Meet the Archives Volunteers
The EAA is run by a dedicated team of volunteers who meet every Thursday to sort, arrange, describe and box the collections. Volunteers have their own projects, be it arranging the photographs, cataloguing the library, creating a database of the records of Estonian organisations in Australia or the material from Displaced Persons camps in Germany after WWII. Exhibitions and big projects are a collaborative effort.
Archivist - Terry Kass
Terry Kass is an Australian historian with Estonian parents. Despite his thoroughly Australian upbringing, he has always had an interest in his Estonian background.
Initially working as a secondary school teacher, he changed profession in the late 1970s obtaining postgraduate qualifications in Australian history, including a Master of Arts (Honours) followed by a PhD. He was one of the first professionally trained historians to forge an independent career working in the heritage sector rather than in academe. He was a founding member of the Professional Historians Association of New South Wales serving a number of terms as the secretary and president. The depth of his knowledge and experience has been widely acknowledged within the heritage community of New South Wales.
He continues to work as a freelance consulting historian focusing on heritage research and general New South Wales history. He has published a number of articles and 11 books. Two books received awards from the Australian Society of Archivists. Familiar with archival and library practice, he now wants to apply his historical and archival experience to managing the Estonian Archives in Australia.
Eili Annuk
Since arriving in Sydney in 1950 I have been involved in all things Estonian, e.g. folk dancing, girl guides, university clubs, editing the newspaper “Meie Kodu” and teaching at the Saturday school of languages. For 20 years I sang in the Estonian mixed choir and then became the conductor for the next 25 years.
I graduated as a chemist from Sydney University and worked as such for 35 years. I started in the Archive in 1981 assisting Dr Hugo Salasoo and I have worked there one day a week continuously ever since.
Alongside sorting and filing documents my main responsibility has been compiling an index of articles and in memoriam notices in Meie Kodu and digitising the data.
Archive work is very stimulating. We learn about Estonian history, every so often we come across a document dating back to the 19th century. We meet interesting people, many from overseas, who come to research their family history. I look forward to Archive days where I meet my co-workers, learn something new and have a few laughs.
Maie Barrow
After 29 years as the archivist for EAA I stepped back from the role but am continuing as a volunteer in the archive. It was a marvellous journey where I learnt much about Estonian history and language and Estonians in general. During that time the archive moved to its new premises on the ground floor of Estonian House where we have better facilities and room for exhibitions.
I was asked to become the archivist in 1994. I have a BA in French and a M.Sc in Chemistry but I had organised the UNSW Book Fair for many years. I said “yes”, how hard can it be? Well it was a lot harder than I thought. After seeking advice from other archivists I enrolled in an Archives course at UNSW and graduated in 1998 with a Masters degree in Information Management. I was the archivist for Botany Bay City Council for 15 years.
With the help of a dedicated group of volunteers I set about systemising the archival collection, arranging the library, and curating exhibitions and giving talks to introduce the collections to both the Estonian and Australian communities. We answer many queries from researchers all over the world. I have participated in most of the Balthernet summer schools and conferences. EAA is part of a large network of memory institutions in Australia and Estonia and we have a good relationship with other expatriate Estonian archives.
Ivo Kauniste
I studied medicine at Sydney University for a couple of years. Since I was more interested in mathematics and physics, I switched to engineering at UNSW, from which I graduated in electrical engineering. My working life as an engineer was with Telecom Australia until my retirement.
I arrived at the Archive about 4 years ago, with the objective of helping with their computer transition from Windows 7 to Windows 8. This was supposedly a temporary arrangement for about 2-3 weeks, at the request of a mutual friend.
Once there though, I was most impressed with the archives team. They were extremely friendly, highly competent and an exceptionally dedicated team. They could see that their work was valuable to the community, that their work mattered. I felt that this was the type of a team that I wanted to be part of. Thank you EAA for having me as one of you.
One of my main jobs is that as new material arrives, I sort these into our categories and then add them to our pre-existing boxes. I am also the Secretary of the Archives Council.
Vivat, Crescat, Floreat EAA in Aeternum
Taimi Nurm
I was invited to join the Council as Treasurer back in 2018. Besides looking after the monies, I have come to the realisation that the Archive has vast amounts of documents, personal papers and artefacts especially from DP camps.
Having never worked in an archive environment before, I have enjoyed learning the detail in preserving the huge amount of archival material that is held. My work so far has been scanning and labelling the ID cards of the pre-war Estonian immigrants, going through the vast amount of documents that are held from various Estonian Society organisations around Australia and keeping the computer system operational.
I have been involved with the Estonian Community since the early 60’s with attending Estonian School, folk dancing, singing in choirs, attending Sõrve Children’s camp, helped in organising Archive’s latest exhibition- “The Great Escape”- and being on the Board of Directors for Estonian House Co-operative Society Ltd which maintains Estonian House.
It is a privilege to be associated with my fellow volunteers with their knowledge and dedication in preserving the history of Estonian in Australia and I have great pleasure in working alongside them.
Archives Associates
Kristi Barrow - Digital
I have always been involved in the Estonian community in Australia. My first memories include learning to count to 10 in Estonian with my grandparents, learning to bake a Kringel (Estonian Sweet Bread) with my Godmother Reet and attending the Estonian summer camp Sõrve.
I’ve been passionate about all things digital, ever since I saw my first web page on the computer at my school’s library. I designed the first web page for the EAA back in 2001!
I often help out at the Archive with any IT or computer issues. I really enjoyed helping the Archive bring to life their fascinating collection online with this new website.
Lachlan Bell - Design
Growing up immersed in the Sydney Estonian community, I’ve always had an interest in our community’s history and our story. After being on numerous teams and committees in the community, being introduced to the Archive has helped me expand my awareness of our cultural heritage and given context to what we do here.
I wanted to give back by putting my graphic design and technical skills to practice use.
I hope to continue offering assistance and thank the team at the Archive for the insurmountable task they’ve undertaken and hope to continue assisting them into the future in relaying our story to the next generation.
