Dear Estonians across Australia,
As we settle into 2026, I would like to extend my warmest greetings to you all — wherever you live across this vast and diverse country. The beginning of a new year is always a welcome moment for reflection and renewal, and I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for the strength, dedication, and unity you continue to bring to Estonian life in Australia.
Supporting the Estonian diaspora remains one of the Embassy’s key priorities. While we do not provide direct financial assistance to community projects, a range of structural support programmes and funds are available through Estonia to support organisations abroad, including here in Australia. I am also pleased that multicultural Australia — at both federal and state levels — offers valuable funding opportunities for community activities. Many Estonian organisations have already made good use of these, and I strongly encourage you to continue doing so. The Embassy is always ready to support such efforts, including by providing letters of endorsement where helpful.
During my visits to different states and territories, I make it a priority to meet with local Estonian community representatives. In my discussions with state governments, I consistently highlight the contribution of Estonians to Australian society and encourage local authorities to support initiatives by Estonian communities. My visits to Queensland and, more recently, to Darwin in mid-November included constructive and encouraging discussions in this regard. I also encourage community members to identify people of Estonian heritage within state governments or parliaments, to build relationships with them, and to invite them to engage with local diaspora activities.
Honorary consuls play a vital role as an extension of the Embassy. Australia and New Zealand are very well covered by our honorary consular network, with seven honorary consuls in Australia and one in Auckland. We are also hopeful to appoint a new honorary consul in Victoria in 2026. In addition to their consular responsibilities, honorary consuls are increasingly involved in economic diplomacy and in strengthening Estonia–Australia relations, including support for diaspora initiatives. I encourage all local organisations to maintain close and active cooperation with their respective honorary consuls, to explore joint opportunities, and to keep them informed and engaged.
Looking back at 2025, I can say with confidence that it was an exceptionally successful year for Estonia–Australia relations. Strengthening bilateral ties through high-level political contacts, parliamentary exchanges, and business delegations has been a clear Embassy priority.
A highlight on the political front was the visit of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Riigikogu to Australia and New Zealand. The programme was intensive and highly productive, covering both bilateral and global issues. Estonia and Australia demonstrated strong alignment, particularly in their support for Ukraine and their clear condemnation of Russia’s ongoing aggression.
In November, we were pleased to welcome Estonia’s Minister of Education and Research, Kristina Kallas, to Australia and New Zealand. Her visit focused on cooperation in artificial intelligence, new technologies in education, and reforms in general and vocational education. Estonia’s experience and leadership in these areas attracted strong interest from Australian partners.
Economic diplomacy was also very active. In October, the Space Estonia delegation visited Sydney, and in November, the Estonian Geological Survey delegation — together with researchers and officials — visited Western Australia, New South Wales, and Queensland. These visits opened new doors for cooperation and highlighted Estonia’s expertise in advanced and future-oriented sectors.
To strengthen the bond between Estonians in Australia and our historic homeland, I make every effort to arrange meetings between visiting Estonian dignitaries and the local diaspora, as well as with business leaders through the Estonian–Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The meetings held in Sydney and Melbourne during the visits of the Riigikogu delegation and Minister Kallas were lively, informative, and much appreciated. At the same time, I recognise that participation can always be improved. Such meetings require considerable coordination within already tight official programmes, and we remain open to adjusting formats in the future to better meet community expectations.
The HEIA media project has had a strong and successful launch, serving as a nationwide online platform for Estonians in Australia and helping to prevent fragmentation of our information space. It complements long-standing local publications while enabling more timely communication, including consular information from the Embassy. I am honoured to contribute a regular “Column by the Ambassador” several times a year and welcome your suggestions on its content and focus.
The Estonian Archives in Sydney deserve special recognition. They are unique not only in the context of Estonian communities in Australia but also within the broader Estica heritage landscape. Every official Estonian delegation I have brought to the Archives has been deeply impressed, often describing the visit as a highlight. Maintaining such high archival standards with limited space is a remarkable achievement by dedicated volunteers. In the long term, larger facilities will be needed, and this should be considered in any future restructuring of Estonian House. The Archives remain a vital guardian of Estonian memory and identity in Australia.
Across Australia, Estonian language teachers perform invaluable and often unseen work, largely on a voluntary basis. Their efforts were rightly recognised with letters of appreciation from Estonia’s Minister of Education. The Embassy will continue to support them, including by helping to source educational materials from Estonia. Supporting opportunities for teachers to meet and collaborate remains important for the future.
Children’s camps are among the strongest pillars of Estonian identity in Australia. The long-established Sõrve camp, with its extraordinary intergenerational legacy, and the newer Melbourne-based camp both play an essential role. As generational ties to Estonia evolve, it is increasingly important that these camps maintain a strong focus on language, culture, and traditions alongside recreation. The introduction of a language and culture leader at Sõrve is a very welcome development.
The coming year will also bring change. The Melbourne Estonian House has found new owners, and within six months the Estonian Society will vacate the building and, it is hoped, move into suitable new premises. Given the building’s historical significance, I sincerely hope that its cultural treasures will be preserved — whether in new facilities, through display elsewhere, or, where necessary, through storage or transfer to institutions such as the Estonian National Museum. While the Embassy does not manage this process, we stand ready to assist in seeking support from Estonia if needed.
Maintaining the tradition of Estonian Days (Eesti Päevad) is another vital task. I extend my heartfelt thanks to the Adelaide Estonian Society, and especially to Mr Martin Kurvits, for organising the 2024 celebrations. I also warmly welcome the Sydney Estonian Society’s decision to host the next Estonian Festival in April 2027.
Finally, I would like to thank all community leaders, volunteers, teachers, organisers, and supporters who give their time and energy to keeping Estonian culture alive in Australia. Our strength as a diaspora lies in our shared commitment and unity.
In 2025, I had the honour of nominating the Wollondilly Heritage Centre and Museum, Hilja Toom and Martin Kurvits for the Minister of Foreign Affairs’ Citizen Diplomacy Award, in recognition of their outstanding contributions to Estonian life and heritage in Australia. I am delighted that all were awarded and extend my congratulations once more.
I wish you all a happy, healthy, and inspiring 2026. May it bring renewed energy to our communities and continued strong ties between Estonia and Australia.
With best wishes,
Jaan Reinhold
Ambassador of Estonia to Australia
