Information for Estonian Voters in Australia

European Parliament Elections will take place in Estonia on 25 May 2014.

Voting of the European Parliament for Estonian citizens in Australia will take place at:

Estonian House Sydney, 141 Campbell Street, Surry Hills, NSW

• 10 May 2014, 10:00-14:00

Consulate General of Estonia, Suite 1, Level 2, 144 Pacific Hwy, North Sydney, NSW

• 11 May 2014, 13:00-17:00
• 13 May 2014, 10:00-16:00

Electronic voting is available on the website www.valimised.ee from 15 May 2014 until 21 May 2014.

Estonian citizens permanently residing or temporarily staying abroad have the right to vote abroad. To citizens permanently residing abroad, a voter card describing the voting possibilities has been sent well in advance of the election day.
In order to receive a ballot paper, the voters must bring with them and present a valid identity document to the person organising the voting. The Estonian citizen permanently residing abroad who has not been entered on the list of voters, must present documents attesting the right to vote along with identity document.

A voter voting at a foreign mission must sign the list of voters voting at the mission against the receipt of a ballot paper. You will be given a ballot paper, two envelopes and the list of candidates. You must fill in the ballot paper. After filling in the ballot paper you must enclose it in the inner envelope. Then you must enclose the latter in the outer envelope. The outer envelope is inscribed with the name and the personal identification code of the voter living permanently abroad. A cross is made on the envelope in the box “voting abroad”. The person organising the voting may help fill in the envelope.

If the voter is staying abroad temporarily, the envelope is inscribed with their name, personal identification code and address as registered in the population register as of 30 days before the election day. These ballot papers are also sent to Estonia where they will be counted along with other votes.

More information about elections on the web pages of the National Electoral Committee:

http://www.vvk.ee/voting-methods-in-estonia/voting-abroad/
http://info.ep2014.vvk.ee/uldinfo/
http://info.ep2014.vvk.ee/kandidaadid/

The Sõrve Sõbrad Committee presents

EUROVISION FUNDRAISING NIGHT

WATCH ALL THE SEMI FINAL HIGHLIGHTS FROM EUROVISION 2014 IN COPENHAGEN, DENMARK

Friday 9 May at 6.30pm Eesti Maja, Surry Hills

CONTACT: 0458 140 662

Food & Drinks will be available for purchase

Facebook: /SorveSummerCamp

admin@sorve.org.au

Entrance: $15 (incl. a glass of wine/bubbles)

ESTONIA’S PERFORMANCE WILL BE STREAMED LIVE!

Saturday 3rd May. The Kooskõlas choir performance as part of “The Aurora Festival of Living Music” (www.auroranewmusic.com.au). Joan Sutherland Performing Arts Centre, 597 High St. Penrith. Concert 6.30 pm. $30/$25 Bookings jspac.com.au (02 4723 7600)

From the Aurora Music Website

THE SONG COMPANY feature in a concert celebration of the first musical instrument… the human voice.

Experience the incredible sounds of Australia’s leading vocal ensemble (The Song Company), Estonian ‘In Harmony’ Choir (‘Kooskõlas’), Norwegian folk vocalist (Christine Strandli) and more. And they will all be joining together with singers from the local community in a massed choir (‘The Aurora Chorealis’).

FEATURING: The Song Company, Kooskõlas, Christine Strandli, the Aurora Chorealis, and choral directors Roland Peelman & Rachael Elliott

PERFORMING WORKS BY: Paul Jarman, Paul Kadak, Kurtag, and more

CONCERT:
DATE: 6.30pm, Saturday 3rd May

VENUE: The Joan Sutherland Performing Arts Centre, 597 Hight St, Penrith

TICKETS: Joan Member $25, Joan Member Conc. $20, Non-Member $35, Non-member concession $30 *Transaction fees may apply

BOOKINGS: 02 4723 7600, www.jspac.com.au

BOOK FOR THE CONCERT NOW!

Austraalia Eesti Seltside Liidu juhatus tänab siiralt kõiki lahkeid annetajaid!

 Anneliis Martinson
Rahvus kapitali  sekretär

With huge gratitude the Council of Estonian Societies in Australia acknowledges the contributions thus far to the Rahvuskapital (National Appeal Fund). We would particularly like to thank Hillar Semenov, our self-appointed promoter, who has generated much interest through social media to establish the $100 club- his generation of discussion on Facebook has most certainly helped our cause by drawing more attention to the issue!  Thank you very much to the people who have donated thus far including an extremely generous donation from the Thirlmere Klubi Ring!

The Council of Estonian Societies in Australia was founded in the early 1950’s during a time when there was a major influx of Estonian migrants. The thought behind forming the central organization was to support other Estonian’s in their activities to maintain their culture. Rahvuskapital was set-up as an annual drive for donations for this purpose. Donations came in well, as there were many generous people among your parents and grandparents. A major generation was that of Mr Ants Kaljo who on his passing gave his entire estate to the fund. With this money the Council has been able to support all of the activities by various member associations around Australia. The Estonian Archives, Sõrve Children’s Camp and Meie Kodu newspaper are all recipients of these donations, but are not lone recipients with plenty of smaller organisations benefiting from your donations as well.

The generation of Estonian/Australians that have followed have blended into Australian society and lost interest in some of activities of their forbearers. But we are experiencing a new awakening post Estonia’s re-independence, a new generation of Estonians arriving as migrants and of course our many visiting backpackers. All of our major ‘Eesti Seltsid’ have new generation Estonians on their committees and attendances at Adelaide’s functions are at a new high. But in recent years, the monetary support for these associations has been poor.

If you haven’t done so already, please take some time to think about this and reflect on the efforts of our predecessors. The Rahvuskapital appeal will continue to run until June 30^th 2014. As in previous years, any contribution to the appeal will be greatly appreciated no matter the size.

•  Cheques/Money Orders can be made out to Council of Estonian Societies in Australia and posted to AESL Appeal Treasurer:
• Eve Smart, 116 Folkestone Road, Dover Gardens SA 5048
• For your convenience it is possible to transfer donations directly to our Commonwealth Bank Account BSB: 062 233 Account No: 1006-2870

All names and sums donated will be listed in the “Meie Kodu” newspaper, unless one chooses to remain anonymous.

Council of Estonian Societies in Australia

RAHVUSKAPITALI  2014. AASTA KORJANDUSE

ANNETAJATE ESIMENE NIMEKIRI

The very much awaited Eurovision evening is fast approaching! Tom Sarapuu and his magnificent team have been eagerly waiting the opportunity to host this event once again.

This event cannot be missed. So whatever you have on, cancel it or bring all your friends to ‘Kalev on Jeffcott’ in North Adelaide. As we speak barman Tom is planning his menu and shopping for his outfits for the night. We have Gin Long drinks imported plus A.le Coq beer plus the usual Saku and Kiss. Food will be served around 8 pm. We will be showing the event on our screens.

Tanja is the Estonian representative! She moved to Estonia with her family at the age of just two months. Today she’s a household name: a much loved entertainer and a role model in her home country – and tomorrow hopefully throughout Europe. This year she won the Estonian national selection, Eesti Laul 2014 and will thus represent Estonia at the upcoming Eurovision Song Contest in Copenhagen with her song Amazing.

Tanja is amazing – a true pearl in a sea of pre-fab pop stars. She was not born with a silver spoon in her mouth, but has achieved her success and popularity through sheer hard work. Today, her CV is about as thick as a telephone directory, featuring dozens of roles in major musicals, wins galore in singing contests and six albums’ worth of music.

Remember, we have the cheapest ‘Viru Valge’ and ‘Saku Kuld’ in the Southern Hemisphere! Esto Pub Night or Estovision is on Friday the 17th of May. You do not have to book tickets! Just chat to your friends and arrive early to secure a seat near one of our multiple screens…. If not drop in, stay for a drink at the bar, or pass though after being out elsewhere. Kalev on Jeffcott is centrally located in Adelaide most people stay for the evening this is a night not to miss…

Next meetings for Sydney Eesti Mudilasring/ Sydney Estonian Playgroup will be 12th of April and 26th of April. Meeting place is 11 Waratah Street, North Strathfield, Sydney. All toddlers very welcome! Contact info Marilin Ilp 040 55 434 55 or marilin.ilp@gmail.com

Sorve Picnic @ Centenial Park:
NEXT Sunday – 30 March from 11.00am
People interested in getting to know the Sorve family are welcome to attend this social day.
This event is informal and is extended to anyone who wishes to attend so please feel free invite your friends, school friends, family members, etc. to come along on the day and enjoy a day out in the park before winter sets in.

We will be organising some sporting equipment and games throughout the day.
If you wish you can bring your bicycles, rollerblades and skateboards along and make use of the vast cycling tracks around Centennial Park.
Since it is a picnic we ask you all to pack a lunch and even if you wish bring something to share.
There will be some light refreshments  available for sale on the day.

Where in Centennial Park?
We will be setting up our picnic around Ash Paddok BBQ Area (Grid 6D on the map). But if your get lost keep your eyes out for the Sorve Banner.

How to get there?
Car – There is street parking available at centennial park. Please refer to their website for more information http://www.centennialparklands.com.au/plan_your_visit/parking

Public Transport – there are bus stops within the park. Please refer to http://www.centennialparklands.com.au/plan_your_visit/getting_to_the_parklands#Public

Car pool – If you need a lift. Please comment here and see if something can be arranged or if you can offer a lift.

Market Day with shaslok and Estonian beverages
Sunday, 30/03 between 11am-3pm