Australian Lithuanian History

Kazys Smilgevicius, 27, welder, of Childers street, North Adelaide, was found dead in his bed early yesterday morning. The dead man received a broken wrist and bruises to the head when his motor cycle came into collision with a taxi at the corner of O'Connell and Ward streets, North Adelaide, shortly after 6 pm on Thursday. He was taken to the Royal Adelaide Hospital where he was examined by two doctors. Alter having his wrist X-rayed, Smilgevicius was told to go home and report back at the hospital yesterday morning for the result. The cause of death is being investigated by police who will prepare a report for the City Coroner. Smilgevicius was employed at General Motors Holden's as a spot welder. Saturday 21 May 1949 The Advertiser Kazys was born in Telsiai, Lithuania on 18 December 1922. He was a tailor and single when he arrived in Australia on board the General Stewart Heinzelman on 28 November 1947. After a short time in Bonegilla he worked as a labourer for the EWS...

Jonas Vangas has been credited with the founding of the Lithuanian Museum, but as well he established the Lobethal Museum. He was the son of a former Lithuanian Director of Railways. During WWII Vanagas left Lithuanian making his way to Copenhagen where he worked as a book binder. With his wife and young son he immigrated to Australia in 1949. Vanagas settled in Lobethal where he worked as a shift worker in the local woolen mill. Lobethal meaning Valley of Praise was settled by Silesian Germans in 1842 about not far from Adelaide. Vanagas was able to speak German which helped him accumulate information from the towns inhabitants, many of whom still spoke German. His work culminated into a book Lobethal 1842 - 1954 an Historical Study. This book was never published, the original is held in Lobethal, a copy is in the State Library and a second copy was sent to Kent State University Library, Ohio, USA. While researching for this book, Vanagas also collected artifact...