CHRISTMAS MARKETS
Sunday, 13th December 2020
The Estonian Society of Sydney and the Arts & Handicrafts group are inviting you to a Christmas Market. On sale will be Estonian food, drinks & Christmas decorations.
Pre-orders:
Freshly made black bread, traditional Christmas sausages and gingerbread dough. Pre-order to not miss out! Register and pre-order here.
Pre-registering is essential:
45-minute sessions will run between 10am – 3pm
Pre-register via this link.
For assistance with booking, contact 0450 084 462 (Tiina Tamm)
Admission: free
It is an annual tradition for the Estonian Society of Sydney to host a lunch to celebrate Christmas amongst friends old and new, accompanied by a visit from Santa.
With covid changing how we socialise, this sort of lunch isn’t possible under our current restrictions (with limited bookings and partial side-hall seating).
Working around these restrictions, we have considered ways in which you could bring Estonian Christmas to your home by organising a local Christmas market.
To avoid disappointment, it is crucial as a guest that your visiting times are pre-booked and strictly followed.
Interested in setting up a stall? Contact info@sydneyeestiselts.org.au if interested.
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JÕULULAAT
pühapäeval, 13. detsembril 2020
Sydney Eesti Selts ja Kunsti- ja Käsitööring kutsuvad kõiki jõululaata külastama. Kohapeal saab osta eestipärast toitu, jõulujooke ja jõuluehteid.
Eelmüük:
Kaasa ostmiseks värskelt valmistatud must leib, verivorstid ja piparkoogitainas.
Soovitame kindlasti ette tellida! Registreerimine ja ettetellimine.
Eelregistreerimine on kohustuslik:
45-minutiline külastusaeg ajavahemikus 10:00-15:00
Registreeri siin.
Kui vajad registeerumisel abi, võta meiega ühendust 0450 084 462 (Tiina Tamm)
Sissepääs: tasuta
Sydney Eesti Seltsil on tavaks jõulupühi tähistada uhke söömaajaga, sõprade keskis ja jõulutaati oodates.
Koroonapiirangute ja ruumipuuduse tõttu pole sel aastal kahjuks jõululõunat võimalik korraldada nii,
et kõik külalised seda nautida saaksid.
Osaleda saaks kuni piiratud arv inimesi, kusjuures osa inimesi peaks väikses saalis istuma.
Nii otsustasimegi pakkuda võimalust tükike eestipärast jõulu koju viia.
Pettumuse vältimiseks palume kõikidel külalistel valida kindel külastusaeg.
Kellel huvi oma lett püsti panna, pöörduge julgesti meie poole meili teel info@sydneyeestiselts.org.au.
Sydney Christmas Markets – Sunday Dec 13
New Facebook group – POOD. Estonians Buy & Sell in Australia – Just in time for Christmas
Just in time for your Christmas shopping! Support your fellow Estonians this Christmas and buy Esto! The new POOD. Estonians Buy & Sell in Australia has just launched and perfect to help you find that unique Christmas gift!
The group is open to all buyers and sellers with an Estonian connection. Post your offerings, or browse the selection.
Join the group here https://www.facebook.com/groups/669879837046120
Some of the fantastic current offerings include:
S Ä R A
Eco and Vegan friendly candles and soaps
Every Horse Needs A Hat
This childrens book is about 2 horses that are best friends who travel around the world trying on different hats.
Handmade by Jana
Crinkle squares for babies, wall decorations for the children’s room, crocheted Christmas ornaments
Gingerbread Dough
Available in Brisbane, different types including original or organge and available with gingerbread cookie cutter.
In Memoriam – Ülle Slamer
Our beloved mother Ülle Slamer passed away peacefully on October 31, 2020, at her home in Agris Hutrof House, Thirlmere, at the age of 90.
Ülle was born in Võru and grew up in Nõmme, on the outskirts of Tallinn. Together with her family she fled Estonia in 1944, spending four years in Geislingen Displaced Persons camp in Bavaria, before migrating to Australia in 1948.
She married Günter Slamer in 1952, and for 72 years led a happy, healthy and busy life in and around Sydney. She attended East Sydney Technical College studying Fashion Illustration and Showcard and Ticket Writing, providing her with a creative, professional career.
Her life in Sydney, like so many Estonians of her generation, was centred around the vibrant and varied cultural activities of the Sydney Estonian community. Her involvement included her work as an editor of Triinu magazine; as a frequent contributor to Meie Kodu; as a member of the Estonian Relief Committee; committee work for Eesti Päevad, as a chorister in both the Sydney Female Choir and Mixed choirs; as a member of the handicrafts circle and organizer of exhibitions, and most recently in her voluntary work for the Estonian Lutheran Church in Thirlmere. At the heart of it all was the wide circle of friends and relationships that enriched hers and Günter’s lives.
With her two grown children living and working overseas for many decades, she became what she recently described as a Flying Grandmother, making many memorable trips to America, Indonesia and Bali to play that important role, and to form deep relationships with her two granddaughters living in America.
Ülle was a very generous soul with a deep inner strength, and many people have commented to me recently on her ‘elegance.’ She made a point of maintaining communications with friends and family all over the globe, and was able to make friends wherever she went, including most recently at Agris Hutrof House.
Over the years I have always been greeted with ‘Oh yeah, I know your mum’ from different people every time I visited her. ‘She was an absolute gem!’
Rest in peace, Mama.
Born: Võru, Estonia 11 August 1930
Passed away: Thirlmere 31 October 2020
Loving mother of Walter and Ingrid, beloved grandmother of Ari, Oliver, Aiki, Rhea, and mother-in-law to Louise and Ian.
Service at St.Marks Church
Menangle Street West, Picton. NSW
Tuesday, 10 November 2020, 1.30pm.
Eestlased laias maailmas – Ülemaailmse Eesti Kesknõukogu liikmesmaade lugu
“Estonians around the World – The story of Estonian World Council Member Countries” / “Eestlased laias maailmas – Ülemaailmse Eesti Kesknõukogu liikmesmaade lugu” was published by the Estonian World Council in 2019 and was presented to parliamentarians, libraries, and archives in Estonia as part of the celebration of the 100th anniversary of Estonian independence.
The book is available from the Estonian Archives in Australia ($30 plus $10 postage) or from the Apollo and Rahva Raamat bookshops in Estonia.
The book, in Estonian and English, gives an overview in words and pictures of the activities of the member organisations and their work in preserving and sharing the Estonian cultural heritage abroad. The 12 member organisations are spread around the world in Australia, USA, Great Britain, Canada, Lithuania, Latvia, Sweden, Germany, Finland, Czech Republic, Ukraine and Russia.
The book is listed in the official gifts to the Republic of Estonia:
Foreign Ministry opens a survey for Estonians living abroad
Estonian community abroad: a survey on engagement and satisfaction with consular services
Dear Estonian living abroad,
Estonian embassies abroad are the primary point of contact for Estonians living abroad. One of the goals of embassies is to maintain strong links between the expatriate community and Estonia. This way, we strive to contribute to preserving the Estonian identity, and provide the Estonian community abroad with a chance to contribute to the social life and development of Estonia. We would also like to offer flexible and convenient consular services to Estonian citizens living abroad.
In order to get a better understanding of the expectations and attitudes of the Estonian community abroad, as well as their satisfaction with consular services and the activities of embassies aimed at the expatriate community, we would like to ask you to fill out this questionnaire. The survey takes around 5-10 minutes. The feedback collected is confidential and we will present the results only as the average of larger generalised groups; no personalised information will be recorded in the course of filling the questionnaire. The information collected helps the Ministry of Foreign Affairs plan its work and development activities in a way that would best meet the expectations of Estonians living abroad.
If you have any questions about the survey, please email: diasporaauuring@mfa.ee
Välismaal elava eestlaskonna kaasatuse ja konsulaarteenuste kliendirahulolu uuring – 2020
Hea välismaal elav eestlane!
Eesti saatkonnad on võõrsil elavatele eestlastele esmaseks kontaktpunktiks Eesti riigiga. Saatkondade tegevuse üks eesmärk on säilitada tugevat sidet väliseesti kogukonna ja Eesti vahel. Nii püüame soodustada Eesti identiteedi hoidmist ning loome väliskogukonna liikmetele võimaluse anda oma panus Eesti ühiskonnaellu ja arengusse. Lisaks soovime välismaal elavatele Eesti kodanikele pakkuda paindlikke ja mugavaid konsulaarteenuseid.
Et mõista paremini väliseesti kogukonna ootusi ja hoiakuid ning rahulolu konsulaarteenustega ja saatkonna tegevusega kogukonna suunal, palume Sinu tagasisidet järgnevatele küsimustele. Ankeedi täitmiseks kulub 5–10 minutit. Kogutud tagasiside on konfidentsiaalne, tulemusi kajastame vaid üldistatud suuremate gruppide keskmistena ning isikustatud informatsiooni ankeedile vastamise käigus ei talletata. Kogutud tagasiside aitab välisministeeriumil oma tööd ja arendustegevusi plaanida nii, et see vastaks parimal moel võõrsil elavate eestlaste ootustele.
On This Day – Oct 21, 2018 Estonian President visits Australia
On this day two years ago, the President of Estonia, Kersti Kaljulaid, visited the Estonian Archives in Australia at the Sydney Estonian House. Archivists Maie Barrow and Reet Simmul introduced the collection and showed off some of the treasures in the Archive
Read an abbreviated version of the article and the interview by Aale Kask-Ong’s from Meie Kodu nr 22 (3247) 7 November 2018 in English for the first time.
Kino! Movie Night VÕTA VÕI JÄTA | TAKE IT OR LEAVE IT – Sydney Nov 1
VÕTA VÕI JÄTA | TAKE IT OR LEAVE IT
Sunday, 1st November, 5pm @ Sydney Eesti Maja, Surry Hills
COVID-19 UPDATE & SAFETY PROTOCOL
For the safety of our community, our COVID-19 Safety Plan requires visitors to register their attendance prior to arrival via TryBooking. Under the current restrictions, we cannot accept walk-ins for this event and the number of attendees is limited to 20 persons.
Please register your attendance and pay via the TryBooking link.
If you have any cold or flu symptoms, please get tested immediately and isolate yourself until you receive a negative result.
What would you do if a newborn baby was placed in your hands and they say take it or leave it!
One sleepy Saturday morning, 30-year-old builder Erik receives shocking news: his ex-girlfriend Moonika, whom he hasn’t seen for half a year, has just given birth to a child. A girl. Moonika is not ready for motherhood, and if Erik does not want her, the girl will be sent for adoption. Take it or leave it!
“TAKE IT OR LEAVE IT” is the story of Erik’s long, complicated and sometimes comical journey of becoming a father. A story in the course of which an ordinary Estonian man becomes a hero of everyday life, Superman, who is ready to confront fatherhood tooth and nail and the film asks us what makes a father a father?
EVENT DETAILS
Date: Sunday, 1st November Film starts: 5:00 pm
Runtime:102 minutes
Location: Estonian House
Address: 141 Campbell St,
Surry Hills, NSW, 2010
Language: Estonian with English subtitles
Admission: $5 SES Member, $8 non-members
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Mida teeksid sina, kui ühel päeval pandaks su kätele vastsündinud laps ja öeldaks: võta või jäta!
Ühel unisel laupäevahommikul saab 30-aastane ehitaja Erik jalustrabava uudise: endine tüdruksõber Moonika, keda mees pole pool aastat näinudki, on just lapse sünnitanud. Tüdruku. Naine ise pole emaduseks valmis ja kui mees last endale ei taha, läheb tüdrukuke lapsendamisele. Võta või jäta!
“VÕTA VÕI JÄTA” on lugu Eriku pikast, keerulisest ja kohati koomilisest isaks kasvamise teekonnast. Lugu, mille käigus tavalisest eesti mehest saab igapäevaelu kangelane, Superman, kes on oma isaduse eest valmis küünte ja hammastega võitlema. Filmis küsib meilt, mis teeb isast isa?
LISATEAVE
Kuupäev: pühapäev, 1. november
Film algab kell: 17:00
Kestus: 102 minutit
Asukoht: Eesti Maja
Aadress: 141 Campbell St,
Surry Hills, NSW, 2010
Keel: eesti keeles, inglisekeelsete subtiitritega
Sissepääs: $5 SES liikmele, $8 mitte-liikmetele
In Memoriam – Kalju Palmoja
It is with great sadness I share the news that my adored father left us on Wednesday.
He led an extraordinary life beginning with a magical childhood in Estonia, challenging war years followed by a long & happy life in Australia! He enjoyed his professional life as an architect leaving a legacy in the built environment of Perth. He was equally committed to the Estonian community in WA as the President of the WA Estonian Association. Always passionately Estonian he was honoured with the Order of the White Star by the Estonian President in 2003.
To our family Isa was an inspirational role model. He was strong and gentle, creative and practical, a devoted husband, loving father and proud grandfather and always ‘ready for action’. We will cherish him always!
Anu Van Hattem
PALMOJA KALJU GORDON Dearly loved father of Anu, father-in-law of Peter, adored grandfather of Nicholas, Alex and Sophie, devoted husband to Ethel passed away on 23.9.20.
Born: Tartu 21.1.1923
Died: Perth on 23.9.2020
Why I work in the Archive – Reet Simmul
Reet Simmul, Assistant Archivist at the Estonian Archives in Australia shares her story on how she came to volunteer in the Archive and why the work of the Archive is so important to her and the community.
“Since working in the EAA and documenting memoirs of so many refugees, I have learned to understand my own parents so much better and the history of Estonia during these turbulent times.”
— Reet SimmulRead the full article here: https://archives.eesti.org.au/2020/09/22/why-i-work-at-the-archives-reet-simmul/
In Memoriam – August Sirkel
5 April, 1921 – 17 September, 2020
August Sirkel was an active member of the Estonian House and the Estonian Society in Melbourne. August, being a spirited singer, was a member of the Melbourne Estonian Men’s Choir. He was famous for baking traditional Estonian meat pies (pirukad) for the weekly choir rehearsals, and for many years he was in charge of cooking delicious meals for all Estonian events, for hundreds of people, at no charge. It was simply August’s way of contributing to the Estonian community, and bringing people together.
But August donated more than his time, work, artistic and cooking talents; he also regularly made donations. August spent his latter years at his home’s peaceful environment. His door always remained open, his invitation was always in the air, he loved people gather round and have a good time. This was the aspect of August’s character that was most unique in my eyes – the way August fit in with the young. His calm, happy, joyful ways made his home a place to call home for many Estonians whilst in Australia.
August has written his memoirs, and he has written about his life philosophy – had a strong belief in good will, positive thinking, healthy living, clean environment and making people happy. August was the best advocate for this motto. Happy to have known you, August, RIP.
The Funeral will be held on Thursday 24 September, Thursday 24 September, 2020 at 10.30am as PRIVATE family service and will be LIVE STREAMED. Details can be found here: https://botanical.etributes.com.au/etributes/august-sirkel
Sirje Jogi
President of Council of Estonian Societies in Australia)
AESL Donation Drive – Join the $100 club
Dear member of AESL,
This is our third DONATIONS DRIVE for the year 2020.
We always keep the best for last – the “100 Dollar Club” is now open! Please take a chance to donate now, and to donate generously.
In case you wonder – are we talking to you? Am I a member of AESL?
Yes you are. If you belong to any Estonian organisation in Australia, you are AESL member.
What are you doing as AESL member?
AESL unites all Estonian organisations in Australia under one umbrella. Therefore we represent you in Estonia, and we represent you in Estonian World Organisation.
Most visibly in Australia, we cover the running costs of our Archive, where you might want to store your documents one day. We cover the cost of our biggest festival Eesti Paevad, if ticket sales do not allow profit – and they don’t. We supported Australian Estonians to sing at the most celebrated event in Estonia – Laulupidu/Songfestival, we support Estonian language classes and children’s groups, especially eesti childrens’ biggest get together at Sorve Camp.
In short, AESL supports activities that bring us together all over Australia. One day soon we will be able to bring the physical get togethers back again.
Most recently, we ran Australian Estonian organisations’ zoom meeting in August – the methods and aims are in transition and the constitution should reflect that. In 2021 we take a big step and 1952 AESL constitution will be changed and updated. Want to know more?
At least a couple of times a month we share various relevant information on AESL Facebook page.
If you want to be more connected with AESL, this is perhaps a good place to start.
Since the closure of our newspaper, we encourage people to sign up, and also to send information to e newsletter. (https://eesti.org.au/mailinglist; news@eesti.org.au)
Let’s be visible with our expressions, be it words or actions, as long as we stick together, we belong together, we unite.
2020 has not been an easy year by any means, but no matter if times are easy or hard, we still keep going. Dear AESL member, we are asking for your support.
Thank you for joining in for the journey, for the last round in 2020, thank you for your donation.
Bank details: Council of Estonian Societies in Australia; BSB: 062 233; Account: 10062870 Reference: Your Name, State
Cheques to: PO Bo 6606 Melbourne 3004 Ingrid Provan; Payable to – Council of Estonian Societies in Australia
On behalf of AESL, Sirje Jogi
In Memoriam – Johannes Olup
19 May 1924, Paide, Estonia
3 September 2020, Thirlmere, Australia
Although Johannes experienced troubles throughout his life, particularly in having to leave the country of his birth at age 20, he was really one of the lucky ones. Many who tried to escape and many who stayed behind did not survive the war or its aftermath.
In Germany he met and married Linda, another Estonian refugee, and after working three years for the occupying forces as a driver, emigrated to Australia.
He was one of the many Estonians who spent time in the migrant camp at Bonegilla, where he made many life-long friends. He travelled to Sydney to work for the Water Board at Pott’s Hill and would live in nearby Birrong for most of the rest of his life. After working at the Ford Plant in Homebush, he learned the carpentry trade and became a house builder. He would go on to build homes for many in Sydney’s Estonian community (and later renovate them) and also renovate Sydney’s Estonian House and the Church House in North Strathfield.
A convivial man, he played his part in the Australian Estonian community by singing with Sydney’s Estonian Men’s Choir and attending many festivals. He continued with the choir until increasing deafness and the need to care for his wife through her last illness made participation too difficult. He loved the company of his friends and the many festive occasions where he could eat, drink and sing.
Up until just before his passing, Johannes was still cooking and cleaning for himself in his retirement village unit at Thirlmere and even driving to go shopping and to meet local medical appointments.
He is survived by his daughter Erika and will be greatly missed.
His funeral will be held in the West Chapel at Rookwood Crematorium at 11am on Friday 18 September 2020.
Nii aja ratas ringi käib
Me kaunid päevad mööda läind
Tasakesi lööb aegade kell
Järele jääb mälestus nii hea ja hell
