Leonas Eugenijus Petrauskas All Round Sportsman

Leonas born 17 March 1919, Kaunas

Died 18 July 1994, Sydney

Leonas began playing sport while still a student in Kaunas.  He was a A level soccer player and swimmer.  He took up basketball and joined the 1937 Lithuanian team to play in Riga for the European League.  He was part of the 1939 team who won gold.  

He left Lithuania in 1944, fleeing to Germany where he remained until migrating to Australia. While in Germany he played basketball for the Tubingen University student team.

He was registered as a Medical doctor in Kaunas in 1945 and again in Sydney in July 1957. 

He spent ten years in New Guinea and took up tennis. On his return he began skating and became an airplane pilot. Later in life he too up golf.

He married and several daughters. 

Basketball Champions come to Australia

There is only one sport in Lithuania and that is basketball.   It didn’t become popular in Lithuania until 1935, when a team of American Lithuanians were invited to Kaunas.  Only two years later in 1937, Lithuania won the second FIBA European Championship.  Eight national teams took part, the defending champions Latvia hosted the tournament, in Riga.
Two years later in 1939, the third EuroBasket was held, the defending champions Lithuania hosted the tournament, held in the Kaunas Sports Hall. The winning team was Lithuania, winning by a point. 

The 1937 team comprised of : 
Feliksas Kriaučiūnas, Pranas Talzūnas, Stasys Šačkus, Juozas Žukas, Leonas Baltrūnas, Zenonas Puzinauskas, Artūras Andrulis, Leopoldas Kepalas, Pranas Mažeika, Česlovas Daukša, Leonas Petrauskas, Eugenijus Nikolskis (Coach: Feliksas Kriaučiūnas)

The 1939 team comprised of:
Pranas Lubinas, Mykolas Ruzgys, Feliksas Kriaučiūnas, Leonas Baltrūnas, Zenonas Puzinauskas, Artūras Andrulis, Pranas Mažeika, Leonas Petrauskas, Eugenijus Nikolskis, Vytautas Norkus, Jurgis Jurgėla, Mindaugas Šliūpas, Vytautas Budriūnas, Vytautas Lesčinskas (Coach: Pranas Lubinas).

WWII came and everything changed.  Many of the players fled Lithuania and ended up in America; three came to Australia; Leonas Baltrūnas, Leonas Petrauskas, Leopoldas Kepalas.  I will write of each Leo in future posts. 

Leonas Baltrunas first on left, Leonas Kepalas is at the end. Leonas Petrauskas, one of the team's twelve members, is missing in this picture.

A few outstanding years - Adelaide Vytis Soccer Team

From left kneeling, J. Songaila, V. Sinusas, V. Lazauskas, B. Langevicius.
Standing: J. Lelys, M. Ciplys, A. Kitas, A. Petruska, V. Martusevicius, S. Sidabras

The formation of a Soccer team was initiated by Eddie Taparauskas and Jonas Abromas.  The first team captain was Anatolius Kitas with outstanding players such as Jonas Sadauskas, Alexandras Sabaliauskas, Aleksas Merunas, Vincas Pledzinsksas and Juozas Čizauskas.   The team increased with players Bronius Langevičius, Stasys Darginavičius, Jonas Baškus, and Vladas Sneideris and Robertas Sidabras. 

In March 1952 Vytis Soccer team became officially registered with the South Australian Soccer Association.   The uniform was a yellow top and green shorts, with a red Vytis embroided onto the pocket.

Initially Vytis was allocated to the third division.  In one match in 1952, against ETSA team they won with a record 14-0 result.  Vytis finished the season in third position.  Vytis was placed in second division which they won.  Vytis was invited to pay in the summer season where games were held in the evenings under electric lights at Norwood Stadium.  They reached the finals which was played against Budapest, losing 1-2.

A new committee was formed in 1953, Anatolius Kitas as Presidenet, Edmondas Daniškevičius as vice-president, Edie Taparauskas, Juozas Kleinauskas and Otas Ungurys. 
For the 1954 season, Vytis was placed in the top division.  Vytis now had two teams were playing.  In that year a Baltic soccer competition was established with Latvian teams from Adelaide and Melbourne.  It was held on July 8th, weekend with Vytis wining.  

About this time some members chose to move onto other clubs.  Eduardas Virba went to Juventus and played as their centre, Robertas Sidabras transferred to Enfield.  Due to a shortage of players, trainer Edmondas Daniškevičius, not having competed for 14 years dressed in the Vytis uniform. Vytis ended that year in fifth position. 

In 1955 the South Australia soccer league became a semi professional sport and players were being brought in from overseas.  The best players were recruited to other teams.  Vytis did not have enough younger players coming up through the ranks and sank to seventh position that year. 

After a few outstanding years, the soccer team folded.  Kitas went on to play with a centre for Juventus and only Edis Virba (Virbickas) had a career as a soccer player for Juventus.

The reserve team consisted of  A. Afanijasevas, Algimantas Rusinas, Edie Taparauskas L. Jaciunskis, Algimantas Ignatavičius, Robertas Ramonaitis, V. Motuzas, Leonardas Žierdavičius. 

Adelaide Soccer Star, Tony Kitas

The name Kitas is a war cry for Vytis soccer team.  Anatolius Kitas  became a centre forward soccer player for Adelaide Vytis Sports Club.  Born on 27 March 1927, arrived in Melbourne on 18 August 1950.  He worked by day as a porter with the SA Railways.  He excelled at soccer but was also a first class basketballer and table tennis player.  In the DP camps of Germany he played soccer for Lithuanian in international games against several European countries.  For a short time he was a German professional soccer team.

He was fast, had perfect dribbling skills and could be all over the oval. He kicks goals from either foot and any angle.  During 1953, in 15 league matches he scored 65 goals, in one game scored 10 gaols.

From 1952 to 1957, Kitas was chosen to be part of the South Australian Soccer team, and an Australian XI which the team which included six new Australians.

In 1954, he scored more goals than any other player in the summer series.  When the Vytis soccer teams folded, Kitas joined Adelaide’s Polonia team, first as a plyer and then as a coach.

He  passed away in 1989 aged 62.

 

 

Adelaide Vytis Soccer team, 1950's. A. Kitas is standing second from left

Baltic Games 1973

Baltic Games 1973

For a time every two years, from 1969, Baltic Games were held in Australia over the Anzac long weekend.  When held in Adelaide the Forrestville basketball stadium was a hive of activity as Latvians, Lithuanians and Estonians came to compete with each other in volleyball and basketball.  Created to help strengthen ties among young Australians of Baltic descent, 200 competitors, some top of their field would compete.

Among the Latvian basketballers, Andris Blicavs[i], SA State player Peter Vitols, NSW state player Maris Jaunalkanis for the men and Ilze Blicavs[ii] for the women.

Lithuanians had American born Frank Chickowski and superstar Karen Maar[iii] will be the Estonian top women basketballer.

The Estonians had a strong volleyball team, all members of their team had played State volleyball.  Their women’s team contains only one player who hasn’t played State and were coached by national women’s volleyball coach Juhan Olesk.

Dual Olympic basketballer Mike Dancis was the opening flag bearer for the opening of the games by Don Dunstan.

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[i] Blicavs played for the Australia men's national basketball team during the 1970s. He competed for Australia at the 1974 World Championship in Puerto Rico and the 1978 World Championship in the Philippines. Blicavs also represented Australia at the 1976 Olympic Games in Montreal.

[ii] Blicavs played for the Australia women's national basketball team during the 1970s and competed for Australia at the 1975 World Championship held in Colombia

[iii] Karin Maar-Fields-McRobert (born 11 June 1953)

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.

Lithuanian Days, Adelaide 1968

The most important event in the life of an Australian Lithuanian is the Australian Lithuanian Days, where as many as one fourth of Lithuanians living in Australia attend.  The five day event was held in Adelaide, South Australia, ending in the New Year of 1969. Parallel to the Lithuanian festival is the Lithuanian National Council session, during which a new National Executive is elected.

In Adelaide, one will quickly notice that our community holds the historical and material culture in the form of the Lithuanian Archive and Museum. It is the only such institution in Australia and of great pride for all.

Lithuanian Days and the XIX Sports festival opening ceremony was held at Forestville stadium.  The presence of the community’s youth emphasised the importance of the Lithuanian Days.  Young and old attended the literature and song evening.  10 of the 23 participants in Adelaide’s theatre group ‘Vaidila’ were of the younger generation.   A youth Concert was prepared by the youth with participants from Adelaide, Melbourne and Sydney district.  Single and joint choirs, performed a song feast in the Adelaide town hall.

Some countryman, travelled a thousand miles and more for the Lithuanian Days.  Outstanding events included a performance of ‘A fragment of Lithuanian wedding' by Melbourne parish youth, and a joint choir that consisted of six district concert in Adelaide city hall.  Melbourne youth sang and danced at a professional level the wedding performance.  The wedding was prepared by E. Karazijienė and directed by H. Statkuvienė.

The choir was made ​​up of 250 singers from six states, Sydney, Melbourne , Adelaide , Geelong , Canberra and Newcastle.  One after another the choir was conducted by six conductors. Lithuanian songs rose in the hands of J. Juška and from Geelong and K. Kavaliauskas from Sydney. The combined women’s choir touched your heart, under the direction of S. Žukas from Newcastle.

Lithuanian Days is a joint effort by all the Australian Lithuanians, and after 25 years in a new country it still shines with Lithuanian pride.

Lietuvių Dienos Adelaideje 1968

Nėra šnekos, svarbiausias įvykis Australijos lietuvių gyvenime yra Lietuvių Dienos, kurias atšvęsti susirenka kiek vienas ketvirtas Australijoje gyvenčių lietuvių.

Penktosios Lietuvių Dienos įvyko pavyzdingiausioje lietuvių apylinkėje – Adelaide mieste, Pietų Australijoje ir atžymėjo Lietuvos Jubiliejinių Metų pabaiga ir Naujų 1969 Metų pradžią.  Lygiagrečiai su Lietuvių Dienomis vyko Lietuvių Bendruomenės Krašto Tarybos XI-ji sesija, kurios metu buvo išrinkta nauja ALB Krašto Valdyba.

Nuvykęs į Adelaide, lietuvis žmogus greitai pastebi, kad mūsų bendruomenės veikla yra aukštinama, nepraeina nepastebėta, ir kad pastarųjų metų darbas šįmet jau vertinamas kaip istorinis duomuo. Mat, dvasinės ir medžiaginės kulturos palaika yra renkamo, rūšiuojami ir ilgainiui patalpinimai Lietuvių Archyve Muzėjuje.  Tai vienintėle tokia įstaiga Australijoje ir tai yra didelė patrauka ir pasididžiavimas visiems. Archvo-Muzėjaus įkūrejas  ir valdytojas – Jonas K Vanagas. 

Muzėjuje užlaikomi kultūros palaikai iškelia lietuvio žmogaus tapatybę parodo jo sąmoningumo laipsnį ir pabrėžia vieną labai svarbų veiksnį; tautinį pranašumą galima išreikšti ne vien tik politikavimu bet ir kūrybos darbais, tautinės kultūros apraiška.  Ir Lietuvių Dienos yra Australijojs Lietuvių kūrybinės pastangos!

Lietuvių Dienų ir XIX-sios Sporto Šventės iškilmingas atidarymas ivyko Forestville stadione.  Visus nustelbė jaunimas ir svarbu pastebėti, kad jaunimas charakterizavo 1968 metų Lietuvių Dienas.  Tačiau pastangos buvo jungtinės, Lieteraturos ir Dainos vakare dalyvavo ir jauni, ir seni; Adelaide’s teatro ‘Vadila’ pastatyme 10 iš 23 buvo jaunosios kartos atstovai; Jaunimo Koncertą suruošė jaunimas iš Adelaide, Melbourne ir Sydney apylinkių; pavieniuose ir jungtiniuose choruose, kurie suruošė Dainų Šventė Adelaide miesto rotušėje, dalyvavo ir senimas, ir jaunimas.  Bet XIX-ji Sporto Šventė, kuri vyko lygiagrečiai su Lietuvių Dienomis, buvo jaunimo arena pilna ta žodžio prasme.

Nevienas tautietis, keliavęs tūkstantį ir daugiau mylių į Lietuvių Dienas, buvo įspūdžių priblokštas, ir nevieno atmintyje ilgainiui telieka pačios pagrindinės akimirkos.  Tai (1) Fragmentas iš Lietuviškų  Viestuvių’ kuri patiekė Melbourne apylinkė Jaunimo Koncerto metu ir (2) Jungtinio Choro, susidejusio iš šešių apylinkių chorų, koncertas Adelaide miesto rotušėje.

Melbourne jaunimas vykusiai iškėlė lietuvišką savitumą bei vestuvinį nuotaikingumą.  Dainos buvo mielos.  Tautiniai šokiai – iškilmingi; merginos pasiekė profesionalių lygį.  Jos dvelkė meilumu ir orumu, ir visad skaistumu.  Vestuvių tekstą paruošė E. Karazijiene, o režisavo H. Statkuvienė.

Taip kaip ‘Fragmentas iš Lietuviškų Vestuvių’ parodė nevieną subtilią lietuvio žmogaus savybę, taip Jungtinis Choras parodė mūsų bendruomenės pranašumą.  Chorą sudarė apie 250 daininkų iš šešių apylinkių; Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Geelong, Canberra ir Newcastle.  Vienas paskui kitą Chorui dirigavo šeši dirigentai.  Ir lietuviška daina pakilo į aukštybes, kai Chorą paėme į savo ranką J. Juška is Geelong apylinkės ir K. Kavaliauskas iš Sydney.  Kuteno širdį ir vėrė akį Jungtinis Moterų Choras, kuriam vadovavo S. Žukas is Newcastle apylinkės.

Lietuvių Dienos yra bendros visų Australijos lietuvių pastangos.  Tai kūrybinės pastangos.  Ir kad po 25 metų užsienyje ta kūryba yra lietuviška, tai keikvieno lietuvio žmogaus pasididžiavimas.

Australian Lithuanian Festivals

Social organizations were established in almost every place where Lithuanians settled in Australia. In December 1950, at a meeting of Lithuanians from all over Australia, the Australian Lithuanian Community (Australijos Lietuvių Bendruomenė ALB) was established. Sport festivals were first organized and then from 1952 a cultural programme was established. One of the aims of the ALB was to foster Lithuanian culture and language, in order to maintain the interests of the younger generations. In 1960 the first festival of Lithuanians from all states met in Sydney. The programme was quite broad; music, national dancing, literature, song evening and an art festival. The number of events have increased over the years.

Every second year Lithuanians gather from all over Australia for a week long festival. In Festival begins on the 26^th of December and culminates in the New Year Eve's Ball. A scout camp follows.

Adelaide held the festival in 1962, 1968, 1974, 1980, 1988, 1994, 2002.

The 27th Australian Lithuanian festival will be held at the end of 2012 in Adelaide once again.

The photograph above was the opening ceremony for the 1988 Festival in Adelaide. A parade of participants walked from the Catholic Cathedral to the Adelaide Town Hall, down King William street. The flag poles down the centre of the road flew Lithuanian flags.

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.

Lithuania 1000 years old!

2009 marks the 1000th year of the existence of Lithuania. There will be many activities throughout the year to celebrate this event. From 25 to 28th June the VIII World Lithuanian games will take place in Vilnius. There will be a team from Australia participating, among them several South Australians.

Aldona Bagusauskiene - Women's leader
Virginia Ports - First aid

Women's Gold basketball team - Emilija Ports
Women's Gold basketball team trainer - Daniel Jaunutis
Women's "Green' basketball team players
Esta Delisio
Sarah Krivickas
Kamille Murray

Men's "Green" basketball team
Luke Hoban
Geoff Molloy (Vaitkus)
Men's "Gold" basketball team
Simon Talanskas
Alexas Talanskas - Trainer

Golf
Eugenius Pocius

Good luck team Australia!