100 Aciu - Eddie Gudelis

Eduardas Gudelis

Eddie (Dad) was born May 4, 1940 in Kaunas.  His biological father, Jonas Kondrotas, was an officer in the Lithuanian army.   He was arrested, sent to Siberia and later died there.  Juze, dad’s mother, never knew what happened to her husband.  Antanas Gudelis was there for her at this difficult time.  She married him and adopted dad.

As a family, they lived in refugee camps until 1949 when they arrived in Australia.  The family first lived in a share house in the city (Kintore Avenue) whilst having a house built at 8 Princes St, Prospect.

From a young age he was involved within the Adelaide Lithuanian Community – scouting, as a member of the Žilvinas Dancing Group and he also played basketball for the “Vytis” Sports Club.  In his later years he was an ALB and Vytis Sports Club member.

In his formative years, he was an altar boy and also had a private Catholic education at the Christian Brother’s College.  He was quite rebellious and enjoyed wagging school and going to the movies or playing football with his mates.

His love of sport included playing and watching basketball which he was passionate about.  He instilled the love the game into me.  He drove me to basketball games as a teenager and was a vocal supporter from the sidelines.  Later on we had season tickets for Adelaide 36’ers games for years.

His first love was basketball until he met mum and they had two daughters Kristina and Natalie.  Dad was very family orientated and every weekend we visited “Babytė” and “Senelis” and went to Sunday mass.

He was a quiet, selfless and caring person always thinking of others before himself.  He also had a dry sense of humour.

He instilled in me an interest in the Lithuanian community of which I am still involved.

Dad made sure both Nat and I worked hard for what we wanted and instilled in us the value of being humble about our achievements.

Submitted by his daughter, Kristina.

The end of 1962

A special visit was made to Parkside hospital to visit the sick and give Christmas gifts.  On December 17^th, the Women’s society gained permission to present a Lithuanian folk concert to the 14 Lithuanians hospitalised as well as the other patients.  The Lithuanian choir sang 8 songs and the dancing group danced six Lithuanian folk dances.

The auditorium had over 200 people from all different nationalities. Two Lithuanians, Stanickiene and Kalibatiene-Vasiliauskiene worked at the hospital and were astonished that this was the first time that patients had been fearless enough to watch.  It may have been the colourful costumes or the care brought by the performers.

Combined Christmas Eve

The community shared much of their lives together, so it was not surprising that 189 people gathered at Lithuanian house to share in a traditional Christmas Eve.  Prepared by the Women’s society the occasion began with a prayer and breaking of the host.  After some Christmas songs, people gathered around the Christmas tree and together decorated the inside of the hall.  Vytas Straukas with his violin accompanied by his sister Giedre on piano played Tylioji naktis.  L. Ruzinskaite recited some Lithuanian poems.

On Boxing Day, the Vytis sports club began the journey to Geelong for the annual Australian Lithuanian Sports festival, from 27 December to January 1.

December 27^th, basketball game against Geelong men, table tennis against Hobart.

December 28^th women’s volleyball against Melbourne, men against Hobart. Mens basketball against Sydney, the women against Melbourne.  Table tennis, Adelaide men against Geelong and Sydney, the women against Geelong.  Tennis men against Sydney, women vs Geelong. Chess, first round against Geelong.

December 29^th Adelaide basketball women vs Hobart, men also. Table tennis, women and men play Melbourne. Tennis played Hobart and Sydney teams, and volleyball against Geelong.

December 30^th, Womens’ basketball played Sydney.  Volleyball me vs Sydney and then Geelong.

1990 Song festival in Vilnius

 

The climate in Lithuania had changed by 1990 that it seemed possible that group visits could occur.  It was at this time that the Adelaide Lithuanian National Dancing group Žilvinas were gearing up to participate in the 13^th Lithuanian National song festival to be held in Vilnius.  It would have been the first time that most of us would have travelled overseas and to Lithuania. 

Lithuania had just regained its Independence on 11 March 1990.  Russia was not overjoyed at this and so an ultimatum was issued on April 13: drop all talk about independence or face economic sanctions in the form of a blockade.  Lithuania did not retreat, and the Soviet government introduced sanctions against Lithuania as of April 18.

The blockade conditions meant that visas were not granted to everyone in Adelaide Dancing group.  Practising weekly with our teacher, Vytas Straukas, there were about 15 in the group.  A fortunate six got visas and were able to travel to Lithuania to partake in the Song festival.

Birute Stalbaite
Dana Baltutyte
Julija Bakutyte
Bronius Sabeckis
Andrius Dunda
Paul Rupinskas

Weekend school and me

Attending Lithuanian schools on weekends included many things I did not like, mainly dictation and grammar.  I enjoyed the history, the dancing and singing and of course playing with your friends.  On occasion we were asked to write in Lithuanian about a particular topic.  Mine always came back covered in red ink and would use a much simpler language than I could speak. It included alot of repetitive words as that filled up lots of space.   If we were allowed to do this at home, it really was my parents work. 

Homework was usually left to the Saturday morning when there was a rush to get it done and ready for school.  

Below are some examples of essays, unfortunately I don't know who wrote them or what year, but it was before 1980.  They are very loosely translated.

Weekend school and me

I rise at 8:00am and prepare for school.  10:00am the bell rings and we go to class. We say prayers and start work. We sing and dance. At 12:00pm we go to lunch.  The teachers go to eat in another room.  We play a little and then return to class.  Sometimes with Mrs Mazelis and other girls we do some weaving. The other children who do not weave go to watch films about Lithuania. 

 Every Saturday we leave home at 9:00am to go to Lithuanian House.  We gather in the Library where our class is. One week we have history, the other Lithuanian grammar and language.  Every second week we have dancing and weekly signing. The last week of the month, we weave.

This school has 8 year levels, five classes and kindergarten. It is now easier for me to write letters and talk about history. English school it is easy to do projects about Lithuania as I have learnt alot.  I like Lithuanian school very much.

Adelaide National Dancing group goes to Port Lincoln

In 1964, the Adelaide Lithuanian National Dancing group travelled to the tuna capital of Australia, Port Lincoln. January 24 – 27^th 1964, the annual Tuna festival was held, attracting tourists from all ends of Australia and even around the globe.  The dancing group was invited to the festival led by Bronė Lapšienė.  Friday evening, 28 dancers where chaperoned by Bronė and Vytautas Vosylius aboard a bus that would take them 400 miles from Adelaide. 

Although they were tired, not having slept much during the night bus ride the dancers gave an excellent performance at the festival.  The public were spellbound, the two performances were did not satisfy them.  The group preformed another time on the Sunday evening.

Before every dance, student Antanas Stepanas would broadcast over the microphone a brief introduction to Lithuania, its people, culture, customs, songs and described the dance to be seen.   Antanas then introduced each dancer by name.  During the break, Germanaitė gave a lovely solo recital on the accordion.

The dancers were accommodated in a private home before boarding the bus once again for the long journey home.  The bus driver was able to show some of the highlights of the local area before departing the sea side town.

Early life for Mt Gambier Lithuanians

Some Lithuanians undertaking their two year contract worked in the Mt Gambier area.  They worked for SA Forestry, in the local saw mill and wool processing factory

An extract from Mūsų Pastogė on the work they did in the forest.

We had a water tap by the barracks but no where to shower.  There was no river and the weather was cold.  The kitchen had a wooden stove and one pot.  Once a week we would organise to wash.  Washing was chaotic.  The last two people  had to be washed by 8am so that we could catch the bus to Mt Gambier.  A list of items to purchase was already done as we had to buy a week of food as there was no shop in the forest . A farmer nearby sold us milk and eggs.  Bread was delivered daily to the barracks.

Everyone had to cook their own food, there was only one stove on which one pot would fit.  It was decided that they needed a cook who was paid  a shilling per week. Modestas Čiplys got the job.   Our cook had to boil water every day for tea and cook dinner for us.  We all had to collect wood from the forest for the stove.  

Forester Stolz required an office worker, and as Čiplys had attended Trade school in Lithuania so he went to work there.   Other Lithuanians worked as labourers.  

The nights were cold and we put on all we had brought with us, between the blankets we placed our shirts and tops, anything to keep warm. In the evening we stoked the heater, one stood in each room.  If it was extinguished it got very cold.  

Lithuanian Dance troup

By 1953 there were 12 Lithuanian families and eleven single men living in the town.  Several Lithuanian's owned their own businesses, including a furniture shop, a restaurant and a sawmill.  A Lithuanian folk dancing troupe led by A. Janušaitiene and her three adult children.  Mt Gambier did not officially form any Elderate. And after 1960 had no formal interaction with the Federal Executive of the Australian Lithuanian community.

Dancing group

Open publication - Free publishing - More adelaide

A set of guidelines for the group was drawn up by Ilgunas in 1949, stating that;
The group is open to all who can represent the Lithuanian name
The desire to perform at ones best.

At the concert at Glenelg in 1949, was the first time that the group had sold a brochure on the dancing group, they collected £20-10-0 at 6d each.

The first group consisted of L. Giniotytė, Spaskauskas, Mockūnienė, A. Armonas, A Šliužas, G. Janulevičius, Vyt Dainius, J. Čizauskas, N. Skidzevičius and accordion player J. Songaila.

Lithuanian National Dancing group

It was not long after the first group of Lithuanian displaced persons arrived in Adelaide that a dancing group was formed and began performing. There first performance was on January 2nd, 1949. At that time, the “new Australians’ would have been a curious site, as a result the group were invited along with other Eastern European groups to perform at various functions. By May 1950 the group has 10 dances in their repertoire, with 20 dancers, all with national costumes and had by that time performed over 24 times. At that time no name had been given to the group apart from Adelaide Lithuanian Folk Dancing group.

•Woodville Carnival and Carols, Woodville oval, 23 December 1949
•The United Nations Arts Festival, Adelaide Town Hall, 20-22 October 1949
•Glenelg Commemoration Celebrations Carnival Concert by New Australians, Monday 26th December 1949 at 8pm. (Four dancers)
•Garden Fete at “Thorpe”, Crafers February 25
•International Goodwill Week Ball in Glenelg town hall, 24 February 1950
•Nurioopta Festival Night, 14th April 1950 with Estonians
•St Dominic’s Priory College concert for building fund, May 1950
•Teachers College May 1950
•F.H Faulding Social Birthday Dance, 17th May 1950
•Grand Variety Entertainment by New Australians, Port Adelaide Town Hall, 6th July 1950
•The New Australian Service, Music Lovers Grand Ball, Adelaide Town Hall, 19th October 1951
•Popular Concert presented by New and Old Australians, Adelaide Town Hall, October 26
•Lithuanian artists concert in Lobethal, 8th December 1951
•Student nurses annual ball at Palais Royal, 5th September 1952
•Henley & Grange Carnival, 23 January 1953
•Charity Coronation Ball, Palais Royal 27th May 1953, over 1200 guests

American Lithuanian folk group concert

In 1981 a Lithuanian folk dancing group from Chicago "Grandis", came to Australia and performed in Adelaide, Sydney, Canberra and Melbourne.
The dancers were billeted out to local families in each town. They performed their concert at Lithuanian House.
The dancers were;
DIDZBALYTE, Vida
GUDAS, Viktoras
KIAUSAITE Laima
KUCAS Linas
LAURUSONIS Linas
LESECKAS Linas
LIETUVININKAITE Zibute
MEILUS Alius
MOMKUTE Vida
PLIOPLYTE Rasa
POLIKAITIS Arunas
POLIKAITYTE Dalia
SINICKAS Ricardas
SMILGAITE Ramona
SODONIS Giedrius
SADAUSKAS Voldemaras
VALAVICIUTE Ruta
VASILIAUSKAITE Lora
VASILIAUSKAS Erikas
VIERAITYTE Lina
ZALATORIUTE Ale
ZYGAS Edmundas
Grandis is still active in Chicago, you can view more on their website. http://www.grandischicago.org/

Over the years the South Australian Lithuanian Community has organised many organisations, clubs, groups, councils and committees. Some have been to foster Lithuanian culture, some have been social groups, some are like minded individuals meeting together to foster their interest. Many began on first arrival of Lithuanian Displaced Persons in 1949, and many continue to this day. I have counted 63 such groups, and i am sure there are more. The largest has been the Sports Club, the Church and school. Traditional cultural groups such as dancing and the choir began early and still continue.

It will be interesting to see how the community continues to organise itself over the next years. I have drawn up a draft map of the organisations and how they relate to each other. I know it still needs work, so if you see any corrections, please advise.

Adelaide Lithuanian Dancing group

Brone Lapsys was leader of the National Dancing group in Adelaide for many years. The group formed in 1953 from students attending the Saturday Lithuanian school. The group would perform at Lithuanian concerts, Australian festivals and occasionally on t.v.

In 1964 for the Australian Lithuanian festival in Melbourne there were 30 dancers, with the groups accordion players, Julija and Rima Germanis.

Female dancers
V Brazauskas
L Daugalis
M Danisevičius
M Keršyte
Emilija Matiukas
V Mikeliūnas
R Pacevičius
I Pečiulis
Elzbieta Pocius
Rūta Pimpė
L Radzevičius
M Šiukšteris
V Vasilauskas

Male dancers
E Brazauskas
A Jonavičius
Rimas Daugalis
Jonas Morkūnas
P Kanas
V Maželis
Jonas Mikužis
Eugene Pocius
Gintaras Pimpė
A Radzevičius
A Stepanas
G Šimkus
Vytas Staukas
A Vasiliauskas
Algis Zamoiskis

Getting organised

The first formal gathering of Lithuanians in South Australia was held in the second half of 1948. The Catholic Immigration Officer held an afternoon tea for Lithuanians at Saint Francis Xavier's Hall in Wakefield Street. The hall was to become the first centre of Lithuanian community life in SA.

Shortly after this, Holy Mass in the Lithuanian language was celebrated by Father P Jatulis at Saint Joseph's church in Pirie Street. A Lithuanian language school began in Saint Joseph's Hall in November 1948.

In 1948 M Pareigis organised a small men's choir and V Ratkevicius organised a national dancing group.

On January 2nd, 1949 the first Adelaide Lithuanian meeting was held where over 60 Lithuanians gathered. They formed the Adelaide Lithuanian Cultural Society (Adelaides Lietuviu kulturos draugija ALKD). The President elect was Jonas Mockunas, vice-president, Vincas Cepliauskas, secretary Aleksandras Sliuzas, treasurer: Antanas Giniotis and cultural business Tadas Zurauskas. This group organised the commemoration of the 31st anniversary of the declaration of Lithuanian independence in 1918. Over 400 people attended the event and a photograph appeared in the newspaper. Australians soon began inviting the Lithuanian dancing group and choir to different events as a result.

From many places Migration Museum
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