Until 1977, Lithuanian radio broadcasts were unavailable to Lithuanians in Australia. In 1977 it became clear that this could be achieved in Adelaide through the university radio station 5UV. Viktoras Baltutis, a member of the Adelaide District Council for cultural affairs, approached the station and requested permission for Lithuanians to use it. At that time, representatives of 16 different nationalities already had their own broadcasts there.

Permission was granted, and on Saturday, March 13, 1977, at 10 a.m., Adelaide Lithuanians heard the first Lithuanian-language program. A radio committee was formed consisting of J. Jonavicius, V. Baltutis, G. Vasiliauskiene, J. Neverauskas, and A. Grigonis. A. Grigonis worked as a technician at ABC (Australian Broadcasting Corporation), so his assistance was vital for the success of the broadcasts.

Later, the representatives of all the nationalities gathered at station 5UV formed an association and officially registered with the authorities under the name Ethnic Broadcasters Inc. In 1980, the association’s leadership applied to the Australian Broadcasting and Television authorities for a broadcasting license. The license was granted, and thus the Australian ethnic-groups radio station 5EBI was born.

Since the Lithuanians initially lacked their own studio, the programs were prepared in the Ukrainian studio. After a few months, however, the Lithuanians set up their own radio studio, purchased the necessary equipment, and began producing broadcasts in their own premises. The studio space was provided by the board of the Adelaide Lithuanian Association.

Australian Lithuanian Archives

Front row, seated from left: J. Mockunas (leader), A. Vitkunas, V. Vitkunas.

Standing from left: S. Kubilius, R. Sabeckis, P. Dunda.

Adelaide, 1982

For six years, Adelaide’s Lithuanian radio programs were prepared by V. Baltutis, J. Jonavicius, I. Davis, P. Pusdesris, and L. Gerulaitis, with assistance from J. Neverauskas, V. Opulskis, and members of the Youth Association – J. Mockunas, P. Dunda, R. Sabeckis, S. Kubilius, and others.

Announcers included G. Vasiliauskiene, O. Stimburiene, M. Neverauskiene, B. Rainys, V. Ratkevicius, A. Zamoiskis, E. Buliene, L. Gerulaitis, and J. Vaboliene. Political news reviews were prepared and read for several years by C. Zamoiskis. Program recordings were made by A. Grigonis, S. Guscia, and A. Zamoiskis.

Australian Lithuanian Archives

Seated from left: 1 – Janina Vaboliene, 2 – Steponas Guscia, 3 – Leonas Gerulaitis, 4 – Augis Zamoiskis.

Adelaide, December 1992

Australian Lithuanian Archives

From left, standing: Augis Zamoiskis.

Adelaide, September 24, 1994

At first, when only a half-hour was broadcast, it was difficult to fit in all the announcements and news while still developing the program’s theme. In 1980 the Lithuanian broadcasts were extended to one hour and have aired every Saturday morning from 9 to 10 a.m. since then.

Each radio program had a main topic for that day’s broadcast. All Lithuanian organizations in Adelaide were invited to prepare programs, and individual listeners were encouraged to take part by sharing announcements, requesting music for birthdays or name-days, and donating a few dollars.

Australian Lithuanian Archives, PH0666

Adelaide, February 21, 1996

Augis Algimantas Zamoiskis (1944–2021) was a true patriot of Lithuania who, from a young age, participated in every possible activity of the Lithuanian community in Australia. Born in Lithuania, he was the only son of the prominent Australian Lithuanians Ceslovas Zamoiskis and Ona Baubonaite, and arrived in Australia at the age of five.

He attended the Adelaide Lithuanian Saturday School and later taught there. In 1971 he graduated from the South Australian Institute of Technology with a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering. He belonged to the Adelaide Lithuanian Students’ Association, was a scout, a member of various Lithuanian organizations, and took part in folk dancing, choir singing, and theater.

From the very beginning he was a member of the Adelaide Lithuanian radio team, undertaking a wide range of tasks – from preparing news and community announcements to providing technical support.

Australian Lithuanian Archives, PH0662

Steponas Guscia and Augis Zamoiskis (on the right).

Adelaide, 1990s

Australian Lithuanian Archives, PH0667

Guests from Lithuania with the program hosts.

Front row, seated from left: 4 – Leonas Gerulaitis, 5 – Janina Vaboliene. Standing from left: 1 – Augis Zamoiskis.

Adelaide, 1990s

Australian Lithuanian Archives, PH0668

Front row, seated from left: 1 – Janina Vaboliene, 2 – Augis Zamoiskis; standing: 3 – Petras Jaciunskis, 4 – Greg Domeika, 5 – Romas Urmonas, 6 – Jonas Jaciunskis.

Adelaide, 1990s

Photo by Viktoras Baltutis.

Australian Lithuanian Archives, PH0660

Front row, seated from left: 1 – Janina Vaboliene, 2 – Augis Zamoiskis, 3 – Greg Domeika; standing: 4 – Jurate Grigonis, 5 – Saulius Varnas.

Adelaide, 1990s

Australian Lithuanian Archives, PH0750

From left: 1 – Danute Grigonis, 2 – Janina Vaboliene, 3 – Jurate Grigonis, 4 – Augis Zamoiskis, 5 – Leonas Gerulaitis.

Adelaide, December 2001

The Adelaide Lithuanian community still broadcasts a one-hour program every Saturday at 9:00 a.m. on 5EBI 103.1 FM.

Australian Lithuanian Archives, PH0750