Australian Lithuanian History

Queensland Tully Queensland Many of the DP workers arrived on the third and fourth transports to Queensland to cut sugar cane.   Resident in private houses with sperate rooms. 1948 900 Balts engaged in cane cutting. Allocations were: Hambledon110. Mulgrave 40, Goondi 32, Mourilyan 20, South Johnstone 43, Tully 90. Macknade 61, Victoria 48. Queensland Forest Forests belong to the Forest Department; camp is about 24 miles from Gympie.   There are three Lithuanians here.   We live in tents, food storage is a cupboard, no kitchen meals you cook yourself.   Favourite past time is a river where we swim.   24 workers, which will increase to 150.   Earn about L6.19.8 per week.   One can save up to L20 per month.   The forests are cut and what is left is burnt. New trees will be planted suitable for building material. Vladas Koncius Derrier Creek Camp, Queensland Workers are all new migrants, 64 workers in tents of whom eight are Lithuani...

Dr Juozas Briedis was an agronomist who worked in Alytus, Seiniai, Ukmerge and Biržai before WWII.  He specialised in the economics of animal husbandry, deciding the most suitable type of breeds of stock for varying conditions.  He always had an interest in music and singing, such that he studied singing from 1937 – 8 at Kaunas Music School and later at the University of Bonn.  He led many choirs and vocal ensembles in Lithuania, Germany and the USA.  On arrival in Australia, Juozas was sent to work as a labourer on the Metropolitan Water Sewerage and Drainage Board project, building the Warragamba Dam, which provides water supply to Sydney.   When his two-year contract with the government was almost complete, Juozas sought work in his profession.   He sent letters seeking employment to CSIRO and Sydney University.   The University would have employed him, but they could not offer remuneration equal to that of a camp steward of £12 per week.  ...