Sydney Real Estate Agent, Vaclovas Narbutas

Vaclovas Narbutas

Vaclovas Narbutas, of 83 Enmore Street, Newtown, NSW (telephone LA 4791), worked as a house and business purchasing agent for two and a half years. During that time, he successfully assisted in the sale of more than 120 homes to Australian and migrant buyers of many nationalities. Approximately 50 Lithuanians also benefited from his services.

Vaclovas believed that honest and dedicated service to buyers was the greatest form of advertisement and the foundation of business success. He often said that satisfied clients would recommend him to three or four acquaintances, allowing his clientele to grow naturally through trust and reputation.

“I do not work only for money, but to serve buyers, so that with their hard-earned savings they can purchase properties they will be happy and satisfied with,” he explained. “The only thing I lack is time to serve everyone who comes to me.”

This energetic and generous man dedicated much of his life to helping others.
On 19 July 1975, former Lithuanian Army Major Vaclovas Narbutas passed away in Sydney Hospital after a long struggle with kidney and heart disease. He was born on 28 September 1901 in Garliava, near Kaunas. After graduating from the Voronezh Gymnasium, he returned to Lithuania and entered the Lithuanian Military School. Upon graduation, he was assigned to the 2nd Infantry Regiment in Kaunas.

During his military career, Vaclovas rose to the rank of captain and was appointed regiment adjutant. He was highly respected and admired by both his fellow officers and the soldiers under his command. Because many of the regiment’s administrative, economic and financial responsibilities passed through his hands, he became known as a person who always sought ways to assist others. Vaclovas continued his service in the Lithuanian Army and Lithuanian military units until his departure to Germany after the Second World War, where he was eventually promoted to the rank of major.

In Lithuania, Vaclovas married Kotryna, and together they raised three sons. The entire Narbutas family was deeply involved in Lithuanian community life wherever they lived: in Lithuania, Germany and later in Sydney. Vaclovas was a member of the Sydney Lithuanian Club and the Lithuanian Veterans’ Association Ramovė, supporting Lithuanian organisations through both his involvement and generous donations.

Following the war, the Narbutas family found refuge in the Würzburg Displaced Persons Camp in Germany. Because of his leadership abilities and integrity, Vaclovas was appointed commandant of this large international camp by the American military authorities.

When emigration opportunities opened, the Narbutas family left Europe for Australia, arriving at the Bathurst migrant transit camp in 1949. After completing his compulsory employment period, they moved to Sydney, where Vaclovas immediately began working in the property industry as a house and real estate sales agent. After completing the required examinations, he became a licensed real estate agent, first working independently and later joining a large real estate agency in Ashfield.

Vaclovas Narbutas, like his entire family, became a respected and well-known figure throughout Sydney’s Lithuanian community. His sincerity, kindness and constant willingness to help others became almost a legend among his compatriots.

Many Lithuanians who today live in their own homes remembered Vaclovas with gratitude, knowing that his guidance and assistance helped them achieve that dream.

On one occasion, I asked him, as I watched him continue to work tirelessly, when he would finally allow himself the rest he deserved.

“I will only rest in the grave,” he replied. “For now, although my legs are already badly swollen, I still have much work to do. My last wish is to visit my old friends in America and Canada one more time.”

Sadly, this final dream was not fulfilled. Only a few weeks later, he was admitted to hospital, where he passed away and said farewell to this earthly life.

Father P. Martūzas conducted the funeral service in the church. As an honour guard stood beside the coffin draped in the Lithuanian flag, many friends, relatives and members of the community gathered to pay their final respects to a man who had devoted his life to service, friendship and the Lithuanian cause.

Mūsų Pastogė Nr. 30, 1975.8.4, psl. 2 by A.L