Sydney Lithuanian Women’s Social Services Assoc. Inc

In 1956, Vytautas Simniðkis, being at that time the committee member of the national ALB (Australian Lithuanian Community) responsible for social issues, took upon himself the task of founding the Women‘s Social Services Association. The first general meeting of the Association took place and the elected committee members were M. Cibulskienë, B. Jarembauskienë, E. Kapoèienë, J. Klimaitytë with O. Osinienë as chairwoman.
The main purpose of the Association was the care and support of the solitary sick and elderly Lithuanians who had no visible means of support. Their main concern became the raising of funds. So that there were no difficulties or problems with the raising of these funds, the Association made steps to become an officially registered charitable organisation.
On the 25th January 1963, after completing the Association’s constitution and translating it into English, the Association was officially recognised by the New South Wales government (Reg.No 11692).
Anna Bauze (Ona Bauþienë) was elected chairwoman of a newly formed committee in 1967. Brought up in Scotland, Anna was fluent in the English language. She began making approaches to the NSW Social Services department for the acquisition of government land to build the Lithuanian Retirement Village.
The committee began an intensive campaign of fundraising. They provided buffets for various community events, organised lottery tickets and support for the sick. Meanwhile, all the requests for government land made by the chairwoman, Anna Bauze were being rejected. It was only in 1970 that Mr. Lewis, Minister for Lands, finally approved the acquisition of 2 acres (0.8ha) in Engadine, a southern suburb of Sydney. The land (Reserve No. 87575) was granted to the Association on a permanent basis with the condition that it was to be solely used for housing pensioners. On the 17th April 1970, the NSW Lands Department accepted the nominations of three trustees: Anna Bauze, Pajauta Daukienë and Julija Kapoèienë.
Once the land was acquired, preparatory work commenced with the formation of a consultative sub-committee whose members were: Antanas Bauze, Izidorius Jonaitis and Stepas Jarembauskas. The land, uneven and overgrown with trees and shrubs, was true bushland. A lot of physical work was required before the land was fit for construction. Help was found in the Association‘s male members and other supporters. Actual construction was funded by the Association‘s finances, donations, future resident‘s contributions and preliminary governmental subsidies.
Work on the first two buildings started in 1975 after signing a contract with the builders Albinas Kutka (who eventually became a resident) and Vytautas Mickevièius. Due to the economic climate at that time, financial support became restricted and other future building plans were put on hold.
The Communal House was completed in 1978 mainly from the Association’s savings and donations (without governmental funding). The library was dedicated to Povilas Alekna. The rest of the house was tastefully decorated and the kitchen was fully equipped including dining tables. The purpose of the Communal House is to provide a meeting place for the residents and their guests.
The remaining buildings were completed in 1981 thanks to the Association’s funding and some welcome financial support from the NSW government. Altogether, there are 17 units as free standing dwellings in the Lithuanian Retirement Village. Each residential unit is designed for two retirees capable of looking after themselves. The contribution required for two residents is fairly modest. In the event of one of the partners dying, the other may continue residing until he or she can no longer take care of themselves. When both partners are deceased the unit reverts back to the Association’s administration.
The Retirement Village was officially opened on the 19th August 1984 and was commemorated with a memorial plaque. During the opening ceremony, Anna Bauze BEM, at that time chairwoman and trustee, said:

Today, after all our hardships, we can be proud of our achievements and especially with the Retirement Village here in Engadine. These buildings will testify to our future generations the fruit of our labour and our attempt to create a reminder of our homeland, Lithuania, here in a foreign land.

Years run by, the Association’s committee and trustee membership constantly changes. The places in the Village left by those who have departed this life are replaced by new residents. Such is the rhythm of life.
On the 26th July 1999, the Association was incorporated (Reg.No. Y3012705) with full administrative rights over the Retirement Village in Engadine. The executive committee consisted of Julia Laðaitis (President), Alexandra Storpirðtis (Secretary), Tamara Vingilis OAM (Treasurer), Dana Skorulis (Vice-President), Ona Kapoèius (Social Director) and Jadvyga Dambrauskas (Inventory Controller). The committee assigned six trustees to overlook and administer the Retirement Village: Nijole Chan, Dana Jancy, Nata Liutikas, Ona Kapoèius, Martina Reisgys and Tamara Vingilis OAM. The trustees have regular meetings. Once a year they conduct an informal meeting with the Village residents where all suggestions and recommendations from both sides are discussed. The trustees also have regular meetings with the executive committee. Currently there are 18 residents in the Retirement Village.
To make the trustees job a little easier, a technical sub-committee has been formed to overlook the Village’s repairs and maintenance with Vytautas Vaitkus as chairman. The flowerbeds and gardens are tended and maintained by trustee Dana Jancy ,committee member Birutë Vaitkus and some resident helpers. The Village’s everday matters are

Winners of the Sutherland Shire
Best Garden Competition, October 2002
managed by Alexandra Storpirðtis, the executive committee’s Secretary and long time Village Elder. Neither trustees or executive committee members receive any financial renumeration. Workers are hired for the yearly fire preventative bush clearance, gutter cleaning and other work requiring heavy physical labour. Contractors are also hired for any substantial building renovations and repairs.
There is now an established tradition of holding a barbeque just before Christmas for the the residents and their guests. In 2002, talks have begun with the Sydney ALB (Australian Lithuanian Community) regarding the introduction on an Internet facility in the Village.

Melbourne Cup Day 2006 at the Lithuanian Retirement Village
The Women‘s Social Services Association welcomes and invites new members to join their ranks. Lithuanians and their friends are always welcome to visit the residents of the eucalyptus encircled Village and to enjoy the beautiful gardens and flowerbeds. Visitors can examine and be assured that there is a safe place to spend their retirement years. A place where they will be able to safeguard and maintain their Lithuanian traditions in a genuine Lithuanian environment. Because the Village was built largely from Lithuanian donations, the members of those families will always be given priority for residentship. In the Communal House there is a Guest Book for the Village’s visitors. Over the years, this book has gathered the signatures and comments of many famous and important guests.
Honour should be given to the Women‘s Social Services Association’s members and to all the people who have donated and contributed to the creation of this Village, ..a small corner of Lithuania in Engadine .

Original Lithuanian text prepared by:
Martina Reisgienë - Trustee, June 2002.

Translated by:
Petras Virþintas

Text updated June 30, 2024.

The Lithuanian Retirement Village
23 Laurina Avenue
Yarrawarrah
NSW 2233

Village Elder - Petras Pranauskas, tel. 0418 170 866 (Temporarily replacing Irena Stumbrienë, tel. 0408 340 369).

Sydney Lithuanian Women’s Social Services Assoc. Inc Committee:
Loretta Grybauskas (President),
Regina Laðaitis (Treasurer),
Dr. Liuda Popenhagen (Secretary),
Irena Stumbrienë (Retirement Village Elder),
Judita Watson (Fund raising).