Juozas Maksvytis, the first Lithuanian to graduate from the University of NSW

Juozas was the first Lithuanian to graduate from the University of NSW. Eighteenth and seventh president of the Australian Lithuanian Community.

Juozas was a person devoted to science, loved music and song, and had a sense of responsibility for Lithuanian community work, and everything was connected with a sense of the beauty of life, with undying optimism.

Juozas Maksvytis was born on November 7, 1924, in Grūšlaukė, Salanta village, Kretinga county, in the family of a pharmacist, the middle of seven children.  In 1938 he joined the scouts in Taurage and in 1944 graduated from Plungė Gymnasium.

After moving to Germany, due to the occupation of Lithuania, he gained a degree in electrical engineering, graduating from Nürtingen-Schwäbisch Gmünd Lithuanian Technical School in 1948.

In 1949 he arrived in Australia on the Svalbard 29 June 1948, his younger sister, also came to Australia a few months before him.  Juozas completed a two-year work contract at a factory in Yallourn, Victoria. After moving to Melbourne, he immediately got involved in national cultural activities, such as Lithuanian folk dancing. He enrolled into the University of Melbourne, but due to his limited English he was unable to complete the course.

In 1952, Juozas moved to Sydney, where in August 1954 he married a fellow Lithuanian.  They had two daughters.  He again enrolled into the newly opened University of NSW, Faculty of Science and Mathematics.  In 1959 he received his diploma in applied chemistry and in 1960 received a Bachelor of Science degree. 

He worked during the day and studied in the evening; he had to support his family.  It was reported that chemistry student Juozas Maksvytis, had become the first radioactive person in Australia. While studying in the chemistry labs he helped to remove from the laboratory a container with radioactive material.  It was later noticed that liquid had leaked from the leaden container that he had been carrying.   After conducting tests, it was established that his wrist was radioactive. The university took urgent measures, and he spent 14 days in hospital, where intensive blood tests were carried out.  He survived.

From 1963-64 and 1969-70 Juozas was a member of the Regional Board of Australian Lithuanian Community (ALC).  From 1973-75 Juozas was the chairman of the Sydney area of ​​ALC, and when Gough Whitlam recognised the Baltic States incorporation into the Soviet Union, Juozas was a member of the BAG (Baltic Action Group), who actively fought for the cancellation of the recognition.

In 1983-84, Juozas was again a member of the ALC Regional Board and simultaneously the chairman of the ALB Cultural Council.

He worked as a biochemist at St. Vincent's Hospital, until his retirement in 1987.  By then he was head of the hormone research department.

The following year he studied philosophy and history at Macquarie University, then 1991-92 he attended a museum management courses (graduated in November 1992), and since 1993 worked with the University of Third Age until his death.

In 1989 to 1990 Juozas again served on the ALC board as chairman.  From1995 he actively joined Sydney Lithuanian sports club "Kovas" and played golf.

Juozas had a lifelong love of music.  Since 1954 he sang in the Sydney Lithuanian choir and saw him join Algis Plukis "Rozytės", later he performed with his own group "Tie patys".  After the creation of the "Ansamblio" choir, Juozas helped this choir prepare individual voices, occasionally conducting the choir himself in concerts.  Since 1960 until 1970 for a whole decade, Juozas was a singing and music teacher at the Sydney Weekend School.

Juozas even composed a series of his own songs and hymns, such as "Longing", for which he wrote the music and lyrics.  Juozas performed in the opera "Aida" in the chorus of the Sydney Opera House.  In 1996 Juozas sang in four Australian choirs: Sydney Men's Choir, Sydney Mixed Choir, Beethoven 9th Symphony Society Choir and University of Third Age Choir.

Since 1975 he acted in the Sydney Lithuania "Atžala" theatre, in 1980 he switched to directing and theatre administration. Together with Paulius Rūtenius, he organised the first Lithuanian theatre festival in Australia.

On 2 February 1977, the sad news about the unexpected death of Juozas Maksvytis, was received which painfully shocked his large group of friends and acquaintances.