Anita is a Lithuanian Brit. Her parents, both displaced persons from Lithuania, met and married in England where Anita was born and grew up. She considers herself extremely lucky to have met Lithuanians from all over the world through her involvement in Lithuanian Scouts, folk dancing, World Youth Congress and more.

Anita graduated from the University of Manchester (UK) in 1982 with a BA (Honors) degree in Combined Studies and two teaching qualifications. She studied Education, Audiology, French and German and worked as a teacher of the deaf in a unit for partially hearing children within a state high school, where she also taught French. Taking a career break to have two children, she returned to teaching when they were older.

Anita has worked behind the scenes for several British-Lithuanian publications, including the Scout magazine, “Budekime,” and the English language version of the Autobiography of Vytautas Landsbergis, “Lithuania-Independent Again.” She also edited, “Lietuviu Skautu Sajungos Anglijos Rajono Albumas, 1947-983, which outlines the history of Lithuanian Scouting in England during those years.

In addition, Anita has been welcomed to our Facebook administrative staff. You may visit our Facebook page, and view some of Anita’s interesting posts.

Jura Reilly comes from a Lithuanian background and graduated from Adelaide University, majoring in English and International Politics. After she gained her Diploma of Education from Rusden Teacher’s College, Jura taught English and History in Victorian high schools for many years. In 1990, Jura gained her Graduate Diploma of Education Administration from Deakin University.

 Then, in 1991 and 1995, Jura was invited by the Lithuanian Ministry of Education to conduct English work shops for students and teachers. In 1983, Jura published her first book of poetry, “Lithuanian Lady.” In 2003, she assisted with the translation and editing of, “In Light of Lyre,” by the Lithuanian partisan poet, Juozas Grusys-Zilvinas. Jura’s short stories and poetry written in English and Lithuanian have been published in a number of publications and can be viewed at www.austlit.edu.au.

 In addition, Jura has joined our staff as one of NLAHF’s Facebook Administrators. Visit our Facebook page to see some of her wonderful posts.