In Canberra, as in many major cities in Australia, Polish dance groups appeared publicly as early as 1952. These early groups were made up mainly of adults for the specific purpose of participating in programs of locally organized national anniversaries.

In 1981, the dance group under the name "Wielkopolska" was established by Mrs. Krystyna Mikolajczak as a non-profit, youth organization. It virtually consisted of small children and its principle objective was the cultivation and promotion of traditional Polish dances culture in Canberra. As the years went by, this group was met with an enthusiastic reception by both the Polish and Australian public.

The group began with a membership of 20 children. Most of the original members have since left the group, but there are still two performers who remain from the original group. The rest of the group are new members who joined over the years. "Wielkopolska" has children and youth with ages ranging from 5 to 33 years of age. The group to this present time has 20 members. The majority of performers are Polish or are Australian born of Polish descent.

Since the early beginning, the Group has performed at many concerts, even those sponsored by different charitable organizations for instance: They performed at the Governor General's lodge, the Polish Embassy, the Philippine community, the School of Music, and at various schools around Canberra and in the Polish Community. The group has performed at major shopping centres, Woden Plaza, Westfield Belconnen, Tuggeranong Hyperdome, and also in the heart of the City. The group has performed in many of the parks around Canberra including on Stage 88 where they take part annually in the increasingly popular Floriade Festival in Spring. They also performed at the Canberra Festival in Glebe Park in the City and in front of Old Parliament House for Multicultural week and Ausdance '95. The group also takes part regularly in the Multicultural Festival and Floriade Festival held in the City

In 1988 "Wielkopolska" took part in the Bi-centennial celebrations at the Royal Canberra Show where they performed in front of a crowd in excess of 10,000 people.

Also in 1988-89 the Dance group performed for the first time in the Pol-Art Festival in Brisbane. They then went on to perform in the 1991-92 Pol-Art festival held in Sydney, the 1994-95 Pol- Art festival held in Adelaide and the 1997-98 Pol-Art Festival held in Melbourne.

In March 1991, the Group "Wielkopolska" took part in the Strzelecki Festival at Jindabyne in the NSW Snowy Mountains. This became an annual event for the group until 1995.

The dance group had a break between 1999-2002. During this period the group did not meet for practices or performances. In 2002, Krystyna’s son Mark, took over the teaching of the group. Mark still continues with the teaching under the direction of Krystyna. The group still remains just as successful today as it had been in the past.

Wielkopolska has always held its practices in the Polish White Eagle Club in 38 David Street in Turner in Canberra. The club remains a good support to helping the group achieve its cultural objectives.

In the 24 years of existence the dance group have learnt and performed many dances from different regions of Poland and continually learn more dances to add to their repertoire.

It is hoped that while promoting Polish Folklore, "Wielkopolska" Dance Group has contributed in some way towards the development of better mutual understanding and respect for the various ethnic people living in Australia today, and more particularly, towards the formation of new cultural traditions in this country.