New Book: Thirlmere Estonian Community Pioneers

January 22, 2010

New Book: Thirlmere Estonian Community Pioneers

Valdur Liira, who grew up in Thirlmere (100 km. from Sydney), where his family settled in 1939, has written an interesting book about the Estonians, who settled in Thirlmere before WWII, from the years 1924-1944.

Thirlmere Estonian Choir c.1950. Photograph Wollondilly Heritage Centre

The book contains personal stories on 25 pioneering families, (with 200 photos, some are in colour), describing life, which people nowadays would have difficulty in comprehending. There were hardships, such as there was no town water supply or electricity. How did people manage to live like that? With hard work, many of those pioneering Estonians were able to help new Estonian settlers establish poultry farms, after WWII.

The author found it necessary to write the book, (in English), about the pioneer Estonians, thus preserving the history of the Thirlmere Estonians for future generations.

These pioneer Estonians established the Estonian community in Thirlmere, where now there is the Thirlmere Estonian Society Koit, Koit Choir and the Estonian Village, so the Thirlmere Estonian community lives on.

Price of book: $30 + pack.& post.
Email: valdurliira@optusnet.com.au

Published in Meie Kodu no 48, 2009 (16.12.2009)