Our first function for the new year was the Fastelavn celebrations on 14 February. Fortunately the weather was not too hot so the children who came dressed up in costumes could manage to run around without overheating. The two winners this year in the “Tøndeslagning “(hitting the barrel) were Mia Cruscett and Jasmine Kristiansen. Well done to them both. Fourteen children and 20 adults enjoyed the delicious buns made by Henriette and thanks also to Helen for making the Fastelavnsris and to Henry for making the barrels, to Sarah for helping with the games for the children and to everyone for coming.

Although only 7 people came for the busy bee on 28 February, we still achieved most of the general jobs planned: the children’s swings were improved, house locks lubricated, much pruning done (including the lemon tree), painting/touch ups around the house, the gutters cleared, and general cleaning up inside the house. Nola had left plenty of garden bags and thanks to her for later removing them. And thanks to everyone who came to help despite the hot weather.

On 18 March, fortunately with a cooler break in the weather, 21 people enjoyed a lovely lunch with the Over 50s group, a great raffle and good company whilst fundraising for the club. Thanks to Annette and everyone for their work on this day.

On 9 April, we are holding a meeting where there is an opportunity for members to make comments and provide constructive criticism regarding the Nordic House survey which was undertaken last year. If you cannot attend, maybe you are able to put further comments in writing to the committee. However, it would be easier to respond to comments, if you are able to attend. But do keep in mind that if you want change, you also need to help make the change happen.

No-one has yet come forward to take on the role of SCANPOST editor so we are still looking for someone for that role to take over after next AGM or before if we are to see our journal continue.

The coming months look to be pretty busy so check out your diaries and see if you can attend these events. A tour of Fremantle Ports has been organised for 4 May ,whilst on 14 May, the autumn social barbecue will be held. Our combined National Days afternoon tea, complete with Icelandic pancakes, æbleskiver and other delicacies will be at Nordic house on 4 June and there is a quiz night in the pipeline for June. But with all this socialising comes the need for some work too with the next busy bee planned for 22 May. We hope to see more members attend to keep Nordic House spruced up for the winter months.

And please keep 13 August free for this year’s Annual General Meeting.

As always, we look forward to welcoming you to Nordic House and look forward to your greater involvement in the activities of the Association.

With best regards
The Committee

The results of the 2015 survey to investigate the future viability of Nordic House, requested at the 2014 AGM, will be sent to members of the Association in the coming month. It was not possible to present these results at the 2015 AGM as all members of the sub-committee, formed to look into this issue, were overseas at the time.

Members are requested to appraise themselves of the results and feedback from the survey and, if seeking clarity or wishing to provide further input, attend an informal meeting and discussion to be held at Nordic House on 9 April at 3 pm.

It must be stressed to members that no action can be taken on this survey without further discussion and formal voting at a future AGM or extraordinary members’ meeting. It is vital however, for planning purposes, that the committee has a sense of direction from the Association as it is not growing and is struggling to have members take an active role in its running.

You are urged to examine the results and give careful consideration as to how you want the Association to “look” in coming years.

There are currently no coordinators for the 2016 Skt Hans bonfire to be held at Nordic House in June this year.

The Committee is calling upon members to nominate to run this event. Full details of procedures are available and, with a team of helpers, it is a very easy event to run. If you are interested in taking this event on, please contact one of the committee members as soon as possible.

In the event that no members nominate to coordinate and run this event in 2016, it will regrettably be cancelled for this year.

Many thanks to Echo Publishing in Melbourne for providing the Association with copies of their three latest Swedish crime thrillers for the Library. The books, by renowned Swedish authors, Sigge Eklund, Martin Holmén and Jenny Rogneby, have been translated from their original Swedish and will be a welcome addition to our Library. To whet your appetite, here is a precis of each of the books.

• Sigge Eklund is one of Sweden’s best known writers and podcasters. InInto the Labyrinth, eleven-year-old Magda has disappeared. Her mother works every clue, obsessively trying to solve the mystery. Fingers have been pointed at Magda’s father Martin, his ambitious colleague, Tom, and his partner Katja. This book is a powerful psychological thriller that will get under your skin and haunt you well beyond its final, shocking conclusion.

• Martin Holmén is a high school teacher in Stockholm. Clinch is his debut novel. Set in 1930s Stockholm, former boxer and debt collector Harry Kvist is wrongly accused of murder, and is forced to navigate Stockholm’s underworld in a desperate search for the only person who can save him.

• Jenny Rogneby is a criminologist and former police investigator whosework inspired her to start writing. In Sweden, Jenny is also known for her former career as a pop star. In Leona: The Die is Cast, a bloodied child robs a bank. No one dares to intervene. Investigator Leona Lindberg is entrusted to the case. But why is she ignoring witness statements and calling in false suspects? Leona is a gripping crime thriller, featuring an unusual heroine who holds on to reality by the skin of her teeth.

We look forward to seeing sequels to these thrillers in the future, and extend our sincere thanks to Sabita Naheswaran from Echo Publishing for contacting the Association with this offer.

In May 2016, Neil Wilson will put together his 60th edition of SCANPOST. This will also be his last due to extensive upcoming travel plans. So, at the 2015 AGM, he gave notice that the Association will need to find a new editor in 9 months time.

The task is not an onerous one. It just takes an eagle eye to watch for Nordic news, a cooperative committee to provide copy, and some computer skills and a little time to pull it all together.

Neil is happy to provide the new editor with all his templates and documents. All that is needed is someone to take on the job. Please consider if this is how you can contribute to the Association and, if so, please contact Neil on 9332 5247 with your questions and queries.