CLUB BACKGROUND

The Scandinavian Association of South Australia was formed in 1980.  It achieved its current Scandinavian format by merging with the Nordic Club in 1982.  Both were significant entities, but each lacked resources due to their size. The formation of the merged club has given Scandinavians in South Australia the ability to achieve economies of scale in many areas.

SASA is a primary Scandinavian focus point in South Australia, representing Iceland, Norway, Sweden, Finland and Denmark .

SASA operates from clubrooms at the Klemzig Community & Band Hall, 7 O.G. Road, Klemzig. Meeting dates and times can be found in "Events" page on this site or as published monthly in the news magazine "Vikingen".

Activities celebrate many Scandinavian festivities, sometimes including St Hans, Lillejulefest, Fastelavn, Mortensaften, Yabbie Night, Norwegian National Day, and a Scandinavian Christmas church service, as well as SASA's annual Winterball.

Each month SASA produces the news magazine "Vikingen" which informs members of club and community events, as well as news and other articles from and about Scandinavia. Vikingen is distributed by mail to members of SASA.  Extra copies are made available on request.

Membership of SASA is open to all who have a strong link with Scandinavia. Members include immigrants, their spouses and children, descendants of Scandinavians, former exchange students, and others who have spent some time in Scandinavia.

Each year SASA awards the title of "Viking of the Year" at the Winter Ball. This award is a recognition of effort towards SASA's objectives by non-committee members. The winner gets the honour of being presented with a perpetual trophy, a Viking warrior's helmet. Although revered by many, this helmet has occasionally been seen popping up and down around the dance floor late in the Winter Ball.

SASA is an incorporated association, run by an elected committee under a constitution. Office holders are elected for each calendar year, then act in a caretaker position until elections at the Annual General Meeting in February.

Elected positions include President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer and general committee members. In addition to this SASA's constitution allows for a Chairman from each of the five Scandinavian countries, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, Finland and Denmark to sit on the committee. This ensures that each country can gain at least one position on the committee. When there is a sitting country chairperson, that member normally takes responsibility for that country's celebrations and activities, and acts as a primary contact point for that Nationality.