Lithuanians in the news
27th June, 2005
Well Known Lithuanian Editor and Family Visit Australia
Buying pointe shoes at Bloch’s
The well known Lithuanian editor and publisher, Eva Tombak, last June visited Australia with her family - husband Viktor, children Tomas (17), Gabrielë (9) and Danielius (7). Eva is the editor-in-chief and publisher of two well known Lithuanian magazines "IEVA", and "COSMOPOLITAN".
The Tombak family flew into Brisbane, hired a car and drove to Cairns, on the way visiting Airlie Beach, Magnetic and Fraser Islands, all which left them a lasting impression. The children were fascinated with Australia’s unique animals and fell in love with koalas. For Viktor and Tomas it was the scuba diving among the coral reefs that left them the biggest impression. From Cairns they flew to Sydney, spending a few days there before departing for Lithuania. They were absolutely charmed with Sydney’s cosmopolitan appearance, Australian friendliness, without equal elsewhere, and fantastic cuisine.
Just before her journey "down under", Gabrielë was admitted to the National M.K.Èiurlionis Ballet School in Vilnius. In Sydney she had the pleasant opportunity to buy her first pair of ‘pointe’ shoes and other ballet requirements at the famous Bloch ballet shop. It is interesting that the founder of Bloch’s, Jacob Bloch, with his family migrated to Australia from Lithuania in the 1930’s. Having been a boot maker in Lithuania, he started making ballet shoes in Sydney. Bloch became internationally famous for their ballet shoes, with many branches now in the USA and Europe offering the Bloch brand . In the photo Gabriele is trying on pointe shoes, with her mother Eva and Betty Bloch looking on. Betty Bloch is the daughter of the late Jacob Bloch and was herself born in Lithuania.