Personnel
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- Ben Katauskas
Vice President - Algis Kusta
Treasurer - Sophie Kusta
Secretary - John Andruška
Committee Member - Vida Howe
Committee Member - Ben Cibiras
Committee Member
President: |
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Pirmininkė: |
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Canberra Lithuanian Community
The Canberra Lithuanian Community Association is a local community for the Lithuanian diaspora living in Canberra, Australia’s capital city. We actively promote the celebration of Lithuanian culture and significant days by hosting lunches and morning teas, walks around Lake Burley Griffin, participating in sport, trivia nights and picnics and so much more!
Whether you’re a distant relative of a Lithuanian, first, second, third generation, have a spouse that is of Lithuanian descent, or just interested in what we’re about – follow us and get involved in the celebration of our cultural events and activities, help us cheer on our basketball team Vilkas, or get involved in wider Canberra events.
Our Community’s Būstinė (meeting place) houses our Lithuanian library and is a place where our Community gathers to socialise and where our Committee meet for regular meetings.
Address:
Canberra Lithuanian Community
Grant Cameron Community Centre,
27 Mulley Street, Holder
ACT 2611
Follow us on social media to keep up to date on our events and to learn more about Lithuanian culture.
Reach us at:
Membership to the Canberra Lithuanian Community
Only $10 per financial year
Membership Form
Download here
Canberra Quarterly News
Download PDF here:
Back Issues of Canberra Quarterly News
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CANBERRA LITHUANIAN COMMUNITY
CALENDAR 2025
11 January | 5km Freedom Defenders Walk
Lake Burley Griffin
February | Chinese New Year Dinner
1 March | Joint event for the Restoration of the State of Lithuania (V16) and the Restoration of Independence (K11)
Yacht Club
June | Baltic Deportations Day
July | Statehood Day
October/November | Community Annual General Meeting (AGM)
Būstinė
December | Christmas
Growing up, Elena’s connection to Lithuania formed through her love of Lithuanian food (krustai, koldunai, cepelinai), celebration of a traditional Kučios (Christmas), attending Lithuanian events and travelling to Lithuania with her family. Today, Elena is a dual citizen, enjoys cooking her grandmother’s Lithuanian recipes for the family, helping her Mum prepare Kučios and working with the Committee to engage members and build a viable Community for future generations.
Elena still holds many stories from her paternal grandmother about her life in Lithuania, experiences during WWII and move to Australia. When life isn’t so busy, she intends to complete a short biography as a keepsake for the family.
2022-23 was Elena’s first year on the Committee, however prior to this, she was involved in the organisation of many Community events.
During his time in Sydney during the late 90’s and early 2000’s Ben played basketball for Sydney Kovas and is a current playing member of the Canberra VILKAS basketball team.
Having toured and visited relatives in Lithuania on two occasions Ben is looking forward to his next opportunity to travel back to the motherland again. As an avid cyclist Ben is looking forward to planning a “bike-packing” adventure across Lithuania.
During several previous terms on the CLCA committee Ben especially enjoyed celebrating Lithuanian food and beverages by organising several Multicultural Festival stalls.
Ben looks forward to supporting a sustainable and viable future for our small community by organising, promoting and contributing to events which celebrate Lithuanian culture and bringing people together to share and enjoy traditional Lithuanian cuisine/recipes.
In 1975, Algis moved to Canberra for work, where he met the mother of his children at Lithuanian folk dancing. Algis has been attending Community events since his arrival in Canberra, has taken Lithuanian language classes and has volunteered his cooking skills for previous Lithuanian food stalls at Multicultural Festivals.
Algis has travelled to Lithuania many times and holds dual citizenship. Experiencing the Lithuanian culture (food, language, land) in Country drives Algis’ love for travelling back to the Motherland.
2022-23 is Algis’ first year on the Committee.
Sophie has expressed her pride in her Lithuanian roots since she was young, through learning Lithuanian at CLC-run language classes, visiting and traveling around the country with her family, volunteering at local events such as the Multicultural festival and becoming a dual citizen of Lithuania.
Since becoming a committee member in 2021, Sophie continues on her role as co-functions coordinator alongside Katherine Andruska.
Vida returned to Canberra in 1972 with husband Geoff and daughter Belinda. The family became involved in the Lithuanian community soon after their arrival by joining the dancing group. Years later Vida took over as teacher of the dancing group.
As her daughter grew older Vida became involved with the Lithuanian language classes for children where she taught. When the scouts group Baltijos Tuntas formed all the family became involved.