Simas Narušis - All my achievements and work are for you, Lithuania

Simas was born on 13 March 1899 and passed away on 23 December 1969. He was born in Karališkiai, near Jurbarkas. In 1927, he completed his studies at a school in Kaunas, and from 1930 to 1931 he studied law at Vytautas Didysis University. He married Vanda, and they did not have children.

Simas volunteered for the newly established
Lithuanian Army and, in 1933, attained the rank of Major. During the Second World War, he organised and led independent military units in the eastern regions and fought against enemies of Lithuania.

Upon arriving in Australia, he immediately became active in Lithuanian community life. He served on the committee of the Sydney Lithuanian Society, where he worked tirelessly to organise cultural and community events. From 1965 until his death five years later, he was President of the Australian Lithuanian Community.  During this time, he visited every Lithuanian community across Australia, including the smallest branches. He maintained close ties with scouts, youth organisations, and sports clubs, and consistently encouraged Lithuanians to work not for personal gain, but for the good of the Lithuanian nation and community.

In recognition of his dedication, the Latvian community in Australia awarded him a silver medal in 1968 for his efforts and contributions to the struggle for Baltic freedom. In 1969, Simas represented Australia as a delegate at the World Lithuanian Community Parliament, where he was honoured with another medal. Despite suffering from cancer, he travelled to New Zealand to meet with the Lithuanian community there.

Simas lived by the motto: “Visi mano atsiekimai ir darbai – Tau, Lietuva!” — “All my achievements and work are for you, Lithuania.” His passion and devotion to Lithuania were deeply felt, and his death was a profound loss to Lithuanians throughout Australia. At his funeral, a guard of honour composed of Lithuanian scouts, members of the Federal Council, Ramovė, and the Sydney Lithuanian Committee stood beside his casket, which was draped with the Lithuanian flag.

Several years later, on 14 March 1971, the community gathered at Simas’s grave to commemorate his life and bless the newly placed headstone. The black granite headstone was designed by engineer A. Jakštas and features a white cross and the Gedimino stulpai carved into the lower corner. It stands in the Lithuanian section of Rookwood Cemetery in Sydney.

Rest in Peace, Stasys

The brotherly feeling of Lithuanians towards Lithuanians encouraged Melbourne Ramovė chairman Vladas Bosikis and Joana Valaitienė, who have a summer house on Phillip Island, to mark a lonely, disappearing grave of Lithuanian Stasys Sadauskas in the Cowes town cemetery.

Stasys Sadauskas died in 1985 at the age of 58. He was born on 26 February 1926. He left Lithuania when he was only eighteen years old.  He came from Tarpučiai, Marijampolė, Suvalkija and studied at the Marijampole gymnasium.  He arrived in Australia on the Charlton Sovereign on 29 October 1948.  Stasys had no relatives or relatives in Australia. He had no property or any savings. He was given a Christian burial by a local Catholic priest in Cowes. In earlier years, Stasys lived in Melbourne for some time.

Life sometimes seems insurmountably difficult for many. The road suddenly becomes dark and only storms seem to rage mercilessly around us. Some weather those storms, Stasys seems to have been unsuccessful. 

Melbourne Lithuanians collected donations one Sunday to fix this grave.  Vladas Bosikis organised two assistants, Jonas Valaitis and Vincas Savickas, and within a few days a solid cement border was made around the grave.  A beautiful metal cross in national style was made by Gustavas Narušis.  Gravel was placed over the grave and a simple sign made that reads; In memory of Stasys Sadauskas, died on 26 December 1986, aged 59. Rest in Peace. Lithuanian Community.

At the request of the Melbourne Lithuanians, the Lithuanian pastor priest Dr. Fr. Dauknys agreed to come to the town of Phillip Island, Cowes and on 17 June 1989 to consecrate the memorial.

Cowes Cemetery in an extremely beautiful location on a hill. It reminds one of old cemeteries in Lithuania. There are, of course, some large, beautiful marble monuments from the early 19th century and some family graves enclosed by metal fences.

 

MP 3.7.1989 Nr.26 ( 20991)

For you - Lithuania!

Simas Narušis

Born 13 March 1899 – 23 December 1969

Born in Karališkiai, not far from Jurbarkas. In 1927 he finished Kaunas school and in 1930-31 studied at Vytautas Didysis University, law faculty.  He married Vanda. They had no children.

Simas volunteered for the newly formed Lithuanian Army.  In 1933, Simas rose to the rank of Major.  During the second world war he organised and led separate military units in the east and fought with Lithuanian enemies.

From his first arrival in Australia, Simas joined in with Lithuanian activities and was a member of the Sydney Lithuanian Society Committee, where he tirelessly organised community events.

From 1965 until his death five years later, he served as the President of the Australian Lithuanian community.  He visited every Lithuanian community around Australia, even the small branches.  He maintained strong links with scouts, youth and sports clubs.  He encouraged Lithuanians to work not for themselves but for the Lithuanian nation and the community.  In 1968, the Latvian community in Australia a silver medal for his efforts and merits in the fight for the freedom of the Baltic nations.  In 1969, Simas was a delegate at the World Lithuanian Community parliament where he was presented with another medal.  Ill with cancer, Simas travelled to New Zealand to meet with the Lithuanian community there.  

His motto was Visi mano atsiekimai ir darbai - Tau Lietuva! All my achievements and work – For you Lithuania!"  

His enthusiasm and work for Lithuania was felt by all and his death was a tragic blow to all Lithuanians in Australia.  A guard of honour made up of Lithuanian scouts, Federal Council members, Ramovė and members of the Sydney Lithuanian Committee stood by his casket which had been draped in a Lithuanian flag.

Several years later on 14 March 1971, the community gathered at the gravesite of Simas to remember him and bless the headstone placed there. Engineer A. Jakštas designed the headstone of black granite with a white cross and the Gedimino stulpai carved into lower corner.  It stands in the Lithuanian section of Rookwood Cemetery, Sydney.