Lithuania in the News
11th October 2008
Lithuania’s Ambassador Presents His Credentials to Australia’s Governor – General
Seated) Ambassador Dainius Kamaitis in the centre next to Governor - General Quentin Bryce.
(Standing) Second from right is Andrew Žilinskas, Lithuania’s Consul – General in Australia.
Photo courtesy Lithuanian Embassy Japan.
The newly appointed Lithuania’s Ambassador to Australia, Mr. Dainius Kamaitis, presented his credentials to the Governor-General of Australia, Quentin Bryce, in Canberra on 2nd October 2008. Lithuania and Australia opened diplomatic relations on November 6, 1991, but until now Lithuania was represented in Australia only at the consular level. Mr. Kamaitis is Lithuania’s first Ambassador to Australia. He also represents Lithuania in Japan, the Philippines and New Zealand and will continue to reside in Japan.
Mr. Kamaitis was born in Kaunas in 1965 and in 1987 graduated in Architecture from Vilnius Gediminas Technical University. After working as an architect for five years he joined the diplomatic service in 1992 and became Lithuania’s ambassador to Japan in 2006. He is fluent in Lithuanian, English, Japanese and Russian, and is knowledgeable in Korean and French. In 2003 he was honoured by Lithuania with an Order of the Knight’s Cross for “Services to Lithuania”.
While visiting Australia Mr. Kamaitis took the opportunity to meet with Lithuanians in Canberra and Sydney. On Wednesday, October 1, Canberra Lithuanians met the Ambassador at the Canberra Lithuanian Community Centre over refreshments at an enjoyable evening function. The Canberra Lithuanian Community President, Jonas Mockūnas, introduced community members and committee to the Ambassador, who was very happy to talk to those present and answer questions.
Ambassador Dainius Kamaitis presenting his credentials
to Governor - General Quentin Bryce.
In Sydney the Ambassador met Sydney Lithuanians in the evening of Friday, October 3, at the Sydney Lithuanian Club “Dainava”. The President of the Sydney Lithuanian Community, Greta Savickaitė-Fletcher, welcomed the Ambassador and invited him to speak to the gathering. Sydney Lithuanians were also saddened to learn of the retirement of Lithuania’s long-serving Honorary Consul-General in Sydney, Mr. Viktoras Šliteris OAM, who had served in that capacity for 15 years. Greta Savickaitė-Fletcher took the opportunity to thank Viktoras Šliteris for his many years of service to Lithuania and the Lithuanian Community of Sydney and made a presentation to him. Lithuania’s Honorary Consul-General in Melbourne, Mr. Andrew Žilinskas, now remains the only consul of Lithuania in Australia.
After the formalities of the evening, the Ambassador continued meeting community members over dinner. The Ambassador and Viktoras Šliteris were invited to cut the “Šakotis”, a special Lithuanian cake popular on festive occasions. The “Šakotis” had been specially baked and gifted by Rita and Gintaras Janulevičius. The Sydney Lithuanian choir “Daina” normally rehearses on Friday evenings and the choir, led by conductor Birutė Aleknaitė, were invited to demonstrate their singing skills to the Ambassador, who in earlier times had been a chorister himself!
Further information: www.lithemb.or.jp
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