Council of Estonian Societies in Australia (AESL) holds an annual general meeting (AGM) each year to discuss how Estonians are doing in Australia – where we are headed and how we’re getting there. Leaders of societies (based on cities or activities) attend and contribute. In fact, city representatives are also AESL Board members, which means each city has a voice.
In 2024, in addition to the annual meeting on 31 December, we also sought input from a wider audience. AESL held monthly Zoom gatherings and a face-to-face Bush “Non-conference” (Mõttetalgud), where we explored AESL’s history and shared ideas for the future. We didn’t shy away from discussing the differences between newer and more established Estonians in Australia. We also heard from a “new” Estonian – her search for belonging and her inspiring story of how she now contributes to the Estonian community in Australia.
This is how AESL moves with the times. We gather thoughts from our members and try to implement them together.
AESL has regular activities that remain consistent each year. This overview does not cover the full range of AESL’s activities, but you can read more at eesti.org.au/aesl.
Here, we focus on one key output – the AESL ANNUAL BOOKLET 2024.
In my view, even if AESL did nothing else but collect information for this annual booklet – which includes ALL our Estonian societies and activities, year after year – that alone would be a valuable contribution. It’s information you cannot find anywhere else. Stretch that idea across decades, and the significance becomes clear.
Maybe you’re wondering: why haven’t I seen this booklet? Maybe it really is good? (You can find it at eesti.org.au/aesl/agm and download below.)
As I write this, I’m not overly concerned whether you’ve read it. It’s long – over 100 pages. You don’t need to read the AESL ANNUAL BOOKLET 2024 – because you’re already living it. But maybe you do want to know how other cities are doing, what you can learn from them, and what ideas you might adopt.
The value of the booklet lies in its consistency – in the idea behind it. And that’s what AESL is about too. We hold it together. We rise above our small selves into a greater Estonian presence in Australia, united under one umbrella.
Year after year, we collect data from across Australia and turn it into this booklet. It can be revisited at any time. Even the language used in these articles speaks volumes about the times we are living in.
These days, the booklet also includes photos – a record of our history. It shows, for example, what kinds of handicrafts we made in 2024. As you flip through the annual booklets, you’ll discover how our societies begun, evolved, and moved through different times and stages.
Here’s a brief look at 2024 – as outlined in the booklet.
AUSTRAALIA EESTI SELTSIDE LIIT
COUNCIL OF ESTONIAN SOCIETIES IN AUSTRALIA Inc.
ABN 34 579 619 788
The most recent annual meeting was held by Zoom and in person in Adelaide on Tuesday, 31 December 2024.
The booklet includes:
– Speeches made during 2024
– Chairman’s report (Juho Looveer)
– Vice Chairman’s report (Sirje Rivers)
– Financial report (Ingrid Provan)
– Board member publications
– Eesti Päevad Festival report (Martin Kurvits)
– Estonian language report (Iti Connor)
– Communications report (Marissa Pikkat)
– Media Project update (Kristi Barrow, Johanna Rivers)
– Cultural Foundation update (Juho Looveer)
– Archive report (Terry Kass)
– Reports from city organisations
AESL unites Estonian organisations in:
– Northern Territory
– Brisbane (Iti Connor)
– Sydney (Kirsti Horst)
– Wollongong (Claudia Kalnin)
– Adelaide (Martin Kurvits)
– Melbourne (Bernardette Pilli)
– Handicraft (Ingrid Renno)
– Sõrve Sõbrad (Sulev Kalamäe)
– Virmalised (Ella Scott)
The names in brackets are those who wrote the reports. The word “wrote” may sound neutral, but behind it lies value, commitment, and contribution – the giving of oneself. It reflects the recognition of unity’s importance and the desire to leave a mark in history – a record of thoughts preserved in an annual booklet.
How many member organisations does AESL unite in 2024?
All the ones mentioned above. We also have Estonians in Canberra, Tasmania, Western Australia, and Queensland – small or large groups who gather occasionally for Estonian events. Some are not yet formally part of the Council (AESL) but are considering the value of being united under one Estonian society in Australia.
Reflections
Sometimes I wonder – is it also questionable: miks Eesti riik? Why a government for Estonians in Australia? Or does questioning the purpose of AESL simply reflect a feeling that formal unity isn’t needed among Estonians who have left Estonia?
Why does an Estonian seek out another Estonian after moving to a new country? Why might they not – until they have children? Why gather on 24 February? Why dance around the fire on Jaanipäev? Why feel joy when children sing in Estonian to Santa on 24 December?
How do I explain this? It’s what our minds and hearts need. This is how we support our own. This is where our strength lies – and from where it spreads.
Of course, we can live without it. We can expand our sense of belonging beyond our immediate community. But aren’t we like leaves from the same tree – perhaps even branches from the same root – helping the tree grow, helping it stand strong through storms?
Eestlane olla on uhke ja hää (“It’s proud and good to be Estonian”) – know that song? Love it? Why? What does it mean to you? While one sings, another reflects, and a third continues publishing booklets, collecting our stories.
Together, we make sense.
