Adelaide Lithuanian School part III

In 1975 the school issued a newsletter “Daigeliai” which is compiled solely by the work of students, text and artwork. The newsletter was edited by Sandra Bernaitienė. Also that year each student was able to receive a professionally printed magazine “Eglutė” produced and sent from the USA. The magazine was in Lithuanian and produced for children, it contained stories, pictures and games to play.

1978 the school was incorporated in The Ethnic school Association of South Australia.

The school prepares for performances throughout the year at such times as Lithuanian festival days, Mothers Day and Christmas and end of year performance. The school would often participate in Australian Lithuanian festivals around the country. A dancing group would perform as part of the dancing festival, children submitted artwork for the art exhibitions, and a youth event.

The best students for the year were awarded prizes usually a book or money. In 1979 a money prize was offered for the best student, over $127 was collected. The students were told at the beginning of the year that awards would be granted to students for excellent school work, for homework, and for reading. The prizes were handed out at the end of year concert. It was also the time when graduating students were acknowledged and given certificates and gifts.

End of year certificates were provided that gave marks out of ten for Lithuanian language, (spoken Lithuanian, dictation, grammar, writing), history, geography, dancing and singing.

In 1979, some classes were held outside of the school, at the Blandis home in North Plympton, which consisted of one adult and four children. Petruskevičienės home at Christies Beach was used for another small group that met from 1pm -3pm on Saturdays. Special classes were also held on the Saturday mornings for children with limited Lithuanian. This provided a venue for more intense assistance.

Vanessa Dumčiutė recorded as the 400 student to be enrolled in the school in 1980.

The school year would finish with a large performance at Lithuanian House in December. Each student would participate and was required to recite a poem, perform a play, song or dance. The older children would be the master of ceremonies. The highlight of the evening for the children was a visit from Father Christmas where each child was given a present, usually a toy of some kind.

Lithuanian School part II

On 29^th June 1954 the school moved to St Cecilia’s in Angas Street where they remained until 1957. At that time they moved to the newly purchased premises at Eastry st, Norwood which was to become the Lithuanian House. The Club house suited the school needs perfectly, the school could use three rooms, two large one small and had access to the hall and stage. Kitchen facilities were soon available which made it easier to prepare food for the students and teachers.

The school term followed Australian school terms, beginning in February and ending with the Christmas breakup in December. The school ran from 10 am till 12pm with a short break. During the break food is served by the Women’s committee. Children would receive a small snack and drink, while the teachers received a cup of tea and sandwiches.

The school was able to organize a children’s library. The library began through the donation of books by Mr and Mrs Velicka and Vildžius. Donations of further books were received from other community members and from Mr Bačiunas in America, President of World Lithuanians at that time.

From 1953 a Parents committee was established whose role was to assist the school, amongst the duties were to find new teachers. They organised literature evenings, lotteries to raise money as they provided each child with a gift at Christmas time.

In 1953 and1954 a summer camp was held for the students, at Aldinga from 15 to 30 January.

Behind some men are Lithuanian women!

Researching Lithuanians in South Australia has revealed some surprising finds. Its not secret stuff but because I didn't know I found it surprising. Several well known South Australian men married Lithuanian women. I speak of Rod Sawford's (Labor MP) wife Aldona, Silvio Apponyi's (sculptor) wife Natalija, and Jurate wife of famous Hilton Hotel chef Cheong Liew. I am sure there are many more I have yet to discover.

Memories too much at age 20

Not all new migrants could leave their past behind in Europe, as this tragic story details.

New Australian Found Shot
YORKETOWN, Dec. 27.

Juozas Abaravicius, a Lithuanian, was found with gun shot wounds in his head and a rifle between his legs at the back door of a guest house at Stenhouse Bay. at 5 pm. on Christmas Day. He died in the Southern Yorke Peninsula Hospital at 630 pm. yesterday. Abaravicius arrived in Australia in 1948 and joined the Waratah Gypsum Co. early this year. He had spent some time in a German concentration camp during the war. The Coroner (Mr. E. Lloyd) deemed an inquest unnecessary.

The Advertiser Wednesday 28 December 1949

MEMORIES TOO MUCH AT 20

ADELAIDE, Saturday.-Friends of Juozas Abaravicius, 20, of Stenhouse, South Australia, said to-day that they believed his suicide on Christmas Day was prompted by memories of Christmas, 1944.

Abaravicius was the only survivor of 32 Lithuanian prisoners shot by Nazis on December 25, five years ago.

Last Christmas Day he played all the records of carols he could find in the boarding-house where he lived in Stenhouse Bay.

He said to his landlady, "I've never felt so terrible in my life."

Then he shot himself with a .303 ride. As he was dying, he whispered in Lithuanian the Christmas songs of his boyhood.

The Sunday Herald Sunday 1 January 1950

27th Australian Lithuanian Festival in Adelaide LOGO competition

PRIZE: $200.00 for the winning entry

A Logo is needed for the 27th Australian Lithuanian Festival to be held in Adelaide in Dec 2012.

The theme for the festival is “Vilties Liepnsa’ (Flame of hope).

The theme was chosen to represent hope for the survival of our fragile Australian Lithuanian communities. On a global level, it symbolizes the hope Lithuanians have always had, firstly for an independent state and now in surviving economic crisis. Culturally, Lithuanians were pagans, worshiping fire and in modern times the flame is used to represent The Holy Spirit & Light.

The logo will feature on all promotional material, t-shirts, badges, programs etc.The rights of the logo become the property of the Organising Committee and the Committee reserves the right to edit any design. The Organising Committee will be the judges and the decision of the judges is final.

It will need to have the following wording;

• Vilties liepsna

• Adelaide 2012

• XXVII or 27

Please submit entries by August 15th, 2011. Entries or further information can be emailed to

riverhorse@virginbroadband.com.au or cavi0003@hotmail.com; The logo should be sent as .jpg or .pdf attachment. Alternatively, logos can be mailed to LOGO Contest c/o 17 Craigill Rd St Georges SA 5064

nb. Only entries by South Australian Lithuanians will be considered.

For more past images, view the Flickr site, click on the icon to your right.