Budstikka July 2011

Dear Reader, This time two years ago, I was frolicking on the roof of the new Opera in Oslo, in fantastic summer weather; the newspapers had “HEATWAVE” plastered across the front pages (+30◦C), and we went up to the Frysja river near Maridalen for an evening cool down. Even in Tromsø, the temperatures were in the upper 20s. What a contrast to the misery of a Melbourne winter, where I have gone to the extreme measure of acquiring an electric heating blanket! I am being told that I am a disgraceful Norwegian, and “what is wrooong with you?”. I don‟t know, but somehow “cold” here feels different from “cold” back in the old country. On the upside, I am planning to dust off my crosscountry skis, and head for Lake Mountain ski resort, which I have been told is great. Now, if I can only find the Swix… I have no idea where I would get ski wax from here. Does anyone know? Any ski stories from Australia? We would love to hear from you. With photos! In this issue, we have the pleasure of inviting you as a member to a fully sponsored member’s luncheon at the Cuckoo in the Dandenongs: first in best dressed! There are also details on the AGM, which will be held separately this year.

We also present our plans to send the newsletter by email to as many members as possible. The costs of printing and posting the a newsletter to our growing number of members are increasing, and we have to choose between less content (NOT what we want) or less stamps and envelopes.

The Royal Norwegian Consulate General in Melbourne, in cooperation with Eastern Bulk Carriers (Australia) Pty Ltd, prints and distributes the “Budstikka” for us.

2010-2011 Friends of Norway Committee contact details: President:

Committee Member:

Tietse Stelma

Unni Porthill

M: 0431 123 800

M: 0407 849 974

[email protected] Vice President:

Committee Member:

Anecke Chapman Svensen

Merete Pettersen,

M: 0417 138 000

T: 03 9751 1277

[email protected] Treasurer:

Committee Member:

Øystein Berg

Carol Berg,

M: 0407 683 361

T: 03 9600 1628

[email protected]

Committee Member

Committee Member

Budstikka Editor:

Ole Martin Chapman M: 0424 546 550

Helena Johansson M: 0405 247 071

Kristin Jakobsen M: 0400 882 307 [email protected]

Webmaster: [email protected]

Webpage: www.friendsofnorway.asn.au

(please refer to webpage for updated news and events info.) 2

WHAT IS HAPPENING?

HVA SKJER?

BUDSTIKKA NOW BY E-MAIL A couple of weeks ago we sent out an email to all of you who provided an email address when you signed up as members, with content approximately as per below: “Dear FoN member, We are very happy to observe that our membership numbers are high, and we hope that they will continue to grow, ensuring a dynamic and interesting club for us Norwegians and our families and friends here in Victoria. However, with increasing numbers comes an increase in costs of distributing the Budstikka newsletter. We are now faced with the choice of limiting the number of pages of the newsletter (hence its content), or finding new ways of keeping the cost of printing and posting the newsletter down. We are very lucky to have the Norwegian Consulate print and distribute the newsletter. However, their time and resources are not unlimited. We have therefore decided to appeal to you as a member with an email address, to ask if you would mind receiving the Budstikka newsletter by email. This would mean that we can keep creating a newsletter with as much interesting content as possible while keeping the costs down. If you do not mind receiving the newsletter by email, you do not need to do anything. If we do not hear from you, we will assume your acceptance and send the next newsletter to this email address. IF, however you wish to CONTINUE receiving the newsletter BY POST, please REPLY TO THIS EMAIL, with your name and address, and we will crossreference this with our address lists.” We have received a number of replies, some confirming that they do not mind receiving the newsletter by email, and some asking to continue receiving a paper copy of Budstikka. I also got several “error messages”, i.e. the email did not reach its destination/email address is defunct or similar. Rest assured that if this is you, a paper copy will still be sent. HOWEVER, THE NEXT ISSUE WILL BE SENT BY EMAIL TO ALL THE MEMBERS WHO PROVIDED AN EMAIL ADDRESS AND WHO HAVE NOT REQUESTED A PAPER COPY. IF YOU HAVE NOT CHECKED YOUR EMAIL FOR A WHILE, PLEASE DO SO NOW. YOU CAN STILL REQUEST A PAPER COPY.

Thank you for your support 3

WHAT IS HAPPENING?

HVA SKJER?

REPORT FROM 17. MAI The celebrations took place at Toorak House, on Sunday 15 May. The weather gods were in a fairly good mood, and young and old got together once again for a fun day. The celebrations followed the tradition of previous, with a Norwegian church service first on the programme, and the new Norwegian pastor, Lena Rebekka Risnes, came from the Norwegian Seamen‟s Church in Sydney. Beautiful flower arrangements had again been donated from the Norwegian Consulate General. After the service, people made their way outside, to listen to the Norwegian Consul General, Tomm Paulsen‟s speech. The Boroondara Brass Band again acted the part of a Norwegian ”skolekorps” and did a fine job leading the parade through the streets of Toorak, with the flags and the banners flying high. Afterwards, everyone gathered for some social interaction in the beautiful garden, and for a nice cuppa and all the traditional 17 May fare.

Games were arranged for the kids, as usual, as well as facepainting. Again, Norwegian flags were a favourite. There was also a raffle, with great prizes.

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WHAT IS HAPPENING?

HVA SKJER?

When Tietse appealed to our readers for photos from 17 May, Sonja Olsen sent these delightful photos through. They show her as a 3-year old celebrating 17 May with her family in 1971 at Toorak House, and her little girl this year in the same knitted bunad Sonja wore back then. The people in the photo above left are, from left:

Laila (Olsen) Devers, Thora Olsen, Sonja Olsen, Lars Olsen (dec.) and Svanhild Kjærstad. Above right: Sonja Olsen. Right: Tora Olsen Goutsiaris. Again we would like to thank ANSA, who provided great help, both in the kitchen and elsewhere. We thank the Consulate General for beautiful flowers and for donations to the prize table. We also extend a great thank you to all the cakebakers, and other volunteers who worked tirelessly throughout the day. Especially, we thank the Swedish Church, and all the people there who helped make this such a successful day. An extra special thank you to Kerstin for her tireless work in the kitchen.

See you again next year!

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WHAT IS HAPPENING?

HVA SKJER?

OLSOK AT “A TOUCH OF NORWAY”

Olav den Hellige died at the Battle of Stiklestad 29 July 1030. Olsok, or Olav‟s wake commemorates this event.

Merete Pettersen is having her traditional Olsok lunch, at a Touch of Norway, 1376 Mt Dandenong Road, Mt Dandenong, on Sunday 24 July. She will be serving rømmegrøt, spekemat, waffles and a good cuppa. Cost is $25 per person. Please RSVP to Merete on 9751 1277 by 22 July.

Hope to see you there!

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WHAT IS HAPPENING?

HVA SKJER?

2011 – 2011 – 2011-

AGM – 2011 – 2011 - 2011

Sunday 07 August, 12pm

Agenda Apologies President’s Report Minutes from last year’s AGM Matters arising Treasurer’s Report Committee of 2010/2011 vacating their seats Election of Chair Person Election of new Committee General business Meeting close.

Nominations for the new committee are welcome, on the day of the AGM. Please note: you will only be eligible to vote if you are a member of FoN, so make sure you renew your membership.

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WHAT IS HAPPENING?

HVA SKJER?

ANNUAL LUNCHEON

508 Mount Dandenong Tourist Road Olinda VIC 3788

Sunday 21 August, 12.30pm

We would like to invite you as a member to be our guest at a fully-paid smorgasbord lunch at the Cuckoo Restaurant in the Dandenongs (drinks not included). We have reserved a set number of seats, so it is first-come-first-serve. Family members and friends are very welcome as well, at $42/adult and $21/child.

Members will be given preference over non-members, and you will need to have paid your membership at the time of issue of this Budstikka to be considered a member, i.e. qualify for the free meal. STRICT RSVP of Friday 29 July to Øystein Berg at: email: [email protected], or snailmail: 701/39 Caravel Lane, Docklands, VIC, 3008

Come join us for good food and lots of fun! 8

WHAT IS HAPPENING?

HVA SKJER?

GRATULERER MED DAGEN Grunde Skomedal turns 95 on 14 July Gratulerer hjerteligst med dagen.

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WHAT IS HAPPENING?

HVA SKJER?

Hipp hipp hipp hurra Roger Hedin turns 80 on 31 July. Hjertelig til lykke med dagen.

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WHAT IS HAPPENING?

HVA SKJER?

Advertise in Budstikka Place and ad in Budstikka, and reach all of our members. Prices for 5 issues are: Quarter page $25, Half page $50 Full page $100. Price for one issue is 25% of the full year (5 issues) price.

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COMMUNITY NOTICE BOARD “A TOUCH OF NORWAY” The Luncheons at “A Touch of Norway” will continue as before, on the first Tuesday of every month, from 12pm. For further information call Merete Pettersen on: 9751 1277 If you wish to visit the shop, please call first to make sure Merete is there to greet you.

NORWEGIAN LANGUAGE CLASSES Held at Toorak House/the Swedish Church Library on Thursday evenings. Beginners, „Level 2‟ from 6:00pm. to 7:30pm. Advanced, „Level 1‟ from 7:30 p.m. Pay a nominal fee, and join a class of about 10-12 students. If you would like to join the class, please contact Kari Berri on (03) 9848 2897 Email: [email protected]

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ROYAL NORWEGIAN EMBASSY: 17 Hunter Street, Yarralumla, A.C.T. 2600. Ph: (02) 6273 3444 Email: [email protected] Webpage: www.norway.org.au NORWEGIAN CONSUL GENERAL, MELBOURNE: Consul General: Tomm Paulsen Email: [email protected] Consular Secretary: Louise Smith Email: [email protected] Consular Secretary: Siobain Cornick Email: [email protected] Address: Suite 1/420 High Street, Kew, VIC. 3101 Ph: 9853 3122 NORWEGIAN RADIO can be heard on SBS at 1224 KHz Fridays from 3pm to 4pm. TOORAK HOUSE/THE SWEDISH CHURCH Opening hours: Monday:

Closed.

Tuesday to Thursday:

12 noon to 7:30pm.

Every Tuesday at 6pm:

Youth Evening for students, au pairs, backpackers etc.

Friday:

12 noon to 6pm.

Saturday and Sunday:

2pm to 6pm.

Visit their webpage at:

http://skut.svenskakyrkan.se/melbourne for additional info.

BECOME A MEMBER Becoming a member of Friends of Norway means you can enjoy the following benefits: 

Subscription to Budstikka, with information about Norway, as well as Norwegian events and news in Australia (6 editions annually)



Invitation to special events



Access to the Norwegian Library at Toorak House, which also has many children‟s‟ books



10% discount on Helly Hansen clothing



Invitation to join the „Helly Crew‟ VIP program, which will entitle you to various other Helly Hansen benefits and exclusive offers



Discount on 50 Degrees North travel



20% discount on personal training sessions at Focuss Fitness Personal Training



Voting rights at the Annual General Meeting (August each year).

MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION FORM MEMBERSHIP CATEGORY: Individual ($25 per person)

Family ($40 per family incl. children under 18)

Student ($20 per person)

Senior ($15 per person)

The above fees are per annum. A joining fee of $10 applies for new member applications. APPLICATION DETAILS: (For family membership include details of lead member):

Name: Address: Postcode:

State: Mobile:

Phone: E-mail: National identity: Age:

Occupation: under 25

25 - 34

I would like to receive Budstikka:

35 - 49

in the mail

50 - 64

65 or over

by above e-mail

I hereby apply to become a member of Friends of Norway (the Norwegian club of Victoria), if approved, I will accept and abide by its constitution.

Signature:

PAYMENT: Cheque

Bank transfer

Money order

Visa

Mastercard

I hereby enclose payment /authorise deduction of the below amount for membership fees. Amount:

(membership fee + $10 joining fee for new members + donation)

Credit card number: Card holder name:

Expiry date:

Cardholder signature: Bank transfer details: Account name: Friends of Norway BSB number: 633-108 Account number: 1077-61959 Note: when using bank transfer, member name must be on the bank transfer, not "membership fee"

Please mail / e-mail completed form to: Treasurer – Friends of Norway, Øystein Berg 701/39 Caravel Lane, Docklands, 3008, VIC e-mail: [email protected]