Footprints: Latvians in South Australia

Last week, the above titled book was launched by the Latvian community at the Adelaide Town Hall. It is a beautifully printed book of 326 pages and looks at the history of Latvians in South Australia, concentrating mainly on post WWII refugees but it does have a chapter of early migrants. Each chapter focuses on one of the many clubs and groups that formed, such as the dancing group, choir, scouts, school, arts, church congregations and a chapter of trailblazers. The book concludes by interviews with young Latvians of first to third generations who are still involved with the community.

Its a valuable book for future generations who may be of Latvian decent and would like to know more about their ancestry. The Latvian Community has generously donated over 300 copies to libraries and schools, further copies can be purchased from the Latvian library on Rose Tce, Wayville for $45.

It has been edited by Bruno Krumins, Christine Finnimore, Astra Kronitis, Inga Perkons-Grauze, Janis Priedklans and Aldis Putnins.

360 D.P's on Rocket Range work

CANBERRA, Friday
The Minister for Works and Housing. Mr N. Lemmon said today that 360 Poles, Estonians, Latvians, Lithuanians and Yugoslavs were employed on the rocket range in Central Australia.
There are also 1,909 Australian and British workmen there.

Mr Lemmon gave the information in a written reply to questions by the Deputy Leader of the Opposition. Mr F.J. Harrison in the House of Representatives.

Security screens before and after arrival in Australia were carried out by the Attorney-Generals department.

Displaced Persons were employed on the rocket range because at the time they were directed int he work it was not possible to secure sufficient Australian labourers to remain on the job for any length of time.

The Sydney Morning Herald, Saturday 4 June 1949, p.5

The Rocket range refers to Woomera.

Lithuanian House

M. Urbonas working on the newly purchased property which will
become Lithuanian House.

President V. Raginis, Father J Kungys and J Vasilauskas bless
Lithuanian House 1958.

Volunteers workers, J. Lapsys, S. Povilaitis, A.Merunas, M. Urbonas,
V. Raginis, A. Mikeliunas

Working bee, 1962
From left in wheelbarrow,A Dumcius, kneeling J Gylys, Jg Taunys,
Standing, A. Morkunas, J Norkunas, V Raginis, J Pyragius,
Engineer K Reisonas, K Cieminis, E.Alysaitis, V Laurinaitis,
V. Petkunas, J. Ivoska, Vl. Dumcius, J. Rapsevicius, J. Zakevericius.

Lithuanian RSL: Ramovė

Many Lithuanian men were in the Army or Reserves before coming to Australia, by 1950 it was natural to form a group that recognise this. The idea arose and was enthusiastically taken up by K Taparauskas. On the 10th June 1951 a meeting was held at St Joseph’s hall and the ‘Lietuvos Atsargos Karininku Draugija’ (Lithuanian Reserve) was formed.

The first committee comprised of
President: A Levickas
Secretary: K. Taparauskas
Treasurer: A Rusktele
At first they had 36 members.

The group received news form the USA that they could be part of the “Ramovė’s” (Lithuanian Veterans Union). The purpose of Ramovė was to uphold traditions, provide aid to those in Lithuania who were rendered invalids during the struggle for independence and to participate in all efforts to regain Lithuanian independence form Soviet occupation. Ramovė was formed in Chicago on the 14 May 1950.

What's the connection between the Hilton and Lithuanians?

South Australian Lithuanian Antanas Lapsys, Architect was " part of the consortium which developed the Hilton Hotel on Victoria Square; a project which was unprecedented for South Australia in terms of its size and as its status as the first ‘international’ hotel in Adelaide". (http://www.architectsdatabase.unisa.edu.au).

Well known Hilton chef, Cheong Liew first moved from Malaysia to Melbourne in 1969 to study electrical engineering, but instead became a chef. In 1995 he opened The Grange restaurant at the Hilton one of Adelaide's most successful restaurants. Cheong is married to Lithuanian Ziukelis, and has trained several of the family as chefs.

Do you know of any more connections?