Academic Centre
Patron Aldis Jānis Birzulis was born on 17 February 1934 in Riga, Latvia. He and his parents travelled to Germany in 1944 as refugees, then emigrated to Australia in 1950. Aldis J. Birzulis is currently a citizen of the Republic of Latvia and Australia. From 2007 to 2017 he served as the Honorary Consul of the Republic of Latvia in New South Wales and Northern Territory of Australia.
He began attending Riga Elementary School No. 27, however, the circumstances dictated that the elementary school studies had to be completed in Germany, where he began attending secondary school. After moving to Australia, he continued his education at evening school. He entered the University of New South Wales in 1954, where he received his Civil Engineering BSc in 1958. Seven years later, in 1965, he also obtained a master's degree in engineering. A. J. Birzulis is a registered civil engineer in Australia.
While living abroad, Aldis J. Birzulis has steadily and altruistically contributed to benefit the Latvian community, dedicating his heart and soul to the cause. Latvian culture, traditions and language were very important to him. He felt privileged to have been able to devote himself to promoting these values for future generations of Latvians. A. J. Birzulis was the chairman of the Board of Parents of the Latvian School in Sydney, where he organized donation campaigns for the school and purchase of teaching materials.
He participated in the founding of the Latvian Student Association, and in 1955 he served as the chairman of the board of that association. Unfortunately, this organization no longer exists. In 2002 and 2003, he was Global Senior Elder of the Latvian student corporation "Selonija". He also co-founded the Latvian educational promotion cooperative "Dzintari", worked as a member of its board of directors for many years and generously supported the property purchased by the Latvian community in Normanville, South Australia.
In "Dzintari", three generations of Australian Latvian youths, as well as some participants from other countries, gather in Latvian cultural environment, establish life-long friendships, enhance their Latvian language skills, and take great pleasure in various activities – choir, theatre, folk dance, weaving, forging jewellery, etc.
For several consecutive years in a row, A. J. Birzulis helped to cover the costs of inviting Latvian artists to expand the celebration of the Latvian national celebrations in Sydney and other Latvian organisations of Australia. When the Sydney Latvian House, the home of Sydney Latvian Society office was rebuilt, A. J. Birzulis provided engineering services free of charge.
Another significant contribution is a monument in Rukwood Cemetery, whose construction A. J. Birzulis organized in the name of his late brother Ivars Birzulis as a reminder to future generations that Latvians who came to Australia after the World War II were laid to rest there.
From 1999 to 2007, A. J. Birzulis was the vice president of the Latvian Federation of Australia and New Zealand in New South Wales. He has also received numerous awards to honour these accomplishments, such as the Latvian Federation of Australia and New Zealand Certificate of Recognition and the Order of Australia Medal. He is also an honorary member of the Latvian Society and has been granted the title of emeritus Honorary Consul of the Republic of Latvia.
After graduation from university in 1965, he worked as a road construction and bridge planning engineer at the New South Wales Department of Main Roads. To expand his work experience, he went to work in England for a year, a year later moved to Canada to study North American construction practice.
He worked for Miller Milson and Ferris Pty Ltd., a renowned company specialising in building design, where he became director and co-owner of the company. In 1989, he established his own firm Birzulis Associates Pty Ltd. At present, this firm employs more than 20 specialists. In total, the firm has implemented over 7 000 projects.
Support
In 2014, the patron supported the University of Latvia Business Idea Foundation, with a donation of AUD 15 500 (EUR 10 000).
We greatly appreciate the generous support to education and development!