Adelaide, date unknown.

The initiator and organizer of the Adelaide Lithuanian choir “Lituania” was Vaclovas Simkus (1908–1993). Born in Tytuvenai, he was a choir conductor and music educator. In 1927, he graduated from the Siauliai Teacher’s Seminary and from 1927 to 1930 studied violin at the Klaipeda Music School, where he played in the symphony orchestra led by Stasys Simkus and sang in the choir. During his studies, he also conducted choirs in the Klaipeda region. From 1930 to 1939, he worked at the Pagegiai Customs office and led the local Singers’ Society choir, organizing concerts throughout Lithuania. In 1939–1940, he began studying vocal performance at the Vilnius Conservatory. In 1944, he moved to Germany, where he conducted choirs and organized Lithuanian song festivals, before emigrating to Australia in 1949.

In August 1949, shortly after arriving in Adelaide, V. Simkus began organizing a choir, and within a month he led a 20-member male choir “Lituania” on stage. The choir later became a mixed choir, with a repertoire of about 100 Lithuanian folk songs and original works by Lithuanian composers. Simkus was actively involved in the Lithuanian cultural life in Adelaide, organizing the 1962 Lithuanian Arts Days. He also composed three cantatas, masses, hymns, and songs, and published song collections.

Australian Lithuanian Archives, PH7158

Front row, standing, women: 1 – Leonarda Kilikoniene, 2 – Janina Mazeliene, 3 – writer and director Dalila Magdalena Mackialiene, 4 – Ona Naudziuviene. Second row, standing, men: 5 – Ceslovas Zamoiskis, 6 – choir conductor Jonas Zdanavicius. Back row: 7 – Edas Duchauskas (Dukas), 8 – Jonas Abromas, 9 – Mecislovas Rudzenskas

Adelaide, 1953

The Adelaide Lithuanian choir flourished, performing not only for Lithuanian audiences but also for the wider Australian public. By the choir’s tenth anniversary, it had grown to include 50 singers and two soloists – Antanina Binkeviciute-Guciuviene and Genovaite Vasiliauskiene.

Lithuanian Central State Archives, TSK-000846

Standing, from left: 1 – Ceslovas Zamoiskis, 2 – Janina Mazeliene, 3 – Edas Duchauskas (Dukas), 4 – Leonarda Kilikoniene, 5 – choir conductor Jonas Zdanavicius, 6 – Dalila Magdalena Mackialiene, 7 – Jonas Abromas, 8 – Ona Naudziuviene, 9 – Mecislovas Rudzenskas.

Adelaide, 1953

Lithuanian Central State Archives, TSK-000847

From left: soloist A. Ukneviciute, pianist Dorothy Oldham, soloist Antanina Binkeviciute-Guciuviene.

Adelaide, December 1959

Photo by Alfonsas Budrys.

Antanina Binkeviciute-Guciuviene (1905–1989) showed a passion for singing and music from an early age. She studied at the Kaunas Conservatory and furthered her music education in Paris. Returning to Kaunas in 1933, she taught at the conservatory and performed on Kaunas Radiofonas, where she met Juozas Gucius (1903–1978), deputy director of the radio and director of theater radio plays, originally from Zarasai.

In the summer of 1944, Antanina moved west with her family, and in 1951 she emigrated to Australia. While working in a tailoring shop, she became well known as a singer, teacher, and community activist.

Australian Lithuanian Archives, PH1054

Front row: 2 – Adele Miliauskiene, 4 – Birute Duchauskiene (Dukiene), 6 – Ona Ragieniene, 7 – conductor Vaclovas Simkus, 8 – Danute Urneviciene, 9 – Janina Mazeliene, 10 – Jadvyga Sereliene, 11 – Elena Dainiene, 12 – Birute Budriene, 13 – Agota Kaminskiene.

Second row: 2 – Ursule Juciene, 3 – Anele Urneviciene, 4 – Jurate Naujaliene, 6 – Klaudija Vanagiene, 7 – Stefanija Jankauskiene, 9 – Irena Gaveliene, 10 – Terese Gasiuniene.

Third row: [1 – Anicetas Jucius, 3 – Jeronimas Miliauskas, 4 – Antanas Serelis, 5 – Adomas Maciukas], 6 – Jonas Bociulis, 8 – Vytautas Opulskis, 9 – Kazimieras Kaminskas, 10 – Antanas Mazelis.

Fourth row: 3 – Bronius Straukas, 5 – Vytautas Straukas, 7 – Kostas Pocius, 8 – Eduardas Duchauskas (Dukas), 9 – Augis Zamoiskis, 12 – Vytautas Vosylius.

Back row: 1 – Stasys Urnevicius, 2 – Gintautas Kaminskas.

Adelaide, 1964

Photo by Alfonsas Budrys.

Australian Lithuanian Archives, PH0367

Front row: 2 – Adele Miliauskiene, 4 – Birute Duchauskiene (Dukiene), 6 – Ona Ragieniene, 7 – conductor Vaclovas Simkus, 8 – Danute Urneviciene, 9 – Janina Mazeliene, 10 – Jadvyga Sereliene, 11 – Elena Dainiene, 12 – Birute Budriene, 13 – Agota Kaminskiene.

Second row: 2 – Ursule Juciene, 3 – Anele Urneviciene, 4 – Jurate Naujaliene, 6 – Klaudija Vanagiene, 7 – Stefanija Jankauskiene, 9 – Irena Gaveliene, 10 – Terese Gasiuniene.

Third row: [1 – Anicetas Jucius, 3 – Jeronimas Miliauskas, 4 – Antanas Serelis, 5 – Adomas Maciukas], 6 – Jonas Bociulis, 8 – Vytautas Opulskis, 9 – Kazimieras Kaminskas, 10 – Antanas Mazelis.

Fourth row: 3 – Bronius Straukas, 5 – Vytautas Straukas, 7 – Kostas Pocius, 8 – Eduardas Duchauskas (Dukas), 9 – Augis Zamoiskis, 12 – Vytautas Vosylius.

Back row: 1 – Stasys Urnevicius, 2 – Gintautas Kaminskas.

Adelaide, 1964

Photo by Alfonsas Budrys.

Australian Lithuanian Archives, PH0365

Participant in the evening’s artistic program: Genovaite Vasiliauskiene, Australian Lithuanian community activist, singer, and teacher.

Adelaide, July 17, 1966

Photo by Alfonsas Budrys.

In 1969, the Adelaide Lithuanian choir conductor Vaclovas Simkus moved to Canberra. Leadership of the choir was taken over by soloist Genovaite Vasiliauskiene, who successfully directed the choir for 25 years. During her tenure, the choir not only maintained its high standard but also grew stronger and progressed. With her naturally beautiful voice, G. Vasiliauskiene often enriched the “Lituania” choir repertoire with solo pieces.

Genovaite Stanaityte-Vasiliauskiene (lyric soprano and choir director) was born in Griskabudis. After completing high school, she enrolled in the Kaunas Conservatory in 1940 and later continued vocal studies at the Vilnius Music School. In 1944, she moved to Germany, continuing her studies from 1945 at the Hamburg Conservatory. In 1949, she emigrated to Australia and in 1950 enrolled at the Elder Conservatorium of Music in Adelaide. She also took private lessons with soloist and teacher Antanina Binkeviciute-Guciuviene.

From 1957, she sang for a decade with the Adelaide State Radio, performing in Lithuanian and Australian concerts across Australia and in numerous Lithuanian communities. She also performed in the USA and Canada, releasing a record in 1965.

G. Vasiliauskiene worked successfully with choirs and vocal ensembles for many years. From 1969 to 1989, she led the Adelaide Lithuanian choir “Lituania” (27 women and 18 men), actively promoting works by Lithuanian composers and staging musical works.

In addition to the choir, she directed the men’s entertainment octet “Klajunai”, staged Mikas Petrauskas’ operetta “Consilium facultatis”, and in 1977 organized the girls’ choir “Eglute”, performing with them at concerts. She also taught singing at Lithuanian schools, assisted the church choir, and contributed to Lithuanian radio programs. In 1985, she formed a women’s senior vocal octet, which also performed at concerts.

G. Vasiliauskiene organized song festivals and other national events. For her dedication to Lithuanian culture, the World Lithuanian Community Board awarded her the 400th Anniversary Medal of Vilnius University, and in 1994, she was honored with an Australian medal for her contributions to Lithuanian and Australian culture.

Lithuanian Central State Archives, 1-51485

Front row (from left): 3 – Rasa Kubiliute, 4 – Ursule Juciene, 5 – Anele Urneviciene, 6 – soloist and choir conductor Genovaite Vasiliauskiene, 7 – Birute Budriene, 8 – Terese Gasiuniene, 9 – V. Sulcas.

Adelaide, August 1969

Photo by Alfonsas Budrys.

When the women formed the vocal quartet “Nemuno Dukros”, the Lithuanian men in Adelaide were inspired to organize their own vocal octet in 1967. The octet sought guidance from Adelaide Lithuanian choir conductor G. Vasiliauskiene and successfully debuted in 1968 at a representative concert at Lithuanian House.

Lithuanian Central State Archives, 0-157066

Conductor: Vytas Straukas.

Adelaide, 1970s

Photo by Alfonsas Budrys.

Choir director Genovaite Vasiliauskiene often invited young assistants – Vytas Straukas, Rasa Kubiliute, Nemira Masiulyte. The choir’s schedule was extensive: participating in commemorations, concerts for nations under occupation, and performing as guest choristers at Ukrainian and German events. From its founding, “Lituania” consistently took part in song festivals held during Lithuanian Days.

Lithuanian Central State Archives, TSK-000644

From left: 1 – Ursule Juciene, 2 – Anele Urneviciene, 3 – Birute Budriene, 4 – Agota Kaminskiene.

Adelaide, August 1, 1971

On the initiative of the Adelaide Lithuanian Catholic Women’s Society, events called “siupiniai” were organized at the Lithuanian Catholic Centre from 1961. To enrich these events, the organizers created a vocal quartet. For several years, it was successfully directed by A. Urneviciene. The quartet made its public debut on May 15, 1965. Although its early steps were tentative, the quartet quickly gained popularity and developed its artistic skills. In 1971, the group recorded a vinyl record.

Lithuanian Central State Archives, 1-51536

Front row, standing: 1 – Ona Bone, 2 – Birute Dukauskiene, 4 – Cecilija Radzeviciene, 5 – Ona Raginiene, 6 – choir artistic director and conductor Genovaite Vasiliauskiene, 7 – Janina Mazeliene, 8 – Jadvyga Sereliene, 9 – Birute Budriene, 10 – Agota Kaminskiene. Second row: 11 – Birute Stalbiene, 13 – Anele Urneviciene, 14 – Brone Lapsiene, 15 – Marija Peciuliene, 16 – Klaudija Vanagiene, 17 – Irena Gaveliene, 18 – Jovita Brazauskiene, 21 – Stefanija Jankauskiene. Third row: 24 – Eduardas Taparauskas, 25 – Adomas Maciukas, 27 – Jonas Bociulis, 29 – Vytautas Opulskis, 31 – Alfredas Vitkunas.

Adelaide, June 2, 1973

Photo by Alfonsas Budrys.

Lithuanian Central State Archives, TSK-000737

From left: 3 – Jonas Neverauskas, 5 – Vytautas Opulskis, 8 – Eduardas Duchauskas (Dukas), 9 – Nemira Masiulyte, 10 – Genovaite Vasiliauskiene, 12 – Jurgis Vasiliauskas, 13 – Brone Lapsiene.

Adelaide, date unknown.

Photo by Alfonsas Budrys.

Australian Lithuanian Archives, PH0417

Adelaide, June 1975

Photo by Alfonsas Budrys.

Australian Lithuanian Archives, PH1215

From left: 1 – Nijole Lloyd, 2 – Lina Jablonskis, 3 – Birute Stalba, 4 – Daniele Pocius, 5 – Anita Baltutis, 6 – Sylvia Stimburys, 9 – R. Gusciute, 10 – Angela Snarskis, 11 – Dana Baltutis, 12 – Irena Petkunas, 13 – conductor Genovaite Vasiliauskiene.

Adelaide, circa 1980

Photo by Alfonsas Budrys.

Australian Lithuanian Archives, PH0428

Front row: 2 – Birute Stalbiene, 3 – Marija Staciuniene, 5 – Lilija Radzeviciene, 6 – Ona Raginiene, 7 – Nemira Masiulyte, 8 – Genovaite Vasiliauskiene, 9 – Marija Peciuliene, 11 – Nijole Vitkuniene, 12 – Janina Mazeliene, 13 – Jadvyga Sereliene, 15 – Agota Kaminskiene.

Second row: 2 – Ursule Juciene, 3 – Anele Urneviciene, 5 – Brone Lapsiene, 7 – Klaudija Vanagiene, 9 – Irena Gaveliene, 12 – Ksavera Viliutiene, 14 – Stefanija Jankauskiene.

Back row: 2 – Jeronimas Miliauskas, 8 – Augis Zamoiskis, 10 – [Kazimieras Kaminskas], 11 – Kostas Pocius, 13 – Jonas Jaunutis, 14 – [Stasys] Palubinskas, 15 – Vytautas Vosylius, 16 – Aidas Kubilius, 17 – Ceslovas Zamoiskis, 20 – Juozas Lapsys.

Adelaide, 1980–1989

Photo by Alfonsas Budrys.

Australian Lithuanian Archives, PH0402

Front row, from left: 1 – Irena Gaveliene, 4 – Agota Kaminskiene, 5 – Birute Budriene, 7 – Ursule Juciene, 8 – Nemira Masiulyte-Stapleton, 9 – Father Albinas Spurgis.

Second row, from left: 1 – Nijole Vitkuniene, 4 – Ona Raginiene, 6 – Anele Urneviciene, 8 – Miliauskiene.

Third row, from left: 1 – Jonas Jarusevicius, 2 – Juozas Stepanas, 3 – Kazimieras Kaminskas, 4 – Vytautas Vosylius, 5 – Vytautas Opulskis, 6 – Jeronimas Miliauskas.

Back row: 2 – Juozas Gylys, 5 – Rapolas Ziukelis.

Adelaide, 1982

Photo by Alfonsas Budrys.

On November 20, 1960, Lithuanian services were moved to St. Casimir’s Chapel at the Lithuanian Catholic Centre, with organ accompaniment and singing by L. Kazlauskas. In 1963, after Kazlauskas stepped down as organist, parish priest A. Kazlauskas sought a replacement.

Choir “Lituania” conductor V. Simkus agreed to play the harmonium and train his choir in liturgical singing. A choir of 20 singers formed, primarily composed of “Lituania” choristers, and began rehearsals of four-part Lithuanian Mass hymns. Shortly thereafter, electric organs were purchased at the conductor’s initiative.

Australian Lithuanian Archives, PH0312

After V. Simkus moved to Canberra, starting in early 1970, Nemira Masiulyte-Stapleton agreed to lead the St. Casimir’s Church Choir in Adelaide. Under the young, talented pianist’s guidance, the choir was revitalized. Every Sunday, the choir sang, and the organ accompanied not only during Mass. In early 1974, the Parish Council expanded the church with a passage connecting to the narthex, and the choir, along with the organ, relocated to the back of the church. In 1976, at the choir director’s request and due to the old organ’s deterioration, a new organ was purchased.

Nemira Masiulyte-Stapleton was born in Germany. In 1964, she graduated from St. Joseph’s High School in Adelaide, received a scholarship, and began studies at the Elder Conservatorium of Music in Adelaide, focusing on piano, violin, singing, and music pedagogy. She graduated in 1972 with a diploma in music teaching and earned a second music teaching diploma from Adelaide University in 1975.

From her youth, she performed as a pianist and répétiteur, accompanying soloists, vocal and instrumental ensembles, and choirs. In 1966, she won first place in a youth talent competition in Melbourne. Starting in 1965, she worked at Adelaide’s Saturday Lithuanian School – teaching Lithuanian, directing plays, and leading the children’s choir. Between 1967–1971, she accompanied the Adelaide men’s octet “Klajunai”, as well as the women’s vocal quartet “Nemuno dukros”.

From 1970, she served as organist and choir director at St. Casimir’s Church. She taught the choir over 100 hymns, substituted for the mixed choir “Lithuania” conductor in 1972, and from 1989–1994, together with V. Straukas, served as artistic director and conductor of the choir.

Australian Lithuanian Archives, PH7109

Adelaide (date unknown).

Photo by Alfonsas Budrys.

Australian Lithuanian Archives, PH0311

Front row, from left: Birute Mikuziene, Marija Staciuniene, Renata Willenbrecht, conductor Nemira Masiulyte-Stapleton, Nijole Vitkuniene, Vita Bardauskaite, Ona Bone.

Second row, from left: Birute Stalbiene, Ursule Juciene, Anicetas Jucius, Augis Zamoiskis, Anele Urneviciene, Jeronimas Miliauskas, Liuda Vitkuniene, Viktoras Stalba, Antanas Serelis, Jadvyga Sereliene, Viktoras Ratkevicius, Birute Budriene, Agota Kaminskiene.

Adelaide (date unknown).

Photo by Alfonsas Budrys.

Australian Lithuanian Archives, PH0363

Front row, from left: A. Kaminskiene, N. Vitkuniene, organist Jonas Pocius, choir conductor Nemira Masiulyte-Stapleton.

Second row, from left: B. Budriene, J. Vosyliene, D. Urneviciene, J. Nekrosiene, M. Ciplys, O. Ryskiene, U. Juciene, A. Jucius, A. Miliauskiene, A. Urneviciene.

Third row, from left: K. Kaminskas, A. Savickas, J. Baksys, J. Miliauskas, F. Budreika, P. Zutautas, Vytas Opulskis.

Adelaide, 1990s

Lithuanian Central State Archives, P-40830