Fifth President of the National Council, Sydney 1957 – 25 October 1958
Stepas Kovalskis was born on 28 May 1905 in Bern,
Switzerland. After graduating from Ukmergė State Gymnasium in 1925, he studied
law at the Faculty of Law, Vytautas Magnus University, in Kaunas. During his
studies, he was an active member of the Lithuanian student organisation L.S.T.
Korp! "Neo Lithuania."
Upon completing his legal studies, Kovalskis began his
career as a bailiff in Kaunas and later worked as a notary in Molėtai,
Panevėžys, and Šakiai.
In October 1944, the turmoil of war forced him to leave his
homeland. He lived in various German cities—Dresden, Ravensburg, Ulm,
Schwäbisch Gmünd, and Stuttgart—before emigrating to Australia in 1949 with his
wife, Gražina, and their children. They arrived aboard the ship Nelly in November 1949.
Initially, the family settled in Sydney, later moving to
Canberra, where Stepas spent the last seven years of his life.
Stepas left an enduring mark on the Australian Lithuanian
community. A man of great administrative talent and exceptional intellect, he
served as President of the National Council from 1956 to 1958. Under his
leadership, the National Board revitalized the community by launching new
cultural initiatives. One of his most significant achievements was the
establishment of the Council of Culture and its inclusion in the Community
Statute. He is remembered as the founder and chief architect of the Council’s
activities and as one of the most devoted supporters of the first Lithuanian
Art Days in Australia.
Kovalskis was known for his forward-thinking vision in both
social and cultural spheres. His guiding principle was: “Everything needs to
be planned at least ten years ahead.”
Those who knew him admired not only his intellect and deep
erudition but also his integrity, tolerance, and genuine kindness. As Izidorius
Jonaitis, a long-time colleague, once said: “He was a true aristocrat of
spirit.”
His untimely passing was a great loss not only to the
Lithuanian community in Australia but also to Lithuanians around the world. He
left behind the example of a noble personality and a creative Lithuanian who
deeply believed in the immortality of the nation. His life was guided by
respect for others and love for his fellow human beings.
More than 150 friends and relatives gathered to pay their
final respects when Stepas passed away on 5 November 1964. His funeral took
place in northern Sydney, where an open casket allowed mourners to bid him
farewell. His ashes rest in the Lithuanian section of Rookwood Cemetery,
inscribed with the words: “Respect for others was your strength.”
His beloved wife, Gražina, passed away on 21 April 1995 and
rests beside him.
References
Mūsų Pastogė 9 Nov 1964 p1
Mūsų Pastogė16 Nov 1964
National Archive of Australia
Find a grave
Arlosen Archive
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