• Congratulations to our former SBS Danish Radio coordinator, Zanne Mallett, who was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia in the 2016 Australia Day Honours List for service to the Scandinavian community, and to multicultural media.
• Welcome to Lisa Jahrsten, who has recently been appointed as the Honorary Swedish Consul to Western Australia.
• Krystina and Kristian Myhre have about 15 children’s books and 10 DVDs in Norwegian, suitable from baby to 8 years old, that they would love to pass on to someone. If you know anyone who would be grateful to receive them, please let them know on 0417 818 552. Collection from Wembley.

The annual autumn social barbecue will be held on 14 May at Nordic House commencing at 5.30 pm. The cost will be $25 for members and $35 for non- members. This price includes food, tea and coffee and a door prize. BYO alcohol, and soft drinks will be sold for $1. Please book by 11 May with Marianne on 0401 169 853 or email attfield@iinet.net.au

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.