Izidorius Jonaitis

Seventh and nineth President of the Australian Lithuanian Community, Sydney, 1959 - 1960, 1963-1964

Izidorius Jonaitis was born on 3 May 1909 in Paežeriai Šeduva, into a large farming family of five brothers and two sisters. With the support of his elder brother, he completed his primary and secondary education in Radviliškis and Šiauliai before enrolling at Vytautas Magnus University in Kaunas, where he graduated with a degree in civil engineering and architecture.

From an early age, Izidorius was deeply inspired by the ideals of scouting. His enthusiasm continued during his university years, culminating in the founding of the scout corporation “Vytis” at Vytautas Magnus University, of which he served as president in 1931–1932.

After completing his engineering studies, he also graduated from the Military School and served for a time in the Lithuanian Air Force, where he learned to fly. Later, he worked professionally as an architect and construction contractor, and for a period he was employed in the Ministry of Education in Vilnius within the engineering department.

In 1944, Jonaitis was forced to leave Lithuania due to the war. He moved to Austria, and from 1945 to 1949 lived in a displaced persons camp in Ravensburg, Germany. There he taught at the Lithuanian Gymnasium and conducted construction courses for the United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration (UNRRA).

On 31 May 1949, Izidorius and his wife Whilemina arrived in Australia aboard the Skaugum. He first worked for the New South Wales Railways in Sydenham and, from 1951 to 1971, served in the New South Wales State Architect’s Office, where he helped design hospitals and other public buildings.

Jonaitis remained deeply committed to community life. He served twice as Chairman of the Regional Board of the Lithuanian Community of Australia, dedicating great effort to restoring unity and harmony within the organisation. He was also a long-time member of the Advisory Editorial Board of “Mūsų Pastogė,” an avid chess player, and an active scout leader. Through his initiative, the “Vytis” academic circle of scouts was established in Sydney.

One of his most enduring contributions was the organisation of the first Australian Lithuanian Days in 1960 — a milestone cultural event that strengthened the bonds of the Lithuanian diaspora in Australia.

Izidorius Jonaitis passed away on 7 June 1995, leaving behind a legacy of leadership, service, and dedication to Lithuanian culture and community life.

Adelaide Lithuanian Amateur Photo Club

Adelaidės Lietuvių foto mėgėjų klubo

Adelaide Lithuanian Amateur Photo Club

Several Adelaide Lithuanians with an interest in photography got together and established an amateur photo club.  The aim was to help each other perfect their work.  At the first meeting on 18 October 1959, which was held at Vytautas Vosylius flat in Mile End the group produced its guidelines.

A Krausas viewing the exhibition in 1968

The first president was Vytautas Vosylius and the secretary Petras Snarskis.   The document was also signed by Kazys Požera,  Alfonsas Budrys,  Pranas Šatkus and Juozas Vebrys.

The Photo club organised several exhibitions in Adelaide and also during the Australian Lithuanian Festival Days as part of the Art exhibition.  They usually received over 50 works and in the 1968 exhibition had 95 on display.  The categories included Black and white, colour, portraits and landscapes.

Not surprisingly members Alfonsas Budrys and Vytautas Vosylius did exceedingly well in the competitions.  Both were active in Australian amateur photographic clubs as well.

The group was active until 1970.

Adelaide and Lithuania, closer than you think

While in Lithuania I was very excited to find several links with Adelaide. The first time was in Siauliai visiting the Rūta chocolate Museum.  In 1913, Antanas Gricevičius established Rūta, a tiny sweet workshop. As foreigners owned most of the companies in Lithuania at that time, Mr Gricevičius called the shop, Rūta, after a plant found in Lithuania (Rue), in a bid to highlight its national character.

Rūta gradually established a reputation for itself and, by the 1930s, the factory had more than 100 employees and produced around 300 different types of chocolate. In 1929, Mr Gricevičius built a new factory with shop premises to the design of the famous architect, Kārlis Reisons. Since 2012, the building has been a museum.  

The above mentioned architect is actually Karolis Reisonas, who ended up living in Adelaide and was instrumental in refurbishing the current Adelaide Lithuanian House. 

Further into the Museum, there was a display on the Rūta chocolate boxes over the years. I was rather bewildered to see a familiar one.  The tin with Darius and Girenas on it is used in the Adelaide Lithuanian Museum to keep the keys to the display cabinets in.  The tin was produced in the 1930's.  I now look at it with different eyes, and wonder if it was donated by Reisonas?

In Kaunas, I met a friend who works in the Vytautas Magnus University.  She took me to see her work place. As it was holidays there were few people around, but I did get to meet a staff member working on the Adamkus archives.  Former president of Lithuania, Valdas Adamkus has donated many personal items which will be kept at the University and hopefully one day become a museum.  Amongst the items was this plate presented to Adamkus when he came to Adelaide with the American Lithuanian basketball team in 1964.  It's hand made and painted with the places and dates visited.





On my last day in Vilnius, I went to visit the Museum of Genocide Victims (KGB Museum).  Under Soviet occupation mail from outside the Union was closely scrutinised.  One display showed publications issued abroad which had been confiscated by the sensors.  To my surprise it was a program from the Australian Lithuanian Days held in Adelaide in 1962.

I was never far away from home. 


Museum of Genocide Victims http://genocid.lt/muziejus/en/  
Ruta Chocolate Museum   http://www.sokoladomuziejus.lt/en/exposition/chocolate-in-ruta/ 
Adamkus Archives Library http://adamkuslibrary.lt/biblioteka/?lang=en