(As the author points out below, she was the wife of the president of the Lithuanian Society of Australia immediately after WWII. This meant that she was in a position to understand what was happening to Lithuania and Lithuanians during and after War.
Her recollections were published in Mūsų Pastogė 30 years after the Lithuanians on the First Transport settled into the Bonegilla camp. Thanks to great improvements in Google Translate, we can now follow them in English.)
Memories of December 1947
"Reading in the press about the 30th anniversary of the first post-war Lithuanian arrival in Australia brings back pleasant memories that I want to share.
"In the post-war period, when my late husband was still the chairman of the Lithuanian Society of Australia, we diligently followed, in the local newspapers, the difficult situation of our compatriots in the German camps, and wanted to help somehow, namely, to try to bring them to Australia.
"Correspondence began with requests to the then Australian Immigration Minister, Arthur Calwell, to allow Lithuanians from the camps to enter this country. In the meantime we learned that a significant number were already leaving for England, the USA, Canada and elsewhere. The Australian government took a long time to respond, until we finally received a positive response.
"Later we received a letter from the ship General Stuart Heintzelman with the announcement that Baltic people were coming, among them 439 Lithuanians. What joy for us! Finally, so many compatriots are arriving, and our Lithuanian community will increase, we thought!
"At that time, local newspapers widely described their arrival as an extraordinary event. Even the Minister of Immigration, Arthur Calwell, himself met the ship in the port of Fremantle and personally congratulated us.*
Visiting Bonegilla
"Due to the long distance, it was impossible for us to meet (the ship), so we were content to send a greeting on behalf of the Australian Lithuanian Society. It was possible to visit those who arrived at the Bonegilla camp. We decided to meet: my husband [Antanas Bauže, also deceased by 1977], Mr T Kuodis (now deceased) and I.
"The Lithuanian committee formed by Jonas Motiejūnas, Kazys Mieldažis and Povilas Baltutis handled themselves perfectly. We spent the weekend at the camp, we were warmly welcomed, we felt great pleasure among our own people. I was kindly looked after by Miss 0. Matulionytė, now Miniotienė.
"The time spent there remained unforgettable. At the Saturday evening party, everyone danced happily, despite the fact that many were wearing heavy boots, just issued by the camp management.
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| Almost as new: Australian Army boots dated 1945, as issued to the male DPs -- imagine dancing in these! Source: Blighty Militaria |
"During the Sunday morning service, the men's choir led by Petras Morkūnas, who we had the pleasure of hearing at the previous day's party, impressively sang the song, "Let us Fall on our Knees", which we had not heard for a long time and which was a favourite of my late husband.
Fruit pickers
"Later, a group of men who received their first salary while picking fruit in Victoria participated in a reunion party organized by the Lithuanian Society in Sydney's Dulwich Hill parish hall.
"Before you know it, 30 years have passed. During that time, life has changed for many, many have created families and homes beautifully. I think your circle has also thinned, but those who met us will have pleasant memories. The First Transport, the first post-war Lithuanian immigrants, pioneers, will still remain close.
Congratulations
"Therefore, on this occasion, I sincerely congratulate all of you on celebrating the 30th anniversary of your arrival in Australia, wishing you much happiness, health and many more years to celebrate."
FOOTNOTE
* It's been a common mistake to misremember the greeting by the Minister for Immigration occurring when the Heintzelman arrived in Fremantle, on 28 November 1947. However, Minister Calwell was making a speech to Parliament in Canberra on that day. Even today's modern, faster transport would not have allowed him to be in both Canberra and Fremantle during daylight hours on the same day, given the time his speech in the House of Representatives started, as recorded in Hansard.
Source: Baužienė, Ona (1977) 'Pirmaji transporta prisimenant' ('Remembering the First Transport') Mūsų Pastogė (Our Haven) Sydney, 19 December, p 8 https://spauda2.org/musu_pastoge/archive/1977/1977-12-19-MUSU-PASTOGE.pdf, accessed 18 September 2025.
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