Australian Lithuanian History

Vytautas Skuodis (b. March 21 1929, Chicago) - Lithuania geologist , natural sciences, associate professor, dissident movement participant. Although born in Chicago, his parents returned to independent Lithuania in 1930. In 1988, Professor Skuodis visited Australia. From September 9 to 26, he visited the larger Lithuanian communities. He arrived in Adelaide on the 15th, and gave his first appearance on Saturday 17th. At Lithuanian House he gave a presentation followed by an opportunity to speak to him. The following day he attended mass at St Casimir’s, and was free after lunch to mix with people. He flew out from Adelaide on the 20th. From 1941 - 1948 he studied at Panevežys Gymnasium. Following which he furthered his education at the Vilnius State University where he gained geologist qualifications, 1948 - 1953. From 1964 – 1969, he studied for his PhD at the manufacturing-scientific engineering research building institute in Moscow. Vytautas was a member of the Helsinki G...

This story begins with a link sent to me by Jonas Mockunas to a document of Lithuanians who were involved in shipping in some form before WWII.  There are several men listed who came to Australia.  I was intrigued to find a former sea captain who ended his days in Port Lincoln, South Australia, someone I had not heard of before.  I was able to find some information on him and as I delved further into Port Lincoln history to try and understand his life, I found some interesting information. http://juru.muziejus.lt/Laivyno_istakos.pdf   Feliksas Marcinkus (Marcinkevičius) was born on 7 March 1905 in Kaunas.       From a young age he showed his love for his homeland and freedom, so much so that as a 15 year old he left school to enlist in the army.   He fought in the Širvintai-Giedraičių  war with Poland in 1920 after the Poles had occupied Vilnius. When he first saw the Baltic sea he became so enchanted w...

This portrait of Raginis painted by Neliubsys hangs in Adelaide Lithuanian House A testimonial life to Lithuania Vaclovas was born to be a public figure. He was born in the middle of winter on 5th February 1910 in Vilnius. After the first world war he attended Švenčionių school where he was active in literature and sport clubs. At only 14 years he was producing a fortnightly school newsletter “Vienybe’ (Unity). He spoke several languages, as well as Lithuanian he spoke Polish, Russian and German. His activeness in Lithuanian activities, instigated the Polish government calling for his removal from high school. At this time Vilnius region was occupied by Poland. In 1926 he was able to enrol in Vilniaus Lithuanian seminary and later to Vytautas Didysis school. In 1929 he organised the famous Ažusilės Lithuanian song festival where 2000 people participated. Sensing that his Lithuanian activities were coming to an end he fled to independent Lithuania. Here he enrolled in the...

A novel by former Adelaide resident, Jura Reilly, Circle of Amber.   Set in Lithuania and Australia, " Circle Of Amber" explores the themes of murder, vengeance, loss and betrayal against the back drop of two World Wars. The main characters are forced to make decisions that wrench them from their families and friends. A recipe section has been included at the back of the novel.   Kristina's life in the tiny village of Ventuva, northwest Lithuania, seems idyllic until her husband Romas is brutally murdered. Forced to raise three young children on her own, she relies on the ancient gods and her mother Elena for guidance. Trying to retain her country's traditions during two world wars, Kristina battles to overcome poverty and the villagers' suspicions. On the other side of the world, in Australia, Gaila fights her own demons. Then she finds a small leather bound book amongst her mother's possessions. Does it hold the key to a family mystery? Bonus reci...

This appeared in the Advertiser on Saturday 6 September 1952.  Her surname is spelled incorrectly, it should be Kulisauskas.  This article appears twice but there is no follow up as to is she was found.  Tragically her father had been killed 18 months previously when the motorcycle he was travelling on collided with a bus at Largs North.    I wonder what happened to her?

Picnic at Christies Beach On a Sunday afternoon on the 25 August 1957,over 400 Lithuanians gathered at the Caritas property at Christies Beach for its first picnic and blessing of the house. Mass was said by Father Jatulis whose sermon emphasised a common house, common work. The choir, Lituania even came and sung.   Not sure if this photo is of the actual event described but it was taken at Christies Beach After mass, tables were set up, placed in rows and the Women’s committee brought out the home made, lovingly prepared food.   The occasion also served as a farewell to priest Paulius Jatulis who had been summoned by the church to go to Italy.   Speeches were spoken every head present, from by ALB President, Stasys Čibiras, Theatre group head, Juozas Gusčius, Youth group leader Juozas Lapšys, Lithuanian Society President, J. Raginis, Scout Leader Vytas Neverauskas, Sports President J. Jaunutis and Ateininkai head, A. Kubilius. Instead of a farewell gi...

The third Australian Lithuanian Student Assembly was held in Adelaide in December 1958.   It opened on December 27 th by T. Žurauskas.   Present was Pulgis Andriušis, Kristina Česnaitė (Melbourne), V. Martišius (Canberra) and I. Venclovas (Sydney), Secretary Daina Maželytė (Adelaide). Žurauskas in his address stated that in 1958 in all of Australia and New Zealand over 100 Lithuanians were studying at University level.   In 1957 13 students finished, Sydney 5, Melbourne 5 and Adelaide 3. Pulgis Andriušis took the stage and gave an interesting reading about ideas and values in life and its place in the English world.    The first day finished with singing of the Lithuanian National Anthem, followed by dinner and fellowship. The 28 th featured an outing to the beach where several hours of swimming and games was allowed.   In the evening participants gathered at the Giruckus home at Richmond. The following day, there was an outing to the Art ...

Adelaidės Lietuvių Žinios 10 metų Adelaide Lithuanian News 10 years: 1970 Now in its 46 year, the Adelaide Lithuanian News has always been the voice of the local community.   The newspaper was published as a combined effort by the Adelaide Lithuanian Union Committee and Adelaide Lithuanian Community Committee.   The first edition specified the need for broad, correct and on time information.   The newspaper was open to all groups of Lithuanian interest. After ten years 240 newsletters had been written, printed, folder and posted. The newspaper united all Lithuanians with articles on Lithuanian history and interest, local gossip, birth, death and marriages and upcoming events.   It was a time to thank the writers, editors, publishers who all volunteered their time to make it to this milestone. The first ALŽ editor was Vladas Radzevičius who held this position from July 1960 to January 1963. Vladas was a journalist and wrote for numerous Lithuanian ne...

Basketball to a Lithuanian is known as the second religion.   Australian Lithuanians also embraced the love of this sport, so much so that when a youth basketball team from Šaruno Marciulionio Basketball Academy came to Australia in 1990 it was a big deal.   A boy’s youth team arrived in Adelaide on 11 March with their sponsors and Zita Mačiulionyte, Šarunas’ sister.   They arrived to Adelaide heat, maybe not hot for those who grew up here but coming from Lithuania the 35 degrees would have been felt.   Aged between 16-18 years the team played several games in Adelaide against the SA Sports Institute.   The first game was won by the Lithuanians by 4 points, 71-67. The second game held on the 13 th at Seymour College which they won, 90-79.   The third and final game began poorly for the Lithuanians, being 14 points behind before they scored.   They pulled together and again managed to win 78-69.   The Lithuanians played a friendly match aga...

Kazys Kaminskas amongst other things was a poet.  He married and raised a family in Adelaide after arriving heer after WWII.  His poetry was often printed in the Adelaide Catholic newsletter. Forced to leave one’s homeland would have broken many hearts and ending up under a foreign land, different language, culture, landscape was too different for some. His poems often mentioned his beloved homeland, his childhood memories of growing up near the banks of the river Nemunas and his parents.   His book is titled ‘Po svetimu dangum’ ‘Under foreign skies’ published in Adelaide in 1981.   Tėvynėje liko lyg sapnas praeitis: Jau pradingo jaunystės dienos ir laimė, Beliko tik svajoniu žiedai, O mano gimtąjį kaimą Aplanko tik ilgesio sapnai. As fate unfolded, he actually passed away in Lithuania, fortunate to see his beloved homeland free once again. He once wrote in a poem about death, ‘Mano kūno pelenis svetiname krašte’ (my ashes will be in a foreig...

In 1954, the Adelaide Lithuanian community was still sending clothes and shoes back to Germany.   Destined for Father Vaclovas Šarka in Hamburg, the boxes were to be distributed to Lithuanians residing in Germany, but who do not reside in cities and do not receive BALF packages (United Lithuanian Relief Fund of America (Bendras Amerikos Lietuvi ų Fondas A Šalpos)   (BALFAS).   These Lithuanians often live far from the larger Lithuanian communities in DP camps and are hard to reach and sometimes forgotten. Father Šarka wrote to the community thanking them for their generous contribution and that material from Australia lessens their need and strengthen their spirit.

First Adelaide Literature evening was held on the 30 th May 1954 in the Catholic Cathedral hall in Wakefield Street. The session were conducted by Pulgis Andriušis, Pranas Pušdešris, Leonas Pakalnis from work that had not been published before. The first half featured serious reading from B. Brazdžionis poetry.   The second half was a selection of humourist readings.   A   pianist, M. Martinkienė provided some musical interlude.   It was organised by the Lietuvių Mokyklos Tevių Komitetas (Lithuanian School Parents Committee). After this, weekly literature afternoons were held, organised by the ALB on Sundays after lunch.   It featured readings, discussions and a musical hour.    These were held in St Joseph’s church hall. Topics included a talk by Antanas Rukštelė on Lithuanian press and the path to independence.   Jonas Lapšys gave a talk on Lithuanian shipping, Stasys Čibiras spoke on leased property acquisition in Australia, ...

Flags afire Burning a country's flag is seen as a hostile action, displaying disrespect to the country.  It is often at demonstrations that this is done, giving the occasion a dramatic show. In 1972, Adelaide Lithuanians burnt a Russian flag on the steps of Lithuanian House.   As the flames three feet high engulfed the flag, Lithuanians sang the Lithuanian National Anthem.    The flag burning came at the end of a city demonstration by Lithuanians in tribute to Romas Kalanta who burnt himself to death in Kaunas in opposition to Russian occupation.   About 600 people packed into 150 cars for the motorcade demonstration through the city streets. Most cars carried banners decrying Russian opposition. On the steps of Lithuanian House, Zita Bielskis, Rasa Kubilius and Jura Vitkunas poured petrol over the flag while Linas Varnas set fire to it.

An annual Marian procession is led by Adelaide Archbishop in honour of St. Mary.  Held each May, a procession from Rostrevor College oval of Catholic priests and church members would walk to the Catholic seminary at Rostrevor.        Lithuanian members would dress in their traditional National costumes, singing hymns and carrying the hand made banner of Mary. The banner when not in use hangs in the St Casimir chapel by the baptistery.  

In 1936, the Prime Minister of Lithuania, J. Tubelis wrote a congratulary letter to the Hon. R.L Butler, Premier of South Australia on the State centenary. National flags from around the world accompanied the messages of congratulations. As part of the celebrations, the Centenary Executive Committee of South Australia contacted the State, Federal and British governments to obtain official reques ts for flags to be sent to the state. These messages were read publicly as each flag was presented to the South Australian Governor and Premier.   As "a colourful and significant gesture of world goodwill", the messages provide a snapshot of international diplomacy in 1936, shortly before World War II would change this political landscape forever. From State Records of South Australia SRSA Ref: GRG24/145/1/27  

18.III. 1907 – 19.XII.1970 Pulgis (Fulgencijus) Andriušis was born in Lithuania in the village of Gaidžiai, near Tauragnai in the district of Utena.   He was a noted writer, literary critic and translator of books and plays.   Andriušis’ short stories are written in an eastern Lithuanian dialect. They abound with descriptions of nature and of peasant life, which is closely tied to nature.   He wrote with humour but without malice of everyday village life, a life he would have experience in his youth.   In Kaunas he studied literature at the University of Kaunas and also art at the School of Art.   He learned many foreign languages during the course of his studies and his extensive travels in Western Europe and North Africa. Andriušis began his writing career by contributing articles (as book reviews, drama critiques and essays) to various periodicals.   He continued this throughout his life writing for Australian Lithuanian newspapers and ...

To commemorate the 50 th anniversary of the proclamation of Independence of the Baltic counties in 1918, a Baltic week was held throughout Australia from 1 st to 8 th of June 1968.   Functions arranged for that week included Remembrance Services and concerts, exhibitions of Art and crafts, Baltic food display and tasking and social evening. The Baltic convention was held on the 1 st June in Adelaide as part of Baltic Week.   Held at Latvian house the convention was attended by 98 delegates (35 Estonians, 35 Latvians and 28 Lithuanians) representing communities in Adelaide Melbourne and Sydney. Mr A Krausas (Lithuanian member from Melbourne) summed up the aims, To strengthen the resistance and ties of the Baltic nations in their fight for freedom, culture is the best weapon. Being without our countries and armies, the only way we ca strive for freedom is through cultural media.   All three of us working together will have a better chance to be heard and o...

23 November Kariuomines Diena Lithuania Armed Forces Day   While the Returned Soldiers Association Ramovė was active in Adelaide, each year the members would gather to commemorate Lithuanian Armed Forces Day on 23 rd of November. Lithuanian Armed Forces Day is commemorated on the 23 rd of November the date that the Lithuanian army was initiated in 1918.   An exert from an article written by Vladas Radzevicius (date unknown) reiterates what was written in the Melbourne Catholic newsletter, ‘Tėviškės Aidai’; We bow our heads to remember the soldiers who gave their lives for their homeland, so that we may be free.   We bow our heads that one day we will hear the historic cry, ourageous without fear like our father and forefathers, let us pause before the enemy’s path, let us increase our pace for our mother land, and for the Lithuanian State. On that day, the time worn soldiers would dress in their best suits, nothing less than tie and ja...

As Lithuania was occupied until 1991, exiled Lithuanian communities around the world would endeavour to connect in different ways.   One of these was through sport.   Unable to meet in Lithuania at first, the first World Lithuanian Games were held in Canada in 1978. The games were organised by future Lithuanian president, Vladas Adamkus. It was a way of uniting the youth and instilling a spirit of national pride.   In 1983, Chicago hosted the games. The World Lithuanian Days and sport festival was held in Chicago from 25 June to 4 July 1983. A team from Australia was selected to participate and represent all the Lithuanians in Australia. Antanas Laukaitis was the touring party leader, Treasurer and junior boys basketball coach, Don Atkinson, Men’s section leader Jurgis Karpavicius, women’s section leader Marija Atkinson, coordinator of travel and men’s volleyball coach, Jerry Belkus and Public Relations Nita Wallis. From Adelaide went; Basketball Edd...

Father Juozas Nikodemas PETRAITIS MIC Born on July 16th 1922 in Milgaudžius village in the Taurag ė region to Juozapas and Marija.   He came from a farming family, the eldest child of four.   Juozas was active in the local church, and at about the age of 10 decided he wanted to be a priest.   He studied at Gaur ė s primary school, Taurag ė High school and the Telšiai seminary.     During the war he moved to the Kaunas seminary.   He was drafted in the Red Army in 1941.    He fled into Germany with his mother, sister and two brothers.   They remained in DP camps, he was able to continue his studies at Eichstatte Seminary.   Following the end of the war, he travelled to Rome to continue his seminary studies.   He studied at the Gregorium and Angelicum University.   In 1946 he joined the Marian fathers and continued his studies in America, Marina Hills Marion Seminary not far from Chicago.   He was ordained on Asc...