Members Spotlight Australian-Baltic Friendship Association Inc.

Learn more about one of our organisational members, Australian-Baltic Friendship Association Inc.

What is the Australian-Baltic Friendship Association Inc.'s purpose?

The Australian?Baltic Friendship Association’s purpose is to keep the cultural connections of Baltic people from Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania alive. The Association brings community members together through a social club where they can share information about their homelands and stay connected with news from relatives and communities overseas that may not be covered by mainstream media.

The organisation also provides support with language challenges when needed. Most members arrived in Australia between 1949 and 1955 and are now elderly. While later generations have become well established in Australian society, the Association continues to preserve Baltic heritage and community ties.

When was the organisation established?
The Australian-Baltic Friendship Association Inc. was established around 1998.

How does the organisation support the community?
The Association has supported its community and allied communities by hosting an annual cultural show at the Broadbeach Community Centre. These events showcased Baltic folk dancing, folk songs, musical groups, and traditional ethnic food.
Donations collected during these events have helped fund the production of a quarterly newsletter, supporting ongoing communication and connection within the community.

Who do they help?
The Association supports its members and friends by providing assistance with government forms, offering advice on where to seek further support, and visiting members or friends when help is needed.

How can people engage with them?
The Association is coordinated by its Secretary, Mrs Elga Kenins, currently overseas until the end of April.
The group usually holds Zoom meetings on the first Tuesday of each month, as well as face?to?face meetings at the Broadbeach Library every four months.

Contact details:
Mobile phone: 5538 0468 / 0414 986 287