Australian Lithuanian History

On 29 th June 1954 the school moved to St Cecilia’s in Angas Street where they remained until 1957. At that time they moved to the newly purchased premises at Eastry st, Norwood which was to become the Lithuanian House. The Club house suited the school needs perfectly, the school could use three rooms, two large one small and had access to the hall and stage. Kitchen facilities were soon available which made it easier to prepare food for the students and teachers. The school term followed Australian school terms, beginning in February and ending with the Christmas breakup in December. The school ran from 10 am till 12pm with a short break. During the break food is served by the Women’s committee. Children would receive a small snack and drink, while the teachers received a cup of tea and sandwiches. The school was able to organize a children’s library. The library began through the donation of books by Mr and Mrs Velicka and Vildžius. Donations of further books were re...

Researching Lithuanians in South Australia has revealed some surprising finds. Its not secret stuff but because I didn't know I found it surprising. Several well known South Australian men married Lithuanian women. I speak of Rod Sawford's (Labor MP) wife Aldona, Silvio Apponyi's (sculptor) wife Natalija, and Jurate wife of famous Hilton Hotel chef Cheong Liew. I am sure there are many more I have yet to discover.

Not all new migrants could leave their past behind in Europe, as this tragic story details. New Australian Found Shot YORKETOWN, Dec. 27. Juozas Abaravicius, a Lithuanian, was found with gun shot wounds in his head and a rifle between his legs at the back door of a guest house at Stenhouse Bay. at 5 pm. on Christmas Day. He died in the Southern Yorke Peninsula Hospital at 630 pm. yesterday. Abaravicius arrived in Australia in 1948 and joined the Waratah Gypsum Co. early this year. He had spent some time in a German concentration camp during the war. The Coroner (Mr. E. Lloyd) deemed an inquest unnecessary. The Advertiser Wednesday 28 December 1949 MEMORIES TOO MUCH AT 20 ADELAIDE , Saturday.-Friends of Juozas Abaravicius, 20, of Stenhouse, South Australia, said to-day that they believed his suicide on Christmas Day was prompted by memories of Christmas, 1944. Abaravicius was the only survivor of 32 Lithuanian prisoners shot by Nazis on December 25, five years ago. Las...