What is the Estonian Cultural Foundation in Australia (ECFA)?
The Estonian Cultural Foundation in Australia has a long history of engagement with the Estonian-Australian community. Formerly known as the Eesti Abistamise Komitee (EAK), or in English, the Estonian Relief Committee (ERC), it was formed in 1945 at the end of WWII to help Estonian refugees in war-torn Europe. Initially it provided parcels of food and clothing but later branched out into arranging landing permits for people to come to Australia and providing financial assistance. The ERC raised funds by organising formal balls and having an annual fundraising drive.
In the 1950s, the ERC decided to build a retirement village and purchased land in Thirlmere, NSW where there was an active Estonian community. Funds raised by the ERC were matched by the government and the retirement home opened in 1967 – continuing to grow and prosper over many years.
Unfortunately high costs, problems with funding and changes in government regulations made running the village by volunteers increasingly difficult and in 2012 the ERC sold the village to RSL life, now known as Taara Gardens.
With those funds and later monies from the sale of the Estonian House in Thirlmere, the ERC looked to the future. To fit the new goals of the organisation the ERC changed its name to the Estonian Cultural Foundation in Australia (ECFA). Membership is open to all Australian citizens who support the objects of the Foundation.
The ECFA supports Estonian cultural activities nationwide. The grants are advertised annually, usually in May, and close in June. Both organisations and individuals are welcome to apply for the grants. Over the last three years, the ECFA has funded activities totalling over $50,000.
- 2022 – $17,550
- 2021 – $20,250
- 2020 – $17,652
Nationwide the ECFA has supported organisations including the:
- ‘Sõrve’ Estonian Children’s Summer Camp
- Hans Ots Award for subsidising costs of attending Sõrve for children living outside Sydney
- Estonian Archives in Australia
- ‘Kooskõlas’ Mixed Choir
- ‘Eesti Päevad’ Estonian Festivals
- AESL book and DVD “Estonians in Australia 100 years” which was a gift from the Estonian community in Australia to Estonia on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of independence
- ‘Meie Kodu’ Australian Estonian newspaper
Locally, ECFA has in recent years supported the following organisations across Australia including:
- New South Wales
- Sydney Estonian House Co-operative Society
- ‘Virmalised’ – Sydney Estonian Folk Dancers
- ‘Sydney Eesti Seltsi Kunsti – Käsitöö ja Etnograafia Ring’ (SESKKE) Handicrafts Group
- ‘Lõke’ ensemble
- ‘Mudilasring’ – Sydney Estonian Children’s Playgroup
- ‘Sõrve Sõbrad’ – Sydney Estonian Parents’ and Friends’ Association
- South Australia
- ‘Hapu Koor’ Mixed Choiur
- Queensland
- Brisbane Playground Group
The ECFA has also supported individual projects such as:
- Virge Nielsen organising the “Baltic Artists in Australia – Celebrating 100 Years” , a retrospective group exhibition of artists living and working in Australia, with origins from Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania at the NSW House of Parliament
- Tiina Alvre’s digitisation of Sydney Eesti Selt’s records
- Aksel Haagensen’s production of a documentary film regarding Estonian refugees in Australia
The ECFA supports language, dance, music, handicraft, art, literature and history but does not fund commercial activities or personal salaries. We welcome submissions from all over Australia that support the aims to facilitate the promotion of Estonian culture in Australia.
Grant applications will be opening shortly. An announcement will be made on our website, on eesti.org.au and various Estonian Social Media groups. For more details on the Estonian Cultural Foundation in Australia, including membership and grant information, please visit our website at http://ecfa.eesti.org.au
