What a fantastic night! Official launch at TTHA
On Thursday, 2 July, our exhibition was launched at the TTHA by Councillor Peter Lockwood, Mayor of the City of Knox, in front of 125 plus guests!! It was a fantastic night - TTHA proved to be a most convivial host.
On arrival - guided by specially assigned "parking officers", International Volunteers taking on a new role - the reception area looked inviting and festive. Through the hallway with the first part of the displays and past the glass cabinet of memorabilia, guests gathered in the dining hall, transformed for the night into a large exhibition hall.
Delicious canapes, hot and cold finger food, prepared by TTHA's excellent head chef, Tibor, and his team were passed around with and welcoming drinks, while there was a chance to view the exhibits and meet and greet.
Three wonderful speakers allowed us an insight into the the history of the Templers - not just facts and figures, but personal stories that touched us deeply.
Herta Uhlherr related how the Templers, a German religious society who had left Germany in the middle of the nineteenth century and settled in Palastine, were forced to leave at the beginning of WWII.
It is hard to imagine, the feelings of the families who had to vacate their homes, the land which they had made fruitful, everything that was familiar to them - first to be moved behind barbed wire fences and then to a foreign and unfamiliar country - Australia. Here, they were considered "enemy aliens" and locked up in internment camps. Herta's presentation can be accessed here.
Helmut Glenk took over the narrative - how the Australian authorities began to recognise the abilities of the Templers and began to trust them sufficiently to draw on them as a much needed workforce. After all, a lot of Australians had left the country to fight in the war. The Templers were excellent farmers, fruit growers and knew about caring for animals. He told us, just why a lot of the Templers settled in Bayswater, once they were released from Tatura. Helmut's presentation can be accessed here.
Finally, Dieter Glenk delighted the audience with some anecdotes about the Glenk family's early experiences in Bayswater. Dieter and Helmut were the first German boys to arrive in Bayswater and go to school there - and not only their German-sounding names caused reactions from their schoolmates. Dieter's reflections can be accessed here.
Unfortunately Meg Polacsek who was scheduled to present at the launch, had to cancel. Details on her presentation Ageing well in a foreign country: Support needs and preferences of ageing German Australian– a qualitative study can be found here - including an introductory welcome video clip by Meg. In 2014, Meg undertook this study as part of her Masters degree in Health Science (Aged Services), at the College of Arts, Victoria University.
We wish to thank the staff and the residents of TTHA for offering such a wonderful space for our exhibition. We are indebted to June Harling, TTHA project officer, who took us under her wings. Her expertise in organising large-scale events taught us so much. Thanks to Eva Simo (Acting CEO) and all the TTHA staff, the International Volunteers and residents, and our MC, Dr.Jens Mohr, for making the evening such a success - and to our speakers and all our wonderful guests.
You can access Sabine Nielsen's opening speech here.
On arrival - guided by specially assigned "parking officers", International Volunteers taking on a new role - the reception area looked inviting and festive. Through the hallway with the first part of the displays and past the glass cabinet of memorabilia, guests gathered in the dining hall, transformed for the night into a large exhibition hall.
Delicious canapes, hot and cold finger food, prepared by TTHA's excellent head chef, Tibor, and his team were passed around with and welcoming drinks, while there was a chance to view the exhibits and meet and greet.
Three wonderful speakers allowed us an insight into the the history of the Templers - not just facts and figures, but personal stories that touched us deeply.
Herta Uhlherr related how the Templers, a German religious society who had left Germany in the middle of the nineteenth century and settled in Palastine, were forced to leave at the beginning of WWII.
It is hard to imagine, the feelings of the families who had to vacate their homes, the land which they had made fruitful, everything that was familiar to them - first to be moved behind barbed wire fences and then to a foreign and unfamiliar country - Australia. Here, they were considered "enemy aliens" and locked up in internment camps. Herta's presentation can be accessed here.
Helmut Glenk took over the narrative - how the Australian authorities began to recognise the abilities of the Templers and began to trust them sufficiently to draw on them as a much needed workforce. After all, a lot of Australians had left the country to fight in the war. The Templers were excellent farmers, fruit growers and knew about caring for animals. He told us, just why a lot of the Templers settled in Bayswater, once they were released from Tatura. Helmut's presentation can be accessed here.
Finally, Dieter Glenk delighted the audience with some anecdotes about the Glenk family's early experiences in Bayswater. Dieter and Helmut were the first German boys to arrive in Bayswater and go to school there - and not only their German-sounding names caused reactions from their schoolmates. Dieter's reflections can be accessed here.
Unfortunately Meg Polacsek who was scheduled to present at the launch, had to cancel. Details on her presentation Ageing well in a foreign country: Support needs and preferences of ageing German Australian– a qualitative study can be found here - including an introductory welcome video clip by Meg. In 2014, Meg undertook this study as part of her Masters degree in Health Science (Aged Services), at the College of Arts, Victoria University.
We wish to thank the staff and the residents of TTHA for offering such a wonderful space for our exhibition. We are indebted to June Harling, TTHA project officer, who took us under her wings. Her expertise in organising large-scale events taught us so much. Thanks to Eva Simo (Acting CEO) and all the TTHA staff, the International Volunteers and residents, and our MC, Dr.Jens Mohr, for making the evening such a success - and to our speakers and all our wonderful guests.
You can access Sabine Nielsen's opening speech here.
Special events program at TTHA during July
Friday 10 July
On my bicycle to Australia (in German)
Fred Glasbrenner, a ‘Schwabe’ from Backnang, tells of his 12 months’ journey to reach Australia.
With two friends, he embarked on an adventure of a lifetime, traversing continents and rugged countrysides, meeting statesmen, princes and world leaders on his way, and learning to live on his wits.
Find details on his presentation here.
_______________________________________
Sunday 12 July
Margrit Zalisz and the Accordion Accents Ensemble (in English)
Margrit Zalisz is a German-born author who arrived in Australia with her family more than sixty years ago. Music has been a part of her life. The Accordion Accents Ensemble supplies the background music to her reflections, evoking memories of leaving Berlin; dancing on the boat to Australia; the early years in Melbourne and finally, meeting her husband and being wooed by his accordion playing.
______________________________________
Friday 17 July
Stories of a German Test Pilot (in German)
Knud Bartels started his career as a test pilot in the HFB 320, the first civil aviation aircraft that was built in Germany after WWII by the HFB (Hamburger Flugzeug Bau). After many adventures in the air, he and his wife, Waltraut, decided to retire in Melbourne.
Find details on his presentation here.
_______________________________________
Friday 24 July
Ostarbeiter – the story of my grandparents by (in English)
Dr Kristian Ireland is a musician and researcher. The history of his Soviet/Ukrainian grand-parents who were forced labourers in Germany during WWII before they migrated to Australia, is a fascinating story.
Find details on his presentation here.
______________________________________
Thursday 17 September
Meet the "Leierkastenmann" - the man with the barrel organ
Many of us German migrants (and expatriates) know Hans Hahnemann - he cheers us up, playing his old-fashioned barrel organ, at our Christmas Markets, various fairs and functions throughout the year.
Find details on his presentation here.
On my bicycle to Australia (in German)
Fred Glasbrenner, a ‘Schwabe’ from Backnang, tells of his 12 months’ journey to reach Australia.
With two friends, he embarked on an adventure of a lifetime, traversing continents and rugged countrysides, meeting statesmen, princes and world leaders on his way, and learning to live on his wits.
Find details on his presentation here.
_______________________________________
Sunday 12 July
Margrit Zalisz and the Accordion Accents Ensemble (in English)
Margrit Zalisz is a German-born author who arrived in Australia with her family more than sixty years ago. Music has been a part of her life. The Accordion Accents Ensemble supplies the background music to her reflections, evoking memories of leaving Berlin; dancing on the boat to Australia; the early years in Melbourne and finally, meeting her husband and being wooed by his accordion playing.
______________________________________
Friday 17 July
Stories of a German Test Pilot (in German)
Knud Bartels started his career as a test pilot in the HFB 320, the first civil aviation aircraft that was built in Germany after WWII by the HFB (Hamburger Flugzeug Bau). After many adventures in the air, he and his wife, Waltraut, decided to retire in Melbourne.
Find details on his presentation here.
_______________________________________
Friday 24 July
Ostarbeiter – the story of my grandparents by (in English)
Dr Kristian Ireland is a musician and researcher. The history of his Soviet/Ukrainian grand-parents who were forced labourers in Germany during WWII before they migrated to Australia, is a fascinating story.
Find details on his presentation here.
______________________________________
Thursday 17 September
Meet the "Leierkastenmann" - the man with the barrel organ
Many of us German migrants (and expatriates) know Hans Hahnemann - he cheers us up, playing his old-fashioned barrel organ, at our Christmas Markets, various fairs and functions throughout the year.
Find details on his presentation here.
Margrit Zalisz and her accordion ensemble
Contact details and opening hours
The exhibition runs until 31 July 2015 at Tabulam and Templer Homes.
Tabulam and Templer Homes
31–41 Elizabeth Street, Bayswater
www.ttha.org.au
Tabulam and Templer Homes
31–41 Elizabeth Street, Bayswater
www.ttha.org.au
