Expatriate Estonians in Australia, Film No. 6. Part 1 (1995-1996)

Views of Canberra, capital of Australia - House of Parliament, War Memorial of Australia. Interior space of the House of Parliament - former Prime Ministers Gough Whitlam and Robert Hawk, QUeen Elizabeth II, Senator Dorothy Tangney, member of Parliament Enid Lyons, Senator of Queensland Neville Thomas Bonner have been depicted on paintings. Chamber of the Parliament. Order of Australia, designed by Vambola Veinberg born in Tallinn, is exhibited in the House of Parliament. Reet Bergman, chairwoman of the Estonian Association in Canberra, talks about the local Estonian community. She recalls the ride with a hot-air balloon on the Nations Day during Canberra Week - the start was given in front of the House of Parliament, accompanied by the performing of Estonian national anthem and hoisting the Estonian national flag. Carillonist Astrid Bowler at the bell tower in Canberra. She talks about her family, learning to play the carillon and musical notation etc. Kristof Kaldma, chairman of the Estonian Congregation in Canberra, talks about the history of Estonian community in Canberra and he has compiled four volumes of collected materials. 18 young women founded the Estonian community in Canberra in 1947. A year later men arrived, collaboration started with the locals and the usual union activities first with a male choir, later with a folk dance group, followed by crafts and acting groups. The first festive event was celebrating the 31st anniversary of the Republic of Estonia. Choirmaster Herman Möder came from Sydney and founded an extremely popular male quintet and later a double quartet; the performances were held for instance at the national conference. Canberra Estonian Society was established in 1954. In ten years the activities were brought to a standstill, but perked up when Erik and Lea Holm arrived from Perth. Canberra Estonian Association was established that is still functioning. Visiting Paul Öpik who tells about the destiny of his family before World War 2 and during the war. He recalls his father Armin Öpik's life and work as a scientist - a geologist and a paleontologist. In 1944, the family emigrated from Estonia to Germany where the father could finally continue his work at the Baltic University in Exile that was founded and managed by his brother Ernst Öpik and that was located in Pinneberg. Australian scientists invited Armin Öpik to Australia. They arrived at Melbourne in 1948; father started to work for the local university; son and daughter had to complete the two-year mandatory work period. In 1949, the family relocated to live in Canberra, father started to work for the Mineral Resources Board of Australia. Annual expeditions were held in order to study the fossils and mineral resources of the continent. Even when retiring in 1964, he continued his research and advised geologists and paleontologists. Armin Öpik was rewarded for his remarkable work in the field of research with numerous medals: Charles Doolittle Walcott Medal by the US National Academy of Sciences, one of the most prestigious awards in the world (two years earlier Ernst Öpik was given the same award); medal by the Australian Scientists' Society; medal from Finnish scientists etc. Paul Öpik shows his awards and talks about honoring his father's work. He also recalls his father's last years spent in the hospital and his death on January 15, 1983.