Celebrating Lithuanian Independence Day, 1950

 A long road to Freedom was the headline detailing the celebration of the 32nd Lithuanian Independence Day in the small town of Bridgetown, south of Perth in 1950.  Lithuanians as well as other new migrants were employed in a range of jobs in the surrounding area, undertaking their compulsory two-year contract.  

Newly married couple, Birutė and Jurgis residing in Bridgetown felt that a commemoration of some sort was in order. There were a few Lithuanians families at that time in Bridgetown, but more were needed for a worthy celebration.   Lithuanians from neighbouring towns of Nannup, Shannon River, Deanmill, Yornup, Manjimup, Jarrahwood and Pembertown were invited to attend.  The anniversary was held in the convent Hall at Bridgetown, the sister prepared the food and a table was draped in a newly made yellow, green and red flag.  Small flags from left over material were placed on the tables.  Birutė kept the flag and it was used on many Adelaide events until it disappeared. 

Jurgis quickly gathered a choir that sang several songs and both national anthems.   Around fifty Lithuanians gathered, attending mass in the morning at St Brigid’s church before lunch.  Zenonas Samuolis living in Nannup, delivered the main address detailing the history of Lithuania’s struggle for independence.  Father Kelliher welcomed those gathered and said that as he had come from another country, he could sympathise of the loss homeland. Amongst those invited were Father Duffy from Manjimup, F. Leeman and G. A Lydiate, Manager of Deanmill and Jardee Timber Mills, Doctor N.S Williams, Officer in change of the Commonwealth Employment Officer W.L. Owens And H.O Moore, Chairman of Bridgetown Road Board. 

Jurgis (George) Jonavicius spoke at the event, We chose Australia as our new homeland, came here because we knew that we will have freedom, democracy and prosperity. We are happy ones because we found a new homeland which accepted us as newcomers as their own fellow – Australians and is giving us freedom, democracy and independence.  

Photo from Waymarking website

American All Stars program

American All Star team arrive in Adelaide
Jonas Jonavicius (Organiser) in light grey suit, Standing on first step is Vladas Adamkus (Tour Manager), next to him is Martynas Pocius (President of the Adelaide Lithuanian community)

Adelaide Lithuanian Radio Program

In 1975 the Adelaide University radio station 5UV invited ethnic groups to present programs. You were able to listen to Dutch, German and Latvian.  Vytautas Neverauskas, President of the community at that time thought it would be wonderful to hear the Lithuanian language on radio.  He approached  Viktoras Baltutis, Secretary of the community to contact the radio station where he was promised a weekly half hour slot.  A committee was formed consisting of Algis Grigonis (technician), Jurgis Jonavicius, Jonas Neverauskas, Genovaitė Vasiliauskienė and Viktoras Baltutis. Algis Grigonis worked at the ABC as a radio technician, whose assistance was vital to the success of the program. 

On March 13, 1977 the first progam was produced.  The community still had no equipment and at first used the studio at the Ukrainian house.  Algis contacted the Australian Lithuanian Federal Council for finance to purchase equipment.  $2000 was required, more than the committee had, so finances from Lithuanian Freedom society was borrowed.  The Adelaide Community converted the small room behind the stage at Lithuanian house into a studio.  It wasn’t hard to fill in half an hour as many of the community groups were keen to be participate.  It didn’t take long to repay the loan.

In 1979, the Adelaide Ethnic Broadcasters Incorporated (EBI) was formed out of the Adelaide University 5UV station and  given their own frequency.   It started to broadcast ethnic programs firstly in Dutch and Italian.  All previous foreign language broadcasts had been on commercial stations.  The Adelaide Lithuanian Radio committee approached EBI to extend their broadcasting time to one hour slot each fortnight, which they were granted.  

Viktoras Baltutis managed the radio program for six years.  He would plan the program, write small plays and invite others to participate.  Jurgis Jonavicius, Genovaitė Vasiliauskienė, Jonas Neverauskas, Elena Varnienė, and the Adelaide Youth organised by Jonas Mockūnas and Paulius Dunda. 

News and other announcements were read by Genovaitė Vasiliauskiienė, Odeta Stimburienė, Marytė Neverauskienė, Elena Lomsargienė, Viktoras Ratkevicius, Bronius Rainys and Augis Zamoiskis.  Algis Grigonis assisted with the radio until he passed away.  Stepas Guščia , Augis Zamoiskis, Jonas Rupinskas and Danutė Grigonytė assisted over the years.

The main aim was to broadcast news about the world and Australian Lithuanian life. Occasional speakers included Father Spurgis and Juozas Petraitis.  Special guests have included Simas Kudirka, Vytautas Kamantas (World Lithunain President) Dr Kazys Bobelis (surgeon, Honorary Chairman of the American Lithuanian Council and President of the Supreme Committee for the Liberation of Lithuania), soloists G Čapkauskienė and R Daunoras.

In 1983, the radio program was organised by Leonas Gerulaitis, assisted by Janina Vabolienė. Robert Sabeckis, Vita Bardauskaitė, Saulius Varnas, Pranas Pusdešris, Bronius Straukas, Antanina Guciuvience have been involved over the years.

The community still broadcast the one hour program, weekly on Saturdays at 9:00am on 5EBI 103.1FM.

Honoured Lithuanians

SA Lithuanians awarded Australian medals

DAVIS, Isolde Ira
Award: Member of the Order of Australia (AM)
Date granted: 26 January 1995
Suburb: Henley Beach
Citation: In recognition of service to the Lithuanian community and to education

DICIUNAS, Algirdas Petros
Award: Conspicuous Service Medal CSM
Date granted: 08 June 1992
Citation: In recognition of service to the RAN as the Fleet Marine Engineering Officer servicing on the Maritime HQ staff

DICIUNAS, Algirdas Petros
Award: The Order of the British Empire - Member (Military) MBE(M)
Date granted: 31 December 1977
Citation: RAN - Postwar Honours List

DICIUNAS, Algirdas Petras
Award: National Medal
The National Medal is awarded for diligent long service to the community in hazardous circumstances, including in times of emergency and national disaster, in direct protection of life and property.
Date granted: 14 July 1977

DICIUNAS, Rimgaudas Adolfas
Award: Member of the Order of Australia (AM)
Date granted: 11 June 1990
Suburb: WOODVILLE SOUTH
Citation: In recognition of service to the RAN, particularly in the field of Marine Engineering HMAS Brisbane

JONAVICIUS, Jurgis George
Award: Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM)
Date granted: 26 January 2006
Suburb: Croydon Park
Citation: For service to the Lithuanian community, particularly through administrative roles in a range of sporting organisations.

KANAS, Sofija
Award: Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM)
Date granted: 13 June 1993
Suburb: Hyde Park
Citation: For service to multicultural organisations and to women’s health issues.

NEVERAUSKAS, Vytautas Stasys (OAM)
Award: Medal of the Order of Australia
Date granted: 26 January 1998
Suburb: St Marys
Citation: For service to the Lithuanian community, particularly as President of the Adelaide Lithuanian Association.

STATNICKAS, Vladas
Award: Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM)
Date granted: 08 June 1992
Suburb: South Plympton
Citation: (GENERAL DIVISION). For service to the Lithuanian community

VABOLIS, Janina
Award: Centenary Medal
Date granted: 01 January 2001
Suburb: Glenelg North
Citation: For service to the Lithuanian community, particularly through social and welfare services

VABOLIS, Janina
Award: Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM)
Date granted: 26 January 2001
Citation: For service to the Lithuanian community.

VASILIAUSKAS-VASKAS, Genovaite
Award: Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM)
Date granted: 26 January 1993
Suburb: Torrens Park
Citation: For service to the Lithuanian community

www.itsanhonour.sa.gov.au