Four days at youth camp

In October 1963, 45 young men and women aged between 14 and 22 gathered at O’Sullivan’s Beach for a camp.  The camp was organised by the Catholic Association.

The camp was an opportunity for Adelaide youth to develop and strengthen their character.  The camp program was organised to include something new and interesting all the time.  There were discussions and debates to broaden ones thoughts.  Sport, games, excursions, singing, the evenings around a camp fire and being so close to the beach, swimming.

The main benefit of the four days was for the youth to feel like real Lithuanians, not just in language but in thought.  One questions raised for thought and discussion was ‘is it worth being a Lithuanian in Australia?’  Discussion was lively and of course got of tract.  There was much discussion over ‘young’ and ‘old’ and how each views the other. 

The write up about the camp for the newspaper was written by a parent at the camp, who was impressed with the maturity of the participants.

 

A day in the Bush

A day in the Bush or Diena Australijos Šila, was produced for the newly arrived Lithuanian youth to Australia who would be unfamiliar with the Australian bush and animal life.  Many would not have known English on arrival,  and a book in Lithuanian would help them to remember their native toungue while introducing them to Australian life.

It is published by Užuovėja (Shelter). Translated from English by J. Ap – nis. (full name not given) Published in Bathurst 1949.
A day in the Bush by Nan Fullarton is a charming Australian children's picture book about a rabbits search for the monster he thinks is in his burrow. All the bush animals help him find the unknown creature that gave him a fright.  The drawings by the author make this an ideal story for any age.

Nan Fullarton is the author of several picture books.

Delegates from Australia to Youth Congress 1966

Delegates from Australia to the World Lithuanian Youth Congress in Chicago 1966

Čibas Romas                            Sydney
Didžys Martynas                        Melbourne
Didžytė Jieva                           Melbourne
Doniela Vytautas                       Sydney
Kazlauskas Algis                        
Kisonis Dr Gerutis
Kolakauskaitė Judita                 Sydney
Labutytė Daiva                        Sydney
Maksvytis J
Mališauskaitė Nijolė Aušrelė   Melbourne
Maželytė Daina                       Adelaide
Pullinen Juhani                        Sydney
Pullinen Pajauta                       Sydney
Račauskas Romas                      Sydney
Reisgys Rimantas                      Sydney
Sagatys D
Sagatys Evaldas                        Brisbabe
Skuodaitė Danutė                     Sydney
Stepanas Antanas                      Adelaide
Straukas Vytas                          Adelaide
Stankunevičius B
Stasiškytė Giedrė
Šimkus Algis                             Melbourne
Šiuksterytė Emilija                   Adelaide
Vaičiurgytė Nijolė                    Sydney
Zdanavičius Dr Kazys                Melbourne
Zinkutė Ramunė                       Melbourne
Žiedaitė Rūta                          Sydney

Adelaide delegates; Vytautas Straukas, Emilija Siuksteryte, Daina Mazelyte, Antanas Stepanas

Three Australians at camp Dainava, from left;  J. Kolakauskaitė, N. Mališauskaitė, R. Žiedaitė

1966 World Lithuanian Youth camp and congress

Mūsų jėgos mūsų žinios
Laisvai Lietuvai Tėvynei!

Delegates came from Australia, New Zealand, Argentina, Brazil, Columbia, Uruguay, Australia, England, Belgium, Italy, France, Sweden, Germany, Switzerland, Canada and America.

The camp ‘Dainava’ was held in Manchester, Michigan, a youth camp where the youth from different parts of the world could meet and get to know each other. 

Each day of the camp was themed;
Sunday 26 June Lithuanian youths freedom in the world.
Monday 27 June Youth and Lithuanian culture
Tuesday 28 June Lithuanian youth in Lithuania and Lithuania today
Wednesday 29 June Lithuanian youth and politics, Lithuanian community

This was followed by the Congress in Chicago from the 30 June – July 2nd.  
Lokys an opera in five scenes, based on the story by Prosper Merimee was performed on 1 July 1966, in Chicago. Music by Darius Lapinskas

A song festival was held on the 3rd July at the International Amphitheatre in Chicago, with over 1200 singers and 1000 singers in the youth choir.

Australian delegates to camp Dainava

Camp Dainava

Next post, Congress participants from Australia.

World Lithuanian Youth Congress 1966

Pasaulio Lietuvių Jaunimo Kongresas PLJK

World Lithuanian Youth Congress

The first world Lithuanian youth congress was held Chicago, USA from June 30 – July 3, 1966.  Lithuanian Youth from around the world were invited to participate.  Student representative were invited to the organizing committee for the World Lithuanian Congress to be held in 1966 in Chicago, USA.

In 1966 the first Lithuanian World Youth Congress took place in Chicago and at Camp Dainava in Michigan. Young people between the ages of eighteen and thirty from various parts of the United States, Canada, Europe, Australia and South America came together for the first time to experience their cultural solidarity.  At that time, singing was an integral part of the program and it occurred naturally and spontaneously throughout the extent of the Congress. It was apparent that the same songs had been learned in different parts of the world, and the singing experience heightened the communal feeling shared by those who participated.  

World Lithuanian Youth Congress ( PLJK ) convened every 3-4 years. It is the highest World Lithuanian Youth Association ( PLJS ) body which sets guidelines for the organization's activities and elect a new board of PLJS.

PLJK involved 120 delegates , who are elected by delegates of the congress PLJK adjustments. Representatives elected Lithuanian Youth Association . Congress is also involved in non- voting guests .

The Congress consists of two parts:

Delegates Congress - the formal part, and a camp.

The PLJS Board will present its report on the activities taken, any amendments to the statute, create the next four years of operational objectives and tasks.

An educational program is organised for the participants and guests.

Aims

- To maintain and strengthen the Lithuanian identity and national consciousness the world’s Lithuanian youth

- To inspire young people to become active members of the Lithuanian communities abroad

- Encourage the establishment of mutual relations and strengthen ties with Lithuania

National Student gathering, adelaide 1958

Australijos Lietuvių Studentų Sąjunga (ALSS)Australian Lithuanian Student Association (ALSS) 

III National gathering, Adelaide 1958

On the first day, all participants met at Lithuanian House.  At the opening were present, 10 students from Sydney, 4 from Canberra, 4 from Melbourne and about 30 from Adelaide.  ALSS President T. Žurauskas stated the purpose of the gathering.  He said that of the 100 students in the ALSS, 17 had finished University in Australia.  People were studying at Adelaide, Armidale, Brisbane, Canberra, Hobart, Melbourne, Newcastle, Perth and Sydney. 

Well known Adelaide author, Pulgis Andriušis gave a reading. He explored ideas and the importance of the students place in an English world.  This was followed by a meal and time to socialise.

The second day was spent relaxing at Sellicks Beach, and then a tour of Adelaide.  The evening was spent as guests at Girukas house.  The third day before lunch was spent taking in the sights of the art and history precinct on North Terrace in the city.  They visited the Adelaide University, Art Gallery and Museum.  Following lunch was the formal part of the meetings. They discussed all sorts of issues.  It was decided the following national gathering would be held in Canberra.

The final evening was spent at the Reisonas’ home.

Extracted from ‘Studijuojant Australijoj, ALSS 1952-1967

Australian Lithuanian Students

Australijos Lietuvių Studentų Sąjunga (ALSS)

The Australijos Lietuvių Studentų Sąjunga (ALSS) was formed in 1952.  Members were university students or those studying at a higher professional level who have completed a diploma.  Branches were formed in Adelaide, Melbourne and Sydney, Canberra had a eldership.  An informal group met in Brisbane, Newcastle and Perth.

Tertiary students in Adelaide began to appear soon after post WWII arrival, in the early 1950’s.   Stasys Čibiras instigated the establishment of a group in Adelaide. Officially began in 25 August 1951.  The group rose in number to 13 members by the time the first formal gathering was called on 19 April 1952.  On this day a committee was elected which consisted of Stasys Čibiras as president, Algis Navakas and Nemira Šiunaitė.

The group aimed to actively participate in the Adelaide Lithuanian community and to keep ties with other Australian Lithuanian students.  A two shilling membership fee by each member was invested so dance evenings could be held.  Ten years later the number had risen to 50 students and 24 graduates.

Adelaide instigated the first Australian student gathering which was held in Sydney in 1956.  Others were held in 1958 and 1962.

ALSS Adelaide Branch Committee

1957

Romas Urmonas                        President
Dalia Levickaitė
Sigitas Martinkus

1958

T Žurauskas      President

J .Arminas, V. Giruckas, D. Varoneckaitė, Antanas Lapšys.

This committee formed the central committee and organised the ALSS gathering.  12 new students enrolled in university that year.

1962

Antnas Stepanas                        President

J. Martinkutė, Rimas Daugalis, and Ramunas Dunda.

1964
Juratė Naujalienė                      President
Laima Radzevičiutė, Violeta Vasilauskaitė, Rimas Daugalis ir Gytis Šimkus

1965
Vytautas Straukas                      President
Emilija Matiukaitč, Laima Radzevičiutė

1966

Gytis SImkus    President
Rasa Pacevičiutė, A. Radzevičiutė

1967

Vytas Straukas                            President

A. Tugaudyte, A. Radzevičiutė, K. Baškutė, V. Vanagas

This committee became the national  committee and organised the Adelaide national gathering.

The committees organised Initium and Finis Semestri, Žirnius ir aluti, outings to the countryside and readings and discussion evenings.

The committee pushed the Kūlturos Fondo (Cultural Fund) to instigate a Lithuanian course in Adelaide.  The students donated copies of the groups newsletter Lituanus to the Barr Smith Library.

Youth camp at O’Sullivan’s Beach 1965

A Youth camp was organised by the Lithuanian Church, and held from 1-10 of January. Activities held were; singing, poetry, national dancing.  The weather was pleasant and so the children could swim and play. 

Mrs Marija Intienė and Agota Leščinskienė were the camps cooks.  They were helped for several days by U. Jučienė.

Awards at the camp
Best model camper: Algis Rečiuga and Asta Rečiugaitė
Tidyness Award:  Algimantas Čiplys and Marytė Martinaitytė
Sport: Juratė Čiplytė and Kastytis Mažeika
For speaking Lithuanian all the time: Romas Šiaučiuvėnas

Teachers at camp
Birūtė Būdrienė – singing
Aldona Tugaudytė – Girls Leader
Nemira Masiulytė – Girls dormitory leader
Nijolė Bataitytė – Sport
Aldona Kaščiukaitytė – Mentor
Leonas Macpanas – Boys Leader
Leonas Vasiliunas – Boys band leader and accordionist

Camp participants
Viktoras Adutavičius
Birūtė Alminauskaitė
Kestutis Bagusauskas
Dalia Barauskaitė
Vytautas Butvila
Algimantas Čiplys
Juratė Čiplys
Asta Dainutė
Dalia Jaunutis
Klausis Jaunutis
Rūta Glainskaitė
Danutė Grigonytė
Eduardas Grigonis
Vitas Gudiskis
Romukas Kalikas
Viktoras Kaminskas
Vida Kazlauskaitė
Kestutis Kuncaitis
Rasa Kubiliutė
Birūtė Latvėnaitė
Kastyts Mažeika
Maryte Martinaityte
Jonas Mockūnas
Jurgis Petrėnas
Kestutis Pranskunas
Algis Rečiuga
Asta Rečiugaitė
Aldona Stalbaitė
Kristina Stalbaitė
Auksė Stankevičiutė
Ramute Stankevičiutė
Milda Staugaitė
Ramutė Staugaitė
Gintautas Stimburys
Ramūnas Stimburys
Romas Šiaučiuvenas
Saulius Valčiukas
Linas Varnas

Lithuanian House Youth Fund

In 1961 a youth fund was established to raise funds for the youth of the community. It cost $20 to nominate someone for inclusion. A photograph of the person was then placed into an album which is kept in the Lithuanian Archives.
Amongst the names included are: Arlauskas, Bielskis, Ciplyte, Cibiras, Dunda, Fiseris, Gylas, Grigonis, Jaunutis, Jurgelionis, Kaminskas, Kazlauskas, Stalba, Stimburys, Sliuzas, Vasiliauskas, Zakarevicius.