In commemoration of the 75th anniversary of the Lithuanian community in Australia, Lithuanian Central State Archives, together with the Australian Lithuanian Archives, invite you to reflect on the history of the settlement and establishment of Australian Lithuanians on the old continent. Also, we are continuing this ten-part virtual exhibition dedicated to Australian Lithuanians, which will be open throughout 2025. This part of the exhibition is dedicated to the Australian Lithuanians’ struggle for Lithuania’s freedom.

When the Soviet Union occupied Lithuania in 1940, Australia – like many Western countries – did not recognize the legitimacy of this occupation. The situation changed in 1974, when the Australian Labor Party government led by Edward Gough Whitlam officially recognized the occupation of the Baltic states (Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia) and their incorporation into the Soviet Union. This decision sparked considerable dissatisfaction both within the Australian Lithuanian community and internationally.

Throughout the Soviet occupation, Australian Lithuanians actively supported Lithuania’s quest for independence. Alongside Latvians and Estonians, they regularly sent letters to Australian parliamentarians, the government, and international organizations, urging them not to recognize the occupation of Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia. They also collaborated with representatives of other occupied nations. Since its formation, the Australian Lithuanian community organized protests, demonstrations, and rallies; held commemorations of deportations and forced exiles; published articles in both the Australian Lithuanian and international press; and released books explaining to the world that Lithuania had never been part of Russia or the Soviet Union, and that the Soviets had no rightful claim to the Baltic states' territories.

In 1975, Australia reversed its recognition of the occupation of the Baltic states. On February 28, 1985, the Australian Parliament passed the Baltic Resolution, condemning the Soviet occupation and annexation of the Baltic countries. Australia recognized Lithuania’s independence on August 27, 1991, and diplomatic relations were re-established on November 6, 1991.

The virtual exhibition “Australian Lithuanians. Part 4” consists of two sections: “The Fight for Lithuania’s Freedom: Demonstrations and Rallies” and “The Recognition of the Occupation and the 1974 Setback.” The exhibition features documents from the Baltic Council and the Baltic Women’s Union in Adelaide, photographs from rallies organized by the Lithuanian community in Canberra, commemorations of Captive Nations Week in various Australian cities, deportation memorial events, protest letters to Australian authorities, and press articles from the diaspora condemning the occupation of the Baltic states.

As in previous exhibitions, the documents are drawn from the collections of the Australian Lithuanian Archives and the Lithuanian Central State Archives. We are especially grateful to Daina Pocius for helping make these documents held in Australia accessible to the wider public.