Your Community

Lithuanian – Geelong Community Inc.

Your President & Secretary

Stan Sutas (President) Kaja Starinskas (Secretary)

Your Address

30 Austin St , Leopold 3224 P.O. Box 45 North Geelong 3215

Community Hall or Meeting Place Address

Pettit Park Hall – Beauford Ave, Bell Post Hill

Your Phone/Fax/Email

(03) 5278 5686 (Stase Lipsys)

How long has your community been operating?

Since 1949

How many members does your community have?

Approx 700 Lithuanian people living in Geelong area

What is the first language of your community?

Lithuanian

When did members of your community first start arriving in Australia. Was there a period of peak immigration?

Members started arriving in 1947. The peak immigration period was post war 1949 – 1951.

What National Days, religious days or special events does your community celebrate?

16 th Feb Lithuanian Independence Day, Mothers Day first Sunday of May, Remembrance Day of Deportation to Sebria June 14 th, Christmas-Easter-Shrove Tuesday

Briefly describe your national dress - including any items of special significance.

Colourful home-woven skirt and vest, blouse and apron embroidered with national patters and lots of amber jewellery.

Briefly describe your community’s arts – including music/dance/song or artworks.

Choral singing, national folk dancing, craft, wood work, weaving cloth and sashes, embroidery, painting in all forms and sculpture.

Briefly describe your community’s traditional food & drinks - including foods and drinks you would avoid (if any)

Food – potato-based meals including pancakes, dumplings and meat (zeppelins).

Drinks – Honey drinks including mead, home made brews eg. Beer

Anything else you’d like to add?

We feel very privileged to live in Australia where we are accepted as Australian citizens without prejudice.