Near Melbourne, Victoria, 1948–1949

The Lithuanian Scouts of Australia date the beginning of their activity very early – to November 28, 1947, when the first transport of Lithuanian refugees arrived at the port of Fremantle in Western Australia. During the voyage to Australia, the experienced scout leader Boris Dainutis gathered a large group of scouts on board. After being assigned to two-year work placements in various locations, the scouts kept in contact with one another for several years through letters.

The true beginning of Lithuanian scouting in South Australia should be considered 1948. That year, during Christmas, nine Lithuanian scouts participated in the jamboree* held in the state of Victoria. The Lithuanian scouts made a fine impression: they took part in the shared Christmas Eve celebration and organized a small exhibition prepared by V. Neverauskas.

*Jamboree – a large international scout camp or gathering. The term, most commonly used in the scouting movement, refers to a massive youth assembly in nature, during which scouts from different countries meet, interact, share experiences, and participate in various educational programs and activities. World Scout Jamborees are among the largest international youth events.

V. Neverauskas recounts the early years: "In my thoughts I return to the Pan-Pacific Jamboree (1948–1949). We were exotic creatures there – unseen before. Our tricolor flag waved in the great camp area alongside those of other foreign guests. Our name stood among other free nations. And more than one Australian, Asian, or Filipino scout heard about Lithuania for the first time. <...> we gathered there out of love for Lithuania, out of love for Lithuanian scouting."

Australian Lithuanian Archives

From the left, in the first row (sitting): Dalia Adomenaite, Rasa Zinkute, Danute Sliogeryte.

Second row: Elena Laurinaitiene, Julija Bogusaite, Egle Zizyte.

Third row: Grazina Zigaityte, Lidija Zaliene, Liuda Apinyte/Reisgyte, Ugne Kazokaite, Dalia Sumskiene.

Sydney, 1950s

Photograph by V. M. Vilkaitis.

Lietuvos centrinis valstybės archyvas, TSK-000463

Melbourne, January 28, 1959

Lietuvos centrinis valstybės archyvas, f. 668, ap. 1, b. 226, l. 33

Standing in the middle – Vytas Neverauskas. To the left: Paceviciene, Rev. Juozas Kungys, Jonas Vanagas, Romas Urmanas.

Adelaide, ca. 1960

Scout organizations in various Australian cities formed, dissolved, and re-formed again. The troop in Adelaide was established in 1949 by an order from B. Dainutis. J. Urbonas was appointed troop leader, although the organizational work fell to V. Ilgunas. Later, the duties of troop leader were taken over by Jonas Vanagas, who unfortunately did not live in Adelaide but in Lobethal. When the boundaries of the South-West Australia district were later reduced, the Adelaide troop was given the name Žalgiris. The number of troop members constantly fluctuated, ranging from 60 to 25.

For several more years the activities of Lithuanian scouts remained unstable, as young scout leaders were moving around, searching for the best place to settle.

Australian Lithuanian Archives, PH0783

Portrait of four scouts. Sitting from the left: Augis Zamoiskis; standing: Algis Grebliunas.

Adelaide, ca. 1960

In 1953, the Adelaide scout troop was reorganized to adapt to new circumstances. On March 4, 1953, it was named the Vilnius Local Troop (vietininkija), led by Vytautas Neverauskas. The Local Troop began its work with 4 units and 40 scouts. In 1954, V. Neverauskas was succeeded by V. Stasiskis. Individual scout patrols were merged into the Grand Duke Vytautas the Great Company, with Vytautas Opulskis appointed as company leader. Half a year later, the Lithuanian scouts were registered as a group – 15th Adelaide (Lithuania). The scouts added a ribbon in the national colors to the tip of their neckerchiefs.

In 1956, by order of the district leader, the Local Troop was granted the name Vilnius Troop (tuntas) and full troop rights. Five units operated within the troop.

Lithuanian Central State Archives, TSK-000832

In the center on the right – community activist and journalist Augis Zamoiskis.

Adelaide, ca. 1960

Lithuanian Central State Archives, TSK-000833

Portrait of five scouts. Standing from the left: 1 – community activist and journalist Augis Zamoiskis, 2 – Algis Bernaitis.

Adelaide, ca. 1960

Lithuanian Central State Archives, TSK-000834

Scouts lined up for the flag-raising ceremony at the campsite. On the right – community activist, educator, and Acting District Leader Vytautas Neverauskas.

Adelaide, January 1961

Photograph by Alfonsas Budrys.

In 1953, the Lithuanian Scouts Association in Australia grew stronger. A new district leadership was elected, led by Acting District Leader A. Krausas; the brotherhood leader was appointed J. Makulis, and the sisterhood leader – S. I. Laisvenaite. New troops were established: the Dziugas Troop in Melbourne, the Ausra Troop in Sydney, and Local Troops in Geelong and Brisbane. In 1958, celebrating the 40th anniversary of Lithuanian scouting, a Local Troop was established in Perth, named after Grand Duke Sarunas.

Lithuanian Central State Archives, 1-51317

Scouts lined up for the flag-raising ceremony at the campsite.

Adelaide, January 1961

Photograph by Alfonsas Budrys.

Lithuanian Central State Archives, 1-51318

The Scouts’ chaplain celebrates Mass. Scouts and their parents pray together at the campsite.

Adelaide, January 1961

Photograph by Alfonsas Budrys.

Lithuanian Central State Archives, 1-51320

Flag-raising ceremony at the campsite.

Adelaide, January 1961

Photograph by Alfonsas Budrys.

Lithuanian Central State Archives, 1-51322

Panoramic view of the campsite area.

Adelaide, January 1961

Photograph by Alfonsas Budrys.

Lithuanian Central State Archives, 1-51323

Scouts having lunch at a table dug into the ground.

Adelaide, January 1961

Photograph by Alfonsas Budrys.

Lithuanian Central State Archives, 1-51326

Flag-raising ceremony in the courtyard of the Lithuanian Catholic Centre.

Adelaide, ca. 1962

Photograph by Alfonsas Budrys.

Lithuanian Central State Archives, 1-51623

1963

Australian Lithuanian Archives

The camp was held to celebrate the 45th anniversary of the Lithuanian Scouts Association. It took place from January 2 to January 11, 1963, in the pine forests near Adelaide (Mt. Crawford).

Adelaide, January 6, 1963

Photograph by Alfonsas Budrys.

Lithuanian Central State Archives, 1-51356

The camp was held to commemorate the 45th anniversary of the Lithuanian Scouts Association.

Adelaide, January 6, 1963

Photograph by Alfonsas Budrys.

Lithuanian Central State Archives, 1-51357

The camp was held to commemorate the 45th anniversary of the Lithuanian Scouts Association. The Scouts’ chaplain, Pranas Dauknys, celebrates Mass.

Adelaide, January 6, 1963

Photograph by Alfonsas Budrys.

Lithuanian Central State Archives, 1-51359

The camp was held to commemorate the 45th anniversary of the Lithuanian Scouts Association. Camp entrance gates.

Adelaide, January 6, 1963

Photograph by Alfonsas Budrys.

Lithuanian Central State Archives, 1-51363

The camp was held to commemorate the 45th anniversary of the Lithuanian Scouts Association.

Adelaide, January 6, 1963

Photograph by Alfonsas Budrys.

Lithuanian Central State Archives, 1-51365

Canberra, [December 1963]

Lithuanian Central State Archives, TSK-000918

Adelaide, ca. 1965

Australian Lithuanian Archives, PH1047

Adelaide, 1966

Photograph by Alfonsas Budrys.

Lithuanian Central State Archives, 1-51471

Adelaide, 1966

Photograph by Alfonsas Budrys.

Lithuanian Central State Archives, 1-51472

From the left: Romas Cibas, Algis Dudaitis, Bronius Zalys, Aleksandras Jakstas, Elena Laurinaitiene, Kun Petras Butkus, Balys Barkus, Stasys Sankauskas.

Sydney, 1970s

Photograph by V. M. Vilkaitis.

Lithuanian Central State Archives, TSK-000666

Adelaide, 1970s

Lithuanian Central State Archives, TSK-000912

Vytautas Opulskis is seated in the center.

Adelaide, 1970s

Lithuanian Central State Archives, TSK-000913

Formation of representatives from Adelaide Lithuanian organizations – the Lithuanian Veterans’ Union Ramove, Ateitininkai, Scouts, and the Youth Union – with flags.

Adelaide, 1970s–1980s

Photograph by Alfonsas Budrys.

Lithuanian Central State Archives, 1-51671

Vilnius Troop Vyciai (Knights): second row from the left – Eugenijus Pocius, Jonas Mikuzis; third row – Vytautas Opulskis; fourth row, center – Augis Zamoiskis.

Adelaide, 1980s

Lithuanian Central State Archives, TSK-000911

From the left, seated: Dalia Adomenaite, Julija Bogusaite, Ricardas Badauskas, Elena Kiveryte, Ele Satkauskaite.

Sydney, 1980s

Photograph by V. M. Vilkaitis.

Lithuanian Central State Archives, TSK-000628

Camp participants, standing from the left: Daina Pocius, Rasa Pocius, Dana Baltutyte (Baltutis), Gene Starinskaite (Starinskas), scout leader Elena Buliene.

Adelaide, ca. 1980

Photograph by Eugenijus Pocius.

Lithuanian Central State Archives, TSK-000797

Flag-raising ceremony. Standing from the left: Daina Pocius, Danielle Pocius; to the right, Scout Elena Buliene is speaking.

Adelaide, ca. 1980

Photograph by Eugenijus Pocius.

Lithuanian Central State Archives, TSK-000796

Next to the tent, standing: Antanas Pocius, Binkevicius.

Adelaide, ca. 1980

Photograph by Eugenijus Pocius.

Lithuanian Central State Archives, TSK-000798

The Mass is celebrated by Rev. Juozas Petraitis. Adelaide Lithuanian Scouts are standing.

Adelaide, 1986

Photograph by Alfonsas Budrys.

Lithuanian Central State Archives, 0-157500

The Mass is celebrated by Rev. Juozas Petraitis. Adelaide Lithuanian Scouts are standing.

Adelaide, 1986

Photograph by Alfonsas Budrys.

Lithuanian Central State Archives, 0-157501