The next busy bee at Nordic House will be on Sunday 28 February commencing at 8 am and concluding around lunch time. Please come along. This is an opportunity to tidy up the garden and house for the new year.

The busy bee is always fun. Members help in whatever way they can (most tools required are provided) and it is an opportunity to share ideas and friendship.

You may bring along your own snack lunch, but hotdogs will also be available free of charge.

Any queries regarding the busy bee, please contact Gunnar Horn on 0431 259 672.

 

With Scandinavians enjoying their winter sports, members might be interested to know that the winter olympic sport of curling is now up and running in WA.

Curling WA are currently looking for teams and players who would like to take part in their curling league that will kick off in March 2016. Some ‘come and try’ sessions will be held in February if you would like to see what it is all about.

Curling is happening at the brand new facility in Cockburn, the Cockburn Ice Arena. If you are interested and would like to find out more, please contact Elliott Douglas on 0429 729 621, or email curling@curlingwa.com Curling WA also has also has a website at www.curlingwa.com and a Facebook page for more information.

We had a lovely social barbecue at Nordic House on 7 November. Around 27 people came for the meal, which was partly catered for from outside, and organised by Susanne and her helpers. The meal was complete with beautiful desserts. Thanks to all who helped make this a lovely evening.

On 27 November, we enjoyed a great Over 50s Christmas lunch. Around 30 old and new friends met up, exchanged Christmas presents and, of course, had a visit from Father Christmas. Thanks to Annette for organising this event again, and to everyone who brought delicious food to share.

This year on behalf of the Association, Rita and Marianne booked a table at the Swedish Bazaar in Shenton Park, selling Christmas decorations, craft and sweets. It was great to see that it was well supported by Association members as well as other Scandinavians and people from other nationalities.

With the closure of the Latvian Centre during the course of this year, we had to find a new venue for the Children’s Christmas party and Lucia. Although the hall at Centenary Park in Wilson quickly filled up, the outside space was great and the facilities, including the kitchen, were fine.

Thank you to Hella and her helpers for doing kitchen duty, to Karen Margrethe for playing the piano and to Per and Kate for making a great Santa and helper. Thanks also to Rita and Neil for setting up and being on door duty, and to everyone including Miss Maud’s for their great donations for raffle prices. It was, as usual, lovely to see the Lucia girls and the bride being crowned.

On 17 December, the Danish priest to Australia Bente Holdgaard came from Sydney to conduct for us a Danish Christmas Service at the Lutheran Church. We enjoyed the coffee and chat afterwards, and another chance to catch up with friends.

We hope you have had a good Christmas and a great New Year and look forward to seeing many of you at the functions in 2016. This year also being the 50th anniversary year for the Scandinavian Association, planning has commenced for a celebration, probably for the end of October, as many of our members are away during the winter months, possibly be held at Miss Maud’s, but more about that later in the year. Make a note of this for your diaries.

Events for the year will commence with Fastelavn on Sunday 14 February at Nordic House starting at 3 pm. There will be games for the children followed by the traditional barrel hitting. Children are welcome to dress up if they wish.

Our next busy bee is planned for Sunday 28 February. If you are able to spend just one hour from 8 am to do some work in and around the house and garden, it would be much appreciated. A hot dog lunch is provided, and donations of cakes are always welcome for morning tea.

Remember that the success of the Association is dependent on your participation and contribution. We are still looking for an editor for SCANPOST to commence in late August and still no-one has been forthcoming. Without an editor, SCANPOST will cease. We urge you to come forward and volunteer to keep this important communication going.

The Committee works hard to provide you with enjoyable functions and events. We look forward to your contributions during the year.

With best regards

The Committee

The new Norwegian priest to Australia, Pastor Kristoffer Lønning Tørressen, will be visiting Perth to conduct a Norwegian Christmas service.  The service will be held at St. John’s Lutheran Church, 16 Aberdeen Street, Perth on Saturday 19 December at 12.30pm.

Everyone is welcome to attend and to enjoy the fellowship of the festive season through this traditional church service.

 

Image: Christmas – Tromsø – Arctic Cathedral 3 by Lee Dyer. Used by permission (Licence: CC BY-SA 2.0)

The Danish Biometric Passport Mobile Unit will again be visiting WA to enable Danish citizens in WA to renew their Danish passports in accordance with the new biometric guidelines.

Passport applications will be accepted at the Harbour Room, Tradewinds Hotel, 59 Canning Highway, East Fremantle on 24 November 2014. Danish citizens who wish to take advantage of this service should contact the Royal Danish Consulate by email at henningjacobsen123@hotmail.com to make an appointment.

The service expects to visit Western Australia again in about 6 months time.