 102; Janina Pietkowski 103; and Julius Medvecky, 104, now approaching the home’s longevity record of 105.
(L-R) A composite image of centenarians Stefan Brozek, Barbara (“Basia”) Zbierzchowska, Stanislaw Szpilyk, Alina Kizeweter and Julius Medvecky. from Holy Family Service’s Brother Albert’s Home in Marayong. Fellow centenarians Maria Martyniuk, Krystyna Dublewicz and Janina Pietkowski were recognised on the day during private events. Images: Alphonsus Fok/Diocese of Parramatta
Serve others without expecting anything in return
With Julius’ motto — “Serve quietly, build faithfully” — he is more than the eldest; he is among the most treasured. Each year, a bus-load of parishioners from Macquarie Fields make a pilgrimage to celebrate him.
“He is simply a very cheerful, very likeable person,” said Sr Grace Roclawska csfn, Director of Mission at Holy Family Services.
“It’s quite amazing how much his faith continues to guide his life. It’s a common thread here.”
Julius’ story
Julius Medvecky, resident at Holy Family Service’s Brother Albert’s Home in Marayong, during a centenarian’s celebration. Image: Alphonsus Fok/Diocese of Parramatta
Born in Slovakia to Hungarian parents, Julius and his wife Karen came to Australia in 1949, the year Hungary fell under Stalinist rule. Here he found freedom and purpose, helping establish the parish at Macquarie Fields by organising Masses, transporting priests, clearing land and building an altar.
“I did it out of love,” he said. “Even small acts, done faithfully, can build something lasting.”
Charles Lukasik, who calls himself Julius’ “grandson”, credited his natural remedies, organic foods and past winemaking as the secret to his long life. After Karen’s passing, Julius welcomed Charles’ parents – his former neighbours – into his home. He later survived cancer in his 80s and became a vegetarian.
Julius Medvecky, resident at Holy Family Service’s Brother Albert’s Home, with his ‘grandson’ Charles Lukasik, during a centenarians celebration in Marayong. Image: Alphonsus Fok/Diocese of Parramatta
A humble electrician, he built his house and parish church “brick by brick,” even making the steeple in his backyard.
With the NSW Electricity Commission, he helped bring power to Western Sydney.
Though once vowing never to enter aged care, Julius now finds peace at Brother Albert’s Home.
As Charles said, “He’s got just one complaint: that he has no complaints.”
“I haven’t lived that long,” Julius chuckled. “What you eat is very important. So is how you spend your life. Spend it with happiness.”
Basia’s story
Guided by her Catholic faith, Barbara — known as “Babcia Basia” (Polish for “Grandmother”) — risked her life in WWII helping the Polish underground forge documents to save Jewish lives. At just 17, she was ordered to work in a government office creating identity papers.
“I had to do the photos, fingerprints – 12,000 of them,” she recalled.
“She’s a true guardian angel — her prayers transcend,” said her granddaughter, Anita Francis.
“Whenever she prays, God answers.”
The youngest of 11 children, Basia’s sharp mind shone in chess — she twice competed in Poland’s national youth championships — and later in careers spanning banking, music and teaching.
Barbara (“Basia”) Zbierzchowska (centre), resident at Holy Family Service’s Brother Albert’s Home, with members of her family, during a centenarians celebration in Marayong. Image: Alphonsus Fok/Diocese of Parramatta.
In 1981, she and her husband, Leopold, came to Australia for Christmas. When martial law was imposed in Poland, they stayed, leaving everything behind.
Her advice was simple: “Be good, keep smiling, eat the right food — not too much, not too much sugar — and do lots of good things for other people.”
Until recently, Basia lived independently, exercising 40 minutes daily. She still walks three times a day and never misses Mass. She even celebrates three birthdays each year — her birth, her delayed registration date, and her name day (imieniny) on 4 December.
A day of faith, culture and joy
As the smell of bigos (hunter’s cabbage stew) wafted in the air, NSW Member for Blacktown Stephen Bali MP thanked the centenarians for their contribution to Australia: from building the Snowy River Scheme and railways to working in factories like Rank Arena and Bonds.
NSW Member for Blacktown Stephen Bali (right) and Polish Consul General Piotr Rakowski (second right) with centenian Barbara (“Basia”) Zbierzchowska (second left). Image: Alphonsus Fok/Diocese of Parramatta
Mayor Brad Bunting added, “It’s amazing what you all have seen throughout your lives.”
Consul General Piotr Rakowski joked that there must be “something in the air or the food” for so many residents at Holy Family Services to live beyond 100.
Centenarian Alina Kizeweter from Holy Family Service’s Brother Albert’s Home in Marayong, with a family member. Image: Alphonsus Fok/Diocese of Parramatta
Holy Family Services continues to grow
As the celebrations ended, the sense of faith, resilience and community that has long defined Holy Family Services was unmistakable.
Looking to the future, CEO Alasdair Croydon said that a major part of our future extension to the aged care is underway.
Centenarians Stefan Brozek from Holy Family Service’s Brother Albert’s Home in Marayong, with a member of his family. Image: Alphonsus Fok/Diocese of Parramatta
“The Nazareth Building construction commenced in November last year and is expected to be completed in the next 12 months,” he said.
“We will share more stories as we will come closer to the completion date.”
Visit Holy Family Services to learn more: www.holyfamilyservices.com.au
View the birthday celebration photos on Flickr.
