LITHUANIAN STUDIES SOCIETY
at the University of Tasmania


Dr. Taškūnas at his graduation
with his children Simon, Vince,
Millie and Anne (left to right).
Photo - courtesy Sunday Tasmanian
LITHUANIAN STUDIES SOCIETY (LSS) at the University of Tasmania, the fourth oldest university in Australia, is a students’ society established in 1987. The Society’s main goal is to encourage an academic interest in all aspects of Lithuania. This is done in a number of ways:

  • by disseminating new knowledge about Lithuania, through books, periodicals, videos etc.;
  • by running a specialised Lithuanian reference library for Australian students on the campus;
  • by assisting students studying Lithuania and its people;
  • by acting as an informal Lithuanian information centre;
  • by teaching Lithuanian language courses, as required;
  • by offering lunchtime talks and seminars on various Lithuanian topics;
  • by teaching Lithuanian traditions, e.g., annual Easter egg colouring workshops


    • Vince Taškūnas, the current
    President of the Lithuanian
    Studies Society
    LSS publishes books on Lithuania and an annual journal called "Lithuanian Papers". The 72-page journal features original papers, in English, about Lithuania and its people. It has contributors and readers in all parts of the world. Single copy subscription is $7 in Australia and US$8 in all other countries (includes postage by air mail).
    LSS also acts as the Lithuanian catalyst for academic research at the University of Tasmania. Five graduate theses dealing with Lithuania and the Lithuanians have been completed so far. Two others are in progress now. The Society has introduced an annual Lithuanian Honours scholarship worth AU$5,000 which is awarded to the best Honours candidate writing a dissertation on a Lithuanian topic, each year.
    LSS was started by Algimantas Taškūnas, who was an administrator at the University of Tasmania for 25 years and was editor of the magazine "Baltic News", receiving the OAM for services to the university and the Baltic Community. After retiring at the age of 65, he started working on a Ph.D., on the subject of developing a framework for Lithuanian studies in Australian universities, including a model for the adoption, or non-adoption, of low demand language courses in higher education. He was awarded his doctorate in 2003 and stated: "The best way to find time for study is to retire"!
    The current LSS President is Vincas Taškūnas B.A.(Tas).
    For enquiries: LSS, P0 Box 777, Sandy Bay, Tasmania 7006, Australia, e-mail A.Taskunas@utas.edu.au