From a post-war aid committee to a nationwide cultural steward, the ECFA now champions Estonian heritage across Australia — and with a new board at the helm, the legacy continues.
The Estonian Cultural Foundation in Australia (formerly the Estonian Relief Committee, ERC) began in 1945 when Estonian migrants in Sydney formed a welfare organisation to support refugees in post-war Europe. In its first decade, the ERC sent around 700 aid parcels and helped secure landing permits for 3,500 Estonian immigrants to Australia.
In the 1950s, the idea of an Estonian retirement village, Taara Gardens, emerged, supported by a strong Estonian community in Thirlmere. Land was purchased in 1957 and the first building opened in 1962. By 1999, Taara Gardens had expanded to 73 independent living units and a 39-bed hostel, along with additional facilities.
The organisation was incorporated as a company limited by guarantee in 2002 under the New South Wales Corporations Law. Increasing regulatory and financial pressures over the subsequent decade made it difficult for volunteers to manage the aged-care facilities, and in 2012 the ERC completed a transaction with RSL LifeCare that saw Taara Gardens taken over in its entirety, thereby ensuring the future of Taara Gardens and its residents.
As part of the transaction with RSL LifeCare, as well as ERC’s absorption of the Thirlmere Estonian Society “Koit”, the ERC was left with significant cash funds and shifted its mission towards supporting Estonian cultural activities throughout Australia. In 2020, it adopted a new name — the Estonian Cultural Foundation in Australia (ECFA) or Eesti Kultuuri Sihtasutus Austraalias (EKSA) — along with a new constitution, and is now registered as a charity with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC). Donations received by ECFA and returns from ECFA investments are used to give small grants towards projects that support and promote Estonian culture, language and heritage across Australia.
ECFA held its 2025 Annual General Meeting on Sunday 16 November 2025. The incumbent office-holders are listed below.
Chairman – Lembit Suur
Deputy-Chairman – Kristi Barrow
Secretary – Dr Siiri Iismaa
Treasurer – Elen Ellervee
Directors
Maie Barrow
Dr Juho Looveer
Dr Peeter Muttik
Hillar Ranniko
Ave Nukki
We are extremely grateful to Ingrid Galloway (née Tartu) for her 19 years of impactful service to the ERC and ECFA in the role of Secretary. We wish her well in her future endeavours.
If you’re looking to be involved in ECFA, or simply want to support what we do, sign up today to become a member, for just $5 a year! You can find our membership form here: Membership form
We are a small community, all the better for pitching in to help each other.
