• Entry type: Person
  • Entry ID: AWE0952

Reinpuu, Ene-Mai

  • OAM, CM
  • Maiden name Prima, Ene-Mai
(1932 – 2022)
  • Born 19 August 1932, , , Estonia
  • Died 19 July 2022, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
  • Occupation Community worker

Summary

Ene-Mai Reinpuu left Estonia with her parents as refugees fleeing the threat of Soviet invasion, arriving in South Australia in 1949. Ene-Mai married Villi Reinpuu, also from Estonia and they had two children.

Reinpuu had a life long involvement in ethnic community and multicultural organisations. She served as secretary (1967-1986) and president (1987 – ) of the Estonia Society of Adelaide. She was honorary secretary of the Council of Estonian Societies in Australia 1976-1978, 1985-1987 and 1994-1996. Reinpuu was chosen as an Australian representative at the ‘Kongress of Estonia’ held in Estonia in 1990. She was vice-chairperson of the Estonian Cultural Festival of Australia and a member of the organising committee since 1958. She served as a member of the Council of Baltic Women (affiliated with National Council of Women), was the Estonian community representative on Multicultural Communities Council of South Australia, and a founding member of the Friends of the Estonian Museum.

Archival resources

  • State Library of South Australia
    • Interview with Ene-Mai Reinpuu [sound recording] Interviewer: Helen Chryssides
    • Launch of the second stage of The Honoured Women Oral History Project [sound recording]
    • Storytelling by Ene-Mai Reinpuu [sound recording] Recordist: Aliki Tziavrangos

Published resources

Related entries


  • Related Concepts
    • Estonia Born Community of Australia