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The Lithuanian Club Ltd , ABN 68 000 410 622, is a company limited by guarantee. It was incorporated on 22nd November 1962. It is a not-for-profit unlisted public company, which has a Board of seven members. Its mission is to be a successful community Club and to support the Lithuanian community in the promotion and preservation of Lithuanian culture amongst the wider community.
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| A Brief History of the Club Most Lithuanians migrated to Australia between 1947 - 1950. Of the 3,000 or so Lithuanians who settled in the Sydney area, many settled in Bankstown. From 1950 onwards, in rented premises, the Lithuanian Community in Bankstown started various Lithuanian cultural and community activities. These included weekend school, children's theatre, scouts group, choir practice, church service, etc. |
First Lithuanian Community Hall - 1959 |
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| In 1954 they purchased a small block of land at East Terrace Bankstown. They purchased an additional adjoining block in 1958 on which the first Lithuanian Community Hall was built in 1959. The aim was to eventually establish a Lithuanian Club there. | 
Sydney Lithuanian Club 1973-2005 |
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| In parallel with these activities other Lithuanians in Sydney were also planning to establish a Lithuanian Club. For this purpose an old hotel was purchased in Alexandria in 1956. This was later sold and other premises were bought at Lidcombe in 1965. | 
Building Extensions - 1981 |
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In 1970 the two Lithuanian Club organisations decided to amalgamate, sell the Lidcombe property, extend the Bankstown premises and apply for a Club License. On May 7, 1973 the licensed Sydney Lithuanian Club was opened in Bankstown. The Club premises were further extended in 1981 producing a bigger and better Club. |
Lounge Bar and Concert Hall |
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The premises in East Terrace were sold and the Club ceased operations there on 27th November 2005. Meanwhile, on 31 May 2004 a contract had been entered into for the purchase of brand new premises at 1/16-20 Meredith Street, Bankstown. After some delays with the extensive fit-out, the new boutique club opened in September 2006 under the new trading name of DAINAVA.
In the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, when the Government imposed shutdowns and restricted trading conditions, it was decided to sell the Meredith Street site and relocate to smaller and more affordable premises. In fact, in consultation with the community, it was decided to lease/hire premises for the foreseeable future rather than buying.
On 19th April 2022 settlement of the sale of the Meredith Street site took place and the premises were vacated. We are no longer trading as a Licensed Club under the NSW Registered Clubs Act 1978.
On 01 May 2022, Lithuanian Mothers’ Day, the Club officially reopened at its current location, within the premises of the Latvian House, 32-34 Parnell Street, Strathfield. From this day began a new chapter in the life of the Lithuanian Community in Sydney. |
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