Virtual exhibition "Australian Lithuanians. Part II"
Commemorating the 75th Anniversary of the Australian Lithuanian Community, the Lithuanian Central State Archives, together with the Australian Lithuanian Archive, invites everyone to reflect on the history of Lithuanian settlement and integration in Australia. They are launching a year-long series of ten virtual exhibitions in 2025, dedicated to the Australian Lithuanian experience.
The Australian Lithuanian Community is undoubtedly the largest and most significant force uniting Lithuanians across Australia. According to well-known Lithuanian-Australian public figure, writer, and artist Brone Mockuniene (Zaranskyte), who shared her experiences in her biographical memoir Lithuanians in Australia. Journey into the Unknown, the life of the Lithuanian diaspora—from their arrival in Australia up to the restoration of Lithuania’s independence—can be divided into four key periods, each roughly spanning a decade.
The First Period (1947–1960): Settlement. This was a time when Lithuanian refugees began adjusting to Australia, learning its unique norms and rules, and laying the foundations of personal and communal life.
The Second Period (1960–1970): Coming of Age. Lithuanians pursued higher education, validated their qualifications from Lithuania or Germany, and gradually adapted to local traditions and culture, while remaining active in their communities.
The Third Period (1970–1980): A Time of Struggle. This decade was marked by political unrest, notably when the Australian government recognized the Soviet occupation of the Baltic states. Lithuanians responded with protests, rallies, and activism for Lithuania’s freedom.
The Fourth Period (1980–1990): The Fight for Homeland. Especially toward the end of the decade, Lithuanian Australians turned their focus toward supporting Lithuania’s independence efforts.
The National Council Sessions were seen as essential for the functioning of the Lithuanian Australian Community, formed in 1950. These sessions allowed for representation, discussion of important issues, and submission of proposals. The minutes from these meetings detail the participants' questions, comments, and initiatives. Despite challenges posed by Australia’s political and economic conditions, the National Executive—supervised by the Council—managed to operate effectively. Up until 1973, the global Lithuanian communities primarily focused on internal affairs like education, press, culture, and art. After 1972–1973, more attention shifted to issues surrounding the occupation of Lithuania.
The virtual exhibition “Australian Lithuanians. Part II” is divided into two sections: “Origins and Settlement of the Australian Lithuanian Community (until 1960)” and “Community Activity (1960–1990).” It focuses on the activities of the National Council and Executive, early documents of the community’s formation, and photographs of councils and meetings. Most exhibition materials come from the Australian Lithuanian Archive and include written documents and photographs. Special thanks to Daina Pocius for helping bring these sources to the public. Notably, the archive has digitized most of the National Council session records. The exhibition is also enriched by documents and photographs from Lithuanian diplomatic missions and the Supreme Committee for the Liberation of Lithuania (VLIK), preserved in the Lithuanian Central State Archives.
We feel a deep professional interest in the Australian Lithuanian Archive’s holdings—they are unique, underexplored, and reflect the evolution of Lithuanian emigration. This is the first time these materials are being made accessible to Lithuanian society and history enthusiasts.