2018 AGM Summary

January 1, 2019
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Summary of Recent Activities

This summary (which can be accessed here) captures the outcomes from the Annual General Meeting held at Tarra Gardens on 28th October, 2018 and includes commentary on:

  1. Re-election of Directors –  Mart Rampe, Dr Peeter Muttik, Maie Barrow, Ingrid Tartu, Hillar Raniko, Kaili Ford, Tony Moll and Dr Juho Looveer, 
  2. Outline of Financial position – our cash position increased to $853,742. Funding to the value of approximately $20,000 was provided to a number of Estonian focused organisations in Australia, 
  3. Collaborative effort with AESL – a draft Funds Management Agreement and Statement of Intent had been prepared and tabled to facilitate a collaborative effort between AESL and the ECFA Limited (ECFA), and 
  4. Sydney Estonian House – the ECFA is a significant shareholder in the Estonian Hose Co-Operative Society Limited which owns Estonian House. The ECFA is keen for the Co-op to move ahead with the “Future Options” process in regards to the future of Estonian House.  

The XXVIII Estonian Festival – Sydney

The ECFA was a strong supporter of this festival which took place between 27th  and 31st December, 2018. Activities were carried out at a number of venues in Sydney, culminating in the New Year’s Eve Ball at the Ivy Ballroom in the Sydney CBD. It is understood that the Estonian Festival events were generally very well attended and received. Congratulations to Aet Madison and her team for organising the Festival – no mean feat

Council of Estonian Societies in Australia (AESL)

The ECFA sent three representatives to the Annual General Meeting of the AESL, held on 31/12/2018. One of the main topics for discussion was the proposal to form a collaborative arrangement between the ECFA and AESL, whereby AESL would focus solely on its role as the Peak Estonian body in Australia and ECFA focused its efforts on fundraising and distribution of funds to worthy Estonian cultural organisations located in Australia and that fell within the AESL umbrella. A pre-cursor to such an arrangement, is the incorporation of AESL  as a registered charitable body under Australian rules and regulations. It is now up to AESL to follow up on these discussions and advance a viable business plan to its member organisations (including the ECFA) to vote upon.

Visit to Taara Gardens

During the 24th of January, members of the ECFA Board had the pleasure of meeting with the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of RSL LifeCare, Ms Laurie Leigh. It was Laurie’s first visit to Taara Gardens and she impressed us all with her relaxed but authorative style. Her credentials are impressive (check here) and we look forward to her and her team enhancing the Taara Gardens aged care experience.

In addition, we were given a “tour de force” of the village by Jenny, who pointed out all of the significant improvements that have taken place since RSL LifeCare took over – see following photos. 

Since amalgamation, RSL LifeCare has invested:

  • $12.0m in the refurbishment and extension of Agris Hutrof House,
  • $3.9m in the redevelopment of the retirement village and units, and
  • $0.9m in furniture, vehicles, computers, plant and equipment

RSL LifeCare is also in the process of upgrading the HR system for employee self-service of leave and payslips and they are implementing an exciting program for staff/residents called AIM “All Interactions Matter”.

It is without doubt, a fantastic outcome for our folks at Taara Gardens!

It was also with great pleasure that the Board awarded Certificates of Life Membership to Krista Ford and Imbi Chad. Both Krista and Imbi were long serving and highly valuable directors of the ECFA Board over many years and this Certificate recognises their selfless and voluntary service to our organisation over many decades. Sadly, another of our stalwart members and directors, Lea Holm, passed away just before Christmas. She too, was a highly valued member of the Board and will be missed. 

Activities for 2019

Looking ahead, we see the mooted collaboration between AESL and the ECFA as the most important event for 2019. Should it proceed, it will have a dramatic impact on the way that the ECFA operates in the future.

In the short term, the ECFA will be preparing a submission to be presented at the upcoming forum on the future of the Sydney Estonian House.  

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