To Bonegilla from Somewhere

To Bonegilla from Somewhere by Wanda Skowronska

Connor Court Publishing, Ballarat, 2013

This book is the story of the authors parents, Bogdan Skowronski from Poland and Valerie Klucnieka from Latvia.  Like thousands of other Displaced Persons from eastern Europe these people lived for several years in camps before immigrating to Australia. 

The book recounts something of how Bonegilla came to be, of what life was like for those who passed through.  Bonegilla being the largest immigration camp in Australia later WWII.  Three quarters of the book focuses on the background of Bogdan and Valerie and the years previous to WWII.  The political environment that forced them to leave their homes. 

Wanda provides great detail of what Bonegilla was like, which gives the reader a clear picture in one’s mind. 

‘In each block there was a mess hall, kitchen, pit toilets and supervisors office.  Each of the huts held about 26 people, dormitory style, and each person was allocated linen and grey woollen blankets as well as crockery and cutlery and a cup.  The centre’s facilities eventually included a large hospital, three churches, a movie theatre, library, primary school, canteen, butcher, barber, police station and three banks’.  p. 199

Wanda’s parents met and married in Bonegilla, she was born there and spent the first few years of her life there, until 1957.  She records her memories of Bonegilla in the book including some family photographs.  The book ends as the family moves out of the camp.

The history and details that the book covers is impressive and certainly gives you a great idea of what life was like in Europe and passing through the camp.  I would certainly recommend this book f or someone wanting to know about this period. 

Wanda talks about her book on youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kv2-vhp6d0Y

Coincidence or luck?

While filing documents for the Adelaide Lithuanian Archives there was a copy of a letter relating to Vincas Laurinaitis.    The letter is from the United Lithuanian Relief Fund of America, written to the Resettlement office in IRO Area 5, Munich October 1948.  The letter in English is asking for support in processing applications for Argentinian visas for persons on the enclosed list.    The following page, in Spanish, lists 40 names; among them;  Malela Vytautas, born 1888, a chemist residing at Augsburg DP Hospital, his wife Vladislava born 1894, son Romualdas born 1932, a labourer and Vladislava born 1926.  The list is of Lithuanian Catholics on the North American zone of Germany who wish to relocate to Argentina.  (Thanks Google translate).  I stopped at the name Malela, as it is in my family history.  My grandmothers aunt married a Malela.  I knew he was a chemist and had been in partnership in the firm Germapo, a large chemist firm in Lithuania before WWII.  I pulled out what notes I had on that family name, and what little I had on them matched.

Using Ancestry and Family search, I found that Romualdas went to the USA, he became a US citizen on July 13, 1965, living in Cicero Illinois and died on 29 February 2004.  Family search had an image of a visa application of Vladislava travelling to the USA, with a photo attached.  Going back through notes that my grandmother had compiled, I did indeed find a Senora Vlada Survila, with her address in Buenos Aires.   I had no idea she was a relative.

A search in the current Buenos Aires white pages shows four Survila’s listed.  Now to write a letter to see if I can find out more.  

Family history research has always astounded me in the number of coincidences that seem to happen.  The chances of finding your family name on a letter that has ended up in Adelaide, to a family that has no connections with this country just astounds me.  I know that if my father had read the letter he would have made no connection with the family.  The randomness and luck in family history makes it so much more exciting. 

Adelaide Lithuanian Theatre Group

I have posted before on the theatre group, but from 1956, this post should go before that one.

Adelaide Theatre group

Lithuanian theatre in Australia began in Adelaide in March 1949 on the initiative of Paulius Rūtenis and Elena Danienė, when they formed a Lithuanian theatre appreciation group. That same year in August the group was strengthened by including Povilas Kanas a theatre director and administrator and decorator Aleksandras Marčiulionis.  The group called themselves “Adelaidės Lietuvių Teatro Mylėtojų Grupė” (Adelaide Lithuanian Theatre Lovers Group).  

The group’s first spectacular was in September 1949, “Pirmas skambutis” (first bell) by Genecke Koolen.  Directed by Rūtenis it attracted about 450 spectators.  

That year the group comprised of Elena Danienė, L. Giniotytė, Sofija Kanienė, Paulius Rūtenis (Director), Vitalius Ancevičius, Henrikas Butvila, Antanas Černius, Algis Gutis, Leonas Karmazinas, Viktoras Ratkevičius, Nikodemas Skidzevičius, Bronius Bakšinskas, Bronius Rainys and Algimantas Petrikas. 

After two further performances of ‘the first bell’ on 2 and 3rd June, 1950, for Lithuanian National Day on 8 September 1950 “Paslaptingoje Zonoje’ (Secret zone) about fight for freedom by Laucius.  Directed by E. Daniene.

25 November 1950 “Sudrūmstaja Ramybėje”( troubled peace) by P. Vačiunas. Director E. Danienė, decorations Marčiulionis.  Attendance 400.  At that time Eddie Taparauskas joined the group.  

1951 January 19 and 20th, the group took the performance of the first bell and troubled peace to Melbourne where over 1000 people watched.

In March 1951 the group approached Juozas Gučius, Lithuanian National radio announcer and director.  At this time the name changed to ‘Lietuviu Teatras Studija’.  Further members joined, Genovaitė  Matulevičienė,  Zita Petkunaitė, Zenonas Kučinskas, Aldefas Trinka, Virginijus Užubalis, Paulius Stimburys and O. Pridotkaite.  

In November 1951, Povilas Kanas finished as theatre administrator, replaced by Leonas Žygas.

Joseph Janusaitis, another dance star

Joseph Janusaitis, Marilyn Rowe and Ross Stretton in Monotones, 1975.

Another student of Madame Babicheva Ballet school was Joseph Janusaitis.  In 1964 he was awarded a Borovansky scholarship to the Australian Ballet school and later joined the Australian Ballet.  He remained in the Australian ballet from 1966 to 1982.   He was born 31 May 1946, the youngest of six children, the family arriving in Australia in 1950, settling in Adelaide.  

Joseph Janusaitis in make-up for Elektra, the Australian Ballet, 1966.

If anyone knows more about Joseph, I would love to know.

A talented ballet dancer; Regina Plokstis

Regina Plokštytė (Plokstis)

A promising young Lithuanian student of classical ballet at Madam Agnes Babicheva’s school, Miss Regina Plokstyte, is about to leave for London to join Saddler’s Wells ballet school for further ballet studies.

To farewell the young talent a concert has been arranged in which Madam Agnes Babicheva’s ballet school students will present the ballet ‘Asta’, in which Miss Plokstyte will dance the leading part.  The concert will be held at the Freemasons Hall, North Tce, Adelaide, 24^th August 1956, commencing at 8.pm.

The concert will be supported by well known Lithuanian singers living in Adelaide, Mesdames A. Guscius, and G. Vasiliauskas. 

Advertiser and News 24 August 1956

A well known Lithuanian expressive dancer, Miss Elena Kepalaite will give an expressive dancing recital at the Freemason’s Hall, North Terrace, Adelaide on Saturday 21^st July 1956 at 8.pm.  Miss Kepalaite was born in Vilnius, studied ballet dancing there and later concentrated on expressive dancing.  Miss Kepelaite is now living in Melbourne and has come to Adelaide especially for this recital.  She has also given several recitals in the other capital cities of Australia which were warmly met by the critics.

Advertiser 21 July 1956

Regina was born on 25 February 1939 in Kaunas to Bronius and Antanina.  On July 15^th 1958, Regina graduated from the Royal Ballet School in London, Saddlers Well school under Madame Legat and Medame Nordi.  Regina returned to Adelaide where her parents have resided since 1949.

After graduation, Regina followed her dream of dancing.  She was born to dance and did so from a very young age.  Her first performance was in Germany in 1948 after Father Šarkas gathered the children in the Displaced Persons camp and got them to perform for Christmas.  Adelaide was fortunate to watch her performances during various Lithuanian community concerts and festivals. While living in Adelaide growing up she attended the ballet school of Madam Agnes Babicheva.  Madame Babicheva performed with the Latvian state Ballet from 1925 to 1931. 

While studying in London she was part of the Rambert Ballet troupe and Convent Gardens ballet ‘ Fire Bird’ show.

Upon returning to Adelaide, Regina became a dancing instructor.

New Australians Marry, 1949

An unusual marriage ceremony was performed at Port Lincoln on Wednesday evening, when two New Australian's were married at the District Registrar's Office by the Registrar (Sgt A. E. Copp).

The bride was Miss Vanda Lazevnikaite, a Lithuanian, and the groom, Mr Stefan Naninski, Ukrainian, at present employed at the Kopi waterworks camps.

The ceremony believed to be the first of its kind on Eyre Peninsula was performed with the aid of an interpreter.

Port Lincoln Times, Thursday 8 December 1949

Lithuanian Days, Adelaide 1968

The most important event in the life of an Australian Lithuanian is the Australian Lithuanian Days, where as many as one fourth of Lithuanians living in Australia attend.  The five day event was held in Adelaide, South Australia, ending in the New Year of 1969. Parallel to the Lithuanian festival is the Lithuanian National Council session, during which a new National Executive is elected.

In Adelaide, one will quickly notice that our community holds the historical and material culture in the form of the Lithuanian Archive and Museum. It is the only such institution in Australia and of great pride for all.

Lithuanian Days and the XIX Sports festival opening ceremony was held at Forestville stadium.  The presence of the community’s youth emphasised the importance of the Lithuanian Days.  Young and old attended the literature and song evening.  10 of the 23 participants in Adelaide’s theatre group ‘Vaidila’ were of the younger generation.   A youth Concert was prepared by the youth with participants from Adelaide, Melbourne and Sydney district.  Single and joint choirs, performed a song feast in the Adelaide town hall.

Some countryman, travelled a thousand miles and more for the Lithuanian Days.  Outstanding events included a performance of ‘A fragment of Lithuanian wedding' by Melbourne parish youth, and a joint choir that consisted of six district concert in Adelaide city hall.  Melbourne youth sang and danced at a professional level the wedding performance.  The wedding was prepared by E. Karazijienė and directed by H. Statkuvienė.

The choir was made ​​up of 250 singers from six states, Sydney, Melbourne , Adelaide , Geelong , Canberra and Newcastle.  One after another the choir was conducted by six conductors. Lithuanian songs rose in the hands of J. Juška and from Geelong and K. Kavaliauskas from Sydney. The combined women’s choir touched your heart, under the direction of S. Žukas from Newcastle.

Lithuanian Days is a joint effort by all the Australian Lithuanians, and after 25 years in a new country it still shines with Lithuanian pride.

Lietuvių Dienos Adelaideje 1968

Nėra šnekos, svarbiausias įvykis Australijos lietuvių gyvenime yra Lietuvių Dienos, kurias atšvęsti susirenka kiek vienas ketvirtas Australijoje gyvenčių lietuvių.

Penktosios Lietuvių Dienos įvyko pavyzdingiausioje lietuvių apylinkėje – Adelaide mieste, Pietų Australijoje ir atžymėjo Lietuvos Jubiliejinių Metų pabaiga ir Naujų 1969 Metų pradžią.  Lygiagrečiai su Lietuvių Dienomis vyko Lietuvių Bendruomenės Krašto Tarybos XI-ji sesija, kurios metu buvo išrinkta nauja ALB Krašto Valdyba.

Nuvykęs į Adelaide, lietuvis žmogus greitai pastebi, kad mūsų bendruomenės veikla yra aukštinama, nepraeina nepastebėta, ir kad pastarųjų metų darbas šįmet jau vertinamas kaip istorinis duomuo. Mat, dvasinės ir medžiaginės kulturos palaika yra renkamo, rūšiuojami ir ilgainiui patalpinimai Lietuvių Archyve Muzėjuje.  Tai vienintėle tokia įstaiga Australijoje ir tai yra didelė patrauka ir pasididžiavimas visiems. Archvo-Muzėjaus įkūrejas  ir valdytojas – Jonas K Vanagas. 

Muzėjuje užlaikomi kultūros palaikai iškelia lietuvio žmogaus tapatybę parodo jo sąmoningumo laipsnį ir pabrėžia vieną labai svarbų veiksnį; tautinį pranašumą galima išreikšti ne vien tik politikavimu bet ir kūrybos darbais, tautinės kultūros apraiška.  Ir Lietuvių Dienos yra Australijojs Lietuvių kūrybinės pastangos!

Lietuvių Dienų ir XIX-sios Sporto Šventės iškilmingas atidarymas ivyko Forestville stadione.  Visus nustelbė jaunimas ir svarbu pastebėti, kad jaunimas charakterizavo 1968 metų Lietuvių Dienas.  Tačiau pastangos buvo jungtinės, Lieteraturos ir Dainos vakare dalyvavo ir jauni, ir seni; Adelaide’s teatro ‘Vadila’ pastatyme 10 iš 23 buvo jaunosios kartos atstovai; Jaunimo Koncertą suruošė jaunimas iš Adelaide, Melbourne ir Sydney apylinkių; pavieniuose ir jungtiniuose choruose, kurie suruošė Dainų Šventė Adelaide miesto rotušėje, dalyvavo ir senimas, ir jaunimas.  Bet XIX-ji Sporto Šventė, kuri vyko lygiagrečiai su Lietuvių Dienomis, buvo jaunimo arena pilna ta žodžio prasme.

Nevienas tautietis, keliavęs tūkstantį ir daugiau mylių į Lietuvių Dienas, buvo įspūdžių priblokštas, ir nevieno atmintyje ilgainiui telieka pačios pagrindinės akimirkos.  Tai (1) Fragmentas iš Lietuviškų  Viestuvių’ kuri patiekė Melbourne apylinkė Jaunimo Koncerto metu ir (2) Jungtinio Choro, susidejusio iš šešių apylinkių chorų, koncertas Adelaide miesto rotušėje.

Melbourne jaunimas vykusiai iškėlė lietuvišką savitumą bei vestuvinį nuotaikingumą.  Dainos buvo mielos.  Tautiniai šokiai – iškilmingi; merginos pasiekė profesionalių lygį.  Jos dvelkė meilumu ir orumu, ir visad skaistumu.  Vestuvių tekstą paruošė E. Karazijiene, o režisavo H. Statkuvienė.

Taip kaip ‘Fragmentas iš Lietuviškų Vestuvių’ parodė nevieną subtilią lietuvio žmogaus savybę, taip Jungtinis Choras parodė mūsų bendruomenės pranašumą.  Chorą sudarė apie 250 daininkų iš šešių apylinkių; Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Geelong, Canberra ir Newcastle.  Vienas paskui kitą Chorui dirigavo šeši dirigentai.  Ir lietuviška daina pakilo į aukštybes, kai Chorą paėme į savo ranką J. Juška is Geelong apylinkės ir K. Kavaliauskas iš Sydney.  Kuteno širdį ir vėrė akį Jungtinis Moterų Choras, kuriam vadovavo S. Žukas is Newcastle apylinkės.

Lietuvių Dienos yra bendros visų Australijos lietuvių pastangos.  Tai kūrybinės pastangos.  Ir kad po 25 metų užsienyje ta kūryba yra lietuviška, tai keikvieno lietuvio žmogaus pasididžiavimas.