Estonians fleeing the aftermath of WWII and Soviet occupation found their voice in Australia via a newspaper. It continues to this day. Silvi Vann-Wall reports on Meie Kodu and the community it continues to serve.
In the tumultuous time after World War II, and throughout the Soviet occupation of their tiny country, many Estonians sought refuge in Australia – which for them held the promise of being as far away from the conflict zone as possible.
As war refugees, Estonians were required to live in migrant camps such as those in Bathurst or Bonegilla, before being given jobs and a chance at integration into Australian society.
Meanwhile, a small committee, formed by the Sydney Estonian Society, were hard at work acquiring authorisation to publish the first Estonian newspaper in Australia: Meie Kodu.
Read the entire article here: For Estonian refugees, a masthead made a new home, half a world away
