Expatriate Estonians in Australia, Film No. 11 (1995-1996)

Women prepare for the evening gathering at the Estonian Consulate General in Sydney. Malle Rohver, the General Consul in Australia, talks about the consul's daily work and about Aldur Kaljo, the former General Consul. Those who are interested in Estonia will receive materials from the Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Estonian Institute; introducing Estonia is one of the main activities of the General Consul. Soloist of Sydney Opera, Ingrid Silvaeus, is singing while being accompanied by the song's author Inno Salasoo. Malle Rohver recalls the death of her father in the prison camp in Russia and escaping the island of Saaremaa with the last ship. When she heard the unforgettable performance by the Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir in Helsinki, she visited her homeland in 1984. Malle Tohver started to submit the works by Estonian musicians to various festivals. First, she succeeded to invite Camerata Tallinn to perform in cities on the East coast. She talks about the widely spread musical works by Arvo Pärt. Eili Annuk, the head of the mixed choir "Vanemuine" of Estonian Society in Sydney, talks about the history of Estonian choral singing. The male choir was formed already on the ship arriving from Germany in 1947. During the heyday of choral singing in 1960s-1970s 14 choirs were actively practising. Elmar Saarepere recalls the ship ride and the forming of the male choir, the first years of the choir's activities, excellent tenors. At 15th Estonian Days in Melbourne, Australia a male choir performs, conducted by Kalev Mitt; also a mixed choir performs, conducted by Eili Annuk; another mixed choir is conducted by Astrid Bowler. Eili Annuk gives an overview of the authors in choral music: August Pruul, Meta Pruul, Erik Maasepp, Elmar Rajaloo, Arno Taimre, Irene Haldma-Eelma, Lembit Härm, Inno Salasoo, Astrid Bowler. Vilma Kiviväli from Melbourne recalls choral performances and forming dance groups with Peeter Vilo. Together they have led folk dancers since late 1940s until the present day. Photographs of the performances. At the Estonian Days, the dance groups from Adelaide, Sydney and Melbourne are performing "Tuljak". Bruno Metsar, chairman of the Estonian Union "Kodu", talks about the history of the union at the Estonian House, Melbourne. This is the oldest Estonian organization in Australia that was founded in 1914. Archivist Aime Metsar recalls the early years of the union. Arnold Perend's recollections about the union. Ebe Kartus and Bruno Metsar are discussing the following themes: the union's objectives, tasks, celebrations of anniversaries and holidays, organizing events. Talking about the work "Estonians in Australia II and in New-Zealand". Outer view of the Estonian House. Arnold Mikkor, manager of the Estonian House, recalls the purchase of the building, volunteer work while cleaning the house, opening of the house on January 29, 1972 and the complete alteration of the building in 1988. Arnold Perendi talks about the history of the Estonian House in Sydney. This house was opened in 1940. Outer view of the house. Arnold Lond and Oskar Loit placed the foundation stone to the new part of the building in 1957. The honor board. Uino Simmul, chairman of the Estonian Union in Sydney, talks about the history, activities and the financial situation of the union. Since two unions were once united, the common name became Sydney Estonian Union "Eesti Kodu Linda". Uino Simmul shows the rooms of the building; there is a mural by Gunnar Neeme on one wall of a hall. Kalju Palmoja, chairman of the Estonian Children's Union in West Australia, talks about the founding of the union building in Perth. The building called "Eesti Tare" was opened in 1966; outer view of the building.