If you want to be a leader at Sorve 2012, you have less than a week to get your forms in! The invitation is open to all Sorve Sobrad members and all leadership positions are currently vacant. All applications will be considered.

If you have never been a Juht before or are an ‘experienced juht’, WE NEED YOUR FORMS!
Go to the Sorve web site to download the forms

Rolf Poole

RSVP’s are now due for the Winter Wonderland Pidu.

Tickets are available at the door, so you can pay on the night. However we do need numbers for catering purposes, so please RSVP at the Sorve Family Facebook site,

http://www.facebook.com/mobileprotection#!/event.php?eid=190182721029303

or send an email to admin@sorve.org.au
It should be a great night. Dinner, DJ, Auction, Door prizes.

…Don’t panic about getting a babysitter either. Bring the kids along with a blanket and pillow, there’s a supervised movie upstairs for the younger kids

Doors Open at 6pm

 Occupation wise I am a family doctor and I work about 60% time at present but I am planning to slow down gradually even more. My main interest lies in emotional trauma and particularly childhood memory. I do a little undergraduate teaching in that domain.

However perhaps I see my life, aside from my family whom I treasure, as a kind of a triangle. One side is formed by my work, another by my painting and the third by my writing. Thus each touches the other two. At times my major efforts are polarised on one aspect, at others on another.

 Painting wise I am essentially a story teller: I like to paint series of paintings. Among them was a series called “This nearly was mine” as indeed it nearly was as we departed on the day that the gates to and from Estonia were to be closed for the next half a century. The exhibition depicted in paint and poetry my first return to the once war torn Estonia nearly sixty years later. It was later exhibited in Tallinn as “Peaaegu ka minu”. Among the other series have been “The Soul of New York”, and “Icy warm Iceland” where I shared my perceptions of life in these places but again mostly depicted through buildings.

The stories in the paintings tend to tell of how people meet the negatives of life by converting them into challenges: Perhaps the bright colours, together with a cryptic title a method of engaging the viewer. Who would bother to walk up to a dreary grey, brown or purple image to find out what it is about!

 Why pick buildings? They are more readily used for symbolism as they are manmade as are most of man’s misfortunes! The paintings can be adapted to emphasize something important and irrelevances can be omitted or attenuated. Nature does not lend itself to that.

For this exhibition, buildings do predominate: The purpose of the exhibition was to launch my book called “The Soul of Melbourne”. Melbourne is mostly buildings. But the narrative gives the book a lot of depth as embroidered into it is the story of a refugee kid.

“Minu Melbourne” has many facets as you would see in the book: Since I grew up among the industrial culture (a term which I prefer to the “blue collar” which to me tends to have racist connotations) I have warmth for those people who work hard and long to give their children some of the opportunities which more affluent children take for granted.

 Yes,’ life is but a journey where all our experiences one day share a place’, to quote from my book. Many things have influenced my perception of Melbourne and indeed my world. When one has met life at its most precarious both physically and materially the glitz of life becomes nebulous. One learns to treasure “those tiny, bright and shiny imperceptible specks which are readily missed to become part of the ultimate canvas”. As I wander around I tend to notice things which many would not notice: things such as the silvery moon lighting the branches of barren winter trees which are dwarfed by the CBD vast monoliths.

Perhaps I learned this skill in my childhood world where language and trust barriers accentuated what one’s eyes needed to absorb, at that time for one’s safety. Such observations of wonderment can now occur in many settings both among adversity and prosperity.

While one remains focussed on this there is little time to reflect on our warring factions or how to reconcile how one is to love and hate the same people: A legacy I inherited from my parents. Father was a German soldier passing through Estonia during World War II. When one’s mind is left free of wander one becomes acutely aware that to be born between warring cultures is to be born into a vacuum with no soil upon which to place one’s feet. How does one reconcile that without that ugly war one would not have been: That without it many, many others would have been.

My work as a clinician too has influenced my writing and painting themes. As I reflect on the forty plus years as a clinician I marvel at the fortitude of mankind: I fondly admire our refugee cohort and at times grieve for those whose lives have been irreparably fractured. I realise that human warmth is the greatest commodity we can offer each other.

I relish the peaceful mountain sides; perhaps a legacy of my memories of Geislingen which was nestled in a valley. There is something magical about trees and the mist.

My perfect world is to wander about in the mist of the mountainside daydreaming about what to paint and write about in a way that meaningfully reaches those around: Of course with the needed knowledge that my two treasured sons are OK.

 Once I retire I do have plans to paint the Estonian landscape: To date my trips to Estonia have been too truncated to spend time painting. Retirement will allow me the luxury of absorbing the landscape authentically and not painting it a la Australiana which is offensive to both terrains. Pühajärv kindlasti ootab mind!Painting is something which has always been part of me: A twenty four hour day put constraints on it for a few decades but even then as I reflect on my medical student days I suspect that I enjoyed the drawing bit more than learning what the drawings meant. I can’t say that I have any noble explanation for why I like painting or indeed why I do anything else.

 My writing is not nearly as colourful: it has a psycho-philosophical bent and tends to be delving. It again explores the courage of people especially of children caught in mankind’s scrimmages. I tend to approach that more from the oral history format rather than interview format. As you can see from “When the Noise had Ended” I tend to like the material to be in first voice as it eliminates the risk of artefacts of my perception which interview format might create.

At present I am working towards two other books about our people, again to be written about how things looked through the eyes of the young, but with the goal of sharing with the world the courage of our parents. The books are “Hats off to our Parents” which will be about the memories of the young about war-time Estonia and the journey to the camps, and the other will be about our memories of the first five years in our new lands.

 Australian Estonians of the WW II cohort had a difficult beginning. In the culture of the time of our arrival, assimilation appeared to be defined as losing who one was and becoming another rather than respecting one another. Many of us lived as chameleons out of respect for the country that adopted us. Times have now changed, as my book shares: Today Australia treasures the diversity of culture that the arrival of our cohort pioneered. The time now is ripe to explore that powerful journey which our people have traversed. Some may see it as wallowing but to me it symbolises the recapitulation of a journey which may give courage to other refugees who will travel in our shoes.

Much has been written about emotional trauma: perhaps it has been somewhat skewed. It is difficult to know how this happens. Perhaps the most important assets anyone can have are human warmth, and a sense of belonging and relevance. Perhaps we dig too deep into the ghoulish dungeons and forget that the trauma may be in the present and not in the past. Sharing of reminiscences is a privilege of increasing age. Many of our folk are remote from each other and thus deprived of the privilege of sharing accounts of the time when they met their greatest challenges.

Elective immigration and travel are vastly different to flight from terror and distress. For the former there is a preconceived notion of new worlds to be met and experienced: There is time to plan and select the itinerary be it for months or a lifetime. There is the choice of saying goodbye or at least ‘auf wiedersehen’ to Estonia. They have the secure choice of staying in contact with their families in Estonia. And let us not forget there is in Oz an existing network of their forefathers from the WW II cohort to point them in the right direction.

Our people had no opportunity to say goodbye and many have not have had the opportunity to return and say hello. They were cast to wander into the wilderness not knowing whether there would be a home or if they would even be alive to need one. They forfeited many loved ones and lost many on the trek. Time heals and helps people reconcile but at times one lifetime is not enough to achieve this mammoth task.

 I am very much involved with the War Child Studies project in UK. Currently I am focussing on the long term outcomes of childhood refugees.

To ensure some balance of perception of life I am working on a book in a similar vein to the “Soul of Melbourne”. It will be about the Australian Outback: Perhaps with some focus on how the Kooris have become lost in their own wilderness.

 A seventy two hour day would definitely help!

AALE KASK-ONG

Lilian has competed in 4 Ironman competitions (4km swim, 180 km cycle and 42.2 km marathon) and is the only Estonian woman who has competed so many times. Lilian currently holds the second fastest time (10 hours 51 minutes) amongst the Estonian women atheletes.

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The couple have been chosen in the 40 member Australian squad to compete in the world triathlon titels in Beijing, China, in September after qualifying in January.

Tim and Lilian, personal trainers, met five years ago while competing in a triathlon, and have been married for two years.

„Having similar interests is great, we train together and encourage and motivate each other,・g Tim said.

And just as well they like being around each other, with the pair training six hours a day in readiness for September. Every week, they swim 12 kms, cycle 300 kms and run 80 kms.

The couple are members of the Bankstown Sports Athletics Club and the Western Districts Joggers, based at Lake Gillawarna.

This will be Tim・fs second world triathlon event, racing in Sweden in 2004.

Tim, 32, has been a triathlete for 10 years, and has plenty of experience under his belt, while Lilian, 33, has been at the sport just as long.

The Beijing triathlon consists of a 1500 m swim, 40 km cycle, and 10 km run, with over 1000 people competing.

„The satisfaction of just completing in one of these events gives you a feeling that・fs hard to describe,’Tim said.

By MICK ROBERTS

Bankstown-Canterbury Torch

Two questions to Tero Holopainen,

President of the Finnish Society of Sydney

1) How important is Vappu for Finnish people in Australia, and are you celebrating it regularly here?

Celebrating Vappu is one of those few things that reminds us Finns of home, as it is something that everyone in Finland celebrates.

In Finland it is a true carnival, and arguably our biggest celebration. Especially for those Finns who have grown up in Finland it is significant.
Some like to have the party on the Vappu Eve 30/4 and some have the traditional Vappu brunch with Champagne and herring sandwiches on Vappu day.
Most people in Finland would participate in both, over here in Australia they are often combined.

I have been in Australia for three Vappus now, and we have had a party each year with at least 50 people every time, with over 100 this year.

2) How did you like the first Estonian-Finnish joint event in the Estonian House?

I enjoyed the Vappu in the Estonian House a lot, and it was wonderful to see so many people enjoying themselves as well.
All the feedback I have had has also been very positive. It seems we were able to deliver exactly the kind of party that people were expecting and hoping for.

I would like to thank Estonians for the wonderful venue that suited for the event perfectly and also for organising the event with us.
In the future I hope to see the Vappu celebration in Sydney to become a joint Finnish-Estonian tradition.

Inspired by reading the article in Meie Kodu on 23 March, I , Anne Richardson ( nee Silting) felt it important to let the Estonian community know that there is another Eestlanna who is inspired by the game of bowls and doing quite well – for a novice – compared to Riina. I actually thought I might be the only Estonian woman who plays lawn bowls. It was truly exciting to read the article on the front page!

How did I get lured into playing bowls – a game considered appropriate for real ‘oldies’ ? I was only 64 when I started!

Similar to Riina Bradbrook I was born in Germany in 1945 in a displaced persons’ camp and arrived in Australia in 1948. I studied hard and gained both a B.A. Dip Ed and an M.A. in Education.

After 7 years of language teaching in the State system I had two children and then entered the world of Private schools as I was primarily a Latin teacher!

Eventually, after various positions as HOD and Director, I was appointed Head of Middle School at Redlands where I had taught for 26 years. Under my care were some 400 students and 100 staff – a very exciting job! Suddenly, in May 2007, my world changed as I was diagnosed with breast cancer. Following several months of surgery and treatment, I had to retire from teaching and had to create a new timetable of activities for myself which replaced the joy and excitement I experienced in my working life.

As part of the ‘new’ Anne I turned to bowls – something my husband, Max, had always promoted as a wonderful pastime.

In Feb 2008 I joined N. Ryde RSL Women’s Bowling Club. In 2009- 2010 my fellow bowlers voted me into the position of Publicity Officer to which I was re-appointed for 2011-2012. In this role I am responsible for writing an article each week for the local paper, when required for the NSW Bowls magazine as well as the publication of the Club’s bi-monthly newsletter. This can be viewed on the N Ryde RSL website- under Intra Clubs- and Women’s Bowls. http://www.northrydersl.com.au, www.northrydersl.com.au.  It reflects how bowls is more than just a game- but a whole way of life.

In 2010 I won the Club Graduation Singles- having worked my way through several rounds.

In 2011 I was the Lead for the N. Ryde Club Fours team which won the Bennelong District Comp. A significant achievement as we had to compete with many clubs in the district. My fellow players were three women of considerable bowling experience – totalling some 50 years or more. I had played for a little more than two!

My aim for the future is to continue playing well and winning as many championships as I can. This is easier said than done because bowls is actually a challenging yet rewarding game.

Anne Silting Richardson

Riina Bradbrook (nee Saral) won the Women’s Singles competition at the Australian National Lawn Bowls Champion of Champions Titles contested in North Launceston, Tasmania in November 2010. The win capped off a very successful year in which she also won the Holdfast Bay Club Singles, Metro Singles, South Australian State Singles and South Australian Champion of Champion Singles along with a Silver medal in the National Side’s Championship. She will now don the Green and Gold uniform to represent Australia in the International Champion of Champions tournament in Hong Kong in November 2011.

Riina was born in 1947 to parents Maimu and Uuno Saral while at the Marktredwitz Displaced Persons Camp in Germany. She migrated to Adelaide, Australia in 1949 with her parents and two sisters, Katrin and Piret. Riina married Ian Bradbrook in 1969 and has two children, Cheryl and Steven, and five grandchildren.

While sitting on the sidelines watching both her husband and son bowling at the Ascot Bowling Club in 1989, she was encouraged to participate by the renowned lawn bowler, Paul Richards. The late champion remains the greatest influence on her career and as mentor gave his pupil not only the inspiration to play but also to win. In 1994-95 when, with June Dahlitz, she won the State Pairs title, Richards was on the sideline in support. It is an image that remains as a powerful vision in her bowling life and one reason for her determined and uncompromising approach to the game.

When asked why she enjoys the singles form of the game, she answered very quickly that “In Singles the responsibility is on me. No-one is responsible for me and I am not responsible for anyone.” This attitude along with a confidence in her own ability and a knowledge that she “doesn’t have to prove herself to anybody” give some insight into why she is such a fierce competitor.

She has also represented Australia in the 30 foot mat indoor version of the game picking up two Gold Medals in the Women’s Pairs against New Zealand. There is also an ethereal side to her personality and a visualisation of the numbers 11 and 11, which appear frequently in her life. Over the last four years she has often looked at a clock at exactly 11:11 am or pm or for no reason at all glanced at a bowls score which shows the teams at 11.11. It is an unexplainable set of circumstances but the numbers take on even more significance after her most meritorious win in the National Campion of Champions Titles on the 11/11/2010.

A veteran of 179 State games and 13 consecutive National Round Robins, Riina is not yet ready to pack up her bowls cloth. She has been a member of home club Holdfast Bay for 17 years and is proud of her long tenure. Her aims for the future include a desire to represent South Australia in over two hundred games and to take on an active role as a State Selector at the end of her career.

Acknowledgement: Adapted from an article by John Bevin in the South Australian Bowler Magazine Dec2010/Jan2011.

Two films are featured in this years Melbourne International Fim Festival.

For more information and tickets, see the Melbourne International Film Festival – website.

saturday 25 june, 3.15pm
cinema 2
(unclassified 18+)

Only the Estonian’s can make these kind of joyously confounding films – and we love them! Challenging, highly interpretive, wickedly entertaining – a trolley full of constantly twisting symbolism being pulled along at the end of a slightly fraying surrealist rope. Way more than a simple tale about a postman trying to deliver a package to the moon, Sky Song is an ode for all of those who like to fly.

saturday 25 june, 6.15pm
cinema 2
sunday 26 june, 4.30pm (repeat)
cinema 1

Escape / Pogenemine

Director: Kristjan Holm
Producer: Ulo Pikkov
Estonia, 5’40, 2009
Co-existential boundaries. In an uncertain world, hazy lines can only be crossed with great courage and unlimited imagination.
> www.karabana.com

A Sõrve Pidu

Winter Wonderland -Fantastiline talve ilu

A night of wonderful entertainment for all ages.

Where: Sydney Eesti Maja 141 Campbell St Surry Hills
When: Saturday 16th July 2011
Attire: Semi Formal.
Tickets: $40 Adults, $30 Students, $20 Kids

Price includes meal & entertainment, drinks available at the bar. Childrens activities / childcare available

Book now to secure a table. Tickets available at the door, however it is recommended to RSVP to secure your place.

RSVP 8th July to admin@sorve.org.au

In Adelaide we are getting back to basics!

We are proud to announce that we are featuring a member of our Estonian community who has formed a fantastic successful band. Miles Sly and Yass have agreed to play for us at Esto Pub Night and we are all looking forward to our most exciting evening to date. The EPN, here in Adelaide, has been fortunate enough to have achieved an amazing level of support, there has even been interest from interstate. Just click a reminder on your iCal, as Kalev on Jeffcott will be the place to be on Friday July the 8th 2011!

Miles and his band will play a gentle set of Jazz early in the evening during dinner and then play their dance style popular set and mix of covers when the evening evolves. Adelaide’s original Tom Sarapuu has always been passionate about his theme’s at the Esto Pub Night’s. He has decided that we all enjoy an emphasis on all themes dear to our own culture. Early in July in Estonia, summer is still in full bloom and the people from big cities flood back to their small hometown villages to enjoy the last of the warm weather. Small town music festivals are prominent and we here in Adelaide as a small town, have engaged and joined the seven small towns in South Eastern Estonia in celebrating their music. Still as an unofficial connection we here in the Southern Hemisphere appreciate the exciting period of their calendar.

Miles’ mother Inga is a well known Melbourne born Estonian who has embraced support for the Adelaide community for over 20 years. Their family needs no introduction and Tom Sarapuu’s team has certainly achieved a major scoop in signing Yass for the July Pub Night. Chef Greggory will be back and has had lengthy discussions with an eminent Adelaide Estonian Masterchef to provide a traditional old school Gourmet meal that even has “Y” Generation fussy community members gossiping about what to expect for the latest “Estonian Fusion”! Tom we all are waiting in great anticipation.

This next Esto Pub Night will be at ‘Kalev on Jeffcott’ at 200 Jeffcott St North Adelaide, on Friday the 8th of July. We will certainly be hosting another fantastic evening. Just remember our motto, ‘there are no formalities’, just drop in and see what it is all about! You do not have to book a table or pre-book or prepay for a ticket. Come and meet your old Estonian friends or meet new friendly Estonians. Drop in after being out elsewhere or come for a traditional Estonian meal, we have a recently arrived shipment of Estonian beverages. Tom Sarapuu and his team are ready for another fantastic evening. For more details see us at www.estopubnight.com, email us at kalevonjeffcott@gmail.com or do not be shy and visit us on Facebook on http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=164759990255148&ref=ts

Richard Semenov



Dear fellow Australian Estonian,

My name is Aune Vetik and I’m the new chief editor of Meie Kodu, the
only nation-wide Estonian weekly in Australia and NZ. I’m happy to tell
you that Meie Kodu is entering a new, exciting phase in it’s glorious
62-year history. We now have…

– more local content,
– more quality photos,
– more news that matter,
– more young people,
– more bi-lingual approach, etc.

But don’t take my word for it, see for yourself! Attached is a pdf copy
of our latest issue  Meie Kodu nr 20, 2011 (1.06.2011), free for you to evaluate. Please have a look and
let me know your feedback. We’d love to know what you think of it.

We really want to see you and your friends among the growing readership
of Meie Kodu, wherever you are in Australia or NZ. We even have an
incentive for you. By subscribing to Meie Kodu now, or referring someone
who will, you enter a draw to double your subscription time, free.

And if all the good reasons listed above fail to convince you, there’s
always the best reason of all – every subscriber is a proud sponsor
supporting Estonian culture and heritage in Australia. Support us, and
you’re supporting what you are and what makes you unique!

Head lugemist (Happy reading!),
Aune Vetik
chief editor of Meie Kodu
mailto: meiekodu@eestiselts.org

No 19, 2011 – Meie Kodu

MEIE KODU READERSHIP DRIVE