The Latvian Federation of Australia (LFA) was founded in Melbourne on the 22nd of July, 1951. Nineteen representatives from seventeen organisations attended the first general meeting. A year later, the Cultural Fund was affiliated. Not long after again, New Zealand’s Latvians joined the organisation, and the Latvian Federation of Australia became the Latvian Federation of Australia and New Zealand (LFANZ).
The range of activity of the LFANZ encompassed not only the ethnic Latvian communities of Australian and New Zealand, but also evolved to include sociopolitical activity and engaging with similar Latvian organisations in other democratic countries. LFANZ political activity in Australia was based on reminding the local residents and governments how the practical application of communism threatened democratic human rights. In this regard, the LFANZ activity had a positive influence on Australian foreign policy. This was the Latvian immigrants’ gift: to help awaken democratic human rights principles in the free world.
LFANZ Executive Council Chairpersons
2024 – 2026 Melbourne, Anita Anderson
2021 – 2023 Adelaide, Skairdīte Agulēviča
2018 – 2020 Sydney, Jānis Grauds
2015 – 2017 Melbourne, Kristīne Saulītis
2012 – 2014 Adelaide, Pēteris Strazds
2009 – 2011 Sydney, Juris Ruņģis
2006 – 2008 Melbourne, Dāvids Dārziņš
2003 – 2005 Adelaide, Dace Dārziņa
2000 – 2002 Sydney, Jānis Daliņš
1997 – 1999 Melbourne, Aivars Saulītis
1994 – 1996 Adelaide, Bruno Krūmiņš
1991 – 1993 Sydney, Vidvuds Koškins
1988 – 1990 Melbourne, Armands Ļauļa
1985 – 1987 Adelaide, Eduards Voitkuns
1982 – 1984 Sydney, Jānis Ritenis
1979 – 1981 Melbourne, Valentīns Rolavs
1976 – 1978 Adelaide, Eduards Voitkuns
1973 – 1975 Sydney, Gunārs Bračs
1970 – 1972 Melbourne, Vilis Eglīte
LFA Executive Council Chairpersons
1967 – 1969 Adelaide, Jānis Ritenis
1965 – 1966 Sydney, Ādams Dukāts
1963 – 1964 Melbourne, Aleksandrs Gārša, sen.
1961 – 1962 Adelaide, Voldemārs Dulmanis
1959 – 1960 Sydney, Ādams Dukāts
1957 – 1958 Melbourne, Artūrs Bērtīss
1955 – 1956 Adelaide, Voldemārs Dulmanis
1953 – 1954 Sydney, Arvīds Kripēns
1951 – 1952 Melbourne, Aleksandrs Gārša, sen.
LFANZ Certificate of Recognition recipients
All recipients of the LFANZ Certificate of Recognition since 1989: LFANZ Certificates of Recognition
