Der alte Brunnen
Der alte Brunnen spendet leise
sein Wasser täglich gleicherweise.
Ich möchte diesem Brunnen gleichen,
was in mir ist, stets weiterreichen.
Doch geben, geben alle Tage,
sag, Brunnen, wird das nicht zur Plage?
Da sagt er mir als Jochgeselle:
"Ich bin ja Brunnen nur, nicht Quelle;
mir fließt es zu, ich geb' es weiter,
das macht mein Dasein froh und heiter."
So leb' ich nach des Brunnens Weise,
schöpf' täglich Kraft zur Lebensreise
und will, beglückt, stets weitergeben,
was mir die Quelle schenkt zum Leben.
From the TGD's Christmas card.
Das Gedicht "Der alte Brunnen" von Artur Kleemann, Berlin-Köpenick, erscheint seit über 40 Jahren als Gedichtpostkarte im Schäfer-Verlag, Plauen im Vogtland.
The author says: I want to be like the old well, constantly passing on what is within me. But giving, giving every day, can I sustain that? Won't I run dry or, to mix metaphors, burn out?
The well here is not only old, but wise and says `I'm just a well, not the spring, the source. I pass on what I receive, the water of life, and this makes my life joyful and serene.'
Burnout is one of today's widespread stress problems - did some of us feel touches of it before Christmas? It happens to us when we are not connected to our source, or well- spring, which constantly fills us and renews our energy and our capacity to give of ourselves. Mostly, giving something we've bought or created, or our time and energy to help another person or a good cause, makes us feel good and is its own reward. (Were you able to please someone with a Christmas gift or visit?)
But giving is not always straightforward. As we've seen, burnout can block our capacity to give. Another block is a person's inability to receive; this is more common than we realize in a culture taught that it's better to give than to receive. Yet: how can anyone give if no one will receive? (Are we able to receive gracefully, grateful for the intention to please us, even if we perhaps don't love the actual present? A very difficult lesson for some of us!).
There is also a need to examine our motives for wanting (needing?) to give - is it really to please the other, or does our ego need to feel virtuous, maybe superior, or do we want to put the other in our debt? Or do we crave people's approval? Oftentimes our motives are mixed, aren't they?
Seeking approval from others can contribute to burnout, too, because it's not the function of others to make us happy - in fact, they are not able to! Perhaps you have experienced trying to encourage or compliment someone, only to have your goodwill blocked by the other's inability to see their own beauty or worth. Or are you one of those so `modest' that you think you're worth nothing, and can't accept a compliment. And is this a virtue, as people, especially women, used to be taught, or perhaps an insult to your Creator, who loves you as you are. Can you believe that you are a temple of God, a container of his Spirit, and therefore not only okay but full of glorious capacities?
The wisdom of the old well reminds us to reconnect to our Source, to `plug
in' to the currents of universal love and energy abundantly available around us.
We can plug in - connect - through quiet moments of reflection, through
gratitude, prayer, meditation, tai chi, yoga, running, reading contemplatively,
hiking in nature, climbing a mountain... what do you do? If you haven't found
your way yet, keep exploring, remembering however that the `kingdom' is within.
That's not a bad resolution for the new year: to remember more constantly that we are `wells' or `temples', containers to receive and pass on the water of life, divine energy and love.
Editor
THE GOLDEN RULE AS GIVEN IN:
FOR WHOM DOES THE BELL TOLL?
1997 has passed, it's journal now a closed book. We are thankful for the measure of success allowed to us during that year. All the other ambitions and dreams, the good intentions we may have had for that year, all the plans and the projects we just never got around to put into reality, lets wrap them up and file them away in the folder of experiences. It is 1998 now, a new era, and new problems present us with new opportunities; problems that will require new rules, new concepts and new ideas. There is so much more ahead of us, new dreams and challenging possibilities, it would be a shame to let guilt and regret (the shackles with which yesterday tries to drag us down) limit our joy in creating an exciting tomorrow. The world is created anew every year, with every new sunrise, with every new thought and yes, with every new baby born.
It should be part of everyone's routine exercises to contemplate a little Quantum Physics every day. It does remind us of our importance in the scheme of things, make us realise how much of what we call common reality is floating on a sea of uncertainty, waiting for a decision from us, from someone. We are very much responsible for what we are and for the environment around us. There are no guarantees, no certainties, no assurances (not from a bank, the Stock Market or in the Asian economic miracle), which do not require human intervention. Yes, even the much maligned laws of statistics and probability assume a constant environment - a figment of our imagination.
So it is no wonder that many of the successful projects in the world are not based on so called hard facts and cold statistics, not even on the prerequisite of available finance, but on human intuition, on understanding your own and other people's needs and desires, and on believing in the creative joy waiting to burst into life in everyone of us. The popular proverb says it all: "where there's a will there's a way". But, nota bene, it does require our decision, our "will", to convince Nature of our intent. God, Life, Nature waits for us to ask; success then is only "a will... a way".
For as long as I can remember, his name had been synonymous with the Boronia Hall and its bell. Lately, as if he knew that not much time was left to him, Heini Imberger often spoke to me about the possibility, yes, the necessity, of moving the Boronia bell to Bayswater. He spoke of how well it would fit into the traditional Templer environment there, with its history-oriented Altersheim population. He pressed us for progress on our ideas, he made many suggestions, and I felt almost embarrassed to have to tell him again and again that our "Far-view" committee had been unable to raise sufficient people-support to proceed with the Bayswater Development Project. He dearly would have liked to have seen a new and permanent home created for "his bell" in Bayswater. Perhaps his passing can become our motivation toward the realisation of his dream.
Is it possible? Could we? Separate from moving the office to Bayswater, separate from the new "TEMPEL" on the Bayswater land, could we envisage creating a free-standing belltower at the entrance to the car park at Bayswater? A structure pointing to the sky, a visual 'Philosophy Statement' of the Templer concept, combining humble remembrance with ideological aim, a symbolic reminder (through the presence of the bell) of the ties with our past. With it we would be creating something new, while, at the same time, acknowledging the Boronia initiative.
What about Boronia, you say? It used to be several lifetimes before change necessitated a major overhaul of an established community structure. Perhaps it is the rapid advances in technology that now force the pace, that makes time appear to move faster these days. News used to take weeks and months to pass to and fro between communicators not so long ago. Perhaps thIS instant communication of news has conditioned young people to be more prepared for, yes even demand new concepts, new lifestyles. Traditional sentiments press us to wait respectfully with the introduction of new concepts in Boronia until the generation who created the old order has passed away. But this courtesy is one luxury we can not afford. Young people thrive on new challenges; if we do not offer them the scope to apply themselves when (and how) they need to, other groups will do so and we may lose our next generation.
Our own potential young members are important, but we also have to look further, we need to attract new people as members and we have to offer them something they can identify with: A visible presence, growth that challenges imagination, initiative beyond passive reflection of the past, physical and intellectual stimulation whether they live locally or a thousand kilometres away. So let us honour the old establishment, the old order, the old structure with its creators during their lifetime, and let them take part in, and enjoy with us, the evolution they initiated. Boronia is part of us, it will evolve and grow with us in the challenges of the new year.
The Bayswater-Boronia community remembers Heini Imberger and honours his contributions toward our community. May the bell continue to ring for many occasions and act as the bridge between generations, linking our historic past with the challenges of the future.
Alfred Klink
BREAKFAST CEREAL COLLECTION
Again we appeal to your generosity and support in collecting breakfast cereals to assist the fine work of the Save the Children Fund. Please leave your donated goods - having checked the "use-by date" - at the TSA Office or the Altersheim. We will be collecting until Easter which falls in early April this year.
Mark Herrmann, for the Elders
JUNIOR CAMP
In the CHILDREN'S SECTION you can read about this year's Point Lonsdale happenings. When reading of their happy times, spare a thought for the enthusiasm and the commitment shown by the leaders. This year's team of Winfried Beilharz, Monika Hoefer, Mieke Löbert, Christine and Harald Ruff was joined by the TGD exchange student, Sven Wessner. We hope they, too, had an enjoyable week and thank them sincerely for their efforts.
TEMPLER HOME UNITS
The Home Committee is seeking members interested in occupying one of the new units presently under construction (completion is expected in April). All details, including financial arrangements, are available from the TSA Office.
Mark Herrmann, Business Manager
TEMPLER HOME FOR THE AGED INC.
All members of the Temple Society Australia are herewith invited to attend a Special General Meeting of the Templer Home for the Aged Inc. It will be held in the Templer Hall at 41a Elizabeth Street, Bayswater, Victoria, on Saturday 21 February at 2.30 p.m.
Members - younger people are also involved, possibly through parents or grandparents - are urged to attend this important meeting. A quorum requires 30 members present. Members unable to attend personally are invited to arrange for their representation by proxy (see enclosed form).
Agenda
1. Presence of members and apologies.
2. Accreditation - Aged Care industry changes.
3. Accommodation Bonds (formerly Entry Contributions).
Ingeborg Imberger, Secretary
SOCIAL CARE
Dear Friends,
Christmas, New Year and the holidays have come and gone very quickly and as we look forward to the year ahead we wonder what it may have in store for us.
I trust you have all had a peaceful and relaxing time over the holidays with family and friends. A time on which we can look back as we meet the challenges of the year ahead.
Our Telelink group meets on the telephone every two weeks for 45 minutes. We did have a holiday break and missed one session over Christmas. Telelink is a great way to stay in touch and form friendships with people who are housebound or isolated. Modern technology enables us to do this.
Early in December I had the opportunity to visit the Telstra Conferlink Centre in Melbourne, where all the conference calls are connected including Telelink groups. There were about 30 operators sitting at computers connecting conference calls and two full time operators connecting Telelink groups. I was humbled to see this amazing technology and felt very privileged that we can be a part of the Telelink network. One hundred and eighty Telelink groups are connected up in Victoria each week and this number is expected to increase this year.
We are currently running one group of 10 in our Telelink and there may be a possibility of running a second group. The participants get great enjoyment from talking to each other and look forward to the sessions. If anyone wishes to participate, or if you know of someone who would benefit from it, please let me know.
My regular working days are Wednesday and Thursday, but I am flexible and can be contacted through the Office.
Best wishes and speedy recovery to sick and infirm friends.
Helga Anderson
PLEASE KEEP COLLECTING TELEPHONE CARDS AND STAMPS. COLLECTION BOXES ARE SITUATED AT THE HALLS, AT THE TEMPLER HOME AND AT THE OFFICE.
GEBURTSTAGE
Wir gratulieren herzlich zum Geburtstag unserer Mitglieder
und wünschen auch allen hier nicht aufgeführten Geburtstagskindern alles Gute und Schöne zum neuen Lebensjahr.
DIAMANTENE HOCHZEITEN
Am 6.11.97 feierten
Hugo und Johanna (Hanno) Wennagel
dieses seltene Fest im Kreise ihrer Lieben in Bayswater. Wir gratulieren ihnen nachträglich von Herzen.
Hugo feierte seinen 90. Geburtstag am 2. Dezember; wir schrieben im TR das falsche Datum und bitten um Entschuldigung!
Auch gratulieren wir
Erich und Emma Steller
in Sydney zur Diamantenen Hochzeit, die im Dezember war, und danken für den Anruf, der uns darauf aufmerksam gemacht hat.
Bitte lasst uns solche Ereignisse wissen.
Deutschland Besuch
Heinz und Isolde Weller aus München waren hier und
Lil Thaler (Wagner) aus Erlangen kommt demnächst in Melbourne an.
Wir freuen uns über Besuch aus unserer Schwester - Gemeinde.
IN APPRECIATION
Several people express the same idea below.
On Sunday 11 January our untiring business manager, Mark Herrmann, turned 40 years old. About 80 people gathered at his brother Rob's vineyard in Hastings to celebrate this milestone at a surprise party organised by his family. The sun smiled on all party goers, some of whom came from as far away as the ACT.
On behalf of the Templer Community, I wish Mark all the very best on his 40th birthday, and God's blessing for the next 40 years (and more) of his life.
Renate Beilharz
GROSSE ÜBERRASCHUNG
Als unser Geschäftsleiter, Mark Herrmann, am 11. Januar 40 Jahre alt wurde, überraschte ihn seine Familie mit einem großen Fest bei seinem Buder Robert in Hastings. Mark sagte: `Als ich ankam, entdeckte ich um jede Ecke immer noch mehr Leute!' Er hat sich sehr über die Gratulationen und guten Wünsche gefreut.
Wird'r wohl als Schwob jetzet g'scheit - oder no g'scheiter? Editor
THANK YOU
In last year's December TR Mark Herrmann, our Business Manager, thanked all those who contributed to the smooth running of our Society. One of those many contributors is, of course, Mark himself. I am sure that all Templers will agree with me that he deserves our very special gratitude.
Mark, we sincerely thank you for your dedication, your friendliness, your understanding, your continuous willingness to help and for the many extra hours you devote to our community in addition to your normal working hours. Our thanks also go to your wife, Marianne, for the support you receive from her.
For 1998 we wish you good health, inner and outer strength and God's blessing for the many tasks ahead of you. We appreciate what you do.
Morna Kortschak
MARRIAGES
Toni Arndt & Anna (Israelson) on 28.10.97 at Bulli NSW.
Paul Haar & Teresa Capetola on 18.1.98 at Station Pier.
Our congratulations and best wishes to these couples.
TRAUERFÄLLE/BEREAVEMENTS
Am 18. November starb im Tabulam Pflegeheim unsere liebe Schwester, Schwägerin und Tante
Anneliese Trefz geb. Baldenhofer
im Alter von 82 Jahren.
Wir danken für die Karten und Blumen, die wir erhielten. Herzlichen Dank an Hulda Wagner für die Gestaltung der Trauerfeier.
In stiller Trauer,
Die Familien Baldenhofer und Trefz mit Verwandten
Unser lieber Vater, Opa, Uropa & Bruder
Heinrich Christian Imberger
durfte am 24. November nach kurzem Leiden von diesem Leben Abschied nehmen. Wir sind ihm für seine ständige liebe Fürsorge sehr dankbar.
Wir danken auch für die ruhige und sichere Leitung und die wertvollen Worte von Dieter Ruff, die schöne Klavierbegleitung von Veronica Rutowicz, die liebe Blumenspende von Fritz und Margaret Höfer und die so zahlreiche und liebe Teilnahme.
See A. Klink's article in REFLECTIONS.
Passed away on 26 December 1997, at the age of 85,
Kurt Aberle
husband of Anneliese (dec.), father, Opa, brother, uncle and friend.
We would like to thank Dr. Rolf Beilharz for conducting the funeral service and for his reassuring words to the family.
We would also like to thank all relatives and friends for their support during Kurt's illness, their attendance at the service and messages of condolence.
Mein lieber Mann, unser guter Vater, Opa, Uropa und Bruder
Eugen Karl Steller
ist am 12. Januar 1998 im Alter von 93 Jahren nach langem Leiden für immer von uns gegangen.
Er konnte noch 1996 seine Eiserne Hochzeit im Kreise seiner Familie im St. Hedwigs Pflegeheim feiern.
Auf diesem Wege danken wir allen Verwandten und Bekannten für die Teilnahme, sowie für die schönen Blumen und Karten.
Besonders danken wir Ilse Birkner für die lieben Worte im Castlebrook Chapel und am Grabe, wo er neben seiner Mutter die ewige Ruhe fand.
In tiefer Trauer:
Unser Mitgefühl gilt all diesen Familien.
FAMILY PLUS CAMP AT BEGA
Young families plus couples and singles met after Christmas at Bournda National Park near Bega - about 23 adults and 16 kids from Sydney, the Central Coast, the ACT and Victoria. `Although we only meet the Victorians once a year, we're good friends and enjoy each other's company,' said Colin Simmer.
His wife, Emmy, had organised the cooking roster and, with Jenny Hoffmann, the supplies. `The food was very good,' said Harry Ruff appreciatively. They used the camping ground's shelter and hotplates - this worked out well, as fires were not allowed. On N.Y.Eve seafood was brought in, lots of prawns and oysters, and greatly enjoyed.
Carol Beilharz said that one night, after the kids were in bed, some went out prawning in the dark and caught a small ice cream container full; these were eaten next day. Another time, some took Colin's boat out to fish, but the fish weren't biting. The weather was good, except for rain on the last day, so gear had to be packed up wet.
The location was ideal with a lagoon for the littlies and the surf beach for the more able and energetic. A drive to Merimbula Fun Park ended in disappointment, when it was discovered that it would work out too expensive. Usually the kids played well together and had great fun. I get the impression that the grown-ups - `big kids' on holidays - had good fun, too.
Footnote: A number of the campsites that had been paid for were not utilized, so there's room for more young families to join in next time.
Editor
AUSTRALISCH-DEUTSCHER TEMPLER AUSTAUSCH
Busy studying back in wet and muddy Germany, Wiltrud Tietz is dreaming of sunny Australia. For a summary of her report in English see JG Section.
2½ Monate in Australien
Nun sind schon einige Monate seit meinem Aufenthalt in Australien vergangen doch, wenn ich an den Dezemberregen und Schneematsch in Deutschland denke, so sehne ich mich doch sehr nach den freundlicheren Temperaturen in Melbourne zurück. Heute möchte ich noch einmal auf diese Zeit zurückblicken und zuerst die Gelegenheit nutzen, mich bei allen TSA Mitgliedern zu bedanken, die mir diese Reise ermöglicht haben.
Die ersten Wochen verbrachte ich bei Inge und Uli Hoefer, deren Sohn Bernhard zur gleichen Zeit als TSA-Stipendiat in Deutschland zu Besuch war. Ihr noch zu Hause wohnender jüngster Sohn Hilmar verbrachte viel Zeit damit, mich in australische Lebensarten oder die Differenzierung der anderen Sprache einzuführen. (Eine meiner ersten Lektionen zeigte mir, daß zwischen to be stuffed und get stuffed ein bedeutsamer Unterschied liegt! Durch dieses vermittelte Wissen blieben mir peinliche Patzer dann glücklicherweise erspart...) Durch ihn fand ich auch Anschluß an die perfekt organisierte Jugendgruppe der TSA. Sie gaben nicht auf, mir verschiedene Dinge von Bowling über Billard und Skifahren beizubringen, wovon das Skifahren wohl das lustigste Ereignis war! Wer hat schon die Gelegenheit, ausgerechnet in Australien das erste Mal auf Skiern zu stehen? Von hier aus viele Grüße an Euch Alle!
Während dieser Zeit bei Hoefers arbeitete ich in Verbindung mit dem Austausch-Programm für einige Wochen im Templer Altersheim und in Tabulam, was mir sehr viel Spaß machte und mir auch für mein Studium der Sozialpädagogik sehr hilfreich ist, da ich Einblicke in ein Arbeitsfeld bekam, auf dem ich bisher noch keine Erfahrungen sammeln konnte.
Während meiner Freizeit wurde ich oft von Templern zu Ausflügen eingeladen, so hatte ich Möglichkeiten, etwas von der wunderschönen Landschaft Australiens kennenzulernen. So sah ich z.B. die beeindruckende Küstenlandschaft der Great Ocean Road, Phillip Island und vieles mehr. Auch Koalas und Känguruhs konnte ich dank einiger glücklichen Zufälle hautnah erleben - was für jemanden von hierzulande etwas sehr Besonderes ist!
Den zweiten Teil des Austausches verbrachte ich bei Helga und Jim Anderson und ihrer zu Hause lebenden Tochter Erika. Erika nahm mich sogar zu ihrer Gärtnerei-Arbeitsstelle und einigen anderen interessanten Plätzen mit - so viel gelacht wie mit ihr hatte ich schon lange nicht mehr! Die große Frage am Abend lautete stets: "Tut der Bauch jetzt vom vielen Essen oder Lachen weh?" Wir hatten sehr viel Spaß miteinander und ich möchte mich nochmals bei all' meinen Gastgeberfamilien bedanken und sie bitten, sich noch etwas zu gedulden - ich melde mich bestimmt bald, wenn der Studiums-Trubel sich wieder beruhigt hat!
Abschließend möchte ich noch sagen, daß mich die Organisation und Arbeit Eurer Jugendgruppe so beeindruckt hat, daß ich versuchen möchte hier in Deutschland meine Eindrücke weiterzugeben. Momentan fehlt leider noch etwas die Zeit, aber das wird sicher nicht ständig so sein!
Vielen Dank für alles, ich denke es war nicht mein letzter Besuch in Australien und schon heute freue ich mich auf den Nächsten!
Bis dann, Eure Wiltrud
Our latest exchange candidate, Sven Wessner, introduces himself. English summary in JG Section.
"... und grüß' mir all' unsere Templerfreunde in Australien!"
So verabschiedte sich Peter Lange, der Gebietsleiter der TGD, beim Weihnachtssaal am 21.12.1997 von mir.
Jetzt bin ich hier und möchte mich erst einmal vorstellen. Mein Name ist Sven Wessner, ich bin 24 Jahre alt und wohne in Stuttgart-Degerloch - fünf Minuten entfernt vom Gemeindehaus.
Im Jahre 1993 habe ich mein Abitur gemacht, daran schloß sich eine 2½-jährige Ausbildung zum Elektroinstallateur und Betriebsassistenten (Management im Handwerk) in einem der größten Elektrounternehmen in Süddeutschland an. Seit Ende meiner Ausbildung im Februar 1997 bin ich dort als Zeichner im CAD - Planungsbüro (computerunterstützes Zeichnen) tätig. Meine Aufgabe dort ist es, Schaltschrank- und Installationspläne für unsere Projekte zu entwerfen oder diese nach Abschluß unserer Arbeiten auf den neuesten Stand zu bringen. Nach meiner Rückkehr nach Deutschland werde ich dann an der Fachhochschule noch 3 Jahre lang Energie- und Versorgungstechnik studieren.
Viele von Ihnen werden jetzt wohl schon vergeblich versucht haben, mich über meinen Namen irgendeiner Templerfamilie zuzuordnen. Dies ist allerdings nicht möglich, da sich unsere Templerfamilie erst in der 2. Generation befindet - das heißt, wir sind erst vor etwa 20 Jahren zu den Templern gekommen.
Angefangen hat alles mit meiner Schwester Anja, die mit Kerstin Lange, der Enkelin von Hans und Grete Lange, zusammen in eine Schulklasse ging. Infolgedessen ist meine Schwester zum ersten Mal mit auf ein Templer-Jugendlager gegangen; später ging dann auch meine Mutter manchmal als Betreuerin mit. Im Jahre 1980 bin dann auch ich zum ersten Mal auf einem Templer-Jugendlager gewesen - wie auch in den darauffolgenden 10 Jahren. Schließlich ließ ich mich dann in der evangelischen Kirche wie auch in der Tempel-Gesellschaft konfirmieren, und organisiere und betreue seit etwa 1994 hin und wieder selbst Jugendlager mit. Je nachdem wie es mir die Zeit erlaubt nehme ich auch sonst sehr rege am Gemeindeleben teil: an Gemeindenachmittagen, Wanderungen, Familienfreizeiten, usw. Die Höhepunkte darunter waren wohl die Jugendreise (1992) und die Friedhofsreise (1997) nach Israel - ins Land der Templer. So entstand nach und nach bei mir der Wunsch doch auch einmal das Gemeindeleben und die Templer hier in Australien kennenzulernen.
Noch im alten Jahr habe ich das winterliche Stuttgart verlassen, um am 1.1.1998 hier im sommerlichen Melbourne zu landen.
Schon nach 4 Tagen, in denen ich hauptsächlich gegen Jet-Lag und eine Erkältung zu kämpfen hatte, bin ich als "Aufpasser" mit ins Junior Camp der TSA nach Point Lonsdale gegangen, welches mir sehr gut in Erinnerung bleiben wird. Ich kann mich jedenfalls nicht erinnern, wann ich das letzte Mal innerhalb einer Woche soviel Sport gemacht habe - und das mit viel Spaß.
Und noch einen weiteren positiven Aspekt des Austauschprogramms habe ich schon kennengelernt - man trifft alte Bekannte wieder, die man schon vor Jahren in Deutschland kennengelernt hat: Monika Höfer & Christine & Harald Ruff (alle 3 waren als Betreuer im Junior Camp), Rolf Beilharz (den ich am Flughafen gleich wieder erkannt habe), Dieter Ruff & Sonja & Rolf Glenk.
Was werde ich jetzt noch bis zu meiner Rückkehr nach Deutschland am 23. Juni tun? Bis Ende April bin ich hauptsächlich hier im Raum Melbourne bei verschiedenen Gastfamilien:
In dieser Zeit möchte ich soviel wie möglich vom Gemeindeleben hier in "Down under" kennenlernen - aber auch Land und Leute. Gleichzeitig möchte ich noch versuchen, in dieser Zeit ein kleines Praktikum in meiner Berufssparte zu machen.
Daran schließt sich eine etwa 7-wöchige Rucksacktour quer durch Australien an, auf die ich mich schon sehr freue, da ich gerne in der freien Natur unterwegs bin.
Ja, und am 23. Juni geht es leider schon wieder zurück in das dann sommerliche Deutschland...
Also, wer mich in dieser Zeit kontaktieren will, kann dies über meine Gastfamilien (siehe oben) oder Irene Bouzo (Tel. 03/9887 4844) tun.
Mit den besten Wünschen für das neue Jahr - wenn auch etwas spät - und bis bald,
Sven Wessner
The aim of this intermittent series introducing members of the TS is to help us get to know one another better across our communities.
PROFILE
RENATE BEILHARZ
Parents: Heinz Vollmer, well-known among the Ba-Bo Templers (past Ba Community head, Ba Hall caretaker, lately on the Regional Council, formerly of the Gee Vee factory), and Heidi nee Frank, his equally hard-working helpmate (Frauenverein, Christkindlmarkt u.a.).
Vollmers have five children: Karin (Lubitz), Monika (Imberger), Renate (born in 1962), and Heinz and Bernd, all born and raised in Melbourne.
"Our family life was very busy and centred on the activities of the TSA, particularly those of the Ba community", says Renate. This intensified when the family shifted into the caretaker's house near the Ba Hall; the children went to Sunday School, Mütter-Kinder-Verein, German School, Bastelstunde, Tennis Club, Junior Camp, performances, Saal, Senior Camp, the JG. Renate remembers with affection her early S.S. teachers Frau Irene Boehmer and her daughters, "who engendered a love of Bible stories in me".
At 17, Renate became more involved with the religious side of the TS when she became a Sunday School teacher herself, started taking part in the newly introduced Youth Services and was also asked to contribute to some Saals like Hoffmanns Gedenktag and Sommerfest, then helping with and running many of the Family Services. Year 12 Greek philosophy and philosophy studies at tertiary level fuelled her interest in religion. In 1984 she completed her Bachelor of Education (Librarianship) with her second major: history. Around 1987 Renate became an Elder and was subsequently elected to the Regional Council. She has been an innovative and valuable member of the Confirmation class teaching team for many years.
1984 also saw her marriage to Tony Beilharz, elder son of Kurt & Hilda nee Katz, formerly of Bendigo. Tony is an active Templer, too, is on the Ba-Bo Community Council, the Tennis Club Committee and has a high level of commitment - "We complement each other well in this respect". They have three children: Ingrid (1989), Lisa (1991) and Martin (1992) and the whole family's social life revolves around the Temple Society, either as organisers or participants. They consider themselves lucky to be part of a community of like-minded people, i.e. with similar aims and values.
They enjoy outdoor activities like bike riding, bush walking and snow skiing and regularly go camping in different Victorian National Parks, often with two other Templer families, Mark Herrmanns & Blackwells. Tony is a keen tennis player and Renate is learning Tai Chi.
Since 1990, when Ingrid was 6 months old, Tony has chosen to stay at home while Renate continued her career as teacher - librarian, taking 12 weeks' leave when Lisa and Martin were born. "Tony is a wonderful house-husband and father... helping out whenever needed. His support to me in my job and work in the TS is vital to my sanity". Others also mentioned how helpful and friendly Tony is and how organised and practical.
Like all four of their parents, Tony sings in the Templer choir.
In addition to the Templer involvement already mentioned, Renate is part of the Sunday School Committee, which is developing program units for the religious education of our children and producing and trialling booklets for children distant from our centres. (She's been teaching S.S. for over 20 years now).
For 3 years she was convenor and note-taker of the TS 2000 group, where a wide range of ideas regarding the present and the future of the TSA are discussed. The Country Victoria Group, Kids' Club and the recent TSA brochure are initiatives that have come out of TS 2000's work.
Renate is also on the Kids' Club Committee which organises activities, incl. camps, for families, with the aim of encouraging friendships and a sense of belonging to the Templer community among younger families. (People can hardly feel at home in the TS if they don't know and like/respect other Templers).
Susi Blackwell (nee Richter), her friend since childhood, describes Renate as sensitive, loving, wonderful with children (and always good for a motherly cuddle), resourceful, imaginative, yet down-to-earth and quite a deep thinker. I would add tüchtig, thoroughly competent in all she does, and good to work with. In May, Renate will start work on our Archives for a few months.
In a general sense, the Templer goal is Renate's too, to seek the `kingdom of God' and do the best she can to try and create it here on earth, though she is aware of her shortcomings. Many others however, are aware of her and Tony's stirling work for the TS and are very grateful that they dedicate so much of their intelligence and energy towards our common good.
Editor.
Den ersten Bericht des neuen Jahres möchte ich, Kurt Beilharz, damit beginnen, daß Sie hoffentlich die Festlichkeiten von Weihnachten und Neu Jahr gut überstanden haben.
Es ist schon wieder ein Monat seitdem verstrichen und wir bereiten uns auf die nächsten Begebenheiten vor. Am Sonntag, den 15. Februar, hoffen wir auf ein vielzähliges Erscheinen und natürlich schönes Wetter bei unserm Sommerfest, damit wir das vorbereitete Essen auch verkaufen können. Alsda gibt es Weißwürste, Frankfurter, Hamburger, Brötchen, Kartoffel- und Krautsalat (coleslaw).
Der Aufruf geht wie immer auch wieder an die lieben Freiwilligen, zuerst am Samstag zur Vorbereitung des Essens und Aufstellen des Zeltes und der Kochgelegenheit. Susi Blackwell kann unter 9764 2575 erreicht werden. Dann brauchen wir Helfer am Sonntag damit die vielen erwarteten Gäste auch befriedigt werden. Solange Sie anstehen, erhalten Sie einen guten Sherry und dürfen sich mit den Nachbarn unterhalten.
Am Samstag den 21. Februar findet um 2.30 Uhr eine Ausserordentliche Mitglieder Versammlung des Altersheims in der Ba Halle statt. Die neuen Regelungen der Regierung bringen viele Mißverständnisse mit sich und wir hoffen, diese für Sie zu klären. Daher ist es wichtig, daß Sie sich die Zeit nehmen zu erscheinen, auch wenn Sie nicht ins Heim gehen wollen. Wir brauchen mindestens 30 Leute, um beschlußfähig zu sein.
Die erste working bee des Jahres findet am Vormittag desselben Tages statt, und wir bieten allen Helfern Kaffee und Kuchen zur Belohnung.
Der erste Herrennachmittag ist am 11. Februar um 3 Uhr. Ich möchte Sie ermuntern, eine Stunde oder zwei bei Kaffee und Kuchen zu erleben, wie das bei uns im Sonnenzimmer des Heims zugeht, auch wenn sie nicht im Heim wohnen.
Es ist schade, daß die Bücherei im Heim, nachdem es jetzt so leicht ist ein Buch zu finden, nicht mehr viel besucht wird. Wir haben so vielartige Bücher, daß jeder Geschmack Befriedigung findet ob in deutscher oder englischer Sprache.
Ich möchte auch an das 25-jährige Bestehen des Heims erinnern und an das damit verbundene Fest am 29. März. Auch möchte ich noch einmal um Bilder und Sonstiges, das damit verbunden wäre, bitten, welche am Tage ausgestellt werden könnten. Näheres über das Fest wird im nächsten TR bekannt gegeben.
Reporting for the committee of management falls to me - Kurt Beilharz - for the February TR.
The Christmas and New Year festivities are a month behind us already and we are gearing up for the program of activities to come.
Sommerfest is on 15 February and we are hoping for a fine day and lots of visitors and volunteers to help the committee to prepare the food and set up on the lawn on the Saturday before, and on Sunday to help feed the hordes of visitors and entertain them. For information ring Susi Blackwell on 9764 2575, We will have Weisswurst, Frankfurts, Hamburgers, potato salad and coleslaw. This is your chance to support our Home, because all the proceeds go to the THA.
Whilst you are standing in the queue, we will serve you a nice sherry and you can chat with your neighbours.
The first working bee for the year takes place on Saturday 21 February at the Home. We reward all the helpers with a cup of coffee and cake. Can you be there?
Later that day at 2.30 p.m. there is a Special General Meeting at the Bayswater Hall. There exists a lot of confusion in the community due to a new set of rules imposed by the government and we hope to clear these up for you then. So please come, even if you have no plans to enter the Home yet. We need at least 30 people for a quorum.
I would like to remind everyone of the festivities we are planning for the Home's 25th Anniversary; these are to take place on 29 March. More information in the March TR.
Our library is waiting to be used. The index shows a great diversity of titles, not only in German but also in English. There is no charge, but we would like you to record your borrowings in the exercise book provided.
Our first gentlemen's group afternoon will be on 11 February at 3 p.m. in the sunroom. Whether you live at the Home or not, consider joining us for an hour or two for coffee and conversation.
N.B. See notice re Special General Meeting on 21 February under FROM THE OFFICE.
Kurt Beilharz
Die Jugend ist nicht ein Abschnitt des Lebens, sie ist ein Zustand der Seele, der in einer bestimmten Form des Willens besteht, in einer Bereitschaft zur Phantasie und Abenteuerlust, wo mutig die Zaghaftigkeit und die Liebe zur Bequemlichkeit überwunden werden.
Jung sein bedeutet, sich mit siebzig oder achtzig Jahren die Liebe zum Wunderbaren bewahren, das Erstaunen über leuchtende Dinge und strahlende Gedanken.
Wir werden so lang jung sein, wie das Herz die Botschaft der Schönheit, der Kühnheit und des Mutes aufnehmen wird; die Botschaft der Größe und Stärke, die uns von der Welt, von einem Menschen oder von der Unendlichkeit geschenkt werden.
Wenn alle Fasern des Herzens zerrissen sein werden, wenn der Winter darauf liegt, der Schnee des Pessimismus und das Eis des Zynismus, dann erst werden wir alt sein.
Der Text wurde ohne Autorenangabe entdeckt und dem TR übermittelt.
NOTICES
FORTHCOMING SERVICES
PRESENTATION SERVICE - 22 FEBRUARY
Parents wanting to have their children presented at the Service in Bentleigh at 10.15 a.m. are asked to contact the Office a.s.a.p. so the necessary arrangements can be made.
At the Christmas Service in Bayswater, our Elder Renate Beilharz presented
COUNTRY VIC. GROUP
Next meeting is on 1st March at Dot and Peter Ware's place in Creswick. Maps are available from Dot or the Office.
As usual, please bring some food to share at the communal meal after the service, which starts at 11.00 a.m.
CONFIRMATION CLASSES
A group of about 17 confirmands is starting confirmation classes on 1st February. The teaching team is Dr. Rolf Beilharz, Renate Beilharz, Harald Ruff & Herta Uhlherr. We pray for blessing on the participants that all may grow together in spirit and in truth.
USHERS
It is becoming more and more important to have someone welcoming people as they come in to services - especially at services where visitors are involved (like Sommerfest, Presentations, Confirmation, etc.). So we aim to set up an "ushers roster"; people would get a turn only once a year (or once in 2 or 3 years, depending on how many have the courage to help).
If you will have a go (you mainly have to be near the door and smile and say `hullo' or `good morning - and one day perhaps hand out the new hymn books) please contact Resi Schwarzbauer for Ba-Bo, or Herta Uhlherr.
Editor
GERMAN SCHOOLS
BENTLEIGH-MOORABBIN ENROLMENTS
We are now organising classes and accepting enrolments for 1998. Children should be at least 7 years old or able to read and write. If you are interested but unsure, we would welcome you and your child to visit and take part in a few lessons with no obligation.
We are offering the following classes at the Bentleigh Hall during the school term:
Please note: we would especially welcome enquiries from students interested in the Intermediate/Senior classes (ages 13-16) to make this a more viable group.
Classes start in the week beginning Monday 2 February.
Ursula Fisher
BAYSWATER-BORONIA
Classes start 6 Feb at the Bayswater Hall on Fridays from 5-6.30 p.m. Contact Irene Bouzo for further information
CHOIR
Practices will recommence on Wednesday 11 February at Ba for Sommerfest and Presentation. New members welcome.
Annette Wagner-Hesse
SOMMERFEST
Young and old are invited to Sommerfest on Sunday 15 February. The day begins with a service at 10.15 a.m., then bazaar, stalls, lunch prepared by the THA fundraising committee, a fancy hat parade, art and craft, games, folkdancing, etc. SEE JG SECTION AND HOME NEWS.
BAYSWATER-BORONIA LADIES GROUP
Willkommen im Neuen Jahr, 1998. Was für ein trockener und heißer Anfang es doch war.
Wir ließen das alte Jahr mit unserer Adventsfeier stimmungsvoll und feierlich ausklingen. Auch dieses mal waren wir wieder erfreut überrascht über die großzügigen Geschenke unserer Frauen an die schwerkranken Kinder im Monash Medical Centre. Heidi Vollmer und ich durften einen großen Waschkorb voll mit Geschenken und einen Scheck über $167 den Schwestern überreichen. Wir wurden durch die Kinderabteilung geführt, wo auch Tamara Bouzo des öfteren verweilen muß. Beide hatten wir ein wohltuendes Gefühl, diesen Kindern an Weihnachten eine kleine Freude bereiten zu können.
Unser herzlicher Dank an all die Spenderinnen!
Bei unserer ersten Zusammenkunft am Dienstag den 17. Februar von 13.00-15.00 Uhr in Ba dürfen wir lieben Besuch aus Deutschland begrüßen. Wir heißen Lilo Thaler recht herzlich willkommen in unserer Runde und freuen uns schon sehr auf ihren Vortrag zum Thema: Auf Luthers Spuren.
At our first meeting for 1998 on Tuesday 17 February between 1 pm and 3 pm we welcome Lilo Thaler from Germany.
Thank you for all the donations for the very ill children who had to spend Christmas in hospital. The staff were delighted and a little overwhelmed by the Templer ladies' generosity, and the children's lives were brightened a little.
Gisela Sawatzky
TEMPLER TENNIS CLUB
"NOT THE SINGLES" Tennis Social - confused? It's not that it's not on, it's just that we'll have a social night instead of singles tournament (which hasn't been well supported in recent years).
We would love to see many members and friends attending, even if you just want to lend moral support!
As usual a barbeque meal will be available. Could players please bring a cake to share for supper.
See you all at the Bayswater courts from 6.30 p.m. on Friday 27 February.
Manfred Decker
KIDS' CLUB PHOTOS AND VIDEOS
We are still looking for photos of any Kids' Club activities from last year. We do not have anything past Sommerfest in February '97. We would be happy to pay for any copies or make our own from your negatives, which will be gladly returned.
We are also looking for any video footage of Kids' Club activities.
SIXTIES REUNION
Reminder to the youngsters of 1937-38:
There are some places left, so if you still want to join us at Echuca on 4-5 April, contact Gretel Faig a.s.a.p.
NEUES BUCH VON FRIEDER VOLLMER
Reisle und Malochen
Frieder erzählt über seine Erlebnisse: Australien bis Deutschland, Anfang in Deutschland und danach, Israelreise. Preis DM20. Bestellung bei H. u. H. Vollmer,
Heidi Vollmer
KLASSENTREFFEN DER JAHRGÄNGE 1933-1934
Reunion in 1999. A target for those 65/66-year-old youngsters.
We are optimistic that our reunion, planned to take place in early to mid 1999, will take place in Stuttgart, Germany.
Some of us met in November 1996 with Eberhard and Anne Bitzer, where an enthusiastic 19 people affirmed their willingness to participate. Naturally there will be others in the 65 or 66 year age group who will want to join us (plus or minus a year or two is also acceptable). It will be a fantastic, once-in-a-lifetime experience.
However, planning for this event should start soon.
The exact timing depends on you and what else you want us to incorporate. For example, the wish was expressed to join the Templer Israel Tour planned for Spring 1999 (subject to a satisfactory political climate) i.e. about March or April. Or we could go there independently at a later date, but we would not be able to go to some of the former settlements like Sarona, Wilhelma, Waldheim or Bethlehem.
Eberhard, together with Lothar Lewandowsky, are the willing organisers in Germany. They can provide alternative or additional events such as 5 days through Switzerland by bus - cost is about DM 1139 per person in a double room or DM 1284 in a single room. Or a 9 day tour through Germany for DM 1468/DM 1768. Would you prefer to see the rapidly changing Berlin - four days DM 555/DM 760? How does four days to Prague sound - DM 588/DM 708? These suggestions are just teasers. But we do seek "feedback" from those interested. We will send you, upon request, more details about possible additional tours available. However, the main focus of this article is to capture the attention of all those interested in joining our tour to Germany next year and to establish their wish list. Please call soon.
Snailmail to 13 Phyllis Ave Boronia 3155
e-mail<berbima@werple.net.au>
Friedrich Sawatzky
LECTURES
The 900th birthday anniversary of Hildegard von Bingen will be commemorated all over the world in 1998. This amazing female mediaeval genius from the Rhineland excelled in theology, music and pastoral guidance among other things (much to some of the abbots' chagrin). Dr. Roswitha Dabke, whom some of us have met at our Adventsfeiern, is holding a not-for-profit lecture series on Hildegard (her speciality) - see enclosed flyer.
Editor
Die letzten Veranstaltungen unserer Gemeinde im "alten Jahr" waren der Basar, der Gründer-Gedenk-Saal und die Weihnachtsfeier. Der Basar am 22. Nov. verlief wieder recht erfolgreich mit vielen willigen Helfern und bei gutem Wetter. Eine große und freudige Überraschung war für uns der Besuch von Peter Lange, Gebietsleiter der TGD, an diesem Tag. trotz emsiger Geschäftigkeit konnte immer wieder jemand ein kleines Gespräch mit Peter einflechten.
Am 7. Dez. habe ich zu Hoffmanns Gedenktag einen Text von Otto Wurst vorgetragen, da Otto selbst nicht kommen konnte.
Die letzte Zusammenkunft war dann die Weihnachtsfeier am 21. Dez., wozu fast alle Sydneyer erschienen sind. Emmy Simmer präsentierte ein reizendes Krippenspiel: sie las die Weihnachtsgeschichte vor und die Kinder stellten dann nach und nach das Bild als Maria und Joseph, die Hirten und Engel, sowie die 3 Könige. Es war wirklich rührend anzusehen, wie eifrig die Kinder mitmachten. Die Kinder sangen auch ein paar Liedchen zwischendurch und die Gemeinde sang die beliebtesten Weihnachtslieder. Zum Schluß wurden alle Kinder bis zu 12 Jahren vom Weihnachtsmann beschert.
Die kleine Gruppe der Independent Church of Australia, die seit Anfang 1994 unser "Kirchle" in Meadowbank jeden Sonntag vormittag mitbenutzte, hat zum 15. Jan. 98 dieses Verhältnis aufgelöst. So haben wir jetzt keine sogenannten "Untermieter" mehr.
Die nächsten Termine sind:
The last functions of our Community in the year just ended were the bazaar, the Founder's Day Service and the Christmas Service. The bazaar on 22. November was again quite successful, we had good weather and helping hands from young and old. Peter Lange, Regional Head of the TS in Germany, visited us on the day and many of us had the opportunity to talk to him for a while.
On 7 December I read the text that Otto Wurst had written for the Hoffmann-Remembrance-Day Service, since Otto himself could not do it on that Sunday.
At the Christmas Service on 21 December, Emmy Simmer read a Christmas story and many of the young children played the parts of Mary and Joseph, shepherds and quite a few little angels, as well as the 3 wise kings. It was delightful and touching to see the kids performing so seriously and so well. Some of the children also sang a few songs. At the end, Santa Claus came in and all children up to 12 received their small presents.
The Sydney group of the Independent Church of Australia, who has been sharing our church premises each Sunday morning since early 1994, has terminated this arrangement as per 15.1.98.
Please note the next dates:
Ilse Birkner
Weihnachten, wenn wir uns der Geburt Jesu erinnern, ist vorbei, doch er ist mit uns das ganze Jahr, ja durch unser ganzes Leben. Wir wollen uns stets an seine Worte erinnern, besonders an "liebe Deinen Nächsten". Er sagte uns: "Ich bin nicht gekommen um zu richten, sondern um selig zu machen." Ist es nicht wundervoll, daß wir (mit all unsern Fehlern) ihm voll vertrauen dürfen? Und Jesus sieht alle Menschen als Kinder Gottes an. So wollen wir auch im kommenden Jahr ihn um seinen Beistand bitten!
Unser nächster Saal ist am 8. Februar in der Bibliothek der S.M. Halle um 2 Uhr in Tanunda.
Das nächste Frauentreffen ist am 9. Februar nachmittags bei Lotte Hoopmann.
Rose Asenstorfer
WELCOME TO 1998!
The JG wishes everyone a fantastic and safe future in this explosive, brand new year of fun and entertainment!!
SOMMERFEST
15 February
Once again it's that time of year when the JG holds its major fundraising and social event. Sommerfest 1998 is only two weeks away and it will be held at the usual spot - Bayswater Hall, 41 Elizabeth Street, Bayswater, with Saal commencing at 10.15 a.m. Our attractions this year will include:
As always the JG would very much appreciate any volunteers to help set up on Saturday 14 February, and don't forget: the pre-Sommerfest bash is to be held in the JG room starting at 8.00 p.m. on the night of the fourteenth.
Nigel Gohl
WILTRUD TIETZ REPORTS FROM GERMANY
The full text (in German - her English is getting rusty again, she says) is in MEMBERS AND FRIENDS. This is a summary.
While studying hard in the winter rain and slush, Wiltrud's thoughts go longingly to our milder climate. Of her time at Hoefers, she mentions Hilmar's coaching in Aussie culture and slang, e.g. having the difference between `to be stuffed' and `get stuffed' pointed out saved her from embarrassing glitches.
Wiltrud was very impressed with the "perfect organisation" of the JG and its activities and is going to try and pass on what she learned to the young people in Stuttgart. Your efforts to teach her bowling, billiards and skiing (especially skiing) were appreciated and fun.
Her `Exchange' work at Tabulam and the Templer Home were excellent work experience for her Uni course in the field of social work. The excursions people took her on were much appreciated - meeting koalas and kangaroos was very special. She writes of the many laughs she had with Erika Anderson and thanks everyone most heartily - she's sure she'll be back one day.
Our next Templer Exchange candidate is here.
(Again, this is a summary - full text in MEMBERS AND FRIENDS).
He's Sven Wessner, 24, at home in Stuttgart-Degerloch five minutes from the TGD community centre. He did his Abitur (VCE) in '93, then trained to become an electrical fitter in one of the largest electrical engineering companies in southern Germany. Since Feb. '97 he's been working as a draughtsman in the Computer Assisted Design office, designing and updating switchboards and installations. When he returns to Germany (23.6), he'll do a further 3 years of study in power generation engineering. (I think that's what his German means).
His family joined the Templers about 20 years ago; first contact was through his sister, who was good friends with a Templer girl. Then he and his mother joined in, going to camps. Now he's a camp leader himself and takes part in community life when he can. Highlights for him were the Youth trip ('92) and cemetery working trip ('97) to Israel, "the land of the Templers".
Sven arrived here on New Year's Day and immediately recognized Dr. Rolf, who met him at the airport - he also knows Monika Hoefer and Chris & Harry Ruff from the exchange program, and Dieter Ruff and Rolf and Sonia Glenk from visits to Germany. He's rapidly getting to know a lot of other people as well. Re Junior Camp, where he went as Aufpasser, he can't remember when last he did so much sport in a week - and with so many laughs.
Until the end of April he'll be around Melbourne (see contacts in German article). Then he's looking forward to backpacking for 7 weeks through Australia.
Please make him welcome and show him round.
Brendon Glenk has set out on his Exchange program and we wish him well in Germany.
H.U. Ed.
JG SECTION
February
March
See you all next month after I return from visiting the L.A. branch of the JG.
Erika Anderson - Ed.
Hi Kids and Parents!
I'm Moni Imberger and (together with my husband Gary) I'll be writing the Children's Section now. I live in Dingley and have 3 children - Nikki, 6 years (Grade 1), Stefan, 4 years (Kinder) and Krista, 3 years.
I have to admit that I really do not remember very much about the Bible from my Sunday School days so I think I'll start from the beginning. A lot of you will already know about the Bible and the stories I'll be telling, but it doesn't hurt to read them again and I'll be putting in activities for you to do as well.
There are millions of books throughout the world. But the Bible is special. It is different from all the other books.
The Bible is made up of 2 books, the Old Testament and the New Testament.
The Old Testament is full of stories about the Hebrews before Jesus was born. It
was written by prophets who had a special relationship with God - God chose
these people to tell others how to live.
The New Testament is about Jesus, his life and his teachings, and about the first Christian people who wanted to share the Good News about Jesus' life.
BIRTHDAYS
Till next month, Moni and Gary Imberger
Gleaned from Christmas crackers:
What causes flooding? A river getting too big for its bridges.
What's cute and furry and gets driven around? A toy-otter.
How can you build a sandcastle in 10 seconds? Use quicksand.
What do you call two robbers? A pair of nickers.
Why is it wrong to whisper? Because it's not aloud.
How do you catch a squirrel? Climb a tree and act like a nut.
What is a Crocodile's favorite game? Snap.
How do you get rid of a boomerang? Throw it down a one-way street.
JUNIOR CAMP DIARY
From all accounts, the 11 boys and 11 girls had a great time at Point Lonsdale. Many of them will begin Confirmation classes on 1st February. Good teamwork by the leaders (`Aufpassers') ensured that all went well from 5-11 January. It's interesting that five of the six leaders have taken (or want to take) part in the Templer Exchange program and are putting their energies back into the community - good on you!
Monday
After arriving at Toc H and unpacking our things we were hot and decided to go for a swim in the sea and while doing so played ball games in the water. That was fun. After we were back and changed we went to the surf beach and had an action-packed but one-sided game of poison ball. After a delicious dinner of fish and chips we went for a relaxing stroll down the beach. That night, under suspicious circumstances, the boys' dorm was `decorated.'
Christopher Ware, Simon Christian
Tuesday
On Tuesday we got up at 7 a.m. again. So bloody early. We did our stretches on the beach then did Frühsport. After brekky we had some time to get ready before the scavenger hunt. For lunch we had hamburgers. After lunch we had to go to the beach and play cricket and went for a swim. The water was wavy and a good temperature. After that we had dinner. It was pretty good food, dessert was beautiful. After tea we went to the Rec. Hut and played hockey which was really fun. After that we played Zwinkerles but that was pretty boring.
Sasha Ruff, Marcus English
Wednesday
Today we had a sandsculpting competition. We had to do 2 sculptures starting with M. Kieren (Murray), Emily (Herrmann), Belinda (Frank), Liesel (Haar), Stephen and Michael (Blaich) and David (Nicholson) made a marijuana leaf. The marijuana leaf had lettuce seaweed on, meanwhile Sasha and Peter made a monster. Aidan (Steller), Simon, Chris and Marcus made a motor car. The Aufpassers Christine & Harald (Ruff) and Winnie (Beilharz) made a minty land while Mieke (Löbert) and Monika (Hoefer) made up the Pedestrian Rally. Robert (Kinder) made a Mauri-Wrasse (a fish) and the winners were Erin (Lubitz), Melissa (English), Tania (Richter), Amy (Edelmaier), Kirsten (Lubitz), Claire (Sawatzky) and Emma (Beilharz). Erin, Melissa, Tania, Amy, Kirsten, Claire and Emma made a Monopoly board with all the campers' names around the board.
In the afternoon we practised our plays for Sunday night. Then we went to the cinemas. Emma, Amy, Tania, Claire, Kirsten, Erin and Melissa went and saw In and Out. All the Aufpassers (except Sven) saw it too. Robert, Peter, Simon and Sven saw Tomorrow Never Dies. Sasha, Chris, Marcus, Aiden, Emily, Kieren, Liesel, Belinda, Steven, Michael and David went and saw I know what you did last Summer. While waiting for the others to come out of the cinema, we played in the Game Arcade and used the phone.
Claire Sawatzky, Emma Beilharz
Thursday
The day started early, a good 5 minutes earlier, being at 6.45 rather than 6.50. While Frühsportseemed to drag, breakfast seemed to get better the further we got into the meal. After breakfast, cleaning time was harder than usual because Harry managed to dump a large deposit of sand from his sleeping bag onto the floor and then make us sweep it up.
The Pedestrian Rally was exciting for me because I had no clue what it was, and the first thing I heard about was that it took the Aufpassers an hour and a half to walk it. At that point my feet rumbled, my legs felt weak and I really couldn't be bothered. My group (being the most exciting) consisted of a brainy leader, 2 giving all particulars, a telling all Aufpasser and me (being not bothered). Although we bumped into another group a lot and them providing us with a lot of help, but that didn't stop us and we went on winning the Pedestrian Rally and yielding the prize, lollies. We cooled off in the beach and swam for a long time after the overheating Pedestrian Rally.
At the end of the day we had dinner and went up to the Rec Hut! On that particular night we played Charades - some of the stuff we had to do was really tough - like Gwynneth Poltrow and Spice Girls.
Jon Paton, Robert Kinder
Friday
We started the day off walking to Queenscliff. Most people took the path, while some smart girls took the more direct route through the water (Emily, Liesel, Kieran, Belinda). Although Neville (the caretaker) made us lovely healthy salad rolls, most opted for fresh, hot greasy fish and chips. Thanks to sea sickness tablets no-one fed the fish (poor fishes) on the way to Portsea on the ferry.
Once back at camp everybody showered and changed into clean dry clothes; we went down to the beach to play teeball. While most chose to play on land others braved the waves for the sake of their team. The girls had to prove themselves, so teams were girls on to boys. Though the girls weren't all that skilled they got Michael into the water once. Unfortunately for Belinda and Tania the guys were having a good day and managed to give them plenty of swimming practice.
After changing once again into clean dry clothes it was time for games in the Rec Hut.
The day ended with a milo and then it was time for bed for the happy little campers.
Emily Herrmann, Liesel Haar, Belinda Frank and Kieran Murray.
Saturday
On Saturday we had to practise our plays. Ours was pretty good by now. Michael, Aidan and I practised a Pantera song called "Walk". That was cool. I was the singer, Michael was on drums and Aidan played the guitar. Kieran, Liesel, Emily, Belinda & Steve practised their Spice Girls song.
Anyway, we went shopping to stock up on the cake and shaving cream, ha ha. Went to the beach and played beach netball. My team lost, we were up 2.0 and we lost 3.4. Oh well, it was fun. We swam at the beach about 3 times. In the water we played keepings off with a little footy. Girls didn't stand a chance, of course.
Then at night we played Pictionary. My team won. On my team were Emily, Simon, Melissa and me. Then at night when everyone was asleep, sneaking into the girls' barracks was fun. I texta-ed Kieran, ha ha. She woke up and she got Emily up and we decorated the girls' toilets, with shaving cream and streamers. Aidan joined us too. Anyway, it was a cool day.
By David Nicholson, with help from
Michael Blaich and Aidan Steller
Sunday
Sunday was our last full day at camp so we planned to enjoy it. After we cleaned our barracks we had about 2 hours to finish off our play and then we went to the beach. After lunch we could either rest or practise our plays again. After that we went to an area behind the toilets where we did egg throws, Peter (Murray) and Chris (Ware) won. Then we had a sock fight that didn't look too pretty and as soon as that was finished we had a shaving cream fight.The Aufpassers used Deb mashed potato, fish oil and eggs. Straight after we headed to the beach.
After tea we went to the Rec Hut and performed our plays.
Steven as a girl, then with spice girls made their move. And Emma was a geeky gran named Mavis that danced on tables in restaurants.
After the plays were finished we all went for a walk along the surf beach and then the confirmands went to the park and the swim beach while the rest of us went to bed.
With the confirmand girls gone Amy, Erin, Claire, Kirsten, Emma, Tania and Melissa decided to have some fun under Christine's watchful eye and with Mieke's permission. We put cornflakes, twigs and magazines down their sleeping bags and wrapped up their sleeping bags and teddies with gladwrap then hair-moussed everything! Suckers!!
By Amy Edelmaier and Erin Lubitz
Monday
We awoke to a glorious morning of no Frühsport, to find that the confirmands part of the girls' dorm had been decorated beautifully by (wonder who?). There were cornflakes in, on and under beds and toilet paper everywhere. Gladwrapped beds and toothpasted windows - lots of cleaning up to do!
We packed up and went to breakfast to choose our own tables. After a whole lot of sweeping, cleaning and tidying, Christine found more to do. Amy was panicking because she had `misplaced' Winnie's hat. After checking the Rec Hut, her suitcase, the toilets and our room she found that Winnie had it. Really Amy!
We sat around for a while before taking photos of the group. Neville was a riot trying to take a photo with all our cameras. At last we piled on the bus for our drive home. Thanks to our legendary(?) Aufpassers for putting up with us for another year. We had an ace time. Just wait till next year!!
Thanks to the ace Aufpassers!
Tania Richter & Melissa English
End of February Templer Record. The Kids' Club pages, as well as the Advertising and Reference pages are not reprinted here.
Number 593
SOME THOUGHTS ON PRAYER
Als mein Gebet immer andächtiger
und innerlicher wurde,
da hatte ich immer weniger
und weniger zu sagen.
Zuletzt wurde ich ganz still.
Ich wurde,
was womöglich
noch ein größerer Gegensatz
zum Reden ist,
ich wurde ein Hörer.
Ich meinte erst, Beten sei Reden.
Ich lernte aber,
daß Beten nicht bloß Schweigen ist,
sondern Hören.
So ist es:
Beten heißt nicht, sich selber reden hören.
Beten heißt:
Still werden
und still sein
und warten,
bis der Betende Gott hört.
Sören Kierkegaard
Be still and know that I AM God.
Psalm 46:10
THE VALUE AND MEANING OF PRAYER
Irene Bouzo
This article was written in November 1996
The article by Brigitte Hoffmann in the November 1996 Warte about the value of prayer Ohne Gebet - und doch getrostinspired me to write about my own personal explorations on this subject. What caught my interest in Brigitte's article was the very same incident that appears to be her catalyst for writing her article. It is a private confession of my great uncle Dietrich Dyck (1854-1937) in his autobiography. He was one of the Templer elders in the Russian community of Olgino.
In his memoirs he recounts a personal moment, a crisis of faith in God, shortly before he was faced with dangerous surgery. He describes how he caught himself seeking comfort in a prayer beseeching God to look after his loved ones in case death should embrace him. It was a simple, a sincere and pious act, and yet it was a prayer he confesses he did not allow himself to complete. For in that moment he was confronted with the realisation that it was an affront to his own faith in God, and to God, to dare suggest such divine intervention. "So schwach also ist dein Vertrauen zu deinem himmlischen Vater, dass du ihm glaubst in allen Einzelheiten vorzählen zu müssen, was alles zu tun er nicht unterlassen dürfe" was his subsequent self-talk. (`So your faith in your heavenly Father is so weak that you believe you have to enumerate every last detail of what He should not neglect to do'). And he went without prayer, yet comforted, into what was to be a successful operation.
Brigitte argues that the prayer that D. Dyck believes he never made was in actual fact an intense kind of communion with God which left him reassured and confident in his faith. Brigitte goes on to explain that what counts here is not the need to ask or beseech God for something that exists and would exist irrespective of our prayers, for human prayers do not alter the power or state of the divine God. Rather, she writes "das Gebet ist um des Menschen willen gemacht. Gott verändert sich nicht durch unsere Gebete. Aber wir verändern uns. (`Prayer is for man's sake. God does not change because of our prayers. But we change').
As a member of our religious group, the Temple Society, I am often touched by the piety and devoutness displayed by our parents and forefathers in their daily prayer routines: prayer at the dinner table, morning prayers, evening prayers and blessings. The many first-hand accounts and biographies testify to this, and yet one sees scanty remnants of it in younger generations. So I am lead to ask myself what is the value, the purpose and meaning of prayer. I would like to add my own thoughts on this to Brigitte's far more profound ones.
On the basic linguistic level, prayer is an appeal to win God's favour, entreat forgiveness, an expression of gratitude for God's grace and to ward off hardship. A theologian once said, if we make but one prayer in our whole life, and that prayer has only two words, and those words are "thank you", then that is enough. Another said that what really counts is regular, frequent prayer, ideally several times a day, because prayer is religion in action, a vital human activity. - So what is one to think?
After re-reading my uncle Dietrich's personal experience I see more clearly that both these theologians are saying the same thing. The point is that God's love and grace exist whether we know it or not, whether we pray or not. God has been described as the Invisible Power whose existence man feels even before he can give it a name. The activities of prayer and devotional practices put the focus on our innermost relationship with the Invisible Power. Where there is no such innermost relationship there is no religion. So prayer is a way of practising how to establish direct contact with God, or the God within us, if you like. Devotional practices are our spiritual reconciliation with a higher power or creative resource which we can tap into within ourselves. In this sense both the theologians I mentioned above were right, for the person who can say thank you to God has come to a realisation that there is God and that reconciliation is possible and worthwhile, just the same as the one who tries consciously to practise this activity with intense frequency. Therefore, as Brigitte explained, prayer is our personal and communal goal to reconcile our human, fallible will with the almighty will of God.
We have the choice of spending a life-time preoccupied with worldly, materialistic concerns or trying to find a release for our innermost feelings through opening ourselves to the existence of God (which is there all the time) and thus being strengthened by spiritual powers with which we can master the most intricate and serious difficulties.
The question still remains for the modern-day offspring of the more overtly devout Templers: How do we pray?
For me the answer lies in understanding Dietrich Dyck's account. From this and discussions with some of our present-day elders I must accept the notion that God does not actually intervene in the affairs of people. Eric Butterworth in The Universe is Calling gives a clear, easily comprehendible explanation of this. Jesus said "Your Father knows what you need before you ask him" (Matt.6:8), so why bother asking? The answer is: don't ask, simply claim what is rightfully your due. Do this by affirming the truth that God is ever present - is always in you. Use the prayer experience to become centred in God. Butterworth goes on to explain that if you are having an in-the-gutter experience, God can't lift you out of the gutter, because your in-the-gutter experience is your self-definition at that time. It is only when you begin to think out-of-the gutter thoughts that you can get out of the gutter.
There are times when you may have an urgent need for guidance, or hunger for someone to tell you what to do. We have grown too impatient, too comfortably accustomed to instant gratification and answers. We may pray to God for guidance but we need to ask ourselves: are we really praying for permission, or some kind of divine approval, of something we have already made up our minds to do anyway? Butterworth argues that this is not prayer but simply playing games. Or we may despondently complain that no inspiration ever comes to us; we may admire creativity in other people and regret the lack of it in ourselves. If in our prayers we focus on affirmations about the existence of God rather than requests for intervention in our lives, we will realise that there is never a moment when the guidance or the creative power of inspiration and ideas is not present within us. This inner power, this god-like energy within us, is just as dynamically present as the force of gravity, which we take for granted.
Silence and meditation techniques are valuable. It is only when we are still enough to accept this - that the Kingdom of God is within us - that we can tap into the benefits of this spiritual process. If we are not asking for God's intervention in prayer, what then do we say in our devotional practices? Does not the Bible contain many prayers which appear to be petitions or supplications? Again Butterworth suggests that a careful study of the original texts reveals that Jesus' prayers were affirmations, or statements of affirmative acceptance. Affirmations are stated as if they are already facts. The idea of repeating affirmations in prayer is so that they will permeate our consciousness and become real for us.
In this sense we do not pray to God but from a consciousness of God. In this way, just as Dietrich Dyck realised that God would look after his people without any human entreaty, affirmative prayer is a kind of positive thinking. An example of such a prayer would be the positive statement: "God is my life; I am an expression of God, so perfect life is my heritage. I accept perfect life as my life."
Brigitte Hoffmann suggests that we can all find a similar experience to Dietrich Dyck's if we have not already done so. A prayer for more love, more guidance or more substance would then not be a matter of trying to bring more to us, but of awakening ourselves to the more that has always been us. Paul said "Stir up the gift of God which is in you" (2 Tim.1:6). It is we who need stirring up, not God. This kind of prayer will help us get synchronised with the dynamic inner flow of God.
Irene Bouzo
Eric Butterworth: The Universe is Calling: Opening to the divine through Prayer.HarperSanFrancisko 1993.
Would you like to share your thoughts on, or experiences with prayer?
Also see World Day of Prayer further on.
to the Reflections article Der alte Brunnen in the February TR on giving and taking - Helga Uhlherr sent in a wonderful comment she'd come across.
"If it is more blessed to give than to receive, then we should give our fellow human beings the opportunity to be blessed, too."
She does not know the author.
INVITATION TO ALL MEMBERS TO DISCUSS THE FUTURE OF THE TSA AND ITS FACILITIES
The Regional Council of the Temple Society Australia invites all members to an important meeting at Bayswater on 15 March 1998 at 1.30 p.m. The program published for this day in the Calendar has been changed to the following:
The purpose of the meeting is to give members the opportunity to discuss in depth the likely future of the TSA and what this implies for the further development of its facilities, particularly in Bayswater and Boronia. At the Annual General Assembly in September last year we promised to provide an opportunity for such an in-depth discussion. This meeting now provides the promised opportunity.
The Facilities Taskforce, set up to advise the Regional Council on what we should do with our facilities, has made recommendations which can be summarised as follows:
The Boronia Hall is the first and oldest of our facilities in Melbourne. This makes it an important part of our heritage. The Boronia Community has combined with Bayswater into one large community. The Boronia Hall is now
under-utilised and becoming more costly to maintain. Its future should be looked at as part of this discussion.
The Bayswater location has a Community centre (hall, with adjoining schoolrooms and youth group room, bowling alley, tennis courts and clubhouse, and areas for outdoor activities such as Sommerfest), the Templer Home for the Aged, (units for independent living and hostel), the Tabulam Nursing Home, and a cluster settlement (Templer Village).
The Taskforce sees consolidation and upgrading of the existing location at Bayswater as the most promising route towards a healthy future of the TSA. Updating should consider the provision of a new, flexible hall (Saal) for religious functions of all kinds, provision of new facilities for the Playgroup and the Kids' Club, and provision of space (actual building could occur at a later stage) for the TSA Office and Archives, for which there is no need to move from Bentleigh in the near future. It should also include recording fully the heritage of the TSA since its beginnings, including appropriate materials from Boronia, if this hall is not to be kept.
If assets that are under-utilised can be sold to provide finance for new buildings and upgrading, it will be easier to actually carry out any plan of action the TSA agrees to adopt. Selling of assets no longer required at Boronia should be considered within this discussion.
There is no need to discuss assets at Bentleigh or in Sydney at this meeting. There is no urgency to do anything at either of these centres, apart from ongoing maintenance and the refurbishment of the existing TSA office at Bentleigh. Refurbishment of the existing office at Bentleigh will also provide the chance to incorporate an archive for the TSA there. The TSA must always leave open the possibility of developments becoming necessary elsewhere, such as in a country or interstate location, if groups of Templers were to congregate in a new location. No such developments are being considered at present.
The purpose of the meeting is to allow full discussion of the matters outlined above. The Regional Council and the Taskforce need guidance from the members of the TSA. We wish to find out whether members agree, in principle, with consolidation of development at Bayswater and what members want us to do in Boronia. Therefore, the outcome we are looking for from the meeting is a clear indication of how members want us to proceed in shaping the future of the TSA, at this time in the Bayswater/Boronia area, and how we should develop facilities to achieve this future.
With clear guidance from the meeting we can expect the Taskforce to make firm recommendations to the Regional Council by June, to allow a proposal to be put to the Annual General Assembly in September.
Please take the opportunity to make your contribution!
On behalf of the Regional Council,
R.G. Beilharz
MEMBERSHIP CONTRIBUTIONS
Have you made your 1997/98 membership contribution yet? Membership contribution forms were included with the October 1997 Templer Record. If you need another form please contact the Office.
Membership contribution reminder notices will be issued together with the AprilTR. Remember that the contribution rates are suggested only, and any amount (more or less) is deemed acceptable. Any problems with making a contribution can always be confidentially discussed with the Office.
Thank you to all members who have made their contributions to date.
BREAKFAST CEREAL COLLECTION
Our collection for the Save the Children Fund has begun. Donated goods can be left at the TSA Office or the Altersheim.We will be collecting until Easter, which falls in early April this year.
Thank you to those who have "got the ball rolling". Your contributions will certainly be appreciated by the hungry children.
Mark Herrmann Business Manager
SOCIAL CARE
Dear Friends,
World Day of Prayer is a worldwide movement of Christian women of many traditions who come together to observe a common day of prayer each year, and who, in many countries, have a continuing relationship of prayer and service.
* It is a movement initiated and carried out by women in more than 170 countries and regions.
* It is a movement symbolized by an annual day of celebration - the first Friday in March - to which all people are welcome.
*It is a movement which brings together women of various races, cultures and traditions in closer fellowship, understanding and action throughout the year.
Through World Day of Prayer, women around the world
* affirm their faith in Jesus Christ.
* share their hopes and fears, their joys and sorrows, their opportunities and needs.
Through World Day of Prayer women are encouraged
* to become aware of the whole world and no longer live in isolation.
* to be enriched by the faith experience of Christians of other countries and cultures.
* to take up the burdens of other people and pray with and for them.
* to become aware of their talents and use them in the service of society.
Through World day of Prayer, women affirm that prayer and action are inseparable and that both have an immeasurable influence in the world.
For the past few years some ladies of the TS Bentleigh have represented our community at the W.D.P. which is always held on the first Friday in March.
In this area the service is organized by representatives of seven parishes in the Bentleigh area. Each year the theme and service focusses on a particular country. This year the theme is Who is my neighbour? and supports the people of Madagascar.
The service will be held on Friday 6 March at 10.30 a.m. at the Bentleigh Uniting Church, Centre Road, Bentleigh (opposite Safeway). ALL WELCOME!
Best wishes to our sick and infirm,
Helga Anderson
MEMBERS AND FRIENDS
GEBURTSTAGE
Wir gratulieren herzlich zum Geburtstag unserer Mitglieder
GOLDENE HOCHZEITEN
Wir gratulieren den Ehepaaren
Luise und Karl Wagner am 13.3.98
und Hulda und Theodor Wagner am 25.3.98
zu ihrer goldenen Hochzeit und wünschen ihnen noch viel Schönes zusammen.
BIRTHS
Eliza Rose Grubbon 29.11.97
Parents: Paul Grubb & Rita nee Hahn
Thomas Bradley Welleron 23.12.97
Parents: Ralph Weller & Michelle nee Cramond
Samuel Timothy Robertson 24.1.98
Parents: Mark Roberts & Michelle nee Spieth
Mikaela Elise Maslenon 5.2.98
Parents: Tony Maslen & Heidi nee Kruck
ENGAGEMENT
Michael Wagner & Marie Dehauon 15.11.97
MARRIAGE
Mark Spieth & Susan nee Edwardson 17.1.98
Congratulations and best wishes to all these couples!
NEW MEMBERS
We are pleased to welcome into the Templer community as members
Marco and Birgit Hoefer (Blessing), Birgit Verhagen (Sawatzky) and Manfred and Anna Ruff (Korsa)
and hope that they will feel at home among us.
TRAUERFÄLLE
Wir trauern um unseren lieben Onkel
Dr. Herbert Rohrer
aus Göppingen, der im Alter von 94 Jahren Ende Januar sanft entschlafen ist.
Im Namen aller Verwandten in Australien,
Elisabeth Wagner
Am 2. Februar 1998 starb
Anne Molnar geb. Schauwecker
friedlich in ihrem Heim in Cooma im Alter von 95 Jahren.
Bei der Feierstunde in der Kapelle des Norwood Park Krematoriums in Canberra am 6. Februar nahmen Verwandte und Freunde in dankbarem und liebevollem Gedenken Abschied von ihrer "Tante Anne".
Möge ihr geistiges Wesen bei Gott den Frieden finden, den sie sich ersehnte.
Dietrich Ruff i.A. von
Helmut Aimann
Grossfamilie Gohl
Verwandten und Freunden nah und fern
Am 8. Januar verstarb in Esslingen das langjährige TGD Mitglied
Else Krügler
im Alter von 88 Jahren als letzte von 8 Geschwistern.
Allen Trauernden hier und in Deutschland drücken wir unser Mitgefühl aus.
SOMMERFEST
Sunday 15 February was overcast, then sunny; all that beautiful rain didn't pour down until the next day. Weren't we lucky!
In Saal, Dr. Rolf Beilharz welcomed visitors (incl. Lilo Thaler and Walter and Marianne Klink from Germany) and the confirmands (who were all rostered to help the JG on the stalls after their class and who also attended the first part of the Presentation Service in Bentleigh the following Sunday).
Sven Wessner (from the Templer Exchange) introduced himself in excellent English.
Brezeln, sherries and lunch by the THA fundraising committee, imaginative and astonishing fancy hats, stalls, arts and crafts, Blaskapelle, the Kids' Club video on a giant screen, hay rides, energetic twirling and thigh-slapping folkdancing (Sven from Stuttgart couldn't believe his eyes!), the very popular water slide, Kaffee und Kuchen and catching up with old friends under the trees... it was a lovely day!
A big thankyou to all who came and all who worked so hard to make it happen - well done!
Editor
Ludwig Hirschfeld-Mack (1893-1965)
Resi Schwarzbauer, doing research for the Ministry of Education to develop kits as a resource for teachers and students of German (one on German Art, one on Camp 3 at Tatura) has become fascinated by Ludwig Hirschfeld-Mack; some of you may remember this German artist from Tatura. So this month we have a `cultural' profile.
The Deutsche Kunst entdecken kit focusses on works by German or German-speaking artists who settled in Australia, like Hans Heysen and Van Guérard. However, one particular painting in the kit caught my interest - a woodcut of Tatura by Ludwig Hirschfeld-Mack, who was interned in Tatura like many of us. Researching his work, I went down to Geelong Grammar and saw a beautiful religious frieze, starting with a manger scene with Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus that he had painted on the art room wall; again this interested me greatly as I had done a few drawings in a similar vein when doing my Christmas book. Finally, I found out that he had retired in Ferny Creek up in the beautiful Dandenongs and so I felt a bond with this gentleman.
Some background information. Ludwig Hirschfeld was born in Frankfurt-on-Main in 1893. From a young age he was encouraged to paint. He studied art in Munich and Stuttgart, his main interest being colour theory. He won an iron cross in WWI. Around 1919 he joined the Bauhaus, an Art and Architectural School at Weimar. Put simply, its aim was to combine craftsmen with the artist in order to "create the new building of the future, which can embrace architecture and sculpture and painting in one unity". He worked with artists such as Klee, Kandinsky and Feininger. In 1923, he published Farbenlichtspiele and performed his colour light plays. He was also instrumental in organising kite festivals, where the Bauhaus band led the procession of children flying kites that had been produced in a joint effort by master, students and children.
When the Bauhus moved to Dresden, he did not join them; instead he taught at various schools, including a Teachers' College in Kiel. In 1933, the Bauhaus was considered too radical for the government of the time and was closed. Walter Gropius, its director, left for England and in 1936
Ludwig Hirschfeld did the same. While Gropius later went to America, Hirschfeld, through a Quaker connection, worked in Wales, teaching unemployed miners, then moved to London, where he formed a band of children and the unemployed, using handmade instruments. During this time he invented a colour harpsichord that enabled people to play music using a colour cue system. This instrument was played by Queen Mary. He was Art Master at Dulwich Preparatory School when he was interned in May 1940 and subsequently shipped to Australia.
If you visit the Tatura Museum, you will see the woodcut print of Hirschfeld-Mack. The name Mack was adopted later. The front cover of the book Behind Barbed Wire also shows a woodcut of his. He made a Christmas card, "Merry Christmas 1941", depicting the barbed wire. Due to his Bauhaus training, he was able to sculpt as well as paint and, of course, print. He made musical instruments and formed a band. Also whilst at Tatura, he carved a nativity scene from scrap wood. It was here that he met Olive Russell, a member of the Society of Friends (Quakers) when he asked her to supply him with knives in order to carve. She became his second wife in 1955.
He was not interned as long as the Templers. Sir James Darling at Geelong Grammar heard from people in England that this Bauhaus Art Master was interned at Tatura. So in April 1942 he obtained Hirschfeld's release to Geelong Grammar, where he was Art Master until 1957. In my opinion, hiring an art master from a movement whose philosophy was out of step with many artists of the time, and a German at that, shows the extraordinary courage and vision of Sir James, principal of a very conservative and extremely English school in the middle of WWII. Hirschfeld demonstrated his gratitude by staying on at Geelong, even after Gropius offered him a prestigious and no doubt highly-paid position at Harvard University.
Ludwig Hirschfeld was a man of many talents. At Geelong, he involved the pupils in the sculptures. He was responsible for the wrought iron gates at the school. One of his early works, titled Völkerbund, shows an unborn child to be welcomed into a secure circle of linked figures. Ludwig Hirschfeld's profession was primarily as a teacher and he donated his works to galleries in Shepparton, Canberra and many others; his zither with 21 strings in groups of three, colour coded, is at the Grainger Museum at the University of Melbourne. One of his students, who became director of the Art Gallery of Adelaide, describes him as "the serene, quiet man - so fair that he glowed with the pale radiance of saints in stained glass windows". Dr. Darling says that "he inspired dozens of boys with his integrity and enthusiasm. He was an almost perfect man... a beautiful character and an original teacher". "The fine quality of his character impressed first the boys and then the rest" of the staff. He goes on to say "he was beloved by all the little children of the community for whom he made toys at Christmas time".
His contribution to the way art is taught in Victoria is tremendous. When the students of Geelong Grammar put on an exhibition in Melbourne in 1953, art teachers were amazed - they had not seen anything like this before. While children at the time were using only pencil, colour and paper as a medium, Ludwig Hirschfeld introduced them to hundreds of alternative such as sand, straw, tin, glass corrugated cardboard, plaster of Paris. According to Peter King, Interior Design, RMIT, he was also instrumental in the introduction of the folio as a form of assessment. Furthermore, he worked with the Spastic Society during his time at Geelong, involving the children in music. After his retirement at Ferny Creek - his home was in School Road and was called "Redro", "order" spelt backwards, - he continued to teach in a Kew Kindergarten College, Melbourne University and the Council of Adult Education. He also returned to Germany to reconstruct his colour-light apparatus and demonstrate his colour-light plays. He died in 1965.
Recently, I had the wonderful pleasure of meeting his first daughter Marga (now 79), who lives in England and was in Australia on a visit. Marga had many beautiful stories of her father and still has his letters from Tatura. We decided it would be a lovely idea to take Marga to Tatura. When I remarked on her rucksack, she said it was a gift from her daughter, after her previous bag, with the message "war is unhealthy for babies and other things", was beyond repair. She was so interested in everything and quite excited when we got to Camp 2, bounding up the hill before all of us, who were nearly 30 years younger - a sight I will long remember. Marga writes and paints and says her two cousins in Wiesbaden (in their seventies) are also involved with community projects and work.
It seems to me that there was definitely something special about this family.
Resi Schwarzbauer
It is my pleasure to be reporting for the first time on behalf of the Committee of Management.
The past year has been full of uncertainty for the Home and the Aged Care Industry in general due to the changes imposed by the government (which at present are generally vague, yet uncompromising).
The government's grand plan can be summarised as -
1. Reduce government funding and impose a user pays system.
2. Accreditation and certification requirements (a comprehensive management system that needs to be in place by 31.12.2000 which includes building certification in accordance with defined government documents).
NOTE: Accreditation needs to meet many standards and will be audited regularly. Further to this, if accreditation is not up and running by 31.12.2000, recurrent funding will totally cease.
This year will hopefully clarify many of these changes and will therefore give more certain and clear guidelines to the Committee to formulate strategies/directions to meet the governments objectives while maintaining the Society's vision for the Home.
It must be stated that these government changes/requirements are extensive and uncompromising and will need to be addressed within a very tight government-stated time frame. (Note: these changes/requirements are not Committee or internally motivated). It is the Committee's intention to face these "head on" and in a positive manner so that the Home's future is certain. Due to the magnitude of the changes, we are all very keen for the community's support of all who are involved at the Home during this year.
Dates to put into your diaries:-
29 March The Garden Party for the 25th Anniversary of the Home. Everyone welcome to celebrate this milestone. See enclosed flyer.
21 March Working Bee. Once again everyone more than welcome.
P.S. The construction of the four New Units is programmed to finish by the end of March which will make life for our unit residents normal once more. We thank you all for your patience.
Dieter Blaich
ALTERSHEIM NACHRICHTEN
Diesen Monat habe ich, Dieter Blaich, die angenehme Aufgabe, fürs Committee of Managementzu berichten.
Für das Heim und die ganze Altenversorgungs-Industrie war das letzte Jahr voller Unsicherheit, wegen der von der Regierung verordneten Änderungen (die momentan unklar, aber kompromißlos sind).
Der große Plan der Regierung, kurzgefaßt, ist:
1. Regierungs-Zuschüsse verringern und ein "Benutzer zahlt" System einführen.
2. Vorschriften für accreditation and certification (ein umfassendes Management System das bis zum 31.12.2000 erstellt sein muß; damit ist die erfolgreiche Prüfung der Gebäude/Einrichtungen verbunden, die spezifischen Regierungs-Bestimmungen gerecht werden müssen).
N.B. Diese accreditation muß vielen Maßstäben standhalten und wird regelmäßig überprüft. Und: wenn accreditation bis zum 31.12.2000 nicht erreicht ist, werden laufende Zuschüsse total gestoppt!
Im Laufe dieses Jahres werden viele dieser Änderungen hoffentlich geklärt und somit dem Komitee sicherere und klarere Richtlinien gegeben werden, damit es Strategien und Ziele formulieren kann, die den Regierungs-Absichten genügen und gleichzeitig die Templer Vision für das Heim wahren.
Wir möchten klar sagen, daß diese Änderungen und Forderungen der Regierung weitläufig und kompromißlos sind, und wir uns damit in einer kurzen, von der Regierung festgelegten Zeitspanne, auseinandersetzen müssen. (N.B. es ist weder unser Komitee noch unser Heim das diese Änderungen und Forderungen verlangt). Das Komitee beabsichtigt, diese Aufgaben direkt und positiv anzupacken, damit die Zukunft des Heims gesichert ist.
Weil diese Aufgaben so umfassend und schwierig sind, legen wir großen Wert darauf, daß die Gemeinde all diejenigen unterstützt, die während dieser Zeit im und für unser Heim arbeiten.
Termine:
29. März Garten Fest zum 25. Jubiläum des Heims. Alle willkommen. Siehe Extrablatt.
21. März Working Bee. Alle sehr willkommen.
Die vier neuen Wohneinheiten sollten bis Ende März fertig sein, womit das Leben der oberen Unit Bewohner wieder normaler werden sollte. Wir danken Ihnen allen für Ihre Geduld.
FORTHCOMING SERVICES
PRESENTATION
At the service in Bentleigh on 22 February, the following children were presented before God and the community by our Elder Herta Uhlherr:
Our heartfelt good wishes accompany these families.
The collection for Autism Victoria totalled $260 - thank you everyone.
FAMILY SERVICE SONGBOOK
Some of our black-covered books have gone missing. Did you perhaps borrow a few and put them where we haven't found them? As we are presently updating these folders, we need them all and would appreciate their return to either myself or Vollmers at Bayswater.
Tony Beilharz
KIDS' CLUB CAMP - FERNGULLY LODGE HEALESVILLE
From 6-9 March.
We wish to invite Templer families, friends, Omas and Opas and any other relatives to visit us during this weekend. At this stage 12 families (51 people) are coming.
A Family Service will be held on 8 March at 11 a.m. We'd love to see some visitors. Bring a picnic and a cake to share after the service.
Visitors using facilities will need to pay. Ring Marianne Herrmann if you want more information. Or if you decide at short notice to visit and you need directions, ring us at Ferngully Lodge during the weekend on and speak to Heinz Wagner.
Marianne Herrmann
BAYSWATER-BORONIA LADIES GROUP
Our next meeting will be on Tuesday 17 March between 1 and 3 p.m. As we are approaching the 25th Anniversary of our Altersheim, we thought it would be appropriate to reflect on its early trials and tribulations and on the enthusiasm of the voluntary workers determined to make this big venture a success by creating a place of friendship and tranquility for our older community members. Friede Steller will tell us some of the history of the early years of our Home.
At the February meeting, 30 ladies listened attentively to a lively presentation by Lilo Thaler(Wagner), a TGD visitor from Erlangen, who took us on a journey in Luther's footsteps.
Gisela Sawatzky
FRAUENVEREIN AUSFLUG
Point Nepean National Park - 26.3.98
Dieses Jahr geht unser Ausflug in den Point Nepean National Park am äussersten Ende der Mornington Halbinsel. Point Nepean bildet zusammen mit dem gegenüber liegenden Point Lonsdale den Eingang zu Port Phillip. Es ist der berühmte Ort, wo unser ehemaliger Prime Minister Holt vor dreißig Jahren im Meer verschwunden ist.
Point Nepean ist eine sehr interessante, schmale, felsige Landzunge, daher sehr dem Wind und Wetter ausgesetzt. Es ist zu empfehlen auch bei schönem Wetter eine warme Jacke mitzunehmen.
Mittagessen bitte selbst mitbringen, da es dort nichts zu kaufen gibt.
DATUM: Donnerstag den 26. März
ABFAHRT 8.30 a.m. Bayswater Templer Home
41 Elizabeth Street Bayswater.
9.00 a.m. Bentleigh Templer Hall
152 Tucker Road, Bentleigh.
10.00 a.m. Morning tea (Devonshire Tea) im Grand Hotel in Mornington. (30 Minuten Stop)
ANKUNFT 11.15 a.m. Point Nepean National Park. Umsteigen in den Transporter oder Park Bus, der uns durch den Park fährt.
HEIMFAHRT 4.30 p.m.
KOSTEN $22.00 pro Person (minimum 40 Personen - wenn sich weniger anmelden, kostet es etwas mehr) einschließend Busfahrt, Eintritt in den Park mit Bus und Morning tea.
ANMELDUNG bis spätestens 17. März bei Frau Ruth Haar.
i.A. Helga Anderson
LADIES' ANNUAL EXCURSION
Date: Thursday 26 March
Depart: 8.30 a.m. Ba from Templer Home
9.00 a.m. Be Templer Hall 152 Tucker Road Bentleigh
M.Tea 10.00 a.m. Devonshire Tea at the Grand Hotel in Mornington
Arrive: 11.15 a.m. Point Nepean National Park. Transfer to park bus for drive around the park. Please BYO lunch - there is nothing to buy there. Bring a jacket; the park is exposed to wind and weather.
Return journey begins at 4.30 p.m.
Cost: $22 p.p. (min. 40 - if fewer come, cost goes up a bit) - incl. bus, entry to park, park bus and morning tea.
Register: by 17 March at the latest with Ruth Haar.
PLAYGROUP FUND RAISING 1998
LAMINGTON DRIVE
For the next 2 weeks Playgroup Parents will be collecting orders for Homestyle Lamingtons. If a playgroup parent does not approach you or you don't know of one, you can place an order with
Moni Imberger and Moni Herrmann and Kris Wennagel and Mark Herrmann
Orders and money must be placed by Wednesday 18 March. You will be able to purchase lamingtons, lamington fingers and Jam Fairy Cakes for $2.50 per packet. Delivery in early in April.
Thanks for your support and, by the way, they are really yummy! and good to freeze as a reserve snack.
P.S. For Sunday 4 October Playgroup will also be organizing a Family Portrait Deal. Please keep this date in mind. More details closer to the day.
Thank you.
Moni Imberger for the Playgroup Mums.
CONTINENTAL DANCE IN BAYSWATER - 23.5.98
We are organizing a "Continental Dance" on 23 May in Bayswater. A good band has been booked but we are still looking for more ways to make the night a success.
Please talk to your friends and contact me by early March if you have any suggestions.
For the Bayswater-Boronia Community
H. Vollmer
GERMAN CHORAL CONCERT - 4 APRIL
Lovers of song should plan for a special event. The Florian Singers from Dortmund, Germany, are giving a concert in conjunction with three local German-singing choirs: the male choir, Liedertafel Arion, and two mixed choirs, the Templer Choir and the Liederkranz Tivoli.
Where: Luther College Chapel cnr. Plymouth & Yarra Roads Croydon
When: Saturday 4 April 3.00 p.m.
Cost: $10 and $8 concession
Please ring Lore Schlender for bookings ASAP.
Annette Wagner-Hesse
TEMPLER TENNIS CLUB BENTLEIGH-MOORABBIN
On Sunday 5 April we will be holding a Social Day/BBQ for all our members and especially for our new members. Bayswater-Boronia members are very welcome as well. This will be a good opportunity for everyone to get together and welcome our new members to our club.
On the day we will be having competitions such as finding out the fastest serve in the Temple Society (courtesy of a radar gun).
Please keep this date free.
Final details will be in next month's TR.
Gary Imberger, Secretary T.T.C.
THE TEMPLER CHOIR
There's nothing like the camaraderie and satisfaction of singing with a choir. There's not too much pressure on the individual and it's a great way to de-stress as you immerse yourself in the harmony of other voices around you.
Please do think about joining our choir. You do not necessarily need to be able to read music (although it's a help), but should be able to hold a tune. You need to set aside Wednesday evenings for practices which alternate in the Bentleigh and Bayswater halls. Often we practise weekly, but occasionally we skip a week. Usually we have breaks during school holidays and winter. If you can't make a practice or performance, we just ask that you let me know.
Our major commitments are important Templer events such as Sommerfest, Darstellung (Presentation), Confirmation, Founding Day, Remembrance Day at Tatura (biannually), Christmas/Advent or Easter (more rarely). Most years we participate in one or two concerts either on our own or with other choirs. Every few years the German Choral Association organises concerts in different states, so we get to travel too, which is a lot of fun.
If you have any queries, please don't hesitate to ring and ask. Uniforms can be arranged for those who don't have one, so don't let that stop you participating. You may like to come to one or two practices before you make a decision.
Annette Wagner-Hesse
P.S. There's a choir picnic coming up, so now might be a good time to start!!!
COOKBOOKS FOR SALE
There are still some copies of both Templer cookbooks - the old red cover version and the not so old yellow cover version - available for $8 each at either the Altersheim or the Playgroup.
Moni Herrmann
Unser Gemeindeleben hat nun wieder nach dem Ferienmonat Januar begonnen und zwar mit dem Saal am 8. Februar, den Otto Wurst gehalten hat. Es waren 20 Personen anwesend, denn einige Mitglieder sind noch auf Reisen.
Die nächsten Termine sind:
8. März, 3.00 Uhr Dankfest mit Darstellung
10. April, 3.00 Uhr Karfreitag/Oster Saal
Well, after the holiday month of January, our community life started again with the service on 8th February, which Otto Wurst conducted. 20 persons were present; some are still away on holiday trips.
Next dates are:
8 March Thanksgiving/Presentation service 3.00 p.m.
10 April Good Friday/Easter service 3.00 p.m.
Ilse Birkner
Yes, the Los Angeles branch of the JG is doing well. I thought I had better drop in and see how Silvia, the one-woman band, was handling her side of the JG. The two weeks I was there was a fantastic experience as there was so much to see in so little time. We visited Beverley Hills, Hollywood and Santa Monica in about four days. Five days were spent at Grand Bahama in an all-inclusive resort which Silvia and I definitely made the most of. In the last few days we headed to Miami and back to Los Angeles to party hard with the Kiwis and the Aussies Silvia lives with. Anyway, after this holiday I can honestly say that we have everything here in Australia and we are all very lucky to live in such a diverse country.
Erika Anderson Ed.
SENIOR CAMP 1997
This year's Senior Camp was held at a location where we had the best of bush and beach: Camp Eumerella, a massive Scout Camp on the outskirts of Anglesea. The setting was ideal as we could spread out as much as we wanted and make as much noise as we desired, which was definitely a good thing. Attendance was good. On average there were about 13 people per night.
Self-catering was the thing this year with various culinary delights tantalising our taste buds. On most days, we'd venture to either Anglesea or Torquay and taste the local edibles. Illness didn't escape us even many miles from home, with the guys in particular falling victim to a bug that confined them to their tents for many hours. Toilets and showers were minimal. True to the concept of a scout camp, the t