Australian Lithuanian History

Algimantas Plūkas was born on New Year’s Day 1922 in Kupiškis. He is the son of Ignas and Julija Aleknaite.  He attended primary school in Kupiškis from, 1936-1942. studied at Kupiškis gymnasium.  In the summer of 1944, he left Lithuania for Germany, he had been studying electronics and residing in Vilnius before he left.  He had hoped to migrate to Cleveland.  On 30 October 1949 emigrated to Australia on the Nelly and settled in Sydney. He worked in a private company as a silversmith. His work is held by the Australian Officers' Association in Sydney (miniature cannon valued at about $4,000), Cardinal Gilroy of Sydney (several). He devoted a lot of energy, time, financial resources and energy to Lithuanian affairs, he was a accordion player, conductor, instrumentalist, painter and decorator.   He carved wood, worked in metal.   He led the Sydney Lithuanian choir, Dainava from 1955 to 1957.   From 1960 to 1963 he led a double quartet, Ro ž ytes , a ...

Equator-crossing ceremonies evolved from a test for seasoned sailors to ensure their new shipmates were capable of handling long, rough voyages.   Lithuanians coming to Australia by ship were initiated into this rite after crossing of the Equator.  The ceremony usually involved everyone onboard, King Neptune, dressing up and lots of water.   This memorable event was often acknowledged with a certificate. Eighteen-year-old Renoldas Čėsna was on board the Castelbianco bound for Melbourne in 1949.  He travelled with his parents and sister, along with another 911 refugees from Eastern Europe: Balts, Polish, Yugoslavs, Ukrainians, Russians, Hungarians and Germans.  Renoldas kept a diary of his journey from Naples, Italy, to Australia.  This is his translated account of the equator crossing ceremony. 1949.III.7 Indian Ocean We sailed across the equator.  For that occasion, a baptism was held. King Neptune carrying a pitchfork and a few princesses ...

  The Australian Lithuanian War Veterans Association ( Ramov ė ) comprises of former members of the previously independent Republic of Lithuania (1918-1940) armed forces.  The purpose of the organisation is to encourage the camaraderie traditional among ex-soldiers and to maintain and foster Lithuanian heritage, customs and culture. Canberra veterans chose to construct a monument dedicated to honour the victims of terror of communism for wanting to rebuild independent Lithuania.  It was built in the garden of the Canberra Australian Lithuanian Club, when it was located at 64 Wattle Street, Lyneham, an inner northside suburb of Canberra. The initiator and designer of the monument is Feliksas Borumas, who personally executed the construction work with major assistance by LKVS Ramov ė Canberra branch secretary, Liudas Budzinauskas and other LKVS members of Canberra Ramov ė organisation.  The intention was that it would stand indefinitely as a witness and proof ...