Templer Record

DIE HEILIGE NACHT IM WANDEL DER ZEIT
Times and expectations have changed

Als ich ein Kind noch gewesen – das ist schon lange her –
da war Weihnachten ein Erlebnis, ein Märchen und noch viel mehr.
Es gab nur kleine Geschenke, denn wir waren ja nicht reich,
doch diese bescheidenen Gaben kamen dem Paradies gleich.

Da gab es Äpfel und Nüsse, mitunter auch ein Paar Schuh,
und wenn’s die Kasse erlaubte, ein kleines Püppchen dazu.
Wie war unser Kinderherz selig beim Anblick der herrlichen Pracht,
und es war ein heimliches Raunen um die stille Heilige Nacht.

Dann wurde ich älter und größer und wünschte mir das und dies,
ich glaubte nicht mehr ans Christkind und verlor so das Paradies.
Und dann kam der Krieg mit dem Leiden, mit all dem Hunger, der Not,
da wurde ich wieder bescheiden und war dankbar für ein Stück Brot.

Wir alle wurden da kleiner, und haben nur eines gedacht:
zu sein mit unseren Lieben, in der stillen Heiligen Nacht.
Doch der Wunsch erfüllte sich selten – wir war’n einsam und wussten nicht
wo unsere Lieben waren. Wir weinten, als ob’s Herze bricht.

Und als dann der Krieg war zu Ende, da wuchs eine Jugend heran,
und auch die hatte ihre Wünsche an den lieben Weihnachtsmann;
die waren nicht klein und bescheiden, denn der Wohlstand kam ins Land,
die Wünsche wurden größer und größer, und das Schenken nahm überhand.

Nun wird gewünscht und gegeben und keiner fragt nach dem Wert,
vergessen sind Krieg und Armut und einsame Stunden, beschwert.
Aus dem schönsten der christlichen Feste hat der Mensch einen Jahrmarkt gemacht,
er wünscht sich vom Besten das Beste, und vergisst die HEILIGE Nacht.

Nach Karl Glas, sent in by a reader

A CHRISTMAS REFLECTION
The theme of Christmas is the birth of greater light and healing for humanity. Luther’s translation of Luke’s Christmas story has the words: und die Klarheit des Herrn leuchtete über ihnen (or um sie); in English ‘the glory of the Lord shone around them.’ I prefer Klarheit, clarity, as it implies that one is able to see and understand clearly. I think this wonderful clarity is something we yearn for – we long to be touched by something awesome, something holy – that precious component of Christmas that is in danger of being lost, leaving everyone, believers and non-believers alike, the poorer.

Sometimes we are privileged to see this shining clarity on the faces of children and it touches us deeply. It’s an expression of the pure joy of truly being in the present wonderful moment and probably reminds us of blissfully happy moments we ourselves experienced at childhood Christmasses (if we were so blessed). Young children may still have their wishes granted. Grown-ups know that our deepest wishes may not be fulfilled, that the wonder may not return, that try as we might, we may not succeed in making Christmas happy for our dear ones – even children have sophisticated expectations; a few nuts and apples won’t cut it any more. Adults know we have to live with compromises. So a certain wistfulness or even melancholy lurks there, too.

What is it that we really want? Is it to feel truly loved and taken care of, valued and accepted – as we were in our childhood Christmasses? But find instead that we have to deal with thoughtlessness, hurt feelings and selfishness? When so many truly want love, harmony and understanding, why is there often conflict, anger, envy and resentment in families, nations and the world?
One counsellor and graduate educator, Morton Kelsey, suspects the main reason is that a great many people simply do not like themselves, and that this poisons their relations with others. Sadly, old-style Christian upbringing contributed to making people feel sinful, unworthy and in need of being saved, and that ‘loving yourself’ is selfish and bad. I don’t think it is generally taught that, in order to grow up and function in a healthy way, we must increasingly come to know ourselves and come to terms with ourselves as we are – fallible human beings who have weaknesses and foibles and ugly thoughts and make mistakes, sometimes don’t keep promises like everyone else, and that that’s the way it is. When we learn to accept ourselves as we are, and value ourselves as imperfect people in the process of striving to become a little more perfect – and when we stop beating ourselves up because we aren’t perfect yet, then we don’t need to protect our egos by being angry with others. Then we don’t have to try to build ourselves up by putting others down. Once we are able to like who we are in spite of the dark things we know about ourselves, then what others say about us no longer bothers us – it’s largely uninformed opinion anyway. And an interesting thing happens: we’re then able to forget about our formerly fragile selves and give our attention to others, to what concerns or interests them. Jesus was certainly right when he said ‘Love your neighbour as yourself’, clearly implying that those who cannot accept themselves and care about themselves as they are, cannot ever really care for or about others.

Letting go of illusions about ourselves and being honest with ourselves can be a painful process. Like when we suddenly realize that what we dislike in others is usually something we can’t bear to see about ourselves. It’s important to allow ourselves headspace to reflect on things. Talking with a wise, trusted friend can help us acknowledge things about ourselves we would otherwise remain unconscious of.
But why subject ourselves to such uncomfortable introspection? Because without such honesty and self-awareness, we have no hope of relating successfully to others. And if we want to be truly loved and accepted and valued, we need to pay careful attention to how we relate to others.

From the Christmas service in Bayswater 2004 by Herta Uhlherr. Also in the December ‘Warte’.

AUCH WEIHNACHTEN
Der Krieg ist aus. Mitte Mai 1945 wurden wir in Rhodos im Mittelmeer über Alexandrien in große Lager in der Wüste hinter El Alamein gebracht, wo uns eine unbestimmte Zukunft erwartete.
Wir waren in niedrigen Zelten untergebracht, in denen man nicht stehen, sondern nur sitzen und liegen konnte. Ringsum flache Sandwüste, kahl, nur mit kleinen Dornbüschen bewachsen.

Als die Weihnachtstage sich näherten, machten wir uns Gedanken, wie wir den Heiligen Abend verbringen sollten. Da kam einer auf die Idee, anstatt einem Tannenbaum einen Dornbusch aufzustellen. Diesen besorgte uns ein Kamerad, der täglich in die Wüste außerhalb des Lagers Abfall wegbringen musste. Wir machten kleine Kerzen aus Hindenburg-Lichtern mit Zündfäden als Dochte und hefteten diese mit Draht an den Dornbusch. Aus Silberpapier von Schokolade, das wir aus den Abfalleimern der englischen Bewachung heimlich holten, schnitten wir Silberfäden und schmückten damit den Dornbusch. Dieser wurde dann auf einen Stand, geformt aus Wüstensand und Wasser, gestellt und mit unseren weißen Handtüchern bedeckt. Davor stellen wir die Fotos unserer Lieben in der Heimat (Eltern, Frauen, Geschwister und Bräute) auf.

Als es dunkel wurde, setzten wir uns vor diesen ‘Weihnachtsbaum’ und zündeten die kleinen Kerzchen an. Es wurde still und jeder dachte an seine Lieben in der Heimat.

Da holte einer seine Mundharmonika heraus und spielte ‘Stille Nacht’. Zuerst ganz leise und als der zweite Vers erklang, summte zuerst einer, dann auch die anderen die Melodie mit und dann kamen auch die Worte heraus: Stille Nacht, Heilige Nacht.

Als das Lied ausgeklungen war, krochen wir aus dem Zelt heraus und schauten stumm zum sternklaren Himmel hinauf, der ja auch über der Heimat strahlte. So waren wir mit unseren Lieben verbunden, die sicher auch mit ihren Gedanken und lieben Wünschen bei uns waren.
Im ganzen Lager war es ruhig und jeder spürte wohl den Sinn des Festes und die Verbundenheit mit der Familie!
Stille Nacht, Heilige Nacht!
Our research failed to find the author. Do you know who wrote this?

ALSO CHRISTMAS
The war was over. In mid-May 1945 we were taken from Rhodes in the Mediterranean Sea via Alexandria to large camps in the desert beyond El Alamein. What would the future bring?
We were quartered in low tents in which you could not stand, just sit or lie. All around lay the flat sandy desert with low thorn bushes.
As Christmas approached, we put our minds to how we would spend Christmas Eve. Someone had the bright idea that we could put up a thornbush instead of a pine tree. A comrade who had to take rubbish out into the desert every day, brought us one back into camp. We made small candles out of Hindenburg lights (small broad cardboard boxes with wax and a wick) with string for wicks; these we wired to the thornbush. Silver paper from chocolate wrappers (secretly salvaged from the rubbish bins of the British guards) was cut into fine strips to decorate the thornbush, which was placed on a mount of damp desert sand and covered with our white towels. Photos of our loved ones at home – parents, wives, siblings, sweethearts – were placed before the ‘tree’.
When it grew dark, we sat around this ‘Christmas tree’ and lit the candles. Silence descended and each man thought of his dear ones at home. Someone got out his mouth organ and played Silent Night, very quietly at first. With the second verse someone began to hum along, then the others joined in the melody, and the words followed: Silent night, holy night.

When the carol ended, we crawled out of the tent and looked up at the bright starry sky without saying a word – the same stars were shining over our homes as well. Thus we were close to our loved ones, who were surely also thinking of us with their good wishes.
The whole camp was quiet and I’m sure every one of us could feel the significance of the day and the connection with his family.
‘Silent night, holy night!’
Tr. H.U.

TEXT FOR THE MONTH – Luke 20:38
We are safe in life and death

For he is not a God of the dead, but of the living: in his sight all are alive. (Luke 20:38)
So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts to wisdom says the 90th Psalm.
What does this wisdom consist of? I think of reminding ourselves time after time that our days on this Earth are numbered. This means stopping now and again to ask whether we are actually living the way we want to live. How much – even things important to us – do we not push aside or leave till later because we are so caught up in everyday life? And how often do we not even look after our own wants, let alone those of a higher nature?

Another aspect of this wisdom is how we deal with issues of loss and separation. All our lives are determined by leave-taking: from things, from places, from people and finally from lifelong habits. We have become wise when we have learnt not to get too attached to earthly things; it is then not too hard to let go. But we are human beings with feelings, reason cannot always tell us how we should feel. Feeling sad at the parting of a dear friend is an expression of a good personal relationship. Perhaps the sadness can give way to a feeling of gratitude, gratitude for our life having been enriched by such a relationship.

The greatest of separations, in the end, is our own passing. We know that we are subject to a natural order in which it is good that life does not last forever, but withers and dies to make room for new life. However, as the above quote by Jesus says, we are not left to our own devices and abandoned. God, who was a companion to us all our life, continues to be just that in the throes of death. We do not need to know how exactly these things work, but if we are confident that we come into life through God and die unto Him, we are right to feel safe.

Karin Klingbeil, tr. Peter Hornung
Also in the November ‘Warte’ re. remembrance days.

CONFIRMATION SERVICE – more extracts
Renate Weber – Educators are telling us that young people of this generation are going to see many changes in their lives. They will live in a global community. Distance will no longer be a barrier. They may work overseas. The technology they will have to work with and understand hasn’t even been invented yet! They may have a number of different careers; they will need to be flexible and adaptable. They are developing some understanding about religion, spirituality and the Temple Society. The important thing we can give these young people is a secure and sound base from which they can venture forth. By encouraging them to be the best they can be, to let their light shine out, to be guided by their conscience, to treat others as they want to be treated, we are providing them with a set of values they will be able to draw on wherever their life leads them.

Karl Wennagel – I participated in the confirmation classes because my parents thought that I would benefit from them. I learnt a lot about the Bible and where the Templer motto came from. The most interesting thing that I learnt about was the older Templers or our ‘living resources’, as Renate Weber likes to call them. But most of all I learnt about working as a team.

Renate Weber – Prayer for the Confirmands
Great Spirit who is over us, in us and around us, be with us today as we celebrate the Templer Rite of Passage called Confirmation. These young people, with the support of the Elders and their families, have been asking, and seeking to answer the big, deep questions about faith.
Let them each be talented, brilliant, gorgeous and fabulous, let their unique precious inner light radiate out into the world. May they have the humility to listen, the strength to stand up for what they believe is right, and the wisdom to know when they are wrong! Be there in whatever form they need you when they ask for help, guidance and support, be it as a divine force, as their conscience, as a friend. The Lord’s Prayer was said together.

Although we have not printed every confirmand’s contribution, each had a part to play in the uplifting ceremony. We wish them all well! Ed.

OUT OF THE MOUTHS…
A Sunday School teacher was listening to her class saying the Lord’s Prayer together. Suddenly it dawned on her that, instead of ‘trespasses’, one child was saying: ‘…forgive us our Christmasses as we forgive those who Christmas against us…’
Christmas is meant to be a time of loving and caring for others, but if we fail to embrace and welcome those whom we should welcome, maybe we are ‘Christmassing’ against that person.
‘Forgive us our Christmasses’, for the times we have been selfish and unloving. Expensive presents don’t prove we care. It is the care of others and making them know they are important to us that is the essence of the Christmas message.
From Brother Bill Firman (whose organisation BoysTown cares for disadvantaged boys).

NEW YEAR
Each year’s a new deposit book
with pages that are blank,
we can make entries every day,
like credits in our bank.

Each time we do a kindly deed
or lend a helping hand,
we invest in bonds of love and joy
– goodwill reigns in the land.

Our good deeds may be large or small
– deposits through the year;
they add up and earn interest:
God’s reign becomes more clear.

Let’s treasure every new year
for the chance to spread Life’s wealth;
and may our balance at year’s end
o’erflow with love and health.

Adapted from a poem sent in by a Sydney reader.

TEMPLE SOCIETY AUSTRALIA
An independent Christian community

Occasionally members say they are uncomfortable about explaining our group or our name to people who ask. Adding ‘an independent Christian community’ whenever you say ‘Temple Society’ helps.

Some are uncomfortable about ‘Christian’, because many people equate ‘Christian’ with ‘churchy’. We can say we follow the teaching of Jesus rather than that of any specific church. (They may not understand the difference – the media generally don’t). As we have said before, Christianity is more diverse than ‘churchianity’ – there are wonderful Christians inside and outside ‘the Church’.
When our choir recently sang (beautifully!) the spiritual ‘Lord, I want to be a Christian’, I was heartened to hear a choir member say ‘It’s good to express this feeling’. Yet we often hesitate – to avoid ridicule? Here is some food for thought….

Happiness is Christianity, believe it or not
“Christians are happier than atheists and more generous, a new survey suggested not so long ago. Those with a spiritual orientation tend to have a greater sense of purpose in life, are more open to personal growth and have more optimism, according to Peter Kaldor, principal author of the Spirituality and Wellbeing in Australia report.

“They are also more likely to help others, whether informally in daily life, giving money to charity or doing voluntary service. ‘These results suggest that exploration of spirituality and wellbeing may be important to a healthy society,’ Dr Kaldor said.

“Another researcher, John Bellamy, said the decline in church life came at a cost. ‘The research suggests that with the decline of the significance of church life in Australia and the secularisation of Christian festivals such as Christmas, we are losing something of the fabric of community wellbeing.’

“Dr Bellamy said many people assumed that a more secular outlook was better for society. ‘While no doubt a complex question, the opposite appears to be true: religion and spirituality appear to provide some anchors for life.’

“He said Christianity and New Age spirituality provided a sense of purpose in life, but believers of alternative spiritualities were less likely to contribute to charities or community groups than religious people. The study found that those who were ‘unreflectively religious’ tended to have lower levels of self-esteem and personal growth and were less involved in various forms of service or giving to charity.

“The study – by researchers from Deakin University, Perth’s Edith Cowan University, the National Church Life Survey and Anglicare, in Sydney – found people with a spiritual orientation scored higher on wellbeing categories, including general health and physical functioning, mental health, self-esteem, optimism, sense of control, purpose in life, sense of personal growth, satisfaction with life, sense of security, relational wellbeing and concern for others.”
Barney Zwartz in ‘The Age’, 11.12.2004

These findings tie in with Jesus’ simple, but powerful words: Your faith has made you whole, or well. – Ah, but haven’t philosophers theorized that faith is just a crutch for the unthinking? There follow some of my thoughts.
Yes, faith (in the sense of religion) can be (ab)used to keep the ‘unreflectively religious’ infantilised and under the thumb of Church or mullah etc. authority. Looking at the history of faith, however, (and perhaps it would be beneficial to do this more often), we find many examples where people with faith (whether in God, Jesus, Mary, Allah, or…) have had authentic experiences of being healed, or of being given strength to endure, or to achieve incredibly heroic things in the face of insurmountable odds, or to remain serene even as they faced death. If faith has such power, it is worth pursuing, and many highly intelligent people do – not just the unthinking.

I have concluded that for me it makes more sense to choose faith in a Higher Power, and practise this in thought and deed, believing that ‘all is well’ even if it does not look like it. We all choose what we see, though usually unconsciously and influenced by the prevailing thoughts around us. From where I’m at, it seems intelligent to consciously choose a way of thinking, having faith and living that strengthens and supports me, rather than falling prey to existential angst, hyped emotions and constant drama. Jesus’ teachings help me (as do others). I believe there are other ways, more appropriate to where other individuals are at, and that’s OK; ‘God’ seems to love diversity.

It’s not such a bad thing to be a Christian in an independent Christian community. As many of us have often experienced for ourselves, it’s good for our health and wellbeing.
Long may our Templer Communities thrive.
Herta Uhlherr

“Kriege führen auch die Ameisen, Staaten haben auch die Bienen, Reichtümer sammeln auch die Hamster. Deine Seele sucht andere Wege, und wo sie zu kurz kommt, wo du auf ihre Kosten Erfolge hast, blüht dir kein Glück. Denn Glück empfinden kann nur die Seele, nicht der Verstand, nicht Bauch, Kopf oder Geldbeutel. Was hülfe es dir, wenn du die ganze Welt gewännest, und nähmest Schaden an deiner Seele!”

Renate Beilharz, for RC

FROM THE OFFICE

Office Closure
The TSA Office will not be fully attended during the Christmas and summer holiday period. We will close on Wednesday 21st December and re-open on Tuesday 24th January 2006. Messages can be left on the answering machine, but be aware that they may not be responded to immediately.

In emergency situations or matters of need, please contact either:
Mark Herrmann – Business Manager
Dr Rolf Beilharz – Regional Head or
Helga Anderson – Community Care Worker
The bereavement line will continue to function during this period.

Thank you
At this time of year it is customary for me to reflect on what has happened within the TSA and what has been achieved during the past 12 months. For a relatively small community, I am often staggered by the number of projects and initiatives on the go and the amount of volunteer effort it needs to keep them going.
I believe the TSA is blessed to have so many productive and dedicated Members prepared to work for the common good and, in so doing, strive towards the Temple Society aim. I take this opportunity of thanking all volunteers for the important roles they play and the significant work that is achieved by them. If you can, take a break and relax with family and friends over the festive season … that’s what I intend to do!
Mark Herrmann, Business Manager

A big thankyou also to Mark and Nanne Herrmann, Helga Anderson and Irma Wesselbaum who work so hard for us in the Office!

SOCIAL CARE

Dear Friends,
After the establishment of the new structure for the TSA, the former Community Care Reference Group (CCRG) has undergone a metamorphosis and has become the Care Worker Support Group (CWSG) which is an interest group of the Welfare Focus Group. This means that we have separate meetings, as we address different issues but liaise with the other groups. It is our desire to meet the needs of our community members and we are always open to suggestions.
I have recently returned from a holiday in New Zealand which I enjoyed very much. New Zealand is a very beautiful country with a friendly and relaxed lifestyle. In Wellington we enjoyed a most pleasant evening at the home of Dot and Peter Ware who are residing there until the end of this year. Dot’s mother Hildegard Hoffmann was also there.

After this holiday I am ready to face the pre-Christmas rush. It has been a turbulent year with its mix of joy and grief. Perhaps, amid all the rush, we can stop and take a deep breath and reflect on the meaning of this festive season and why we are rushing so much. There are many sad, lonely people for whom we could spare a thought this Christmas or, better still, invite them to your home for a few hours.
Best wishes for Christmas and the New Year.
Helga Anderson, Community Care Worker

Correction – On page 15 of the November TR, the SMS number for the toilet map should read 0428 166 644.

Helene Varjabedian	Erika Petrick
Hugo Wennagel	Linda Steller
Rosemarie Beilharz	Ulrich Asenstorfer
Ella Weber	Lotte Breisch
Gertrud Poddey (102!)	Erna Carson
Erika Scheer	Walter Rode
Reinhold Orth	Gerda Struve
Ursula Thiesemann	Lieselotte Korbel
Jürgen Gronau	Lothar Boehmer
Hedwig Wennagel	Werner Struve
Harald Gassmann	Else Beck
Elma Nolte	Rose Asenstorfer
Trudel Trauner	Felix Haar

und wünschen auch allen hier nicht angeführten Geburtstagskindern alles Gute und Schöne zum neuen Lebensjahr.

GOLDEN WEDDING ANNIVERSARY
Congratulations to Horst and Irene Blaich for their golden wedding anniversary on 17th December. May they have many more, happy years together.

SILVER WEDDING ANNIVERSARY
We congratulate Peter and Beverley Leszinsky for their silver wedding anniversary on 16th January.

NEW MEMBER
We welcome Klaus Baldenhofer as a member and apologize for not doing so earlier. We hope he will feel comfortable among us.

BEREAVEMENTS

Annemarie Kirchner née Scheerer passed away at the Tabulam Nursing Home on 24th September, 2005, aged 89. Annemarie and Hans had lived in Bayswater for over 30 years in one of the first independent units built for the Templer community. When Annemarie passed away, they had lived together in a close relationship for almost 60 years. Remarkably, they had managed to live independently until this year. Annemarie had suffered considerable pain over many years, and in recent months suffered further from repeated falls and hip dislocations.
She is now at peace, and is greatly missed by her husband and constant companion, Hans, her two children Monika McCallum and Dieter Kirchner, and their 10 grandchildren. Our thanks to her carers in the Home, and to all who sent us kind expressions of sympathy.

Shortly before her 100th birthday Else Hermann née Froeschle died on 6.10.2005 in TTHA. She had been a widow for 30 years and she and Erich had no children. She was well liked and had been the oldest surviving ‘Saroner’, of great help to the Heritage Group.

My mother, our loving Oma, dearest family member and friend Hilde(gard) Turnevicius née Kuebler died on 20th October at TTHA, aged 82. She will be greatly missed. May she rest in peace, knowing she was well loved and treasured.
Thank you all for your heartfelt kindness, love and support during our time of grief: Dr Rolf Beilharz, Irene Blaich (piano), the ladies who helped with coffee after the service, and particularly the staff at TTHA. Thank you also for your donations to the Home.
Claudia Harrop with Terry and children Rhys and Madeleine,
Anni Kuebler and Käthe Rockenschuh,
Peter and Robert Kuebler and families.
Our condolences to these families

TRIBUTE to Hilde Turnevicius
Because a traffic accident blocked the Geelong Road, Hilde’s nephew, Robert, was too late to contribute his lines at the funeral. Here is a condensed version:

My Tante Hilde had a difficult married surname. Her name was the only difficult thing about her. She had a warm sense of fun which brought out a sparkle in her eyes and the dimples on her cheeks. Usually a giggle would follow. To a young nephew who had a talent for getting into trouble, this was good. To be at her side was a safe place. It was good news when we were called to lunch or dinner. Like all the Kuebler girls, Hilde was an excellent chef and pastry cook, learning new recipes and tastes on shopping trips or from her multi-cultural co-workers at the Melbourne Herald-Sun. ‘Oh, beeudiful’ she would say. This expression remains in our minds as her personal trademark.
Hilde’s life was shaped by events beyond her control. As we know, World War II displaced the Kueblers (Christian, Maria, Gerda, Hilde and Anni) from their idyllic home in Palestine, never to return. To a young lady, the move to Australia was a great adventure: she was left with many, many stories and a fascination with all things Middle Eastern: food, plants, culture and souvenirs. Hilde’s sense of fun helped her to adapt to her new home. Her command of the English language, no doubt learned while improving Australian-German relations at Tatura, helped her form friendships easily with the neighbours in Nunawading.

Hilde’s enduring pleasure arrived with the birth of her daughter Claudia in the early 60s. This was great for me, too, as I had a new playmate during holidays. It seems as if Hilde’s home was an opportunity for her to recreate her childhood paradise. The garden was a Mediterranean wonderland of fruit trees, grape vines, vegie and herb gardens. There was usually a cat or dog in the yard. Hilde taught Claudia, as well as her adored Rhysy and Maddie, to love them, too.
In recent years with Claudia’s family, Hilde was able to continue her love affair with the beach at the new paradise on Phillip Island. I was lucky enough to have had an occasional coffee with her at Cowes pier, watching the waves and the children playing. When they brought her a crab or marine treasure, she would say: ‘Oh, beeudiful’. All of us, family, friends, our pets and gardens will miss her gentle, loving presence.
Robert Kuebler

AUSFLUG ZUM EARIMIL GARDEN – 20. Oktober
Am Donnerstag, den 20. Oktober, fuhren mit Bus, Kleinbus und Privatautos etwa 50 Personen der Tempelgemeinde nach Frankston. Dort war allgemeine Begrüßung und anschließend ein reichliches Mittagessen im Foodstar. Weiter ging es nach Mt Eliza in den Earimil Garden. Es war ein unbeschreiblich schöner Anblick. Diese Blütenpracht und die Skulpturen, in welcher Harmonie alles geschaffen wurde. Die Lage des Gartens mit Blick aufs Meer und der Skyline von Melbourne, alles in allem ein Paradies. Vor dem Aufbruch wurden wir noch zu Kaffee und Kuchen geladen. Für alle wird es ein unvergessliches Erlebnis bleiben.
Maria Sattler

THE ‘BLOOMING MARVELLOUS’ GARDEN TRIP – 12th November
Very early (for some) on Saturday morning, 21 garden enthusiasts left the Bayswater Hall on the Templer bus Rosa, with Mark Herrmann as driver and Marianne as hostess. Through the incredibly green countryside we drove to Noorat in the Western District to view 3 ‘Open Gardens’ in aid of the local primary school.
Our niece, Ami (Anna Grendon née Wagner) was one of the hosts. We looked in on her to organise details, picked up her mother, Luise Wagner and travelled to Violet Bank, the first garden. This was very impressive with its terraced areas and rose arbours and courtyard. In all 3 gardens the roses were in full bloom and really striking, providing a beautiful perfume. I liked the way all kinds of flowers and plants were allowed to grow at random at Violet Bank, in the cottage garden style.

Back at Rosewood, Ami, her husband Bob and daughter Sarah greeted us again and provided us with a very welcome lunch of sandwiches (made by a dear friend of Ami’s), fruit platters, plus cakes and beverages. Thank you Ami! It was just perfect sitting under the beautiful large elms, reminiscent of a Country Templer meeting. Rosewood is a more formal garden that Ami and Bob have brought back to glory after it was neglected by the previous owners. Again the roses stole the show. A quaint little shelter with a bench overlooking a pond was an especially lovely feature for me. (Interesting fact: 14 of the 21 participants on the bus are relatives of Ami’s, some ‘round a few corners’!) We spent quite some time in Rosewood, the conversation always flowing as is the case amongst friends and relatives.

Before moving on to the next garden we had to let a heavy shower pass, then took leave of our hosts and Luise and Karl. Glen Isla was much smaller; again roses were the main feature, especially David Austens, as well as large shade trees. An added interest over the fence was a herd of alpacas with their soft, gentle faces. Some of us had room for Devonshire Tea, while others went for a quick hike up the hill to look into the crater. (The whole area is volcanic).

Hoping that our group made a significant impact on the monies collected in the milk can and the cow money box, we climbed into Rosa for the return trip. Unfortunately – but fortunately in a town – at Camperdown we had a bad fright. Heinz, sleeping on the back seat, had a seizure and was taken by ambulance to the hospital, where he was kept overnight. Thankfully he is fully restored to me again, came home and worked in his garden.

I wish to thank all our fellow travellers and members who rang, for their help and support. Here was another example of the value of belonging to a supportive family and community. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
Heinz and Heidi Vollmer

Last but not least – Mark and Marianne deserve a very big THANKYOU for organising this trip.

THANK YOU
To Nanne, Mark and all of our Templer friends and relations who came to our Open Garden last weekend I extend my heartfelt thanks for the effort you all made in coming so far and in contributing to the success of our school fundraiser. Bob, Sarah and I loved having you all here in our garden and home, and I know that the owners of the other two gardens appreciated your support as well. We hope you all enjoyed your visit to the Western District and our gardens.
You can be proud to know that you made a substantial contribution to the $2500 that we raised over the two days and that this is a significant amount for a school of only approximately 40 families.
Thanks again,
Anna Grendon

SPORTING HERO – Heinz Vollmer
Recently spotted in an Art Exhibition of Knox Sporting Heroes in the foyer of the Knox Council building was a lovely photograph of Heinz Vollmer, with the following words:

‘Even though my own soccer playing career was relatively short, I spent many years in various official capacities within the Bayswater Soccer Club (now Knox City Soccer Club) and the Victorian Soccer Federation. This involvement gave me great satisfaction. I was able to interact with many wonderful people: boys, teenagers and new immigrants from all over Europe.’
Heinz Vollmer

We all know how hard Heinz has worked for the Bayswater Templer Community as well, and feel he richly deserves this acknowledgement, even if he wants no fuss.
We thank acclaimed photojournalist Andrew Chapman for allowing us to use his image of Heinz. His b/w pictures of the ‘sporting legends’ are stunning.

SYDNEY AND SOUTH AUSTRALIA

SYDNEY
Dates to remember:
Sunday 18th December Christmas Service 4pm. Everyone very welcome.

We wish everyone a happy Christmas and a great New Year!
H. Beck

REVEGETATION of Templer church grounds at Meadowbank
This proposal submitted by Rolf Beck to the last Community Council Meeting has been approved.

1. We can improve the surrounds of our Saal building at McPherson St/Forsyth St Meadowbank by a fairly easy revegetation strategy.
2. We can dedicate the results to the Templers who established us at Meadowbank.
3. We may be able to involve the younger members of the community in a worthwhile practical cooperative activity. Even fairly young children can be involved in planting. Can we have an after session barbecue as a reward for helpers?
4. If we do this with the co-operation of Ryde City Council through their Bushcare program, then we can expect some support by being involved cooperatively with these authorities. They can advise us and provide some tangible help to us (e.g. make it easier to get approval for removal of any senescent trees which may be seen as a hazard.) We would only be committed to planting certain types of a range of native plants. We will not be totally without choice in this regard, but will be encouraged to choose locally (or formerly) occurring plant species.
5. There are virtually no costs involved as we would not be establishing a garden in the conventional sense of the word but would be using the existing landscape to provide the basis for “greening” the grounds.
6. We would be seen to be involved in an environmentally benign activity.

Points to consider:

1. Indigenous plants (i.e. native to that area) suitable for the site to be used.
2. Area presently designated for parking to be left essentially for this purpose.
3. Choose plants which will not be a fire risk.
4. No plants that pose a security risk, such as low dense shrubs which can conceal people “up to mischief”.
5. Plants not to cause strife with neighbours nor be a hazard to them, to the church building nor to people attending Saal. The issue may be one of “no leaves or branches to cause problems,” or even excessive shade for adjoining properties.
6. Chosen plants to be more or less self sustaining once established – little watering and no pruning?
7. We are going along with the general philosophy of environmental concern and demonstrating this through cooperation with Council and therefore the local community.
8. We may suggest dedicating trees planted to the planter’s family members – i.e. make a personal memorial for grandfather, grandmother or parents or ---
9. All of this work to be done by Templer volunteers – in the Templer tradition of self-reliance and “do it yourself”.
10. The suggestion is to propagate our own plants and plant these ourselves, but we can get some support (for no cost usually) from Council if our seed sowing fails!
11. Plant propagation is easy and I propose that this is done in a secure area like someone’s back garden or anywhere acceptable to those involved.
12. Importantly the cost of this work will be minimal, if not zero.

Plant Species: We need to choose plants belonging to the “STIF” category – this means plants which are normally found in “Sydney Terpentine, Ironbark Forest” environment. They need to be local and can include:

Trees
• Angophora floribunda (Rough Barked Apple)
• Syncarpia glomulifera (turpentines)
• Eucalyptus paniculate (Grey Ironbark)
• Elaeocarpus reticulatus (Blueberry Ash)
• Glochidion ferdinandi (Cheese tree)

Shrubs – there are any number of these to choose from such as:
• Grevillea linearifolia (White Spider Flower)
• Grevillea speciosa (Red Spider Flower)
• Kunzea ambigua (Tick Bush)
• Callistemon linearifolius (Red Bottlebrush)
• Callistemon citrinus (Crimson Bottlebrush)
• Persoonia linearis (Narrow Leaved Geebung)

Ground Covers Plants and lower herby plants
• Dianella caerulea (Blue Flax Lily)
• Lomandra longifolia (Mat Rush)
• Viola hederacea (Native violets)
• Dichondra repens (kidney weed)

Vines (?)
• Hardenbergia violacea (False sarsaparilla)
• Kennedia rubicunda (Dusky Coral Pea)
• Stephania japonica (Snake Vine)
• Eustrephus latifolius (Wombat Berry)

Of course not all of these may be suitable or desirable for our grounds but the list illustrates what is available and can be readily grown.

If this meets with your approval then we need to:
1. Discuss the idea and work out a strategy.
2. Make arrangements with Council to get ourselves involved (registered) with their bushcare program.
3. Canvas Templers to see who may be willing to participate.
4. Arrange on-site meetings to do the work. This is usually a half-day a month (typically 9am to 12noon) and is obligation-free with no compulsion or coercion of any kind.
5. If all goes well, then seed for propagation will need to be collected and propagation undertaken. Seeds for various species need to be collected at various times in the year, will need to be sown (any time in the season, but spring gets them motoring along at the best rate) and we will need a lead time of six months to a year before we have many plants big enough to put in the ground.
6. We need to assign the seed collection and sowing to enthusiastic volunteers. If there are none, then I am prepared to do this when I get the time. Equipment for this is minimal and we can scrounge enough gear to do this without cost.

Please note:
1. This is not intended as a conventional gardening activity.
2. It is not intended to remove the trees already on the site now.
3. Pruning for the sake of hazard reduction is an altogether different issue and may have to be considered as we go along. (We can get council to approve this as the need arises through the bushcare program. This may reduce costs involved).
4. Any tree removal proposal should be postponed, where possible, until the planned revegetation is successfully on the way. The trees and their falling leaves presently are the only real protection against sun and wind. in the present drought environment even weeds and leaf litter provide protection for the soil, by providing shade and shelter from drying winds and sunshine. (For this reason the church grounds have been mowed only when absolutely necessary!)
Rolf Beck

Gutsle Baking Class
On Saturday 5th November a small group of us assembled at Jo Steller’s place to learn the fine art of Gutsle making. Jo soon had us to work doing such tasks as stirring honey and sugar over heat, or gently roasting crushed almonds, or grating orange peel for the Lebkuchen. Soon we were patting the dough down flat in trays and using one of her tricks to get it flat. Then, as the rich aroma of the baking Lebkuchen gradually filled the air, we tackled Zimtsterne and Bauernküchlein. Separating the eggs carefully, grinding almonds, leaving just enough of the beaten egg mixture to dob on top, making up the mixture for the Lebkuchen so it could set a little in the fridge etc. etc.

And as we worked we were given little gems of hints and advice. The group ranged in age from 9 upwards, and it was a really lovely time to catch up, share and learn. For me it was like the start of the Christmas Season. I also realized that we were connecting with the past, as we were probably doing something that generation after generation of our fore-women had done as part of the Christmas preparation ritual in Palestine and before that in Germany.
By the end we had large trays of warm Gutsle ready for the bazaar. These were later packed beautifully by Jo. We are all in the picture taken at the Sydney Bazaar on 19th November (except for Anneliese Hoffmann), proudly holding our produce. It sold out by the way! Thanks Jo for patiently instructing us, providing us with the ingredients and sharing your tips with us.
Ingrid Turner

BAZAAR – 19th November
Our Bazaar held on Saturday 19th November started quite slowly, but as lunchtime drew near, more and more people turned up, although not in the usual numbers. The barbeque was as popular as ever and inside the hall, the Weihnachtsgebäck went very quickly. The raffles were very popular and the children really enjoyed this, whooping with joy when their ticket number was called out.
We had many more younger people helping out and I would like to thank them and all our usual hard-working volunteers for their time and effort. We couldn’t have done it without all of you. The outcome was still very acceptable and more than expected, and we are grateful for everyone's generosity. This was the first time I was in charge of it all and would especially like to thank Erika Schulz for all her help and support and my friend Nella Kruck for coming all the way from Forster to be in charge of the kitchen. Hanni Steller

SOUTH AUSTRALIA
Unsere Gruppe wird immer kleiner. Am 9. Oktober waren wir 7 Personen im Saal, die sich aber aufmerksam den Vortrag (geschrieben von Hulda Wagner, gelesen von Uli Asenstorfer) über den 1. Römerbrief Vers 12, Kapitel 9-21 anhörten. Wir sangen ‘Wie groß ist des Allmächt’gen Güte’ so gut es ging.
Wieder überbrachte Erna Unger Grüße von Thea Frank. Grüße und unsere besten Wünsche gehen an Thea Frank – die im Oktober 98 wurde – und an Berthold Tannenbaum.
Der nächste Saal ist am 11. Dezember, wieder in Tanunda, um 2 Uhr.
Die schrumpfende Frauengruppe traf sich im September bei Anne Stevens und im Oktober bei Elsa Mahlburg. Am 28. November werden wir unseren jährlichen Ausflug nach Hahndorf gemacht haben.
Rose Asenstorfer

YOUTH

TEENAGE GROUP

Calendar
December 10th – break-up party and 2006 planning

Teenage Group Pool Party Break-up – 10th December
Where: Nikki’s Imberger’s house (Dingley)
Time: We will meet at 11:00am at Bayswater Hall for those coming from the Bayswater area, and will be at Bentleigh Hall at 11:45am. We plan to arrive back home at around 5pm, but I’ll let you know closer to the date.
What to bring: Bathers, towel, and either a snack or drink to share with the group. We will be supplying the meat, bread and salad.
For any of you with special dietary needs, just let us know beforehand.

This will be our final teenage group event for 2005. We will also be planning what you want to do in 2006. Let me know if you are interested in coming.
You can contact me by e-mail: k_lubitz@hotmail.com
Hope to see you there,
Kirsten Lubitz

SUMMER CAMP 2006
Summer Camp 2006 will be held at Angahook Holiday Camp at Aireys Inlet, from Sunday 8th to Friday 13th January 2006. Medical and permission forms are now available from the Office.
As always, any children attending Summer Camp may bring along friends.

YOUTH CAMP
This Youth Camp is for anyone confirmed and/or over the age of 15 years.
Dates: Sunday 8th to Friday 13th January 2006
Venue Queenscliff Inn Hostel, 59 Hesse Street, Queenscliff, 3225 – this is a small Youth Hostel and Bed and Breakfast at which our group will have exclusive use of the hostel part of the venue.
Cost $200 per person all inclusive (please contact Susi if the cost is a problem).

Bookings: booking and medical forms are available from the Office if you have not yet received any by email.
Transport: We have a bus, the details of which are on the camp information form.

YOUTH SERVICE
A Youth Service is planned for Sunday 12th February 2006. I would like to hear from anyone willing or keen to help out with or take part in this service. Please contact Susi as soon as possible (see box below).

“YOUTH DROP IN ZONES”
The dates for the first couple of “Drop in Nights” next year are
• Saturday 28th January 7pm till late
• Friday 10th February 8pm till late

Every second Saturday or Friday evening there will be a couple of “youth leaders” at the Bayswater Community room for any young people who would like to just drop in and hang out with some friends, watch a movie, play some pool, etc. These drop in nights would be open to any age group and may be a great time to catch up with your confirmation group, connect up with people you haven’t seen for a while, or just get together with some other young people. If the response is good, then other cross age youth activities can be organised for those nights.
If anyone is interested in being on a youth leader roster and helping out to “man” the Community room on those two-weekly occasions, please give Susi a call.

Merry Christmas to you all, and have a safe and very enjoyable holiday away from school!
Susi Blackwell, Community Youth Coordinator

2005 CONFIRMATION GROUP

Hi guys!
I've booked the Bayswater Bowling Alley for us to use (how fun!!!!)
When: Friday 2nd December 6pm - 9pm
Where: Templer bowling alley at the Bayswater Hall
Bring: $5 for pizza and snacks/drinks to share.

So we'll order pizza for dinner, have a bowl and all catch up before Christmas, sound like fun, hey? As usual it would be great if you can bring friends along, but most importantly it would be great for YOU to come along!!! Please rsvp via my e-mail as soon as you can, otherwise I'll have to call you at home (which is always fun, because I love a good chat!).
If you have any questions e-mail me at kste@deakin.edu.au
Kristen Steller

Dark Zone Laser Game
When: Monday 23rd January 8pm - 10pm
Where: Dark Zone Box Hill (942-946 Whitehorse Road)
This is a week after the Youth Camp, which gives you all plenty of time to develop all of your photos and bring them along to show everyone. Anybody who is attending the youth camp is encouraged to come along.
If you have any questions, e-mail Kristen: kste@deakin.edu.au
Kristen Steller

CHILDREN’S SECTION

A big ‘hi’ to you all!
Wow! Can you believe it’s almost Christmas time? Every December I think the same thing, ‘How fast this year has flown past!’ But I really enjoy December; it’s a curious mix of endings and beginnings. The end of Playgroup, Kinder, school and work commitments for the year, and the beginning of preparations for Christmas and the holiday season. There always seems to be a lot to do and a lot to look forward to.
Did you celebrate the approach of Christmas by lighting one candle on the first Advent Sunday last weekend?
Last month we talked about Templers being Christians and following the teachings of Jesus Christ. The completed phrase reads: ‘A follower of Jesus is a CHRISTIAN’ (An encouragement award goes to Mark for his suggestion of CHAMELEON, referring to being able to change one’s colour/attitude).

Did you read the fishing story and answer the questions? Here are some ideas for answers:

Can you remember the names of Jesus’ 12 disciples? They are Judas, Philip, Simon, James, Andrew, John, Bartholomew, Thomas, Judas, Peter, James and Matthew. Can you fit their names into the spaces in the grid on the next page?
In the next Templer Record we will begin thinking about the Temple Society symbol. Those of you who go to Sunday School will already have an idea of what it is. Do the rest of you know what our symbol is and, just as importantly, what it represents? You’ve got two months to think about it! Have a look at page 43, too.

Special hullo to the kids in Sydney as you prepare for your Christmas. It would be great to hear from you! And from country children as well.

In the meantime I hope you and your families enjoy December, and that in all the frantic activity this month, you find some time for peace, stillness and quiet. May your Christmas be meaningful, may your homes and hearts be filled with love and may you enjoy a safe and restful holiday and start to 2006.
Christine

Seit dem letzten Bericht sind bedauerlicherweise 5 Mitglieder aus dem Vorstand ausgeschieden. Drei neue TSA Mitglieder wurden berufen: Trudi Blessing, Rolf Beilharz and Hartmut Weller. Die AGWS ernannte Karl Haak.

Hartmut Weller wurde zum Präsident gewählt. In dieser Rolle will ich (Hartmut) zunächst einmal den scheidenden Mitgliedern Fred Schlatt, Isolde Busch, Judy Eppinger, Karin Ruff und Friedrich Sawatzky für ihren wichtigen Beitrag danken, und ein besonderer Dank geht an Friedrich für seine Arbeit als Präsident und - mehr persönlich - Dank für seine Unterstützung bei der Übernahme meiner neuen Aufgabe. Persönliche Grüße gehen auch an meine Vorstandskollegen, alte und neue. Ich freue mich auf die Gelegenheit, teilzuhaben an der Aufgabe, dass unser Heim weiterhin so ruhig und sicher läuft und damit die Sicherheit und Geborgenheit für unsere Bewohner garantiert wird. Ich freue mich darauf, eng mit den Vorstandskollegen zusammenzuarbeiten in einer konstruktiven und harmonischen Weise.

Dr Schreiber lud mich gleich ein, an einem "Management Review Meeting" im Heim teilzunehmen, das alle Abteilungsleiter einschließt. Dieses Meeting diskutiert alle Aspekte der Heimleitung einschließlich möglicher Probleme, Beschwerden, Vorhaben usw. Ich hatte Gelegenheit, die interne Dokumentation und die Verwaltungsabläufe zu beobachten und muss sagen, ich war beeindruckt zu sehen, wie die leitenden Mitarbeiter ihre Pflichten fachgerecht beherrschen und die Betonung deutlich darauf liegt, die Arbeit immer neu verbessernd zu überdenken, wobei ihnen deutlich das Wohl der Bewohner und Mitarbeiter am Herzen liegt.
In naher Zukunft will ich mich den Bewohnern zuwenden und werde mich vertraut machen mit den Abläufen im Heim und will bei dieser Gelegenheit alle Bewohner herzlich begrüßen.

Since the last report, 5 TTHA committee members including our president regrettably resigned. Three new TSA members were appointed i.e.: Trudi Blessing, Rolf Beilharz and Hartmut Weller. The AGWS appointed Karl Haak.

Hartmut Weller was elected president. In this role I (Hardy) would firstly like to thank our previous members, Fred Schlatt, Isolde Busch, Judy Eppinger, Karin Ruff and Friedrich Sawatzky for their significant contribution and a special thanks to Friedrich for his work as president and, on a more personal note, his assistance to me in the transition period. Personal greetings also go to my committee colleagues old and new, and I welcome the opportunity to participate in ensuring our Home continues to run smoothly and provide security and comfort to our residents and look forward to working closely with the members in a constructive and harmonious manner.

Dr Schreiber recently invited me to attend the regular "Management Review Meeting" which includes all the section and department managers. This meeting discusses all aspects of the Home’s operation including problems, priorities, complaints etc. I had the opportunity to observe the internal documentation and procedures which are in place, and must say, I was left with the impression that the incumbents were very professional in the discharge of their duties. The emphasis seems to be very strongly one of continuous improvement with the interest of residents and staff at heart.

In the near future I hope to meet all the residents and become more familiar with the operational procedures of the Home and take this opportunity to greet all our residents warmly.

Meanwhile I wish you all a happy Christmas and a good new year.
Kind regards
Hartmut Weller

DER STERN
Hatt’ einer auch fast mehr Verstand
als wie die drei Weisen aus Morgenland
und ließe sich dünken, er wäre wohl nie
dem Sternlein nachgereist, wie sie;
dennoch, wenn nun das Weihnachtsfest
seine Lichtlein wonniglich scheinen lässt,
fällt auch auf sein verständig Gesicht,
er mag es merken oder nicht,
ein freundlicher Strahl
des Wundersternes von dazumal.

BA-BO FLOWER ROSTER
Minnie Haering
Christmas decorations left in place

A special thankyou to all my Flower Ladies who, when rostered, were very helpful in arranging the flowers for the services at Bayswater over the last 7 years, whether it was in the Hall or the Chapel. Positive reactions were always received on the fine arrangements, and it has been a pleasure to work with you all over these years. I hope the new organizer, Imi Roscher, will also have your support.
So: thanks to all the flower ladies, and to Imi for taking on the roster.
Minnie Haering

BA-BO TENNIS CLUB
We are holding our Christmas Sausage Sizzle on Friday 2nd December from 6:30pm. Sausages, bread and some drinks are provided.
Hope to see you there.
Hella Edelmaier, Secretary

CHILDREN’S CHRISTMAS WISHES
Saturday 24th December 4pm Bentleigh Hall
If you would like your child to take part in this year’s children’s Christmas Wishes at the Christmas Eve service, please give Moni Imberger a ring asap (tel. 9551 8206).
Once I know how many children we have, I will send out each child’s part, which will need to be practised at home. We will have one rehearsal on Thursday 22nd December at 9am, lasting only about an hour.
Hope to hear from you soon.
Moni Imberger

LADIES’ ADVENT – Sunday 4th December 2:30pm
See p. 40 in November TR. Don’t forget money for the raffle and the bazaar, and a plate of Gutsle or cake to share over coffee. Nanne could use help bagging Gutsle on Saturday 3.12. between 1 and 3pm in the Bentleigh Hall kitchen.

ADVENT in Bayswater – Tuesday 6th December 8pm
Everyone is invited to a candlelit evening of readings and carols, coffee and Gutsle – please bring some to share! Donations will be collected for the Borromeo Sisters in Jerusalem for their work with poor children.
Could a few more help with setting up, please, on Tuesday 6th at 10am? Any young ladies able to help serve coffee? We look forward to being touched by the spirit of Advent.
Inge Hoefer and Herta Uhlherr

INVITATION: COMMUNITY CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION
EVERYONE is invited to the traditional Community Christmas celebration in the Bayswater Hall on Saturday 17th December starting at 6:30pm. This is a family event for youngest to oldest, with children presentations and activities and a lot of communal carol singing.
We are having a Giving Christmas, please bring a gift to put under the Christmas tree for the City Mission Giving Tree Appeal. Father or Mother Christmas will hopefully visit and distribute small gifts to all children 10 years and under. Light refreshments will be provided at the end of the evening.
All children are encouraged to join in the celebration by dressing up as shepherds, sheep or angels and joining in the traditional procession at the start of the event.

For children participating in the short play and nativity scene, there will be two practices. Please contact me for further details if you haven’t yet heard when they will be.
Renate Beilharz, on behalf of the Social and Recreation Focus Group

WHY SAAL ON CHRISTMAS EVE?
Every seven years or so, Christmas falls on the weekend, making a service on Christmas Eve possible. So once in a while those wishing to go to both Bentleigh and Bayswater can manage it.
For every person displeased, there is one very happy to have a little time for peace and reflection before the excitement of Christmas Eve. You just need to plan ahead, like those doing Christmas dinner after Saal on the 25th.
Enjoy!
Ed.

NEW RESOURCE FOR CHRISTMAS
‘Frohes Fest’ Audio CD and CD-ROM

Traditional German carols – Lasst uns froh und munter sein, Fröhliche Weihnacht überall, Leise rieselt der Schnee, Kling Glöckchen and many more are sung in German, then English, followed by an instrumental version for singing along to. Some are jolly, some reflective.
The English texts of 15 of the 17 carols are completely new (by Resi Schwarzbauer, with suggestions from Herta Uhlherr) and this is their first recording in English. Peter Uhlherr gave permission to use two carols translated by his late wife Helga. The kit is produced by Gabrielle Murphy and Resi Schwarzbauer, music teacher and German teacher respectively, of Billanook Primary School, and is sponsored by the Consul General of the Federal Republic of Germany, Melbourne, and the Association of German Teachers of Victoria (AGTV). Profits go to the AGTV, which promotes the teaching and learning of German in Victoria.

The Double Pack ‘Frohes Fest’ – only $30 plus $2.50 postage and handling – features:
Audio CD – 11 German carols with German, English and instrumental (karaoke) backing. There are some quite beautiful harmonies in the backing vocals.
CD-Rom – Bonus Audio files with a further 6 Christmas carols in German, English and instrumental singalong version. Illustrated texts in German and English for all 17 carols – ready to colour in. Provision to print your own song book. Ready-to-print activities for each Christmas carol.
The illustrated versions of each carol allow the children to produce their own “Christmas Carol Song Book” and the bonus activities provide extra stimulation for all children.

The musical arrangement by Gaye (Gabrielle) Murphy captures the serenity we associate with German Christmas festivities. All carols are sung by Gaye, who has a Dutch heritage and has been singing professionally for over 20 years.
The musical backing track means that all families can now have a traditional singalong. The short intro music helps you with the tempo.
Order forms are available from the Association of German Teachers, Victoria http://www.agtv.vic.edu.au/ or email agtv@germanlinx.vic.edu.au If you have any queries contact Resi schwarzbauer.resi.r@edumail.vic.gov.au

We hope to have copies available for sale at the Adventsfeiern and the Community Christmas.
Ed.

NEW YEAR’S EVE – BENTLEIGH HALL
This year’s New Year’s Eve function will be along the same lines as last year. Anyone who would like to stay after the service (which begins at 7:30pm) is asked to bring a salad to share. A platter of cold meat (Aufschnitt) and bread rolls will be provided. Coffee and tea will be available, BYO any other drinks.
There will be no pre-dinner drinks and nibbles provided this year.

Please let us know as early as possible if you are interested in taking part in this function so that we can organise the catering. Please ring us for bookings and enquiries.
Bill and Regina Imberger

Family Camp at Eagle Point
27th December 2005 - 2nd January 2006

This year’s camp will be located at the Eagle Point Caravan Park, right next to Lake King and part way between Bairnsdale and Paynesville.
Lake King is part of the Gippsland Lakes. The area offers great sightseeing, a variety of beaches, water sports, boating, fishing, bike riding or just straight-out relaxing.
The camp facilities include a central kitchen, a games room, a swimming pool and a recreation area. Bring your own tent and sleeping gear and we’ll provide the rest.

For further information and bookings please phone me soon.
Winfried Beilharz

BAYSWATER-BORONIA TEMPLER GERMAN SCHOOL
Enrolments are invited for 2006.
Children should be 7 years of age or in Grade 2.
Classes are held on Friday evenings from 5:30pm to 7pm and commence on Friday 10th February 2006 in the Bayswater Hall.

Please contact me for further information.
Irene Bouzo, for the Ba-Bo Templer German School

BENTLEIGH-MOORABBIN GERMAN SCHOOL
Classes will commence on Monday 6th February for Monday classes and 8th February for Wednesday classes. New students wishing to enrol must be at least 7 years old.
We are intending to offer tutorial classes for students doing VCE commencing in Term 2.
For more information about our classes please contact me or email mailto:%20nanne.tsa@datafast.net.au
Marianne Herrmann, for the Be/Mo Templer German School

SPINNING WHEEL
in excellent condition, easy to transport, seeks a good home. Cost: a donation to TTHA.
Enquiries: Brigitte Hapke on 5944 3288

SOMMERFEST on 5th March 2006
The Sommerfest activity organization is in full swing and this year there's a great line-up planned. We're looking at getting in an animal nursery to keep the young and young-at-heart very content with live small, fluffy, cuddly, smelly things. If I get my act together there will be a chance to find the Templer Giant Chess champion with a twist, as I intend to make this a team event!

However, the best activity this year will be the cake swapping event. We're asking everyone to bake a cake to share with relatives and friends. This wonderful idea is sponsored by the bureaucrats who dream up all our useful regulations regarding food handling! That's right, we are not selling any cake, but there will be exquisite coffee on offer.
Finally, we have decided that a light lunch will be provided and if promises are kept, I believe some delicious hamburgers will again be available. Personally I'm really really looking forward to my hot dog with mustard and tomato sauce on the run.

Have a great Christmas break, and don't forget that new year’s resolution to help make Sommerfest on 5th March 2006 a huge success by pitching in and helping out.
Brendon Glenk

REUNION FOR YEARS 1937, 1938 AND 1939
A reunion is proposed for the weekend 22/23 April, 2006. Whilst the reunion is planned predominantly for years ’37, ’38, ’39, others outside this age bracket are welcome to come.
Should you know of anyone who may be interested, please contact us.
The venue is BRIGHT in north-eastern Victoria. Bright is beautiful at that time of the year. Accommodation is planned for two nights (Saturday and Sunday). There will be an option to stay longer or come earlier. Those people who may not have been informed previously, please contact us.
Please send us an expression of interest and your e-mail address if you have one. – More details in the February TR.
Helga e-mail janderso@melbpc.org.au
Dieter e-mail dieter_glenk@bigpond.com

TEMPLER LOGO
The Communication and Promotion Group has designed a logo for the Temple Society Australia. It will be used on things such as the letterhead and the side of the new bus, Rosa.
The purpose of the design is as follows. The soft blue colour of the circle and the writing symbolizes three things; the oceans crossed by the Templers on the way to Australia, the vast blue Australian sky and the spiritual calm and peaceful nature of the Temple Society. The notion of our sense of community, immediate and world-wide and including God’s kingdom, is embodied through the use of the circle. The absence of an outline around the circle indicates that we are not a closed community, but open to the world. The fact that the Templer cross is inside the circle symbolizes the Kingdom of God on earth. We would appreciate constructive feedback directed to Jevan: e-mail: JevanB@optusnet.com.au or any other member of the committee.
Jevan Bouzo, for the Communication and Promotion Focus Group

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Every human being should realise that the future of humanity is dependent on their present actions and thinking.
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It is important to use money properly to help others, otherwise you still want more and feel poor.
The Dalai Lama
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THE HERITAGE PAGE

After Theo Doh’s passing away, Helmut Ruff found himself with a large box of photographs and diaries marked Doh Family. Had it not been for Helmut, the box would have landed on the rubbish heap. He saw that there were valuable photographs and life experiences written down (over many years) and quickly put the box aside. After a careful examination, he asked me if I could scan the information into the TSA Heritage database, before the other relatives were notified.

I scanned the two Doh Family Albums and was delighted with the wonderful history contained therein. The three exercise books full of handwritten events and poems need to be evaluated and the worthwhile ones recorded for the archive. Photographs were seldom taken inside houses in those days because of lack of proper lighting and flash lights, however, in the Doh Family collection were rare images of indoors, for instance where Herr Pfeiffer plays the piano and the family around him is singing, or a warm Christmas tree scene. Another interesting photo is Gottlieb Doh’s ‘Deutsche Frühstück-Stube’ in Jerusalem, as well as the Doh family group reproduced opposite.

The photo albums and other items are now being sent via Theo’s solicitor, Mr Toohey, to Willi Doh’s wife in Germany. Thanks to Helmut Ruff’s quick action the archive has gained valuable copies of photos and life stories of long ago and another treasure has escaped the rubbish heap.
Horst Blaich

SEARCHING for early photographs and stories of Boronia, Bayswater, Bentleigh, Moorabbin, Sydney and South Australia Anyone who can help us with stories, letters, life stories, photos and anecdotes of the early times in Australia, after Tatura. Please contact
Erika English e-mail: englishfamily@ozemail.com.au
or Horst Blaich e-mail: abfa@bigpond.net.au
of the TSA Heritage Group.

See also the Christmas in the desert story.

FROM DESERT SANDS TO GOLDEN ORANGES
We thank all the readers who have provided us with comments, minor corrections and names for unknown persons in some of the photographs. Your efforts in contacting us were really appreciated. We intend to incorporate many of these corrections and names as we update the book next year. Unfortunately we cannot include the additional information and photographs which have come to our attention since the book was published without major changes to the layout.

We are proud that the book has been recognised as a historical reference and catalogued in some distinguished libraries overseas, including the British Library, London; the Library of Congress, Washington DC; and the Jewish National and University Library, Jerusalem.

We still have supplies of the book available – it would make an ideal Christmas present!
The book can be purchased in Victoria from Manfred Haering, Horst Blaich, Helmut Glenk or from the TSA Office in Bentleigh; and in NSW from Klaus-Peter Hoffmann.
Helmut Glenk, for the Sarona Book Project Group

REFLECTIONS

AN EINEM URLAUBSMORGEN
Aus den nachtumflorten Träumen ruft mich Morgensonne bald,
wandre früh auf leisen Sohlen durch den märchenstillen Wald.
Sonntag breitet seinen Frieden über allen Wipfeln aus,
plötzlich lockt ein helles Leuchten aus den Schatten mich heraus:
Eine sonnbeglänzte Wiese, wie ein Wunderland so schön,
lässt mit ihrem holden Zauber mich voll Staunen stille stehn.
Ringsum schweigen hohe Tannen, trinken stumm das junge Licht,
das in goldenem Gefunkel durch die Dämmerhallen bricht.
In dem Gras zu meinen Füßen ein verwunschen Bächlein singt,
durch das Gipfelmeer des Waldes ein gewaltig Rauschen dringt.
Dies ist heute meine Kirche, wo ich Gottes Atem spür’,
wo ich in dem Dom der Bäume an sein ewig Wesen rühr’.
Leise, leise klingen Glocken aus der fernen Menschenwelt,
heute hat des Waldes Orgel mir ein betend Herz bestellt.
Gerner-Beurle, 14.9.1947 Sent in by a reader

Written in the Romantic tradition of poets like Eichendorff, these lines describe a luminous and peaceful holiday Sunday morning. The author responds with awe and wonder to the magical atmosphere in the silent forest and in the sun-drenched meadow.
This is my cathedral today, where I feel the breath of God and sense the eternal Being. Softly the ringing of bells comes from the distant human realm. Today Nature’s music in the forest uplifts my prayerful heart.

HUNGER AND OUR DAILY BREAD
Stefan Klingbeil on the request in the Lord’s Prayer
As a young person, the first thing that comes to mind on the subject of hunger is how well off we are. I don’t think any one of us young people has had to suffer real hunger so far. What then, does ‘hunger’ mean for us? The older generations might think of the war and the post-war years. But in the Western world, hunger is, on the whole, no longer a serious problem; under-nourishment is more a psychological issue than one of not being provided for. And yet, in every divine service we pray ‘give us today our daily bread’.
The Lord’s Prayer originated in totally different times and conditions. Is asking for daily bread still relevant today? To answer this question, we need to think about what ‘our daily bread’ might actually mean. Primarily, of course, it means basic nourishment. We ask – every day – that we might have enough to eat. But ‘bread’ also stands for livelihood – ‘breadwinners’ work to support their families. Even prisoners get ‘bread and water’, a human being’s basic requirements. So ‘bread’ symbolises everything connected with human existence.
Bread therefore means more than just food which keeps us alive. Can it not also mean: bread is everything we need to live, everything that makes our life worth living?

In his book Das Vaterunser (The Lord’s Prayer), Eugen Drewermann writes:

Our daily bread
That’s the smiling eyes of someone we love,
That’s a handshake or a friendly word,
That’s encouragement when we’re struggling with work that is hard.

A little further on it says:
That’s a patient’s tentative hope that morning will come soon,
That’s the first walk in the hospital corridor of someone recuperating,
That’s the faithful, sad visit to the graves of loved ones.
All these help us to live, day in, day out,
That is our daily bread.

I think this describes very well how we should understand this request from the Lord’s Prayer in a way that still has meaning for us today. For we certainly cannot take for granted that we will always be able to enjoy all these things. And that is precisely the reason why we pray: ‘Give us today our daily bread’.
That ‘bread’ can mean a whole lot more becomes clear when we look at other Bible passages. For instance the feeding of the 5,000, where Jesus blesses the five loaves before he has the disciples distribute them – and afterwards 12 baskets full are left over; or at the Last Supper and Communion – here, too, bread has its special symbolism. Again, Jesus blesses the bread and distributes it. And the Old Testament already speaks of ‘manna’, the bread from heaven that the Israelites found when on their journey through the desert and on the point of starvation.

The symbolism becomes quite clear when Jesus says in the Gospel of John (6:35) ‘I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.’ Here we understand the many things that can nourish. At issue here is much more than just having a full stomach; here the concern is for the spiritual nourishment which every person needs just as surely as daily bread.
Just as ‘bread’ can have several meanings, there are several kinds of hunger that we can feel: hunger for recognition, hunger for love, hunger for life. When we pray to God for our daily bread, I don’t think we do it because we’re afraid of going to bed hungry, but because we are confident that this hunger can be sated by Jesus’ message of loving one’s neighbour as oneself.

To conclude, I want to say a prayer. While I do so, a basket of bread will go round. Please take a piece and reflect on what bread means to you personally.

Man does not live by bread alone
Living God, let this bread that we eat together
be a sign of peace and community
for all who share it with us.
In this way, with the bread,
Your word comes to us
from which we live.

Stefan Klingbeil in a Templer Youth Service in Stuttgart on 3.7.2000.
– translated and slightly condensed by H.U. Also in the October ‘Warte’.

TEXT OF THE MONTH – Matt. 5:23-24
Reconciliation comes first
If you offer your gift at the altar and remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled with your brother; then come and offer your gift. (Matt. 5:23-24)
These two verses condense the core of Jesus’ teaching into a single picture which says more than an entire thesis could.
‘... that your brother has something against you ...’ attaches no blame, but simply says: do not ask who is at fault, but go to your brother, with reconciliation your only goal.

Let bygones be bygones; make a new start. Talk to your brother about what happened – chances are it was only a misunderstanding. In a good outcome, both of you will understand why the other acted the way he did; in a bad outcome, only one will understand, or neither will.
‘Leave your gift in front of the altar; go first and be reconciled with your brother, then come back and offer your gift’. Even at face value, the meaning of this passage is revolutionary: what had to be the most important thing to a pious Jew – the offering and reconciliation with God – is put in second place; the reconciliation with your brother now comes first.

Your offering is worthless if you are not reconciled with your brother or have not at least made the effort. In biblical language: God rejects the gift. In today’s language: unresolved conflict burdens and paralyses our relationships with others and with God, even if we are not conscious of it.
For Jesus – and us – our relationship with God is inseparably tied to our relationships with our fellow human beings. Brigitte Hoffmann (translated and condensed by Peter Hornung)

Readers who have their own thoughts and views about Bible texts are invited to send them in for publication, limit one page in the TR.

WHAT I LEARNT FROM CONFIRMATION
Extracts from the Confirmation Service

Rebecca Beilharz
When we started our confirmation classes, I didn’t realise that we would be learning about the history and background of the Temple Society. I didn’t know there was a Templer motto which reads ‘Set your mind on God’s kingdom before everything else, and all the rest will come to you’ as it says in the Bible, from Matthew chapter 6 verse 33. Setting your mind on God’s kingdom means to me being how God would like us to be and doing what he requires, and our conscience will tell us how to act justly with the matter. This is just one of the things we learnt during our confirmation lessons.

Sam Lingham
At the urban camp we had the opportunity to talk to our living resources [several older Templers] about life before they came to Australia. From living in Palestine our living treasures learned to work in a community of people with a common goal and live well, even when surrounded by barbed wire. They learned there is no point in whingeing and asking for handouts. You have to get on with it and make the best of what you’ve got!

Michael Schulz
I learned about how the Templers established themselves in Palestine. They built their own houses from bricks they sourced locally. The houses were so well built that they are still standing today and are now protected heritage buildings. Templers also built their roads, which are still in use today. One road is still the main road of the city. They also made their wagons to transport their produce locally and for export. They planted produce that had not been grown in the Middle East before, including oranges, vines and apples. They also produced vegetables, made their own bread, produced milk and cheeses from their own cows and meat from their own cattle. The Templers also built and ran their own schools.

TSA ANNUAL GENERAL ASSEMBLY – 9.10.2005
Extracts from the Minutes

Chairman: Dr Rolf Beilharz – Regional Head of the TSA
The Regional Head conducted a thoughtful period of contemplation prior to the formalities of the day.
The chairman welcomed all present, in particular any members from communities or groups outside Melbourne.

Presence: In person 83, with an additional 40 represented by proxy.
With the meeting having been duly convened and the Members present in person exceeding the required quorum (10% or 57), the meeting was able to deal with the agenda.

1. Receipt and adoption of the Regional Council’s report on activities
The Regional Council’s (RC) report was sent to all members with TR No. 676 of September 2005 and can be taken as read.

The meeting’s attention was drawn to the following highlights. TS President Peter Lange’s visit in April/May 2005 again provided for fruitful inter-regional contact. Reciprocal visits to Germany by Helga Anderson and Renate Beilharz also proved successful. A major achievement was the Community Building working party’s efforts to bring the new TSA structure formally to realisation.

A minute’s silence was observed to honour the memory of the 17 members and a further four friends of the TSA who passed away during the year. In Germany, 10 members and friends of the TGD died during the reporting period.

The new structure introducing the function-based Focus Groups has brought about a change in RC composition and the dissolution of the Bayswater-Boronia and Bentleigh/Moorabbin Communities. The members of the Community Councils and RC members Friedrich Sawatzky, Susi Blackwell, Moni Imberger, Elisabeth Wagner, Helga Anderson, Rolf Glenk, Ralph Richter, Gisela Schmidt and Mark Herrmann were all thanked for their contributions and service.

The Communication & Publications policy was completed and a Templer bus (Rosa) was purchased, with an accreditation process successfully achieved. Publication of the TR was brought back in-house. Herta Uhlherr was thanked for her editorship, while Alfred and Ursula Klink’s long-standing efforts in arranging computer layout and presentation of the circular were acknowledged. An engaging group of teenagers – together with the teaching Elders – participated in and contributed to the 2005 Confirmation program. The youth program has been supplemented through the employment of two young people as part-time youth leaders.

The activity report was unanimously accepted.

2. Receipt and adoption of the financial statements and of the Auditor’s report
The balance sheet/income and expenditure statement (reproduced on pink paper) were sent to members in September 2005 and can be taken as read.
The financial statements for 2004/2005 were unanimously adopted on the motion of Mark Herrmann, seconded by Paul English.

Mark proceeded to explain the process adopted by RC and the Central Fund in framing the 2005/2006 budget (statement of cashflows). The expenditure has been detailed according to Focus Groups, while the revenue is deliberately TSA-general. Budget information from the Central Fund has also been included for completeness and to ensure adequate coverage of all expenditure. It was noted that additional capital works of more than $225,000 have been earmarked from the property project register to be financed directly from the Central Fund. Through the advent of the Focus Groups and new operational procedures, the entire process should be more streamlined and accurate in 12 months’ time.
The statement of cashflows was unanimously adopted on the motion of Mark Herrmann, seconded by Tony Beilharz.

Alysha Murray’s written audit report to the Members (signed and dated 7^th October 2005), confirming the financial statements for the TSA to be free of material misstatement and the financial report prepared in accordance with accounting standards, taxation regulations and other mandatory professional reporting requirements, was read to the meeting. This year the MYOB accounting software package has been fully and successfully utilised. This is also Alysha’s last audit of the accounts due to impending overseas travel.

The auditor’s report for 2004/2005 was unanimously adopted. The input of many in finalising the financial statements and the coordinating efforts of the Business Manager were recognised and appreciated by the meeting.

3. Proposed amendment to the Constitution (July 2005
Mark Herrmann explained the need for the additional clarifying sentence to clause 3.1.(b) specifying that the Central Fund Board of Directors and the members of the Central Fund Focus Group are identical. The proposed full text for the clause in question is thus:
The Central Fund Focus Group is also mandatory. The Temple Society Central Fund (Aust.) A.C.N. 004 279 001 A.B.N. 35 439 044 725 is a non-profit company limited by shares and guarantee registered in Victoria under the Attorney General’s licence sub No. 27316, 28^th May 1950. The company’s Board of Directors are the Central Fund Focus Group. The property of the TSA, real and personal, shall be vested in the Temple Society Central Fund (Aust.) as its trustee.
The amendment was unanimously accepted, meeting the constitution criterion of a two-thirds majority.

4. Elections
The meeting agreed to accept all written nominations for Council, Focus Group and Committee members, including those received after the nominated closing date of 23/09/2005. It was also agreed to allow all those elected to work out among themselves their respective terms of office – one, two or three years – to provide for appropriate future rotation.

Nominated and duly elected

Deputy Regional Heads (3 positions): Renate Beilharz, Irene Bouzo and Harald Ruff.
Communication & Promotion Focus Group (4): Renate Beilharz, Jevan Bouzo, Ingrid Jürgensen and Ingrid Turner.
Heritage & Culture Focus Group (2): Renate Beilharz and Ilse Nicholson.
Property Management Focus Group (5): Tony Beilharz, Winfried Beilharz, Dietmar Jürgensen, Theo Richter and Ernst Ruff.
Social & Recreation Focus Group (6): Manfred Decker, Brendon Glenk, Marianne Herrmann and Petra Murrihy-Ruff. It was also mentioned that the Templer Choir may consider supplying a member. RC has the authority to fill any Focus Group position vacancies.
Welfare & Distant Focus Group (6): Rolf Beilharz, Rainer Busch, Christa Lingham, Geoff McCallum, Elisabeth Wagner and Dot Ware.
Youth Focus Group (4): Susi Blackwell, Mandy Etherington, Bernhard Hoefer and Beate Kuerschner.
TTHA Committee of Management (3): Trudi Blessing, Isolde Busch and Hartmut Weller. Karin Ruff withdrew her previously submitted nomination. One of the elected will serve the balance of Friedrich Sawatzky’s term (one year), the others to serve the customary two-year terms.

Particular thanks are due to Friedrich, who has served as Committee President for three years. His hard work and staunch support of TTHA was suitably acknowledged with acclaim. Similarly, Karin Ruff’s decision not to seek re-nomination after serving for two years was recognised.

5. Election of Auditor for 2005/2006
Marcus English was unanimously elected as auditor of the TSA Office/Administration books for 2005/2006.
Marcus was thanked for his willingness to take on the position, as was Alysha Murray, who has worked professionally and very responsibly as auditor for the past four years. She has also offered much advice in the conversion to the new accounting package. The Office staff is still learning, but Alysha is owed immense gratitude for her assistance and advice. The meeting responded with acclaim.
A break was taken, with a tasty lunch prepared by the Social & Recreation Focus Group under the leadership of Manfred Decker.

6. Focus Group reports
Most of the various groups and sub-organisations of the TSA provided written reports of their activities throughout the year for the September TR. These reports can be taken as read.
Bernhard Hoefer will conclude his coordination of the Australian-German Templer Exchange after the current application has been seen through. A coordinator will thus be required. Bernhard was thanked for his efforts.

A report from Brigitte Kneher to the TGD Ordentliche Mitglieder-versammlung (held in Stuttgart on Saturday 01/10/2005) commented favourably on the cooperation between historians in Israel and our Heritage Group led by Horst Blaich. The Heritage Group has made information on the history of the Templers and their settlements available to the many Israelis interested in the history of their land. Brigitte thanked the TSA Heritage Group for its valuable work.

Mark Herrmann gave Renate Weber’s PowerPoint presentation on the Chapel wall-hanging project. This initiative – The Templer Journey: Fabric of Society – is in its second year and a third year of grant funding from the City of Knox has been applied for. The steering committee and all those working on the project were thanked.

Manfred Decker explained the process of creating the property register, containing operational costs, planned maintenance and capital works for all TSA facilities. A comprehensive list has evolved, and a number of projects have been identified or are underway. In answer to a question, it was explained that the installation of the former Boronia Hall bell to the Chapel remains a challenging and time-consuming work in progress. A number of volunteers are devoting much time to this task. Similarly, the toilet upgrade in the Bayswater Hall was completed through the considerable volunteer efforts of Sigi Messner, Uli Hoefer, Günter Kuerschner, Tony Beilharz and Peter Löbert. Their hard work was appropriately recognised by the meeting.

Manfred Decker described the charging of the Social & Recreation Focus Group with facilitation of related interest groups and communication to the Membership. Regular events – such as Sommerfest, Sonnwendfeier and the AGM lunch – and special events are within this Focus Group’s responsibilities. It is hoped to soon finalise the dates of functions for next year.

Ingeborg Imberger’s PowerPoint presentation of the Templer Choir’s recent trip to Perth for the Sängerfest was shown to the meeting.

Helga Anderson, as Community Care Worker, read her annual report to the meeting. Much of her work is of a welfare nature and hence covered by the responsibilities of the Welfare & Distant Focus Group.

Helga also thanked Ruth Haar for her work on the Community Care Reference Group. Ruth has provided considerable input to the Reference Group for many years, and has chosen not to continue, following the implementation of the new TSA structure.

Hartmut Beck from the Sydney Community expressed pleasure at being able to represent a distant community in person at the AGM. He extended greetings from the Sydney Community and its Council members and summarised highlights from the year.

Following Renate Beilharz and Mark Herrmann’s visit to again explain the proposed new TSA structure, the Community Council recommended becoming a Focus Group with direct access to RC and continuing to operate in the same way. This recommendation was endorsed at the Sydney Community AGM. A small number attended and Herbert Steller’s audited finance report was accepted. A meeting with some younger members to explore approaches to re-energising the Community, making the TSA more accessible and catering for the needs of different groups within proved profitable.

Isolde Ruff asked that the meeting’s best wishes be taken back by Hartmut. She stressed that the Sydney Community is considered a vital part of the TSA.

Helmut Ruff asked whether any discussion between the AGWS and the TSA regarding the former’s need for more residential care beds had taken place since last year’s AGM of the Welfare Society. It was explained that no official contact has occurred, although Dr Rolf Beilharz had periodic (informal) chats with Karl Haak, and hoped to continue to do likewise with his successor as AGWS President, Linde Mohr. Helmut indicated he could not support a new building on the site and that the TSA is not big enough to contribute to the operation of a much larger business. He asked whether a feasibility and environmental impact study for such a venture had been produced and expressed concern at the difficulty of attracting younger members to the Committee of Management. Rolf mentioned the Central Fund and RC were also requesting a detailed plan for the extension proposal.

Brendon Glenk suggested another approach could be for the TSA to offer planning assistance to the AGWS for establishment of facilities on another site. Mark Herrmann felt it was important not to focus only on TSA aged care needs, but TTHA aged care needs. The TSA is in partnership with the AGWS and, as such, has benefited from and provided benefit to the other parent society. He believes the future aged care needs of the TSA will best be addressed through a viable and successful TTHA.

7. General Business
Dr Rolf Beilharz referred to correspondence from the TGD and an offer from a legal firm in Israel to purchase the unused section of the Templer cemetery in Jerusalem. The offer also extends to purchasing the entire cemetery, making provision for the dignified removal of remains. The TGD is waiting on more detailed information from Israel and, naturally, the issue will take some time before a decision is made.
A number of Members spoke against selling the whole parcel of land, at least for the next 20 years, since it contains the memories of our roots in the Holy Land – a view shared by RC members.
The chairman asked the meeting to think about the issue, with further relevant information being provided as it becomes available.

In response to a question from Harald Gassmann about something marking Christoph Hoffmann’s birthplace, Brendon Glenk thought a plaque existed.
Hartmut Beck enquired about the progress towards a hymn music CD. Erni Weller faithfully provides accompaniment for the Sydney Community, but is not getting any younger. Herta Uhlherr indicated work was continuing on this and that the German hymns would soon be ready.

Helmut Ruff asked about charges for non-TSA use of the Chapel. Tony Beilharz could not recall an individual or group without a strong affiliation with the TSA applying to use the facility. An earlier Chapel committee, under the chair of Ralph Richter, looked at usage issues and policies. Renate Beilharz felt that draft policies existed, but needed to be finalised.

Helmut Eppinger wondered why no report was included from the TGD. It was explained they are a separate entity and that regular information and interaction is provided through the monthly Warte and regular visits from the TS President and others. A short report will be requested for next year’s AGM. A further question asked about possible translation of the Warte.
Erika English referred to an e-mail she received from Brigitte Kneher requesting certain details. Brigitte thanked the TSA Heritage Group for its valuable work.

In closing the meeting, the chairman thanked all in attendance for their constructive input towards a productive meeting and RC members for their work during the year. He also asked the meeting to acknowledge the efforts of Mark Herrmann in implementing many facets of the new structure and in preparation for the AGM.

Meeting closed: 3:00pm
Members wanting to read the full report should contact Mark at the Office.

Missing Bentleigh Key
Could all recent users of the Bentleigh kitchen please check pockets and handbags. If you do find the key to the cupboards – it has a white tag attached – please return it to the TSA Office.

Sensor lights under the carport at the Bentleigh Hall
These have recently been installed and have approximately a five-minute delay before they go off. If you need to know more about them, please contact me at the Office.

Security System at the Office
This is currently being installed at the Bentleigh Office. All office users please ensure you know how to correctly enter the Office when it is unattended and how to secure the office when departing.

Christmas Greetings
the December/January issue of the Templer Record traditionally contains a list of members and friends extending Christmas and New Year’s greetings to all readers. If you wish to be on the list, please notify the TSA Office by Friday 18^th November, including a $2 donation to cover the cost of printing.
It is important that all arrangements are made through the TSA Office only.
Marianne Herrmann

Police Record Checks
For our workers and volunteers in the youth program and drivers of our bus, the TSA is arranging the necessary police records checks. These usually cost $28.30 each. Fortunately, we applied and have now been authorised to conduct such checks on eligible volunteers and students at the reduced rate of $13 per check. – Thus, all future “Consent to Check and Release National Police Record” forms should be lodged via the TSA Office in order for the Community Volunteer Fee (CVF) details to be correctly included.
Mark Herrmann, Susi Blackwell

Social Care Annual Report
It is my pleasure to report on an eventful year past.
I continue to work approx. 21 hours per week and my regular working days are Wednesday and Thursday.
I am supported by the CCRG (Community Care Reference Group) which meets every 2 months. The committee members were Dr Rolf Beilharz, Dr Geoff McCallum, Elisabeth Wagner, Linda Beilharz, Ruth Haar, Renate Hoffmann, Rainer Busch. A special thankyou goes to Linda, who travels from Bendigo for our meetings. Renate Hoffmann resigned from the committee earlier this year. We accepted her resignation with regret and thank Renate for her input and contribution.

An important part of Care Worker responsibilities is keeping the waiting list and relevant paperwork for the TTHA admissions up-to-date. At all times we do our best to meet the needs of our clients and I thank our community for their understanding and patience.

Mrs Eva Roten from the AGWS and I chair the Residents and Relatives meetings at the TTHA. These meetings are held every 2 months and are an open forum for the residents and their relatives to ask questions and be informed on matters concerning the Home. At Christmas the AGWS and the TSA distribute gifts to the Home residents.

Separate meetings for the Unit residents are now held every three months, as they have other issues to the Home residents.
Wednesdays I visit the TTHA and do home and hospital visits.

Café Sonnenschein has closed its doors for the present but may reopen when a suitable location is found.

During the year I have attended workshops to further professional development. This year the CCRG presented a workshop for our community in April and a seminar in August. The workshop was on the ‘I Have a Dream’ survey. The information gathered in this survey is an excellent resource for continued development. In July Linda Beilharz gave a presentation of her epic journey to the South Pole. The seminar in August was on ‘Letting Go’. Our speakers were Dr Geoff McCallum, Isolde Busch and Petra Den Hartog from Sids and Kids. We thank the speakers for their time and for making it all possible.

To assist bereaved families, the CCRG has introduced a service to organize the refreshments after funerals held in our chapel, for a fee.

The Telelink service continues to operate every 2^nd Monday afternoon. Our participants enjoy the session which enables them to keep in touch with distant, isolated friends.
The Telelink support service is provided by Telstra through Telelink Victoria and includes my attending regular meetings with other Telelink coordinators. We receive a HACC grant to cover the cost of the Telelink service.

Finally, I thank everyone who has supported me throughout the year.
Helga Anderson, Community Care Worker.

SOCIAL CARE – November
The following notice from ‘News for Seniors’ may be of interest to our travellers.

The National Public Toilet Map (the Map), funded by the Australian Government (your taxes are at work), recently underwent a major overhaul. This more comprehensive map shows the location of more than 14,000 toilet facilities across Australia. Useful information is provided about each toilet – such as location, opening hours, availability of baby change rooms and accessibility for people with disabilities.
When you are on the road you can phone or text a message requesting information about nearby toilets, or you can email before you leave.

Here are some helpful contact details: www.toiletmap.gov.au
Email helpline@toiletmap.gov.au, telephone toll free 1800 990 646 fax (03) 6211 3222 SMS 0428 166 6443, please note standard SMS charges apply to this service.

The Telelink Program is a social support service provided free of charge to enable frail elderly or disabled persons to be linked by telephone with other people at different locations for group discussions. It is like a conference call. If you know of anyone who might be interested, please contact Helga on 0438 141 389.

A reminder about our Telephone Contact List used to pass on important messages especially bereavement notices. If the Telephone Contact List breaks down when people are away, people miss out on messages which may be important to them. To maintain the efficiency of this service, please remember when you go away to notify the person who usually notifies you. If you need a new Telephone Contact List, please call me on 0438 141 389.

Best wishes to our sick and infirm friends.
Helga Anderson, Community Care Worker.

MEMBERS AND FRIENDS

AUS DEM GEMEINDELEBEN

GEBURTSTAGE
Wir gratulieren herzlich zum Geburtstag unserer Mitglieder:

und wünschen auch allen hier nicht angeführten Geburtstagskindern
alles Gute und Schöne zum neuen Lebensjahr.

SILVER ANNIVERSARY
Congratulations to Roland and Christine Leschinski on their silver wedding anniversary on 29th November. We wish them many more, happy years together.

ENGAGEMENT
Andrew Nicholson and Tepi Payne Albury Sept. 2005

Warm congratulations to these couples

NEW MEMBERS
We welcome Natasha Wilkinson née Hoefer, Paul Blaich and Margot Neu as new members and hope they will feel at home among us.

BEREAVEMENTS
Else Hermann, Annemarie Kirchner and Hilde Turnevicius have died. No details received.

Our condolences to their families

FAMILIEN-PICKNICK am Sonntag, den 2. Oktober zum Badgers Creek Park
Ein schöner, sonniger Tag mit blauem Himmel grüßte mich am Morgen. Die Vögel sangen und freuten sich über den schönen Frühlingstag!
Unser Gemeindebus Rosa, mit Ralph Richter als Fahrer, stand schon bereit vor dem Altersheim zur Abfahrt, wie ich ankam. Nachdem alle, die mitkamen, in den Bus eingestiegen und Picknick-Taschen und Stühle eingepackt waren, ging die Fahrt los in Richtung Lilydale. In den Gärten blühten die Rhododendron, Azalien und Anderes mehr. Die Laubbäume hatten ihr lichtes neues Grün.

Im Yarra Valley sahen wir weite Strecken mit Weinbergen, auch Obstanlagen, die in voller Blüte standen. Schön angelegt waren die großen Erdbeerfelder vor Healesville. Healesville ist ein nettes Städtchen, doch unsere Fahrt ging weiter, so war es 10:45 Uhr, als wir am Badgers Park ankamen. Die Stühle wurden aus dem Bus ausgeladen und im Halbkreis aufgestellt. Es war so schön mild, dass man im Freien sitzen konnte.

Christine Ruff hielt eine kurze Morgenandacht. Zuerst erzählte sie von der Camping-Fahrt der Konfirmanden, wo Gemeinschaft das Beisammen-sein im Lager schön machte. Christine las uns noch eine Geschichte vor, wie ein Mann bei einer Bahnstation saß und auf einen Freund wartete; zuletzt hatte er viele Freunde, die auch immer alleine gewesen waren, und niemand war mehr einsam.

Nun war es Mittagszeit; im Park roch es gut nach Gegrilltem von den anderen Besuchern. Auch wir stellten die Tischle auf und nun gings ans Vespern von dem guten Mitgebrachten. Frische Luft machte Hunger, auch die Rosellas kamen angeflogen. Die Kinder spielten am Bach und waren glücklich. Nach dem Essen machten wir einen Spaziergang auf einem von den vielen Wanderwegen. Es war ein Erlebnis, unter den hohen Farn-bäumen zu wandern, die Stämme mit Moos bewachsen, und noch viele Arten Farne wuchsen unter den Bäumen. Zuletzt kamen wir zu dem Staudamm, wo das Wasser nur so rauschte, als es in Kanäle und Röhren abgeleitet wurde. Das Wasser fließt dann weiter in einige Stauseen, wie z.B. Maroondah und Silvan. Wieder am Picknickplatz angekommen, schmeckte Kaffee und Kuchen. Nach einer kurzen Rast und neu gestärkt ging es wieder mit dem Bus auf die Heimfahrt. Alles nimmt mal ein Ende!

Vielen Dank, Christine und Ralph, für den schönen Tag. Kommt alle mit das nächste Mal. – Geh aus, mein Herz, und suche Freud in dieser schönen Frühlingszeit!
Es grüßt Euch Magda Persztik

ON THE MAT AT HEALESVILLE
Another take on the trip to Badgers Weir by a Big Kid J
Finally, the last sleep before the day of the Family Surface (I think that’s right–others spell it service. Ed.) was over. We boarded the bus with the big people (I suppose they are family, in a sense, too) for our Fahrt (was told NOT to make “rude noise” here) ins Grüne – Badger Creek Weird (sic) at Healesville. Strange, but it must be a gross oversight that the Australian marsupial badger doesn’t appear on any of our decimal coinage. Hugo was the lucky one, sitting in the co-pilot’s seat. It probably helped that his dad (Ralph Richter) was the designated driver – not fair that, but I bravely refrained from stamping my feet in protest.

The setting beside the Lyrebird Rotunda was idyllic. Mild sunlight filtered through the rosella-filled trees lining the babbling, boulder-strewn creek (pretty impressive use of adjectives, what). Due to the dearth of other children, my best friend Nanne and I were allowed to sit cross-legged on the rug at the front, provided we behaved. The teacher Mrs Rough (it sounds like Ruff, but English is a tricky spelling language) told a lovely story entitled “The Friendship Trip” about a man called Arthur (Peter Batchelor?) at a railway station waiting in vain for his friends to disembark from the passing country trains to visit him. The story must have been based in Melbourne because of its notoriously unreliable public transport system. The message was to focus on the positives of the journey rather than the destination. (This is much easier if you are sitting at the front of the bus and are able to look out the big windows ahead. I let Nanne have the window seat, and so could only see the back of the seat in front of me. Mr Richter didn’t put the bus radio on and no-one would join me in a rousing rendition of “The Wheels on the Bus go round and round”).

Some of the other kids – like Timmy and Evan – only played with their toys and weren’t really listening to the teacher. Luckily we were outside, otherwise Mrs Roof (the German spelling) may have put them in a corner. Anja applied some multi-tasking, able to simultaneously play and answer questions about the story. He must be a girl. However, being the teacher’s child, I suspect the questions might have been beside the Corn Flakes packet at breakfast that morning.

A picnic lunch followed the Surface and then we went for a really long walk to the weird. Along the way we saw the aqueduct which carries the water to Silvia’s Reservoir; at least I think that’s what the sign proclaimed. I wanted to stop and play “Pooh Sticks” but we had to get back to the picnic ground for afternoon tea. And to think I listened to the story and sat up really straight and everything … Fortunately, there were some tasty things to take my mind off the disappointment. We all shared, which was another good lesson – especially as Diana had homemade cookies and other people had better stuff than us.

Too soon we were back on the bus for the return trip to Bayswater. At least I scored the window seat this time. A big thankyou to the adults who organised and ran the activity. Luckily I didn’t fall in the creek, because mum had forgotten to put some spare clothes in my backpack. I hope some more kids can come next time. (There are usually chocolate frogs for bribing purposes – sorry Mrs Rough, it slipped out.) The kids can join us on the rug at the front – I’ll make room and make sure Nanne does too.

Trivia question: The water storage facility below the ‘weird’ is named after who, was opened in what year and has what capacity?
(I took note of this after I was forced to drop my Pooh sticks).
Mark Herrmann (Big Kid at heart)

CONFIRMATION CAMP – September 2005
What was best and worst
Dirk Lubitz – The best thing about confirmation camp was the fires even though Winnie didn’t let us have more than one, and also the spaghetti bolognaise which Karl, Linden, Daniel B and I made. On the last day on the way home, Linden and me were asleep and Ingrid smeared vegemite over our faces, then we got her back by smearing it all over her face.
Some bad things were the tents we slept in and the sand that got everywhere.

Linden Ruff – The best parts of confirmation camp were the people, the fires that me, Dirk and Karl made, the spaghetti bolognaise (which Karl, Dirk, Daniel B and I made), reading girly mags on the 4 days in which we were in the bus a lot and the Bega cheese factory. The bad parts of the camp were the old school tents, and all the bus driving. Also, on the way home I was asleep and Ingrid put vegemite on my face, then I put some on Dirk, then me, Daniel S and Dirk all got Ingrid really bad.

Karl Wennagel – The best parts of confirmation camp were building huge fires with the other guys and eating the dinners that we prepared ourselves. The caravan park that we stayed at in Tathra was great because we weren’t near any other campers so we could make heaps of noise. The worst parts of the camp were the one-hundred year old tents that we had to sleep in; they take ages to set up! Thanks to Christine and Winnie for looking after us.

Ingrid Beilharz – There were many things I liked about confo camp like going shopping in town (I bought pearls and lots more) and having power points on our camp sites, so we could curl the guys’ hair. We stayed up late, ate heaps of junk and played pranks. The guys antiqued us (throwing flour at us) on a number of times, we got them back but! We had four spiders in our tents which by the way need to be upgraded, they smell really bad! On the way back home, I played an innocent prank on Linden which left me with vegemite all over my face and in my hair!

Mieka Decker – The best parts of confirmation camp were exploring the towns that we visited like Tathra, Merimbula and Bega, and the great meals that us girls made.
The worst bits were the ancient tents, all the travelling on the bus, the insects and everything getting sandy or dirty. There was lots of pranking where we all got covered in flour and many tent pegs got pulled out! It was too bad that not everyone could come, but then we probably wouldn’t have fitted into the tents.

Lisa Beilharz – The best part about confirmation camp was seeing people from our confirmation group again. I also enjoyed the Buchan Caves where we had a tour. I enjoyed visiting towns like Merimbula and Tathra. Also us girls made the best meals (tacos and potatoes and hamburgers).
The things I didn’t like were the tents, they were a bit too old for my liking, and all the driving. There was heaps of pranking and my whole bag was covered in flour. Thanks to Winnie and Christine for putting up with us.

Rebecca Beilharz – I thought the best parts of our confirmation camp was going caving and to the beach. I liked cooking tea with the other girls and sitting by the fire cooking marshmallows. We got to spend some time shopping in Merimbula and we visited the Bega cheese factory.
Most boring was spending time on the bus but some of the other girls bought magazines for us all to read.

Caitlin Crowe – The worst parts of this confirmation camp were all the driving in the bus, it got very boring and uncomfortable; the tents, they were old ‘circus tents’ with holes in them! And also all the bugs, mosquitoes and spiders. It was good when the guys had fires because it kept the mosquitoes away but on the last night we couldn’t have a fire and the mosquitoes got everyone. It was fun cooking on bbq’s and stuff, but it was really good in the caravan park at Tathra Beach because it had a camp kitchen so we could use a sink, oven, microwave and fridge.

Thomas Blackwell – The best thing about camp was the food and the fun we had. I hated the tents we were sleeping in. I had fun spending time with Anja & Timmy when they weren’t sleeping. Other fun was when we were getting the girls with flour or stink bombs!

Daniel Schlender – The best thing about confirmation camp was definitely the places we stayed at, they were picked very well, they were situated in very nice locations (always on the beach). We went to the caves – that was magical, nothing I have ever seen before. There are just too many great things we did to list. Overall the camp was planned very well and everything was very organised; it was fantastic, something that I’d do again in an instant. Thanks to Winnie and Christine for the whole experience.

Daniel Beilharz – The highlight of the confirmation camp was when we went mini-golfing at Top Fun, as well as the Buchan Caves, the beaches and the food, which was expertly cooked by everyone. Our accommodation was pretty good except for the tents that we slept in and we had lots of fun pranking each other at various times of the night. Or was it morning? The only bad thing about the camp was the long bus trips which became quite a bore, but overall I had a fantastic time and can’t wait for the next camp. Also thanks to Winnie and Christine for keeping us in line.

Timothy Ruff (4½ years old) – The best bits about confirmation camp were paddling at the beach, taking Red Ted along, hopping in and out of the bus, putting up the tent and the kookaburra. I had a really, really, really good time at camp. It was lots of fun.

Anja Ruff (7 years old) – Timmy and I went on confirmation camp. At camp we had marshmallows and Winnie made pancakes. We saw two snakes – one had a flat head. I cut myself on the foot with a stick. The worst part was when we had to stay in the bus for ages. It was cool when we saw the snake. It was fun. I can’t wait to go again when I am a confirmation kid.

The Leaders – There were many questions posed during the camp which remain unanswered:
What is wrong with 100-year-old tents?
Why is there a need to shop for cheap accessories on camp?
Where does antiquing come from? And why???
Why is it that the girls can set up two tents (properly) while the boys are still spearing each other with tent poles?
What in-built sensor tells you to go to the bathroom (for one hour) five minutes before pack-up/set-up time?
Why isn’t campfire construction a compulsory element of the confirmation curriculum?
What is the quickest way to skin a frankfurter (and why didn’t we buy skinless ones in the first place?)
Why did we leave a trail of sliced cucumber and tomato wherever we had lunch?
Exactly how big were the spiders in the girls’ tent? (And how did they find their way in through all that mess?)
How many kilograms of sand does the bus hold?

We would like to thank the kids for creating and maintaining a wonderful atmosphere throughout the whole camp. The kids were a credit to them-selves and contributed to a relaxing and stress-free week for us all.
Winfried Beilharz and Christine Ruff

“HALLO” FROM GERMANY! by Renate Weber
I am currently enjoying an Elder Exchange with our sister community in Degerloch. My first experience was landing in Frankfurt and finding my way via ICE (InterCity Express) train to Stuttgart central station.
I had a lovely week with Dr Brigitte Hoffmann who is such a font of information and such fun to be with. Now I am in residence in the Gästewohnung, a very cute little apartment on the ground floor of the Felix-Dahn Str 39 Templer Community Centre. I have been warmly welcomed and wined and dined and have of course eaten more than my share of “Maultaschen” (like a large meat and spinach ravioli).

After a tour of Stuttgart, which seems to seamlessly combine the old with the new, how to use the U tram automatic ticket vending machines and other interesting experiences, I joined the Degerloch Templers for a wonderfully informative and interesting evening listening to Michael Blume. He spoke about Christian/Muslim similarities and what impressed me most was his statement: we both believe in God, even if the name is different.

On Saturday 1st October, I attended the Annual General Meeting of the German Templers and on the Sunday was privileged to participate in Gottesdient (service) and the Ernte Dankfest (Harvest Festival). (The weather was abysmal and all of the (more than usual) 100+ people had to squeeze inside. Lunch was a bit like the feeding of the 5,000 – miraculously everyone was able to be served, with many pitching in to help. Ed.)

Jan Sandel and Karin Klingbeil led us in a beautiful, very appropriate celebration of the bounty, which our life on earth offers us. A choir, specially formed for the occasion, sang parts of Schubert’s Deutsche Messe. The stage was a mass of produce from all the members who proudly brought their Spitzkraut, huge pointy cabbages, their pumpkins, eggs, apples, flowers, especially sunflowers, and other gifts of nature.

Peter Lange presented four beautiful young children and, as always, the children stole the show. Three of the children, Benjamin, Natalie and Caitlin Graze, had come with parents Peter and Desiree from Basle; grandparents Theo and Susan from Australia were also in attendance. In the afternoon, I gave a PowerPoint presentation of our Templer Journey – Fabric of Society wall-hanging project. I also took along some finished examples of embroidery and all the sketches to date.

Because Monday was a holiday (Tag der Deutschen Einheit), the day Germany became one nation again, we were able to undertake a winery tour to Felsengarten on the Neckar. Here the wines grow in steep stone terraced steps up the side of the road. All the grapes are hand picked and carried down the slope in huge green baskets and then tipped into the vats ready for delivery to the winery. On the Tuesday I visited the residents in the Altersheim and in the evening attended the Elders Meeting. Issues were tabled and discussed and the forward planning for 2006 took place. Different land and language, but basically the same issues!

Wednesday night was a meeting of the Free Christian members at the Klingbeils (really good cabbage quiche was served to use up some of the Spitzkraut). This was interesting, with the question under discussion being how similar are moderate Christians and Jews in their thinking compared to radical Jews and moderate Jews and fundamental Christians with those with a more moderate belief and approach. My German is holding up but some concepts did go straight over my head.
Dr Brigitte Hoffmann showed me Tübingen, the famous university town where Christoph Hoffmann studied, and a beautiful old monastery.

The weather has been quite misty and foggy but the trees are beginning to wear their autumn colours and on the TV much is spoken about the golden October days. The standard dish at the moment is the “Neuwein”, new wine before it has begun to ferment and Zwiebelkuchen, onion quiche. Yummy!!
On Friday it was bowling with 9 pins not 10. What games these Germans play with their pins. I had a go but I am no expert. Sunday! A visit to to the castle of the Hohenzollern, (the Wilhelms, the Friedrichs and Frederick the Great). Then a dramatically beautiful forest walk down and up the valley to the other side for lunch.

I was also lucky enough to be taken on a trip called ‘in the Footsteps of the Temple’, how the Temple Society came into existence. Peter, Helga Lange and I visited all the historically significant places for the Templers in Germany. It was a fascinating and enriching experience.
The weekend of 14-16 October saw us all at a Community get-together, Gemeindefreizeit. This was at Überlingen in a youth hostel right at the Bodensee. It was a wonderful community experience with up to 28 people at one time sharing in the joys of having time to relax, walk, talk and play with other Templers from near and far.

Next week I will be visiting the archives, joining the Bastelgruppe, where many beautiful handcrafted items are being prepared for the Christmas market, listening in to the next Islam information evening where the radical ideas of Islam will be presented, attending the regional meeting of the Free Christians and finally attending a morning service at the nursing home in Hoffeld. I will be home again by the time this is published but I must say a HUGE thankyou to all the German Templers who have been so kind and generous to me not only with their time, their knowledge, their friendship but also their acceptance of me just as I am!
Tschüss!
Renate Weber

COMMUNITY PICNIC PARRAMATTA PARK – 16th October
Despite cold and unfriendly weather, a small group of determined picnickers showed up to spend the afternoon at this beautiful location at the lake. After lunch and afternoon tea, most walked along the lakeside, some feeding the ducks. In an amusing incident, Harald Kruck was attacked by the dominant drake who was not prepared to share his bread with anyone. A pity that a camera was not handy to record this, the drake certainly left his mark on Harald’s hand and leg.
PS. The ranger said that this drake has a track record for such bad behaviour.

NATIVE PLANTS FOR OUR CHURCH HALL
Rolf Beck has had discussions with Ryde Council regarding the trimming and/or removal of certain trees close to the hall. Rolf and the council arborist have spent time at the hall discussing the options. Rolf, who has for many years been involved in native bush regenerations and has expertise in plant propagation, is putting together a plan for the planting of shrubs and trees indigenous to the Ryde area; he has also collected a number of seedlings from our existing native trees for replanting. We hope to have a planting session involving the younger generation, who can then perhaps name the trees in honour of someone special to them. Our thanks go to Rolf for his efforts.

Dates to remember
Saturday 19th November Christmas Bazaar 10:30 am
Hartmut Beck for the Sydney Community

YOUTH

TEENAGE GROUP
Calendar
• November 19th - Beach or Waves
• December 3rd or 10th – break-up party and 2006 planning
For further information about any of the following, please contact Susi by e-mail susi.tsa@datafast.net.au

BEACH OR WAVES – 19th November
I am planning a trip to the beach if the weather is fine or Waves in Cheltenham if the weather is not so good. Beforehand we will be helping out with baking Gutsle for the Ladies Adventsfeier.
The times for this activity are yet to be confirmed. If Rosa, the TSA bus, is available, we will be leaving Bayswater at 9:15am to arrive in Bentleigh at 10:00am. (Please bring your own lunch.)
We should be arriving back home around 4:00pm.
Costs: Beach $0, Waves approx. $6.50

Let me know if you are interested in coming or if you have any questions. I will send out a flyer closer to the date, confirming times etc.
You can contact me at k_lubitz@hotmail.com
Hope to see you there.
Kirsten

ADVENTSFEIER IN BENTLEIGH – Sunday 4th December
Young people are always invited to assist at the Adventsfeier – on Sunday 4th Dec commencing at 2:30pm. We need people to prepare plates of cake and biscuits (from 2:00pm), help sell raffle tickets, help sell things at the bazaar, assist with serving tea and coffee and with cleaning up at the end. If you are crafty, donations of Christmas items for the bazaar are also always welcome – but please forward these before the day if possible, or bring them early on the day.
Many hands make light work and the young people helping always enjoy themselves, especially if they happen to win the ‘Gingerbread House’ in the raffle as Alastair did the first time he ever came.
A bus will be leaving Bayswater should you wish to come. But please book early, there are only 24 seats. A pick-up on the way to Bentleigh may also be arranged. Please ring the TSA office to book for the bus, otherwise just turn up in Bentleigh. Ring me if you have any questions or email nanne.tsa@datafast.net.au
Marianne Herrmann

SUMMER CAMP 2006
Summer Camp 2006 will be held at Angahook Holiday Camp at Aireys Inlet from Sunday 8th to Friday 13th January 2006. Medical and permission forms are now available from the Office and I will be emailing and/or sending forms out to all children of TSA members from 11 years old and not yet confirmed. If your child wishes to go and you have not received the forms by the end of November, please contact the office.
As always, any children attending Summer Camp may bring along friends.

YOUTH CAMP
This Youth Camp is for anyone confirmed and/or over the age of 15 years.
Dates: Sunday 8th to Friday 13th January 2006
Venue: Queenscliff Inn Hostel, 59 Hesse Street, Queenscliff, 3225 – this is a small Youth Hostel and Bed and Breakfast at which our group will have exclusive use of the hostel part of the venue.
Cost: will be around $200 per person all inclusive (please contact Susi if the cost is a problem).
Bookings: booking and medical forms are available from the Office if you have not yet received any by email.
Transport: We are hoping to have a bus to transport everyone, otherwise, depending on numbers, we may need to car pool.

YOUTH SERVICE
A Youth Service is planned for early next year (maybe end of January or February). I would like to hear from anyone willing or keen to help out with or take part in this service. Please contact Susi as soon as possible.

“YOUTH DROP IN ZONES”
Starting in late January next year, there will be regular “drop in” nights at the Community room at the Bayswater Hall.
The idea is that on every second Saturday evening there will always be a couple of “youth leaders” at the Bayswater Community room for any young people who would like to just drop in and hang out with some friends, watch a movie, play some pool, etc. These drop in nights would be open to any age group and may be a great time to catch up with your confirmation group, connect up with people you haven’t seen for a while, or just get together with some other young people. If the response is good then other cross-age youth activities can also be organised for those nights.

If anyone is interested in being on a youth leader roster and helping out to “man” the Community room on these occasions, please give me a call.
The dates for the January and February “Drop in Nights” will be listed in the December Templer Record. Susi Blackwell, Community Youth Coordinator

YOUTHFEST
In the September 2006 school holidays we will be holding a Youthfest – a day with various activities aimed at the young people. We have had brainstorming sessions, and formulated an activities list.
This will be circulated via e-mail and we will endeavour to include the ones which seem so popular. The event will have a co-ordinator who will be paid a small fee to manage and coordinate the events with youth. There are nominations. Should anyone else like to consider the role, please email me.

Hoping to see all young people there. Keep posted.
Hoovy

OVER 18s
Hey guys,
This year is fast disappearing and the crazy season is about to begin, so I thought I’d jump in early with yet another date for the calendar!
It’s been a while since many of us have caught up, so sort of an early ‘Christmas drinks’ is on the cards.
Who? Over 18’s
When? Friday 2nd November from 8pm
Where? Switch Grill Bar, near Dick Smith, Knox Ozone, Burwood Hwy.
Feel free to come along for half an hour or three, whatever suits your plans.

Drop me a line at tania.richter@gmail.com if you’re coming so that I’m not standing at the bar on my own!
Cheers, Tania.

CHILDREN’S SECTION

G’day to all!
I hope your start to spring has been a good one! Are you enjoying the warmer weather? I know our kids are enjoying being outside for longer in the afternoon as the days become warmer and longer.
How did you go at unjumbling the words from the Bible verse last month, where we talked about what our name “Temple Society” means? A huge pat on the back (and a choccy frog!) to Jessica Kemper who rang to tell me the answer was ‘Surely you know that you are God’s temple and that God’s spirit lives in you!’ Well done, Jessica!

This month we will begin discussing why we are a Christian community and what this means.
The questions we want to start answering are:

What do we believe in?’
What do we follow?’
(Mark Herrmann, the answers to these questions respectively are not ‘football’ and ‘Essendon’ J).

To help us answer those questions, we will look at some paraphrased words from chapters 5 and 6 in the Gospel of Luke in the New Testament part of the Bible. (Sorry, some of the Bible verse numbers were wrong last month!)

Friends of the Teacher
Everyone was amazed at Jesus’ teaching and his special powers. They marvelled at how he healed people who were ill and how he treated everyone with kindness. Jesus was also a fisherman and one day he and his friends went out in a boat and caught so many fish in their nets that the nets began to break. Then Jesus told his friends to go back to shore, to leave their fishing and to go with him to ‘catch people’ instead!

Jesus had friends who were fishermen, but also some whom other people didn’t like, like tax (money) collectors. Jesus was kind to them all. Jesus chose twelve of his closest and most loyal followers to be his special friends. They were Peter and Andrew, James and John, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James, Simon, Judas and Judas Iscariot.

Jesus taught these twelve men what God had sent him to do. They became Jesus’ twelve disciples and helped him to spread his teaching to other people. They learnt to ‘catch people’, as well as fish! They were the first Christians.
So the first Christians were the twelve disciples. They were Christians because they believed in the teaching of Jesus Christ.
I recently had a chat with Tamara Bouzo, who told me that Templers are Christians because, as a Christian community, we too follow the teachings of Christ. Tamara and I discussed how the word ‘Christian’ has the word Christ in it! Think about the words ‘Christmas’ and ‘christening’ too. Can you see the link? So this is why we are a Christian community because we believe in and follow the teachings of Jesus Christ.

Next month we will look further at this topic. Could you read our story ‘Friends of the Teacher’ again and answer these questions?

1) Why is fishing like teaching?
2) How was Jesus different from his friends?
3) Who were Jesus’ friends?
4) Who were Jesus’ special friends?
5) Who can be a helper of Jesus?

Complete this phrase: A follower of Jesus is a Ch _ _ _ _ _ _ _

Don’t forget to ring me with your answers (remember the choccy frogs!) and a big thankyou to Jessica and Tamara for their efforts this month. (Mark – sorry, you’ll have to try again!)
Hope to hear from you soon,
Christine

A big November birthday greeting to:
Ramesh Löbert
Leigh Van der Vlugt
Krista Imberger
Arion Ruff
Rebecca Kugler
Bryce Löbert
Rex Wagner
Eliza Grubb
Andreas Hoffmann

Liebe Freunde,
Es muss nur noch einen kleinen “Rucker” am Kalender geben, und wir dürfen schon wieder Weihnachten feiern. Die Vorbereitungen der Vorweihnachtszeit sind doch immer recht schön. Den Geruch von leckerem Gebäck wie Gutsle, Stollen, Schnitzbrot und mehr, erhöht die Stimmung und Freude auf das kommende Fest. So wird es auch im Tabulam und Templer Heim sein. Unser Head Chef, Pedro Gisler, nun unterstützt von Bernd Vollmer als weiterem Head Chef (herzlich willkommen, Bernd), wird mit einer kleinen Gruppe von “jungen” Frauen den schönsten und leckersten Weihnachtsschmaus backen. Meistens erstreckt sich diese Aufgabe für so viele Genießer über mehrere Abende. Diese und andere Gaben werden bei den vielen Veranstaltungen im Heim feierlich vorgetragen.

Dolly Klaver, unsere Organi-satorin dieser Feiern, hat schon eine Anzahl weihnachtliche Vorträge in ein großes Programm eingegliedert. Einige Männer- und gemischte Chöre, sowie auch Schulkinder werden unsere Bewohner begeistern. Hoffentlich beteiligen sich auch Angehörige und Freunde unserer Bewohner an diesen Festen.
Im Heim rollt der Alltag immer ruhig weiter. Der neue Bodenbelag im Tabulam Flügel ist nun fertig gelegt. Bewohner und Personal sind bestimmt froh, dass diese Unannehmlichkeiten endlich aufhörten. Nun ist der Flügel bedeutend angenehmer, wohnlicher und hygienischer.
Am Monatsende hatten wir 45 AGWS und 39 TSA Mitglieder als Bewohner. Davon sind 28 als “low care” und 56 als “high care” eingestuft.

Liebe Freunde, dies ist mein letzter Bericht als TTHA Committee of Management Mitglied. Ich bedanke mich für die sehr gute Zusammenarbeit, die ich mit Dr Schreiber und seiner Mannschaft erleben durfte. Meinem Nachfolger und Dr Schreiber und allen Heimmitarbeitern wünsche ich weiterhin viel Erfolg.
Freundliche Grüße,
Ihr Friedrich Sawatzky

Dear Friends,
It only requires a tiny wavering on the calendar and we will be able to celebrate Christmas once again. Christmas preparations are always wonderful. The beautiful aroma of Gutsle, Stollen and Schnitzbrot wafting through the house heightens the atmosphere and enjoyment of the coming festivities.
That is how it will also be at the Tabulam and Templer Home. Our head chef, Pedro Gisler, now also supported by our second head chef, Bernd Vollmer, (a hearty welcome, Bernd) will, with a small group of “young” ladies, prepare the most beautiful and delicate Christmas feasts. Baking these treats for such a vast number of “sensualists” usually extends over several evenings. They and other treats will be offered at the huge number of festive functions being planned.

Our competent organiser, Dolly Klaver, already has numerous presentations lined up into a gigantic Christmas program. Various male and mixed choirs, school children presentations and much more will captivate our residents. Hopefully residents’ relatives and friends will also participate with lots of enthusiasm.
In the Home the daily routine rolls by quietly. The new floor covering in the Tabulam Wing is laid at last. Residents and staff will be awfully pleased that these annoyances have finally come to an end. The wing is now much more pleasant, more liveable and more hygienic.
At month’s end we had 45 AGWS and 39 TSA member residents, of which 28 people were classified as “low care” and 56 as “high care”.

Dear friends, this is my last report as a member of the TTHA Committee of Management. I am sincerely grateful for the opportunity I enjoyed working with Dr Schreiber and his team. I wish my successor and Dr Schreiber and all Home “workers” ongoing success.
Warm greetings,
Your Friedrich Sawatzky

Thank you very much to Friedrich for his dedication and years of work for TTHA.

G’DAY MATE! HOW’S IT GOING? Not too bad, can’t complain
Philipp Nießen reports on his service at TTHA
Nun finde ich endlich die Zeit, mich noch einmal in Ruhe hinzusetzen und über mein letztes Jahr auf dem roten Kontinent nachzudenken.
Im Mai hatte mir Karin Klingbeil im Namen der TGD mitgeteilt, dass ich die Reise zu TTHA in Bayswater/Victoria antreten könnte, um dort meinen anderen Dienst im Ausland zu leisten. Ein Jahr alleine im, wenn auch in vieler Hinsicht vertrauten, Ausland zu leben, dort zu helfen und arbeiten, neue Menschen zu treffen und schliesslich auch zu reisen, dies würde eine ganz neue Herausforderung sein.

Zusammen mit meinem Zivilkollegen Christoph Weber, mit dem ich mir auch das Haus in Bayswater teilte und der bereits einige Wochen vor mir angekommen war, sollte ich zunächst in der Hausmeisterei eingesetzt werden. Später verbrachte ich die Hälfte der Zeit drinnen auf Station bei den Schwestern oder bei Dolly Klaver in der Administration. Mir wurde sehr schnell klar, dass diese Doppelfunktion ein gewaltiger Gewinn war, weil ich auf diese Weise verschiedene Bereiche des Altenheims kennenlernen konnte und ich so auch mit unseren netten Bewohnern doch weitaus mehr Kontakt hatte.

Mich konnte man dann doch sehr schnell als ‘Mädchen für alles’ bezeichnen. Rasenmähen, Anstreichen, Kehren, Rindenmulch schaufeln, Glühbirnen auswechseln, Unkraut vernichten, Möbel transportieren, Putzen etc. auf der einen Seite und Happy Hour, Arztbesuche, Übersetzungen machen, Fahrdienste leisten und Einkaufen gehen, Weihnachtsmann bzw. Elvis Presley spielen und vieles mehr auf der anderen Seite.
Wie man hoffentlich erkennen kann, war es doch sehr abwechslungsreich, was mir meine Arbeit im Endeffekt doch sehr angenehm gemacht hat. Der Wechsel von draussen nach drinnen hatte zudem auch den Vorteil, dass man nach zwei Tagen Arbeit in der prallen australischen Sommer-Sonne und dementsprechenden Sonnenbrand, endlich wieder nach drinnen gehen konnte, um sich zu erholen.

Wir arbeiteten pro Tag 8 Stunden, was auch bedeutete, dass ich danach noch einiges an Freizeit hatte, die ich in der Regel mit Sport gefüllt habe. So spielte ich z.B. bis zu einem schmerzhaften Bänderriss im März begeistert Fussball für den Knox City Soccer Club. Ansonsten habe ich auch noch viel Zeit im nahen Sportstudio mit Schwimmbad verbracht.
Die grossartige Stadt Melbourne und ihre traumhafte Umgebung habe ich natürlich auch mehr als genug genutzt. Am Wochenende entweder mit Freunden in die Stadt zum Football (Come on Geelong!) Cricket, Ausgehen und vieles mehr, oder mit Christoph und anderen nach Phillip Island zum Surfen.
Innerhalb des Jahres reiste ich insgesamt drei Mal. Im Dezember nach Tasmanien, im April nach Western Australia und am Ende noch mit meinem Bruder und einem Freund aus Schultagen zusammen nach New South Wales, Queensland und ins Northern Territory.

Zurückblickend kann ich sagen, dass ich eine grossartige Zeit in Australien hatte und ich mich an dieser Stelle herzlich bei der Tempelgesellschaft in Stuttgart bedanken will, dass man sich für mich entschieden hat (auch wenn ich kein Schwab von Geburt bin).
Besonders zu Dank verpflichtet bin ich natürlich Frau Karin Klingbeil, Herrn Dr Schreiber, sowie allen Mitarbeitern der Tabulam und Templer Homes. Besonders grüßen möchte ich zudem alle Bewohner!
Wenn ich gerade aus dem Fenster gucke und den trüben grauen Himmel und den Regen in der Nordeifel betrachte, dann bin ich mir auch ziemlich sicher, dass es mich früher oder später mal wieder nach down under verschlagen wird. Philipp Nießen

NOTICES – BEKANNTMACHUNGEN

COMING SERVICES

BA-BO FLOWER ROSTER
6.11. Inge (Uli) Hoefer, Imi Loebert.

SAAL and Community Afternoon – 6th November at 3:15pm
Everyone is invited to Saal, coffee and Tania Richter’s presentation.
Would the following ladies please come at 2:45pm to help:
Helga and Ingrid Jürgensen, Hiltraud Kinder, Beate Kuerschner, Turid Lange, Helga Löbert, Erin and Kirsten Lubitz.
If you are unable to come, please ask a friend to help, or call me.
Uta Steller

PAST SERVICES
FAMILY SERVICE at Badgers Creek see above
PRESENTATION – 16th October Bayswater
At the heart-warming service in the Community Chapel, our Elder Herta Uhlherr ‘presented’ two little girls:
Amelia Cate Conway Anderson
Parents: Christian Anderson and Tiffany Conway
Jasmine Beate Kuerschner
Parents: Michael Kuerschner and Beate née Hoffmann.
Their grandparents had been invited to participate and made thoughtful wishes for their granddaughters.
Many visitors were present, including from Europe, NSW, Los Angeles. The Choir sang beautifully. Ed.

VISION AUSTRALIA CONCERT – 4th November 7:30pm
Ormond Hall Moubray St Prahran
A special concert where blind or vision impaired students can demonstrate their musical talents in a
supportive environment. Amara Wagner is taking part.
Tickets $15, $10, or $45 family (incl. GST) from Vision Australia
– collect at the hall on the night. Heiner Wagner

BUSHWALKING – Saturday 5th November
As Alysha is still away at the time this needs to go into print, I'm having a go at informing you of the proposed walk. We are expecting that this month's hike will be in the Yarra Valley National Park. This park offers a large diversity of fauna and flora. We will be able to enjoy the scenery of the magnificent Black Spur, as we wend our way through the towering mountain ash forest with panoramic views of the countryside.

It is anticipated that we walk from the Dom Dom Saddle down to the Fernshaw Picnic Ground. This walk was cancelled a few years ago, due to inclement weather, so hopefully this time we will be more fortunate.
Please bring your lunch.

MEETING SPOT: 10:30am at the Fernshaw Picnic Ground abutting the Watts River on the Maroondah Highway just before the Black Spur.
HOW TO GET THERE: Follow the Maroondah Highway to Healesville; continue past the Maroondah Dam until you come to the Fernshaw Picnic Ground at the bottom of the gully on the right-hand side. We will need to do a car shuffle to the top of the Dom Dom Saddle, from where we anticipate the walk will start. Most of the walk will therefore be downhill; some parts are rather steep.
LENGTH: About three hours.
Please ring Alysha or Trudi a few days before the hike to confirm the above details.
Trudi Murray, for Alysha

MY GERMANY EXCHANGE – 6th November
Stories and photos after Saal
I will be showing a selection of photographs and telling a few stories from my exchange to Stuttgart in March this year. The exchange was an awesome experience that left me with some wonderful memories and crazy stories, so I thought I would follow in the footsteps of some of my counterparts in Germany and share these photos and experiences with the community.

I especially want to encourage anyone who has ever even vaguely contemplated taking part in the exchange program to come, so that you can get some insight into this great opportunity. Even if you’ve never considered it – please come because you might change your mind! There’ll be cake!!
When: After the 3:15pm service on Sunday 6th November during Kaffee und Kuchen.
Where: The Bayswater Hall Time: Approx. 4pm.
The presentation won’t last more than about half an hour.
Look forward to seeing you all there!
Bis bald! Tania Richter

BLOOMING MARVELLOUS – 12th November
On Saturday 12th November ‘Rosa’ our bus will be taking us west to Noorat (past Camperdown) to view three local gardens in full bloom!
One of the gardens is Rosewood Homestead – the home of Anna (née Wagner), Bob and Sarah Grendon. We plan to leave Bayswater at 7am. We would visit Violet Bank first, then on to Rosewood Homestead, where Anna has kindly offered to provide lunch for a small cost, and then on to Glen Isla before departing for home at about 4 pm.

The charge per head to cover the bus costs will be approximately $15, plus the cost for lunch and $2 per person per garden to raise funds for the Noorat Primary School, where Anna works. We may stop for dinner on the way home – Winchelsea pub is pretty good – but, then again, we may not. We will advise whether you need to bring a cut-tea when you book. The bus can carry 24 passengers, so if you are interested in coming, please book early to avoid disappointment. Ring me on 9557 6713 (business hours).
or email nanne.tsa@datafast.net.au
Marianne Herrmann

TATURA – 13th November
For those interested in attending the Tatura Memorial Service, please book at the TSA Office by Friday 4th November.
'Rosa' the bus will leave the Bayswater Hall at 7:00am and the Bentleigh Hall at 7:45 am to arrive at the Tatura War Cemetery in time for the Memorial Service commencing at 11:00am on Sunday 13th November. Cost will be approximately $15. The bus can carry 24 passengers, so please book early if you wish to go.

After the service, all who have arrived by bus, and any others who have booked with the TSA Office, can have lunch (at own cost) at the Hilltop Golf Club, with an afternoon visit to the Tatura Museum planned.
The bus will depart from the Tatura Museum at approximately 4pm for home.
Ilse Nicholson, for the Heritage and Culture Focus Group

CHOIR PICNIC – 13th November from 12 noon
All past, present and future choir members are cordially invited to Hapke’s place, 92 St Georges Rd, Upper Beaconsfield (Melway Ref. 210 D9). Please bring a plate to share. Hot water, coffee and teas will be provided.
Uli Hapke

SALE OF CRAFT
Box Hill outside the station – Thursday 3rd November from 8:30am to 3pm.
Christmas Bazaar in the Tabulam main foyer on Monday 21st November from 10am. Come, buy Christmas goodies and then visit your family and friends in the Home.
Helga Kuerschner, for the Bayswater Craft Group.

BE/MO WORKING BEE – 19th November
Please come and help from 9am onwards, as usual.
Theo Richter

BAKING ‘GUTSLE’ – 19th November
As in the past, we ask as many people as possible to consider making at least one batch of Gutsle for the Adventsfeier. These can be left at the Office in Bentleigh or at Tony & Renate Beilharz 51 Elizabeth Street in Bayswater.
On Saturday 19th November from 10am – 1pm we will be making Gutsle in the Bentleigh Hall kitchen, 152 Tucker Road Bentleigh. If you have never made Gutsle or simply would just like to come and help we would love to see you. This is for the young and not so young plus everyone in between. We will then send you home with recipes and hopefully you will be inspired to make even more.
I plan to make some of the doughs in advance to get things going quickly and would love others to do the same – but please also bring ‘your recipe’ so that others can take home a copy. Some doughs will also be made on the day.

I would love some expert assistance and – importantly – ask those coming to bring aprons and rolling pins and anything else you think we might need. The teenager group is coming, but please don’t just leave it to the young (we hope to see some of the boys as well!). We hope to have lots and lots of wonderful Gutsle for the Adventsfeier this year! It would be easier if I knew who was coming and if you were able to help with bringing doughs already prepared – so please email nanne.tsa@datafast.net.au
Marianne Herrmann

LADIES’ ADVENT IN BENTLEIGH – 4th December 2:30pm
We are looking forward to seeing everyone at our Advent celebration in Bentleigh on Sunday 4th December. The program will start as usual at 2:30pm and will be in English and German.
Sigi Katz and her team of helpers are once again organising the bazaar. We need lots of people to help support them! In particular a batch of Christmas cookies (Gutsle) would be greatly appreciated. If you are able to help by donating some of your baking or any craft items, please drop these off at the Temple Society Office or at Renate & Tony Beilharz 51 Elizabeth Street in Bayswater by Wednesday 30th November. Also items for the raffle prizes.

We also need helpers to set up the hall on Sunday morning (from 9am onwards). Please come, the more, the merrier, and the job will get done in a twinkling!! Recent confirmees, potential Summer campers, any “youngish” ones – we would also like to ask that you help us make this afternoon a success, by helping serve coffee and cakes. If you could come to the hall a bit before 2:30pm, you can help cut up cakes etc. (yuummm!)

Talking about cakes… while you’re baking your Gutsle, please think about what type of cake, cookies or Gutsle you could bake for the day itself. We greatly appreciate people bringing something to share and making those plates on the table absolutely mouthwatering (you can see I’m craving a good piece of cake as I’m writing!)
Don’t forget your spending money on the day for the bazaar, the raffle and the special table decorations, which will be available for purchase afterwards. And now please go and mark 4th December in your diaries!

‘Rosa’ the bus is available to bring 24 people in from Bayswater. So please book with Helga Anderson at the TSA Office 9557 6713. The bus will depart from Elizabeth Street outside TTHA at 1:30pm.
Veronica Rutowicz & Marianne Herrmann

ADVENT IN BAYSWATER – 6th December 8:00pm
If you can help with items for the program, with setting up from 10am on Tuesday 6th December, or with serving coffee, please call one of us. Also please remember to bring some Gutsle to share. Everyone welcome.
Inge Hoefer or Herta Uhlherr.

BA-BO FAMILY CHRISTMAS – 17th December Ba Hall
See page 31 in October TR.

Children who would like to take part, and teenagers or adults who would like to help organise a part of this event, please contact me soon.
Carols will follow as usual.
Renate Beilharz

SOCIAL & RECREATION FOCUS GROUP
Following the recent Extra-ordinary and Annual General Meetings of the TSA, the Social & Recreation Focus Group is now up and running.
Our initial tasks are to facilitate the TSA’s major social & recreational events and establish effective communication and resource links between the Members, our associated Interest Groups and the Regional Council.

Over the coming months, we will confirm these major events, dates, venues and formats and bring you regular updates of Interest Group activities together with appropriate contact details to keep you in touch with the rich and diverse range of opportunities available.

To make this all happen, we ask for your input – functions can only be successful if they appeal to you, functions can only be run with assistance from you and we can only foster the ‘sense of community’ with participation by you – even if you are happy with the events and formats currently offered, we’d like to hear that, too – we only know if we are or aren’t on the right track if you tell us.

So if you can help us help you, please forward your ideas, feedback and offers of assistance to:

Manfred Decker, for the Social & Recreation Focus Group

SOMMERFEST – 5th March 2006
Next year, Sommerfest will be held on 5th March. That's right, grab your dinky diary and any failsafe writing implement right now and mark the 5th March 2006 as busy at Sommerfest. Alternatively, open your favourite electronic calendar computer program and schedule the all day event "Sommerfest" for 5th March 2006.

For Sommerfest 2006, the organisers intend to explore an exciting new format. In fact, it is so exciting that I'm going to wait until the Dec/Jan TR to tell you about it.
If you have any great ideas for the Sommerfest program, or would love to be part of the organising team for Sommerfest, then please contact any member of the Social & Recreation Focus Group.
Brendon Glenk, for the Social & Recreation Focus Group

VACANCY: BOOK KEEPER FOR TTHA
Tabulam & Templer Homes for the Aged are seeking a bookkeeper to work on a part-time basis.
Sound knowledge and experience in all aspects of bookkeeping is necessary, particularly in the application of MYOB.
Good working conditions and hourly rate. 18 hours per week, initially starting with a 4-month contract.
Please send application and resume to: Tabulam & Templer Homes for the Aged Inc31 – 41 Elizabeth Street, Bayswater 3153 or email: tabulam@tabulam.org

THE HERITAGE PAGE

NEWS FROM THE TSA HERITAGE GROUP
Building up our historical data base

The TSA Heritage Group has received many photo albums to scan and store the images in our historical data base. We thank each and everyone for their cooperation and assistance. We have gathered thousands of old historical images of the Templer settlements already, but we are nowhere near the end of this project. This photographic data base is invaluable not only for us today, but for future generations.
Naming the individuals on the photos is another big job. About 1% of all photos are identified and much more effort will have to go into identifying what we have collected already. Anyone who could help us scan into a computer and/or to identify photos is welcome and should let Erika English know.

As a rule, we return the photo albums a short time after receiving them. However, the response was so good that we have several months of work ahead of us. We ask all those who lent us their albums for understanding and patience. We shall return them as soon as we have completed our task.
To scan one photograph into the computer takes 15 to 20 minutes; we not only have to enhance a lot of the old photos, but register each image with a number and make a photographic index with a duplicate compact disk. The total is then bound into a booklet and stored in the archive. We have two compact disks of each family photo album stored. It is immediately obvious that doing hundreds and hundreds of photos takes a lot of effort and time. So far we have no team together and it is still a one man show. Is there someone with the necessary skills who could do some scanning at home? We will gladly give detailed instructions and training for those who would love to help in this project. Welcome to Karin Ruff who has volunteered to assist us with the above project. We hope others will also contact us soon.

Another project is the collection and writing of stories of the early days in Australia, like how did Boronia start becoming a Templer settlement? Or who went to Queensland and where did they find work? There are thousands of topics and we are interested in hearing from people who have old letters or life stories etc. Please contact us and share your family stories and family trees with us.
Contact Erika English englishfamily@ozemail.com.au or Horst Blaich e-mail: abfa@bigpond.net.au

WALL HANGING PROJECT
A compact disk made by Renate Weber was shown to the Knox Historical Society and this ended up being the longest meeting for the Society, as we discussed post-war Templer settlement in Boronia and Bayswater. The Knox historians were pleased to hear the migrants’ view and Glen Turnbull asked to be invited to our next Sommerfest to see the Wall Hanging project and to look over the Templer activities in general. Yes, we are making an impression on the historians in the Knox district.
Reminder: Workshops in the Bayswater Hall on 12th and 26th November from 10am to 3pm.
See Oct. TR pages 30-31.

BETLEHEM GEMEINDEHAUS HARMONIUM returns to Betlehem
Kobi and Nurit Fleischman from Bet Lehem Hagilit report that in 1948 a Mr Peleg took a Harmonium from the Templer Settlement Betlehem to the Kibbutz where he lived with his daughter. In his late years, Mr Peleg wished the Harmonium to be returned to Betlehem and Kobi and Nurit took this instrument into their home. Mr Kobi Fleischman, who runs the ‘Templer Visitors Centre’ (Tourist Centre for Betlehem and Waldheim) in Heinrich Wagner's former house in Bet Lehem Hagilit, said that this harmonium would be on permanent display in his house.

Horst Blaich asked Oskar Krockenberger for more information, but he thought that Friede Steller née Weberruss would probably know more. Friede confirmed that this was indeed the harmonium from the Gemeindehaus and School in Betlehem.
Teachers Ritter, Goetz and Fallscheer all taught music on this instrument. Thea and Rosa Herrmann, Elli Ruff and Friede Weberruss were among those trained on this harmonium to play for community divine services. Friede remembers the many times she played hymns on this instrument for Saal services.

Horst Blaich

SARONA
The results of an interesting study going back to pre-biblical times describe how the Plain of Sharon acquired its name, which was ultimately reflected in the name of Sarona.
Dr Danny Goldman advised me of a book recently published in Israel and titled The Ancient Landscapes of the Land of Israel, by Professor Menasche Harel* (publisher Kinneret, Zmora-Bitan, Dvir Publishing 2005). Danny also sent me an extract of the book, where Prof. Harel notes that the word Sharon, meaning A-Sarno in Acadian**, which is “forest”, a land well irrigated, soft and saturated with liquid. The forest of Sharon was one of the most significant forests in biblical times. It stretched from the foot of Mt Carmel in the north, to the Audsche (Yarkon) River in the south. The Plain was estimated to have covered an area of approximately 450 square kilometres. On it grew the Mt Tabor Oak, a tree most useful for industry because of its height, ease of cutting and sawing and its ability to recover after timbering.
Today the Mt Tabor Oak is one of the oldest trees found in Israel. Some have been estimated to be over 600 years old. The oaks can often be found near old burial tombs of both Jews and Muslims.

*Prof. Harel is a Historical Geographer and received the 2002 Israel Prize for his research in the Land of Israel Studies. He teaches in the Technion, Tel Aviv University.
** Acadian is an ancient language of pre-biblical times in the Mesopotamian Empire and spoken by nomadic Semites of the Syrian-Arabian Desert.
Helmut Glenk

‘DER KAISER REIST DURCH DAS HEILIGE LAND’
Anyone interested in purchasing the last copy of Dr Jakob Eisler’s book, please contact Manfred Haering.
Manfred and Minnie Haering have returned from Europe, welcome back. In Holland they covered many kilometres by bicycle.

October

REFLECTIONS
Auf des Lebens Wanderwegen
leuchte Dir der Sonne Segen!
Öffne Dir die Seele weit.
Lass herein die frohe Fülle
dass Dein Herz sich ganz erfülle
und Dich segne allezeit.

Und dann lass den frohen Segen
den Du selbst auf Deinen Wegen
hast so leuchtend hell gesehn,
strahlen auf die Gross und Kleinen
auf die Fremden und die Deinen
die Du triffst beim Weitergehn!
As you walk life’s path,
may the sun shine its blessing upon you!
Allow your heart to open wide.
and be full-filled with joyful abundance.
Then let the bright and cheerful blessings
you yourself have experienced along the way,
shine their radiance on the grown-ups and children,
on family and strangers
you meet on your journey.
Author not known.
Sent in by a member.

From the recent CONFIRMATION SERVICE
The theme was LIGHT – let your light shine!
Each of the 19 confirmands was responsible for part of the service, which was coordinated by our Elder Renate Weber. Extracts will be printed over the next TRs. – The group photo in last TR was by Heidi Wied.
A reading from Nelson Mandela was chosen to set the theme for the day’s special service.
Our worst fear is not that we are inadequate; our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, “Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?” Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God: your playing small doesn’t serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking, so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We were born to make manifest the glory of God within us. It is not just in some of us, it is in everyone and as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.
Daniel Beilharz spoke to the quote.
Nelson Mandela is one of the great moral and political leaders of our time, he is an international hero whose life-long dedication to the fight against racial oppression in South Africa won him the Nobel Peace Prize and the presidency of his country.
Nelson Mandela read these words you just heard at the 1994 Inaugural Speech to inspire his people. His inspiring writing, I think, help give us confidence and diminish our fears, it also helps us to see the bigger purpose of our lives and inspires and empowers us to do well. It aids us in spreading light, love and divine grace around the world.
Many people wonder why others can achieve such great things and begin to pity themselves for not being able to be like them. We admire others, but we forget to admire ourselves. As it said in the reading, we have a right to be anything we wish – beautiful, successful; as long as we use the unique talents that God gave us we can do anything. You also need to realise not using your talent in this world doesn’t help you or anyone else.
Although the reading suggests we would rather believe in our inabilities than in our greatness, that we are afraid of being wrong, are scared of what we are capable of and are therefore afraid of what we can do rather than what we can’t, the only way to overcome these fears and beliefs is if you spend less time worrying about the results of something and have more faith in your unique talents, believing that the results will come if you remain true to your own ability. Imagine the world where your self-belief is proportionate to your enormous talent and where your incredible desire to succeed overcomes your fear of failure.
(Picture - candles and stained glass windows)
When we do good things, people see us and follow our example. Other people no longer fear doing good things as well. So as Templers we need to lead by example and let our light shine strongly. One reason that so many spiritual caterpillars never became butterflies is that they were eaten by doubt, fear or intimidation. I have found some quotes that are related to the reading.
If you wish the world to become loving and compassionate, become loving and compassionate yourself. If you wish to diminish fear in the world, diminish your own, these are the gifts you can give.
From “Seat of the Soul” by Gary Zukav.
Thousands of candles can be lit from a single candle, and the life of the candle will not be shortened. Happiness never decreases by being shared. Budda.
We all walk in the dark and each of us must learn to turn on his or her own light. Earl Nightingale.
Renate Weber – I was so impressed with the research that Daniel Beilharz completed for his section without any guidance or help. I was happy that he picked up on all the issues and especially the light and dark theme of today’s Service. Each Confirmand will now symbolically light their candle from the first candle I lit at the beginning of the service to signify the vibrancy of life within each one of these special young people. All of them will have a part to play in their confirmation ceremony.

NATURE’S POWER
Peter Lange reflects on Nature and God
Natural catastrophes seem to be increasing: the Boxing Day tsunami; the floods in some parts of Europe and extensive forest fires, caused by extreme drought, in others; Hurricane Katrina in the US. ‘Global warming’ alone is not responsible for these – there have always been natural catastrophes with huge impact.
The difference is that in modern times many Westerners have come to believe that they can control the forces of Nature by means of their technological inventions. As we have seen again recently, this is a misconception. Even the bigger levees, even the stronger building materials etc. are often about as effective as an ant’s attempt to protect itself from a hiker’s boot.
We humans must learn a little humility again and recognize that we cannot control everything. Whatever we do, Nature is far more powerful. While we can predict a hurricane’s force, we will never be able to take away its destructive power.
Such thoughts cause many to ask: is an angry God punishing arrogant humans with ‘Egyptian plagues’ (like in Moses’ times)? That is the last thing I would ascribe to a creator God. The physical forces operating in the universe are, after all, what created the possibility of human life arising on Earth. Fire storms, tidal waves, earthquakes and tornados might appear to us to be senselessly destructive natural forces. However, from a universal perspective they are the opposite, namely formative, creative and live-enabling powers. Without them, the Earth would be a cold and arid stony desert.
Such thoughts may – understandably – not be very helpful to the citizens of New Orleans who feared for their lives. But we others who are okay need to recognize that danger to human life and existence is part of being human, even today.
The so-called natural catastrophes are a result of the laws of Nature, not the punishment of a vengeful God. We can see them as pointers to the grandeur of creation and take them as a warning for our human egos not to become too inflated.
Peter Lange
Full article in the October ‘Warte’. Condensed and translated by H.U.

TEXT FOR THE MONTH – Hebrews 10:23-25
Holding on to hope together.
Let us hold on firmly to the hope we profess, because we can trust God to keep his promise. Let us be concerned for one another, to help one another to show love and do good. Let us not give up the habit of meeting together, as some are doing. Instead, let us encourage one another all the more, since you see that the day of the Lord is coming nearer. Good News Bible.
This passage is from a letter to one of the new Christian communities formed during the first century after Jesus. The authorship is disputed, as is the intended destination and audience. But its purpose is clear: to encourage the followers of Jesus, in a time of increasing opposition to the new faith, not to lose hope.
There are three things that last for ever: faith, hope, and love; and the greatest of these is love. 1 Cor 13:13 Revised English Bible
Hope, according to this well known passage, is one of the three things that last for ever. Aren’t we glad that there is always hope! Hope is an important part of all human striving and endeavour. Humans need to be able to hope, even when things look blackest or at their worst – hope keeps humanity going, as individuals and as a community.
The dictionary definition of hope includes: expectation of something desired; desire accompanied by expectation; confidence in a future event; grounds for expecting something. The Macquarie Encyclopaedic Dictionary 1990.
Hope is a noun, and the definition above indicates that hope is inert and submissive; we expect, we desire. Hope can also be a verb, a word of action: to hope. I like to think of hope as a verb, rather than as a passive, non-active noun. Hope should be an active verb, or more correctly, hope should be accompanied by action. This is expressed beautifully in the first verse of the Templer hymn by Christoph Hoffmann:
Mit Wünschen und Warten sich selber vertrösten,
Mit Hoffen und Meinen erkämpft sich kein Sieg
Our wishing and waiting bring small consolation,
With vague speculations no victory is won.
What are we hoping for? Each of us has our own hopes and dreams.
There are little daily hopes: ‘I hope that I get my washing in before the rain comes’.
There are hopes for other people: ‘We hope that the confirmands will grow into positive contributors to society’.
There are big hopes for one’s life direction: ‘I hope that this career change brings me a new sense of achievement’. There are the huge hopes: ‘We hope that all conflicts in the world cease’.
Then there’s the biggest hope of all, which is mentioned in our Bible text: hoping for God to keep his promise, and hoping for the day of the Lord. I interpret that as referring to the achievement of the Kingdom of God: a world where all humans live in peace and harmony with each other and their environment.
Every one of these hopes, small and large, require action, require us to do something towards achieving that hope; each of us in our own way, step by step, as one person or as groups of people.
But we do not have to work alone towards the achievement of our hopes. That is why our text talks about the importance of meeting together. The writer of the text recognises the need for people to be concerned for one another, to show love for one another and to encourage each other. Communal get-togethers, whether at a service, social evening or country meeting, are essential to holding on firmly to hope.
Renate Beilharz, Elder

REGIONAL MATTERS
FROM THE REGIONAL COUNCIL
NOTES FROM THE RC MEETING of 2.9.2005
• Suggested changes to the new constitution were discussed and one amendment recommended to be put to the 2005 Temple Society Australia Annual General Meeting. This amendment will be sent out to members at least 14 days before the AGM
• The 2005 TSA budget is being created with the approval of the Central Fund
• The TSA AGM processes were organised
• Focus Groups are starting to meet and develop their operational guidelines, ready for reporting to the Regional Council
• The annual Regional Council Recognition Function this year will recognise many years of voluntary service for the TSA by:
- Herb Hoffmann – for service on the Central Fund
- Anna Grendon – for creating and maintaining the TSA office
membership and financial database
- Hermann Uhlherr – for service on Regional Council.
Renate Beilharz, for R.C.

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETINGS – 9th October in Bayswater
In order to facilitate proceedings, we again wish to provide definite start times for our various annual meetings. The timetable is as follows:
9:45 am The Temple Society Central Fund (Aust.)
10:30 am Temple Society Australia
12:00 noon Lunch
1:00 pm Temple Society Australia (continues)
Please note the times. Proxy and nomination forms, whilst not included with every member’s circular, are readily available from the TSA Office, Tabulam and Templer Homes for the Aged and the various Community Halls. Upon enquiry, the forms can be sent to you for completion.
Agendas and other information have been sent out to members separately.Mark Herrmann, Business Manager
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF TTHA – 29.10.2005
All members of the Australian-German Welfare Society and Temple Society Australia are invited to attend the Annual General Meeting of TTHA.
Date Saturday 29th October 2005
Time 10:30 am
Location Community Chapel, 51 Elizabeth St Bayswater.
The invitation, agenda and other information has been sent to members.
Herrmann Sawatzky, Secretary, Committee of Management

CORRECTION
On page 9 of the September TR, as part of the Regional Council Annual Report, we said the Sarona book was published by the Heritage Group. It was in fact published by people involved with the Heritage Group, but not with the Group’s money or any TSA funds. It was a private publishing venture undertaken by Helmut Glenk, Horst Blaich and Manfred Haering. Also, the checking for historical accuracy was done by academics and historians both in Australia and overseas, not only by Peter Lange and other Templers. We apologize for not making this quite clear.
Rolf Beilharz

ANNUAL REPORT ON CENTRAL COUNTRY VICTORIA
Two out of the three Central Vic gatherings eventuated in the last year. These were at Broadford – hosted by Helmut and Ilse Beilharz in October 2004 and Rupanyup – hosted by Christa and Rod Lingham in March 2005. Unfortunately the Broadford June 2005 gathering was cancelled due to the temporary incapacity of the hosts.
As in previous years, these gatherings attract as many (or more) Melbourne Templers as their country cousins. At the small Rupanyup meeting it was mooted that perhaps this location is too far for most travellers, and that Bendigo should perhaps be the focus for future meetings as it is more accessible to people from a wider range of areas.
I thank all hosts and elders for their services over the past year, and all those who travelled to attend. These efforts keep these gatherings going, and the spirit of “country Templerism” alive.
Anna Beilharz, Central Country Vic Co-ordinator
Some of the outstanding reports have not come yet.

ELDERS are reminded of the 2006 Roster. Ed.

FROM THE OFFICE
MEMBERSHIP CONTRIBUTIONS AND SUBSCRIPTION PAYMENTS
Enclosed with this issue of the Templer Record readers will find the usual form seeking annual payment for membership contributions, Warte and/or Templer Record subscriptions and the like.
Members are reminded of the motion approved at the 2004 Annual General Assembly, whereby each individual member is free to decide the level of financial contribution he or she will make to the TSA each year.
If you are paying by direct credit to the TSA bank account, please advise the Office of the date payment was made and how your payment should be allocated, as well as ensuring that your deposit can be easily identified.
It is hoped that all members will continue to support the endeavours and initiatives of their Templer Community.
Mark Herrmann
SOCIAL CARE
So many people seem to be unwell or undergoing operations. Our thoughts and good wishes are with them all, and their carers.
Helga Anderson, Care Worker

MEMBERS AND FRIENDS
GEBURTSTAGE
Wir gratulieren herzlich zum Geburtstag unserer Mitglieder:

Thea Frank Antonie Messerle
Gisela Hoffmann Kurt Eppinger
Helene Kübler Ingeborg Wurst
Eberhard Schmidt Manfred Schnerring
John Pendlebury Wilhelm Imberger
Anneliese Beilharz Helga Weller
und wünschen auch allen hier nicht angeführten Geburtstagskindern alles Gute und Schöne zum neuen Lebensjahr.
GOLDEN WEDDING
Warm congratulations to Lothar and Uta Faig for their golden wedding anniversary on 22nd October. We wish them many more, happy years together
BIRTH
Benjamin Nikolai Arndt,
Parents: Martin Arndt and Michelle Canny
Grandparents: Heinz and Ingeborg Arndt
ENGAGEMENT
Vivica Roscher and Matthew Luckie
Congratulations to these couples.

BEREAVEMENTS
On Friday 9th September 2005 our dearly loved brother, brother-in-law and uncle Paul Carl Oskar Rubysun (née Rubitschung) died unexpectedly but peacefully, aged 79 years, at the St. Hedwig's Nursing Home in Blacktown.
He is at peace now, but will be sadly missed by his sisters Gisela Hoffmann and Magdalene Hill, brother-in-law and close friend Klaus-Peter, and his nieces and nephew Ingrid, Phillip, Monika and Elizabeth Hoffmann.
Many will remember Paul from Jaffa,Sarona, Wilhelma and Tatura.
Nella Weller née Lange passed away at Tabulam Nursing Home on 15th September 2005, aged 95. Her three sons and daughters-in-law, Gunter and Sigi, Heinz and Isolde, Jürgen and Sunni and their extended families will miss her sense of humour and positive outlook on life. Peace at last for a wonderful Omi.
Our most sincere thanks to Herta Uhlherr for her beautiful service, to Irene Blaich for playing the piano and to the ladies who helped with refreshments. Our heartfelt thanks also to the staff and volunteers of the TTHA for their kindness to the family and their loving care of Nella. Thank you for the generous donations to the TTHA in our Omi’s memory.
From Germany we hear that Agnes Stütz née Weberruss died peacefully on 21.7.2005 in Ludwigsburg, aged 88.
Our condolences to the bereaved families.

THANK YOU
Dinner Dance – 10.9.2005
A big thankyou for a great night! Especially to the recently confirmed young helpers. They worked tirelessly and willingly and did a great job.
Lots of dishes!! Well done!
Gerda Knaub

Help in Need
It is nice to know that we have Templer friends all over Australia who are happy to lend a helping hand.
A special thankyou to Kurt, Erna and Walter Unger who were prepared to go out of their way to take care of someone they did not know. When Nicholas had a migraine whilst on a school camping excursion to S.A. and needed to find somewhere quiet, warm and dry in Murray Bridge, it was reassuring that a phone call meant help was soon on its way.
Many thanks!
Nicholas, Marianne & Mark Herrmann

Pie Drive
Many thanks to all who ordered pies (and have perhaps already eaten them!) for the Playgroup Pie Drive. We made a profit of $445, which will go towards a new rocker for the junior playground at the Bayswater Hall.
We appreciate the support of the wider community in this venture and hope you all eat your pies and need some more before we run the pie drive again next year.
Christine Ruff, on behalf of the Playgroup

THE LETTING GO SEMINAR – 27th August
The Letting go seminar organised by the Community Care Reference Group (CCRG) was held in the serenity of the community chapel. Dr Geoff McCallum provided the bridging thoughts that tied together the powerful and personal life journeys and insights provided by the two speakers – Petra den Hartog from SIDS and Kids and Isolde Busch, who is a psychotherapist.
The conversations over coffee certainly highlighted how Petra’s personal experiences of losing children, and Isolde’s experience of suddenly losing her father had struck chords with everyone there. Both Petra and Isolde spoke about how ‘letting go’ actually involves a recognition of how the losses we have experienced have shaped our lives. They spoke about how talking and sharing with others is important in allowing ourselves to understand how the loss is affecting us, and to allow us to let go of the negative aspects that are holding us back. They also spoke about how they have incorporated the pain of the losses into their day-to-day lives. Isolde related how she later spoke to people who had known her father, so that she could get to know him better and honour his memory in this way. Petra spoke about how her loss of babies and young children has over the years allowed her to become a counsellor to parents who have experienced miscarriage, stillbirth, premature live births and subsequent deaths. This, she let us know, is her way of honouring the memory of the children she has lost. Our speakers highlighted that loss and grief of whatever kind, and the corresponding process of letting go of anger, blame, fear and the healing that comes with this, are intensely personal experiences, and yet – paradoxically – universal as well.
I sincerely thank the speakers who so generously gave of themselves, as well as the CCRG for putting this seminar together. It was an enriching and extremely worthwhile experience.
Please note that SIDS and Kids have a Treasured Baby program whose volunteers knit the tiny outfits for babies that die in utero, or who are born premature and then do not live. Hospitals give these outfits to bereaved families to dress their babies so that they can hold them, have an outfit to remember them by, or to bury them in. Anyone interested in becoming a volunteer for the Treasured Baby scheme, or who needs to talk to someone regarding the issues that the seminar raised for them, please contact our Care Worker, Helga Anderson, mobile 0438 141 389 and she will put you in contact with the relevant people.
Renate Hoffmann

LETTING GO
The following thoughts are worth reflecting on one by one, especially those that make us feel uncomfortable. Letting go of what keeps causing us pain releases much energy to live a fuller, richer life.
To let go doesn’t mean I stop caring,
it means I can’t heal someone else.
To let go is not to cut myself off,
it’s the realisation that I can’t control another.
To let go is not to enable,
but to allow learning from natural consequences.
To let go is to admit powerlessness,
which means the outcome is not in my hands.
To let go is not to try to change or blame another,
I can only change myself.
To let go is not to care for, but to care about.
To let go is not to fix, but to be supportive.
To let go is not to judge,
but to allow another to be a human being.
To let go is not to be in the middle arranging all the outcomes,
but to allow others to affect their own outcomes.
To let go is to not be protective;
it is to permit another to face reality.
To let go is not to deny, but to accept.
To let go is not to nag, scold or argue,
but to search out my own shortcomings and to correct them.
To let go is not to adjust everything to my desires,
but to take each day as it comes.
To let go is not to criticise and regulate anyone,
but to try to become what I dream I can be.
To let go is not to regret the past,
but to grow and live for the future.
To let go is to fear less and love more!
Author unknown

A TRIO OF DUETS
"Peter said there was going to be a trio..." said one of the Templer choir members to me as I sat down in the Templer Chapel on a beautiful early Spring afternoon in August. And there were: a trio of performers, Rumi and daughter Irina Hornung from Germany and Barbara Hornung from Melbourne; a trio of instruments – the piano, violin and viola; and a trio of duets by Beethoven, Mozart and César Franck. It was lovely to see so many community members in attendance to hear a wonderful performance of three very different pieces. I particularly enjoyed the interplay between the two performers in the Mozart duet for violin and viola. The pleasure that Irina and Barbara took in their rare opportunity to perform together was evident in their faces as they played. As was Peter Hornung's pleasure and pride in introducing his extremely talented relatives at the beginning of the concert.
picture - The Hornungs Trio
My personal favourite was the Franck duet for violin and piano. As the lush and romantic music swelled, I found myself gazing around the Chapel, taking in its simple lines and pure white surfaces, and thinking how fortunate we are to have this space, suitable for so many facets of Templer community life including listening to beautiful music on a Spring afternoon.
Monika Strasser

CENTRAL COUNTRY VIC – 11th September
Renate Beilharz mit Sohn Martin holt mich ziemlich früh im Heim ab und wir fahren in Richtung Bendigo. Martin ist ‘navigator’. Dreizehn Personen finden sich bei Lake Eppalock zusammen, die Hälfte davon Beilharzen: Renate, Martin, Rolf, Vyrna, ich Meta, Linda, dann ihr Mann, Rob Rigato, Jim und Helga Anderson, Hildegard Hoffmann, Christa Lingham, Peter Hapke und Verena Scheer.
Dort war schöner Sonnenschein, aber der Wind war kalt. Die Wattle Bäume standen überall in schönster, goldgelber Pracht.
Renate hielt den Saal. Der Text war aus dem 1. Korinther Brief 13,13. – Nun aber bleiben Glaube, Hoffnung, Liebe, diese drei; aber die Liebe ist die größte unter ihnen. Wir durften uns dazu äußern mit Beispielen von was der eine hofft, was ein zweiter glaubt und was ein dritter liebt. Das gab eine anregende Unterhaltung. Als Abschluss sangen wir gemeinsam den ersten Vers von Befiehl du deine Wege, das hat mich gefreut.
Das Mittagessen war ausgezeichnet. Dann hatte man zwei Stunden Zeit zum Spazierengehen. Der Kaffee mit gutem Kuchen schmeckte allen. Langsam dachten wir ans heimfahren. Rechts vom Weg sahen wir auf der Heimfahrt viele Känguruhs, die mit den Jungen aus ihren Beuteln herumhüpften. Das hat uns natürlich gut gefallen. Manche standen am Weg und schauten uns an und wir schauten sie an. Es war ein sehr schöner Tag.
Meta Beilharz (erst 94), TTHA
The Central Country Templer meeting at Lake Eppalock on 11th September saw 13 people gathered for an interactive Saal, held by Renate Beilharz, on the verse from 1 Cor.13: These three remain: faith, hope and love, and the greatest of these is love. Lunch was, as usual, shared and very nice. There was time to sit in the sun or go for a walk. The lake is still pretty low. Coffee and cake followed, and many kangaroos with joeys were hopping around as people set off for home.
Thank you to Linda and Rob for hosting the event and to Renate for a stimulating service. Ed.

SÄNGERFEST IN PERTH – 16th-18th September
After months of practice and planning, the choir arrived in Perth on a warm and sunny Friday morning. Later in the afternoon there was a rehearsal to get the singing voices going again, and that evening we headed off by bus to the Rhein Donau Club in Myaree, for a ‘welcome’ reception.
Sleep that night was interrupted by a fierce storm which seems to have been almost Australia-wide.
An early breakfast on Saturday morning preceded the massed choir rehearsal on stage at the Perth Concert Hall, just down the road from our hotel. This was an experience for all: the organisers who had to ensure everyone went to where they were supposed to be; the 450 or so individual choristers and the conductor who had the task of pulling sixteen choirs into a cohesive whole in one morning. A task indeed!
Individual choir performances made up the afternoon concert. Once again our choir shone, singing Lied der Berge, Im Vorübergehen and Die launige Forelle. Their presentation was outstanding, both musically and in appearance. (They won, even though this is not a competition). The evening program incorporated orchestral items into the choir program of massed choirs singing. Hearing so many voices singing together is quite awesome!
Sunday saw us back at the Rhein Donau Club for brunch, and in the evening the Gala Dinner rounded off the weekend’s activities. On Monday morning most of the Templer Choir group checked out to head home, while a number took this Sängerfest as an opportunity to organise a holiday in the Wildflower State.
Thanks firstly to Annette (Wagner -Hesse) for her leadership: there cannot be a choir if there is no conductor. (By the way, she is the ONLY female conductor of any of the German choirs in Australia.)
Then thanks to our choristers for their dedication and commitment, both emotionally, physically and financially. A weekend such as this does not come cheap!
Finally, thanks to our community for its support, fundraising and encouragement.
Ingeborg Imberger, Chief Choir Groupie
2 pictures: Choir singing, Choir at Lunch

SYDNEY AND SOUTH AUSTRALIA
SYDNEY
Annual Members’ Meeting – 28th August
Twenty members attended our Annual Members’ Meeting on 28.8.2005. A quorum was achieved and the meeting was duly opened. The secretary, Erni Weller, read the previous minutes, which were confirmed and accepted as correct. In correspondence, various letters were tabled and discussed.
The various reports followed:
1. The chairman outlined the previous year’s activities.
2. Treasurer Herbert Steller gave his report, outlining expenditure on the new fence, footpath and miscellaneous items.
3. Auditor Hanni Steller reported that she found the books to be correct. All reports were accepted.
Ingrid Turner was appointed as Auditor for the year 2005 –2006. Erika Schulz was re-elected to the Community Council after retiring by rotation. Manfred Schnerring did not seek re-election. On the Council for about 40 years, he was our longest-serving member; our thanks go to him for his many years of dedicated service to the Sydney Community. Hartmut Beck was re-elected as community head, but stressed that it would be for a term of another two years only.
In general business, the new fence and footpath were discussed; the pruning or removal of certain trees around the hall is on the agenda, Rolf Beck to contact Ryde Council and discuss this matter with them. A new sound system for the hall is required following repeated complaints by members of the sound quality of our existing system. Other questions were discussed and answered as they arose.
Ingrid Turner spoke on her Discussion Document – Formulating our Future – What will it take to turn Sydney into a thriving set of communities it has the potential to be?
The new Structure
This was discussed in a community council meeting. All members felt that Sydney should remain with its present council and constitution and operate as a Focus Group under the new constitution. This was discussed at the Members’ Meeting and agreed upon by a unanimous show of hands. The meeting closed 4:40pm.
Christmas Bazaar
The annual Frauenverein Christmas Bazaar is on again.
When: Saturday 19th November from 10:30am
Where: Church Hall cnr. Forsyth & McPherson St Meadowbank
Come along, bring your families & friends and make this day a success. Enjoy this fun-filled day browsing the stalls for goodies; enjoy a good lunch followed by afternoon tea & coffee with a wide variety of cakes available. Join in a raffle to win prizes, including a gingerbread house, and see a lot of your friends.
Dates to remember:
Sunday 16th October Community picnic at Lake Parramatta
Sunday 23rd October Saal 3:00pm
Saturday 19th November Christmas Bazaar 10:30am
Hartmut Beck, for the Sydney Community
Annual Picnic – Sunday 16th October
Our Annual picnic this year will be at 11am on Sunday 16th October. It will again be at Lake Parramatta Reserve in North Parramatta, where we will pick a spot up the hill close to the play equipment. Bring your families and friends along. There is lots of room to run about, take a walk along the stunning lakeside bush trails, or bring your bikes for a ride through the bush.
Traditional Christmas Cookie (Gutsle) Making Lesson
Ladies from the Frauenverein have kindly offered to teach us how to bake Gutsle. We plan to meet in late October. The idea is for us to then make these very special, delectable treats for the bazaar in mid November, with the bonus being that we also know how to make them for ourselves. We have set a tentative date as Saturday 5th November at 2pm with the location, or should I say the kitchen, to be determined.
We heartily invite anyone along. We hope that a few courageous faces we haven’t seen around much will join us. Invite any relatives, able-bodied young persons, or friends who have an interest in Swabian culture and cooking. We plan to have a fun time.
You will need to ring or email me for details if you want to come or have queries. We should have details confirmed by the start of October.
Ingrid Turner, email me on ingridt@tpg.com.au

S.A.
Our next meeting is on 9th October 2:00pm in Tanunda.
Rose Asenstorfer

YOUTH
TEENAGE GROUP
Calendar
• October 15th
• November 19th
• December 3rd or 10th – break-up party and 2006 planning
Summer Camp 2006
Summer Camp 2006 will be held at Angahook Holiday Camp at Aireys Inlet, from Sunday 8th to Friday 13th January 2006. Medical and permission forms are now available from the Office and I will be emailing and/or sending forms out to all children of TSA members 11 years old and not yet confirmed. If your child wishes to go and you have not received the forms by the end of October, please contact the Office. As always, any children attending Summer Camp may bring along friends.
I am still looking for another female camp leader. If you are interested, please contact Susi as soon as possible, see below.
Youth Camp
From Sunday 8th to Friday 13th January 2006, (yes the same time as Summer Camp), there will be a Youth Camp for anyone confirmed and/or over the age of 15 years. The details of this camp have not yet been finalised, but for expressions of interest and any further information please contact Susi.
Youth Service
A Youth Service is planned for early next year (maybe end of January or February). I would like to hear from anyone who may be willing or keen to help out with or take part in this service. Please contact Susi as soon as possible.
Susi Blackwell, Community Youth Coordinator
email susi.tsa@datafast.net.au

A CONFIRMATION ‘WINDOW’
At our recent confirmation camp, we created ‘stained glass’ windows. The shape of a person represents our inner spirit, and we are holding an issue we feel strongly about. Thsese windows are not just works of art! The issue that I feel is important is that we spread love rather than war and hate. In simpler terms, love your neighbour as yourself, from the twin commandments in Matthew. Love is very contagious; it spreads when you are around a loving or happy person – the love shines out to everyone. Without it, it would be hard to live. We should let all let our love be the light.
Ingrid Beilharz

CHILDREN’S SECTION
Hallo to you all!
It’s hard to believe we’re already into Term 4. How the year is flying along!
This month, as part of our look at the Temple Society, we are reflecting on our name “Temple Society”. Some of our kids provided answers to the question “What does the name of our community mean?”
Ingrid B.: Temple Society means that we are all temples of God and together we are a community.
Lisa B.: Temple Society to me means that we are all temples of God. We are also a community. So we are a society of temples of God.
Nicholas H.: Our name, the Temple Society, means we (the community) come together to form a temple of God.
Thanks to you three for your answers (and enjoy the choccy-frog rewards!)
When combined, these three answers provide a wonderful answer. If you looked up the suggested Bible verse in the New Testament (1 Corinthians 3:16) you would have read: Surely you know that you are God’s temple, where the spirit of God dwells. (My dictionary says a temple is “a place of worship”.)
As Lisa and Ingrid suggest, we as individuals are temples of God. This means that we believe the spirit of God lives inside each of us and guides us. In this way we have a close, living, everyday relationship with the power we call God.
But there is another meaning to our name.
Nicholas states that, as a community, we are also a temple of God. This means we individual people combine to make a bigger, stronger place where God can dwell. You could imagine that we are all building blocks. When we come together, we build on to each other to make a temple, with all of us and God as part of it.
In 1 Peter 2:5 it says: “Come and let yourselves be built, as living stones, into a spiritual temple.”
So the name of our community is very clever and significant. As one person, we are a temple of God. And as a community, we together are also a big temple of God. Alone we are important, but together we are just as important.
Maybe the next time someone asks you what “Temple Society” means, you will be able to explain it to them!

Next month we will be focussing on the Temple Society as a Christian community.
It would be nice to hear what you believe a Christian society is and why we are one. What do we believe in? What do we follow? A good story to read in the Bible is “Friends of the Teacher” in Luke 10:12-16.
Next time I see you, choccy frogs will be given to anyone who volunteers answers (parents – maybe you could encourage or assist your kids in getting involved in this section?) I’ll expect a flood of phone calls!
Until next month, stay happy.
Christine Ruff

We wish a wonderfully Happy Birthday to these spring babies:
Laurence Garcia-Villada
Ricardo Garcia-Villada
Peter Etherington
Anja Ruff
Nicholas Jensen
Brent Van der Vlugt
Tenita Hoefer
Benjamin Blaich
Alexander Glenk
Matthew Heron
Daniel Lu
Imogen Burgin Uhlherr
Evan Richter

It was wonderful to see kids and parents hammering, painting and threading together. Age wasn’t a barrier. We had young 2-year-old carpenters sawing and hammering away, creating some fabulous flying machines alongside the more mature age wannabe woodsmiths, creating their plant holders. There was intense concentration at the beading table, boys and girls making earrings, necklaces, bracelets and “dream catchers”. (Thanks to Kyra Megele for your expertise and help with getting people started.) It was great to see such a large turnout with the definite sense of community spirit.
The day would not have been possible without the much appreciated help of Günter Kuerschner. He provided us with pre-cut materials to make pencil cases and fabulous plant holders, not to forget all the extra bits for the rockets and planes. – Thank you, Günter, for all your time spent on preparing the materials and your expertise with helping out young and old. And overall, a big thanks to everyone who helped make the day such a success.
Birgit Verhagen

TABULAM AND TEMPLER HOMES FOR THE AGED
Liebe Freunde,
Unser Präsident Fred Sawatzky ist – während ich diesen Rundbrief schreibe – noch auf einer Reise durch Australien, sodass mir wieder einmal die Aufgabe zugefallen ist, den monatlichen Bericht über Neuigkeiten im TTHA zu schreiben. Fred kann uns immer so lebhaft und anschaulich von seinen Beobachtungen dort berichten, denn er kommt beinahe täglich ins Heim. Er kennt viele der Schwestern und Helferinnen, und natürlich auch viele der Bewohner.
Anfang August hatten wir hohen Besuch [wie im September TR berichtet]. Die Parlamentarier äußerten sich sehr anerkennend über das Heim und die gebotene „excellent care“. MP Eckstein berichtete auch im Parlament über den Besuch und über die im vorigen Jahr verliehene „commendable“ Auszeichnung unserer Heime.
Zur Zeit befinden sich in den Heimen 44 Mitglieder der AGWS und 40 TSA Mitglieder. Rund ein Drittel der Bewohner lebt im „low care“ Bereich (früher hostel), die meisten Bewohner benötigen „high care“, also „nursing home“ Pflege. Es gibt so ziemlich in jedem Monat Veränderungen, und die laufende Berichterstattung, Änderungen in der Finanzierung usw., kurz, der ganze Papierkram, ist für ein Heim mit mehr als 80 Plätzen eine umfangreiche Arbeit, die vom CEO und seinen Mitarbeitern erledigt werden muss.
Über diesen Teil der Tätigkeit im TTHA wird in unserer Jahres-hauptversammlung berichtet, die um zwei Wochen verschoben werden musste, um dem Buchprüfer mehr Zeit zu geben.
Die Jahreshauptversammlung von TTHA findet statt am
Samstag den 29. Oktober 2005
um 10.30am in der Templer Chapel
Elizabeth St. Bayswater.
Ich hoffe, dass wir auch in diesem Jahr wieder eine erfreuliche und positive Bilanz ziehen können. Alle Mitglieder der AGWS und der TSA sind zu der AGM herzlich eingeladen.
Mit freundlichen Grüßen,
Walter Schuetz, Vizepräsident
TTHA Management Committee

Dear Friends,
Our president, Fred Sawatzky, is still in West Australia as I write this monthly report. Fred can always describe what’s going on in the Homes in such a lively and vivid fashion because he is there almost every day. He knows many of the sisters and volunteers as well as many of the residents.
In early August we had important visitors [as reported in the September TR]. The parliamentarians made many positive comments about TTHA and Ms Eckstein MP reported the visit in State Parliament.
Currently there are 40 TSA and 44 AGWS residents in the Homes. About a third are in the ‘low care’ section, formerly called the hostel, but the majority need ‘high’ or nursing home care. There are changes almost every month, and the day-to-day documentation – all the paperwork for a facility with 84 beds – requires extensive effort from Dr Schreiber and his staff.
All this activity will be reported on at
the TTHA Annual General Meeting
on Saturday 29th October at 10:30 am
in the Templer Chapel, Bayswater
With kind regards,
Walter Schuetz, Vice President
TTHA Management Committee

Art at TTHA
Occupational therapist Bärbel Beer recently held the opening of the Art Exhibition in the corridor between the entrance foyer and the Altersheim. She had thoughtful words of encouragement and appreciation for the residents who had done paintings or collages, helping us understand a little better. Dolly looked beautiful in a long frock and tiara, fit for an opening. And, of course, there were drinks and nibbles. Well done. H.U.

CONFIRMATION WINDOW
For my stained glass window I chose to use just one colour, because it represents being alone and at one with oneself.
Thomas Blackwell
Showing samples of some of the stained glass windows in the background, as displayed at the Confirmation Service

NOTICES – BEKANNTMACHUNGEN
COMING SERVICES
Sun 2.10. CV 11:00 Gippsland Family Service see below Christine Ruff
Sun 9.10. Ba TSA AGA Dr R. Beilharz
Sun 9.10. SA 14:00 Tanunda Service
Sun 16.10. Ba 10:15 Presentation + SS Herta Uhlherr
Sun 23.10. AH 10:00 Service Hennig Imberger
Sun 23.10. Sy 15:00 Service
Sun 30.10. Be 14:30 Service + SS + Community afternoon & Elders’ Meeting Alfred Klink
Sun 6.11. Ba 15:15 Service + SS Community discussion
BA-BO FLOWER ROSTER
16.10. Olga Kroh, Helga Löbert
FAMILY SERVICE – Badgers Creek 2nd October
Family service will be held at Badger Weir Park at the end of Badger Weir Rd on Sunday 2nd October at 11:00am.
We will be taking the TSA bus, anyone wishing to travel on the bus should have confirmed with Christine Ruff by now!
BYO picnic lunch / afternoon tea.
Pickup will be at 9:00am Bentleigh and 9:45am Bayswater.
Bus will leave Badger Creek at 2:30pm, returning to Bayswater, then Bentleigh.
Christine Ruff

PRESENTATION SERVICE – 16th October Chapel
Parents who would like to have their children presented before God and the Community at the service on Sunday 16th October at 10:15am in the Community Chapel, are asked to contact the Office asap for a registration form – or e-mail: tsa@datafast.net.au

BE/MO FRAUENVEREIN
Probeweise wollen wir am Dienstag den 11. Oktober unsere Zusammenkunft um 12 Uhr mittags beginnen. Alle Frauen sind herzlich willkommen.
Ruth Haar,
COMMUNITY AFTERNOON BENTLEIGH – 30th October at 2:30pm
Everyone is invited to Saal followed by afternoon tea with friendly conversation. Ladies, please bring a cake to share.
The following ladies are rostered to help on the day and are asked to be at the hall by 2pm to set up: Helga Anderson, Silvia Anderson, Erika Anderson, Skaidra Blaich, Anita Cross, Anita Crowe, Heide Dryburgh, Heidrun Edelmaier, Ingrid Edelmaier.
Helga Anderson

WALK FOR A CURE
As a team member of John Holland Group Team, I will be participating in the 2005 “Walk to Cure Diabetes” event organised by the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF). This is a family fun day (not a race), as well as a fundraising event for diabetes research, and will take place at Albert Park Lake on Sunday 16th October between 10am -12pm.
If anyone is interested in taking part in the walk with me, or making a donation towards the fundraising efforts, please let me know as soon as possible. For any questions and more details, please phone me on my mobile. JDRF Website: http://walk.jdrf.org.au
Hope you can join me!
Bernhard Hoefer (Hoovy)

ANTARCTIC JOURNEY – 23rd October
Linda Beilharz, the first Australian woman to ski from the edge of Antarctica to the South Pole, will give a talk and presentation of her 56 day journey through one of the world’s least known and harshest environments at the Temple Society Bentleigh Hall on Sunday 23rd October commencing at 5pm. The cost will be $12 per head or $30 per family, including supper. (Much of this goes towards community building in rural areas).
To ensure adequate catering, it would be appreciated if you could rsvp by Sunday 16th October to me on
Marianne Herrmann

TATURA REMEMBRANCE DAY – 13th November
The Tatura Remembrance Day will be held on Sunday 13th November. The bus has been booked and bookings should be made with Marianne at the Office, nanne.tsa@datafast.net.au. More details and costs will be provided in the November TR.
We need someone to lay the wreath on behalf of the TSA. Please contact Ilse Nicholson if you are willing to do this. We are also looking for someone to organise small posies for all the graves.
Ilse Nicholson, for the Heritage and Culture Focus Group.

LADIES’ ADVENT CELEBRATION IN BENTLEIGH
Yes, it’s that time of year again. Time to get out your diaries and fill in the dates, plan which activities and celebrations you can manage towards the end of the year and, most importantly, mark in choir practices. The ladies’ Advent celebration will take place in Bentleigh on Sunday 4th December at 2:30pm and we will be forming a Ladies’ Choir as in the past.
Note: the Bentleigh Christmas service will be at 4pm on Saturday 24th December.
‘Ladies’ Choir’ practices for Advent and Christmas will commence on Wednesday 19th Oct at 8pm in the Bentleigh Hall. Please come! (Please contact Veronica if you prefer another night.) We are looking forward to seeing everyone again and warmly welcome anyone who would like to join in for the first time. Don’t be shy!
Please also give some thought to contributing to the Advent celebration in other ways. If you would specifically like to help out with the bazaar, setting up, whatever… please contact Marianne. We welcome help on the day, but we also request Christmas cookies and handicrafts for the bazaar, prize donations for the raffle, cakes, as well as help on the day for setting up and cleaning up.
Ring us please, if you have any questions.
Veronica Rutowicz and Marianne Herrmann

EXCURSION TO ‘EARIMIL GARDENS’
Thursday 20th October
Departure 9:15 from Bayswater, 10:00 from Bentleigh
Travelling to the Mornington Peninsula, we enjoy great views across the bay. Arriving in Frankston, we will enjoy an all-you-can-eat lunch at Foodstar. From there we proceed to Mt Eliza.
Elaine and Reg Smith invite you to their magnificent private and colourful 3-acre garden overlooking the Bay and the Melbourne skyline. The garden has been a real challenge for Elaine, but with persistence and enormous hours given to it she has achieved a creative mixture of sweeping lawns bordered with annuals, perennials, cottage plants and daisies amid native and exotic trees and shrubs.
Light refreshments will be served. All proceeds are donated to helping children and their families living with cancer.
Cost: $30 (includes lunch, admission to gardens and the bus fare).
Bookings with Helga Anderson by 14.10.2005.

FABRIC OF SOCIETY – The Templer Journey
Workshops on 12th and 26th November
This mammoth task continues to progress in very small stitches!! A number of wonderful people have accepted the challenge and the opportunity to participate in this amazing creation. Our two embroidery sessions in July were excellent catalysts.
It gave a number of people the opportunity to get together and "show and tell" stitches. Some of the embroideries are exquisite with stitches that are barely visible to the eye. T-shirt printing paper has been used to ensure complete accuracy of the emblems on to fabric and they have been stitched with great love and care. Much technological development has taken place and we also have a few of the shields of the various communities embroidered. Even experienced embroiderers have commented how exacting the task has been! Some wonderful work has come in from the country.
We are now ready to tackle the flowers, fruits and vegetables that complete the bottom border. There will be two workshops on 12th and 26th November, where you will need to bring your machine, your patience and your creativity. They will be held in the Bayswater Hall from 10am–3pm. Sandwiches, tea and coffee will be provided.
We look forward to making further progress on this Templer Journey in your company.
For setting up and catering purposes, please ring Helga Jürgensen before 4th November if you can come.
Renate Weber, on behalf of the Steering Committee

COMMUNITY CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION
This children’s Christmas celebration will take place on 17th December in the Bayswater Hall.
Any children interested in participating are asked to contact Renate Beilharz as soon as possible.
There are many opportunities for involvement by children:
• Perform in the German/English nativity play
• Take part in a short Christmas sketch
• Join in the angel and shepherd’s ‘dance’
or
• Sing or recite a poem
• Join in the group singing
Any teenagers or adults who would like to help organise a part of this event, please also contact Renate Beilharz. Once again, the opportunities for involvement are many:
• Organise supper
• Organise a small performance
• Decorate the Christmas tree (and stage)
• Set up the chairs
• Help ensure that Father Christmas gets there this year!!
I’d love to hear from heaps of people to ensure that this family event is a positive communal celebration of Christmas.
Renate Beilharz

BUSHWALKING
This month there is no hike organised, as I will be in New Zealand during October. So, I am just writing to let everyone know that next month’s hike will be on the 6th November and this will be the last hike for 2005, as everyone is always too busy during December.
See you then,
Alysha

WAS GIBT ES NEUES? Eine Deutsche Schule in Melbourne
Noch nicht ganz, aber bald. Im Januar 2007 soll es so weit sein.
New German School in Melbourne
Schon mehr als 120 Mitglieder zählt der Schulverein, der sich im Dezember vergangenen Jahres gebildet hat und seitdem aktiv daran arbeitet, eine zweisprachige Schule für Deutsch und Englisch zu gründen.
Vieles wurde seitdem schon erreicht. Eine Satzung wurde erarbeitet, der Antrag zur Anerkennung als Eingetragener Verein wurde gestellt und die Anerkennung wurde ausgesprochen. Die zukünftige Schule hat bereits ein „Logo“ und ein „Corporate Design“, das demnächst auf der Webseite der Deutschen Schule Melbourne vorgestellt wird. Auch das sprachliche Modell der Schule steht bereits fest.
Das Besondere an dieser Schule wird der verstärkte Anteil Deutsch im Primarbereich sein, der sicherstellen soll, dass Kinder tatsächlich bilingual und bikulturell aufwachsen können. Mit 90% Unterricht auf Deutsch in Klasse 1 soll begonnen werden. Kinder, die keine deutschen Muttersprachler sind, sollen in einem Vorschulkindergarten Deutsch so gut lernen, dass sie in die Schule aufgenommen werden können. In den oberen Klassen soll später verstärkt Unterricht auf Englisch stattfinden, damit alle Schüler optimal auf ihre Prüfungen vorbereitet und bis zum International Baccalaureate geführt werden können.
Ein Arbeitskreis des Schulvereins ist gerade dabei, Lehrpläne für die Schule auszuarbeiten, eine andere Gruppe bemüht sich intensiv darum, ein Gebäude für die Schule zu finden. Auch die Marketing-Gruppe macht viele Überstunden, um notwendige Werbematerialien und einen attraktiven Web-Auftritt zu schaffen. Sponsoring und Verwaltung sind weitere Bereiche, die von einzelnen Mitgliedern unseres Vereins gemeistert werden müssen.
Das erste Vereinsfest fand bereits im März auf dem Gelände der Deutschen Lutherischen Kirche in der City statt. Die Deutsche Schule stellte sich außerdem auf dem Familientag im Anakie-Fairy Park im April vor. Bei beiden Ereignissen zeigte sich, dass großes Interesse an einer Deutschen Schule in Melbourne besteht.
Die Liste dessen, was zukünftig geleistet werden muss, ehe diese Schule ihre Pforten öffnen kann, ist noch sehr lang. Nichtsdestotrotz haben alle Helfer eines gemeinsam: Sie sind optimistisch, dass das Ziel mit gemeinsamer Anstrengung erreicht werden kann.
Die Homepage der Deutschen Schule ist noch im Aufbau und wird unter der Adresse: www.dsm.org.au zu erreichen sein. Sollten auch Sie Interesse am Aufbau einer Deutschen Schule haben und informiert werden oder unser Team verstärken wollen, dann freuen wir uns auf Ihre Meldung. Kontaktadresse: roma.schultz@melbourne.goethe.org
Roma Schultz

CONFIRMATION WINDOW
by Karl Wennagel
My window shows
that I am concerned
with the impact of natural disasters
such as bushfires
and lightning strikes
and the effect they have
on the lives of the people
who experience these disasters.
The star in my Confirmation window represents another world.
This is saying we are not the only ones in this atmosphere; there is more if you venture.

THE HERITAGE PAGE
Visitors from Australia in Stuttgart
Extract from the Warte of September 2005
We had several guests from Australia at our Templer Foundation Day celebrations: Dot and Peter Ware, their daughter, Suzy and partner Joey, as well as Horst and Irene Blaich who had planned their visit to participate in the Templer Foundation Day celebrations on 19th June and to present a visual display about the development and publication of the new Sarona book.
Horst also commented: “We bring with us many greetings from Australia, especially from the TSA Heritage Group. We are grateful for the substantial and harmonious cooperation we are experiencing first hand here in Germany.
“The TSA Heritage Group we established a few years ago has had a significant impact in our community – not just because our work honours the achievements of our forefathers, but also because we have stimulated the interest of the younger generation for greater understanding of the work and meaning of the Temple Society. By this means we want to re-ignite the spark of faith in God who has found a new home for us in Australia.
“By conducting numerous lectures and exhibitions about the sacrifices, patience, hardships and hard work of our forefathers, we hope that their steadfast faith in God is maintained by future generations.
“One positive result has been the awakening of interest among the younger generation, those who did not experience at first hand the closeness and support of community life and the trust in God back in Palestine, like us older ones who were privileged to experience the awesome outcomes of our Templer ideals.
“The Heritage Group will continue to foster trust in God and love of neighbour in new ways in today’s Australia, where circumstances are, of course, totally different from what they were in Palestine. Hopefully we can bring about the fulfilment of this belief.
“Together with my wife Irene (née Eppinger, from Wilhelma), we have been researching family histories for 40 years. We have taken this research very seriously and have been able to assist many families, as well as learn much ourselves. We gained deep insights into the lives of our ancestors through this work, which strengthened our belief in the Templer faith.
“We would like to say, pray and hope that what our forefathers, the Templer pioneers in Palestine, achieved through their faith and convictions will be mirrored in the eyes and minds of the younger generation in Australia.”

VORTRÄGE IN WÜRTTEMBERG
Talks stir interest in the Templer Movement
Horst and Irene Blaich addressed the general public of Württemberg about the history of the old Templer Settlement Sarona from its beginnings to the present in a PowerPoint computer presentation comprising 151 historical photos, based on the recently published book From Desert Sands to Golden Oranges (ISBN 141203506).
Apart from the presentation at the Templer Foundation Day in Degerloch, where about 60 people attended, a further request came from Bürgermeister Schabert in Neuweiler. This presentation took place in the Neuweiler Heimatmuseum, again attended by nearly 60 people. Quite a few families from the northern Black Forest came to listen to Horst’s presentation. Many people with familiar Templer names were in the audience e.g. Pross, Seeger, Blaich, Weber, Kübler, Schanz, Roller, Aichele, Heselschwerdt, Hamann, etc.
Dieter Lange and Friedrich Hanselmann from Neuenbürg arranged the next assignment with Ludwig Bez from the Pädagogisch-Kulturelles Centrum Ehemalige Synagoge Freudental. Friedrich Hanselmann (a relative of Johannes Pross) and his wife took us there. The old synagogue lecture room was impressive and so was the hostel attached to the synagogue. The presentation took place on a Friday evening as a storm was raging over the Black Forest; many had to stay home because the roads were blocked by fallen trees, but 120 people turned up in spite of the unpleasant weather.
at the Pädagogisch-Kulturelles Centrum Ehemalige Synagoge Freudental.

Dr Paul Sauer, the well-known author and retired director of the Hauptstaatsarchiv Stuttgart was present, escorted by Wolfgang Blaich from Tamm. Many people with personal experiences or relatives in the Templer settlements were eager to know more, especially about what has happened since 1948.

Mr Bez mentioned in his introduction that it seemed more like a family reunion of Württemberg Templers from Palestine. He sensed the warmth and the intense interest in the Templer faith. Horst answered questions afterwards, and after about two and a half hours the wonderful meeting ended with a cup of coffee and pretzels, which were supplied by a local bakery. Mr Bez was so pleased with the outcome that he invited Horst to visit Israel with him as tour guide for Sarona. (What a compliment to a Haifaner!).
The last engagement was in historic Nagold on the river Nagold in the Black Forest. We met in the Steinhaus (the Nagold Heimatmuseum), so called because it was built from natural stone as was the practice in 1200 AD. This was the oldest house still standing in the city of Nagold. Inside, one could feel its old and venerable atmosphere. The walls were still lined with the original timber from years ago – one could see the axe markings on the beams. It was indeed a special atmosphere and feeling when the president of the Nagold Heimatmuseum opened the meeting in this historic building; he mentioned that, since he was closely related to the Paulus family, he was familiar with the Templer Movement and its publications. His question at the end of the presentation was: “What do the Templers think about Jesus Christ, the Saviour of this world?” I was impressed with the interest in religion; one could discuss and elaborate on this subject anywhere without hesitation (which is unusual in Australia).
All in all, it was a most interesting and rewarding stay in the Black Forest.
Horst Blaich

When Horst and Irene Blaich visited Germany, Ludwig Bez invited them to repeat their presentation of “The history and fate of the Swabian settlements in Palestine” in the former synagogue of Freudental. The many pictures they showed to an attentive and interested audience on 29th July were just as fascinating there as they had been in Degerloch on Founders’ Day. Sarona and the efforts of the City of Tel Aviv to preserve the former Templer settlement again took centre stage.
Prompted by the location, I want to give a short history of the synagogue and the former Jewish community for readers who may not know the whereabouts and background of this building.
The educationalist Ludwig Bez has been running the “Pädagogisch-Kulturelle Centrum Ehemalige Synagoge Freudental” (PKC) for seventeen years. He sees his house as a place which invites discussion about German history and the persecution and murder of the Jews of Germany and Europe, as well as discussion of other cultures and the difficulties of experiencing and upholding democracy, tolerance and human rights in everyday life.
The former synagogue of Freudental has, over the years, become a house of remembrance, a place for conscience and learning, of dialogue and human encounter. At the same time it is a research centre for the history of Jews in rural Germany.
In 1723, Baron Zobel von Gibelstadt gave permission for six Jewish families from Flehingen to settle in Freudental. The local ruler was looking for tenants for his dilapidated castle (called Judenschlössle ever since), so the Jews seemed all he needed for an acceptable source of income. More Jews were brought in by the Countess Wilhelmine von Würben, née von Grävenitz in 1731, making it a total of 24 Jewish families living in town.
The liberal and tolerant edict of the Countess offered the community a future as well as protection from the decreed exclusion of all Jews from Württemberg as laid down in the testament of Graf Eberhard im Bart of 1492, (valid until 1806). In spite of the tax burden, the community grew to be a centre of Jewish religious life in the Württemberg Unterland and became a seat of a rabbinate.
In 1862, 377 Jewish citizens lived in town but, with increasing emancipation in the 19th century, strong migration to the cities took place, with only 50 families remaining in Freudental by 1933. At least 19 of them perished in the death camps.
In 1770, the synagogue was built in the classical style and was heritage listed in 1926. After being wrecked and its cult objects burnt on the sports field during the night of pogroms on 9th November 1938, the house of prayer was used as a gymnasium and warehouse for the local community. The ups and downs of its history did not end until, in 1980, interested and committed citizens of Löchgau and Freudental formed an association for Promotion and Support which, assisted by the District of Ludwigsburg, set itself the goal of renovating and preserving the former synagogue. In four years of labour-intensive construction, the synagogue with its gallery for women, its renaissance tower, vaulted cellar and auxiliary buildings was restored to heritage standard for its new purpose.
There is no longer a Jewish community in Freudental. Only the gravestones in the cemetery at the foot of Mt Seeberg in the march of Bönnigheim testify to former Jewish life. In this context, I want to mention the most impressive book Der jüdische Friedhof in Freudental, published by Ludwig Bez in conjunction with Haim Goren, Situtunga Michal Antmann and Ulrich Gräf. Ludwig Bez has kindly put this magnificent work at the disposal of our archives. It is well worthwhile to pick it up and learn something about this “place of eternity”, about Jewish burial and mourning rites and the allocation of burial sites – right down to the symbols and ornamentations on the gravestones.
For more on the PKC, please visit www.pkc.freudental.de
Brigitte Kneher (Transl. by Peter G. Hornung)

Sarona Book Thank you
Recently we were pleasantly surprised to receive a very generous donation from the Ladies Guild of the Sydney Templer Community. They indicated that it should be put towards meeting our production costs for the Sarona book, From Desert Sands to Golden Oranges. We have also received several other smaller donations which we have gratefully accepted. We place on record our sincere thanks to the Sydney ladies and the others who have sent us donations. We really appreciate them!

Christmas Presents
We still have a small number of From Desert Sands to Golden Oranges books available for sale (if necessary we can order some more depending on demand). If anyone wishes to purchases a book(s) for a Christmas present, please contact Horst Blaich e-mail abfa@bigpond.net.au
Books are also available from the TSA Office in Bentleigh; and in Sydney from Klaus-Peter Hoffmann
Cost: $60 plus postage, $7.35 in Victoria and $9.50 interstate.
.Helmut Glenk, Manfred Haering, Horst Blaich

MEMORIES OF PALESTINE
the stories of many members’ relatives and ancestors, is also available and will make an ideal Christmas present.
Contact the Office or Peter Hornung.

STOP PRESS – SARONA TURMUHR FOUND
News just received from Nitza Szmuk in Tel Aviv
The old Turmuhr (clock) in the Gemeindehaus (Säulensaal) was discovered during restoration recently and the clock was removed to be permanently kept in a museum in Israel. The Turmuhr was built by Mr Immanuel Perrot in Calw in the Black Forest in 1877. Horst and Irene Blaich visited the manager of the clock manufacturer Christoph Perrot (whose great-grandfather was the founder of the company and maker of this Sarona clock.) Christoph said that, to his knowledge, this Sarona clock was the oldest known clock manufactured by them which is still in existence; he values the find very much. We asked more about the Sarona clock; his answer was that all the company records were destroyed by the French army in WWII, and we could not find any further information about this matter.
Nitza indicated that the Sarona bell has not yet been found, but the hanging mechanism has.
In an interview some time ago, Else Hermann, who was brought up in Sarona, told Helmut Glenk that for several years after WW I it was her job to wind up the clock every day. She also rang the bell each day at midday to signal the start of the lunch hour break. The bell was also rung at funerals - it was rung at ten second intervals whilst the cortege was leaving Sarona until it arrived at the cemetery.

Bewahre mich vor dem naiven Glauben,
es müsste im Leben alles glatt gehen.
Schenke mir die nüchterne Erkenntnis,
dass Schwierigkeiten, Niederlagen,
Misserfolge, Rückschläge
eine selbstverständliche Zugabe
zum Leben sind,
durch die wir wachsen und reifen.

Save me from the naïve belief that everything in life ought to go smoothly. Give me the down-to-earth insight that difficulties, failures and setbacks are a normal part of life and that we grow and mature through them. Tr. H.U.

CONFIRMATION – 14th August
Aspects of this wonderful ceremony will appear in future TRs.

NOTES FROM THE RC MEETING of Friday 5th August
• The meeting opened with a lively discussion regarding the status and format of the meeting in light of the outcome of the recent Extra-ordinary General Meeting, i.e. was it to follow the old or the new guidelines?!
• There was lengthy discussion of the EOGM outcomes and ramifications.
• Further work on and discussion of the constitution is required and will be tackled by both the RC and the working party in due course.
• Operational guidelines will need to be developed.
• All focus groups must now meet to appoint a leader and to set budgetary requirements.
• Rainer Busch has offered to lead a workshop to assist focus group members in producing their operational guidelines – having all meet together will allow easier coverage of common issues and discussion within and between groups.
• Organisation of details for the administration of the new bus continues – qualified drivers, housing, etc. A hard standing and shed will be built in Bayswater.
• Reports on the successful choir concert and Lindy Beilharz’ Antarctica presentation were tabled (see this TR).
• A number of queries were received regarding the format and venue of the recent EOGM. This led to some discussion regarding the need for a hymn and a period of contemplation before all meetings.
• It is budget time, so Mark is … busier!
Harald Ruff, for RC

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETINGS – 9th October in Bayswater
In order to facilitate proceedings, we again wish to provide definite start times for our various annual meetings. The timetable is as follows:

9:45 am The Temple Society Central Fund (Aust.)
10:30 am Temple Society Australia
12:00 noon Lunch
1:00 pm Temple Society Australia (continues)

Please note the times. Proxy and nomination forms, whilst not included with every member’s circular, are readily available from the TSA Office, Tabulam and Templer Homes for the Aged and the various Community Halls. Upon enquiry, the necessary forms can be sent to you for completion.
Agendas and other information will be sent out to members separately.
Mark Herrmann, Business Manager

1. Scope and Outlook
This report summarises the activities and administration of the Temple Society Australia (TSA) during 2004/2005. It highlights the more important aspects of the year’s activities. All matters of significance concerning the Society and its members were consistently reported in the Templer Record throughout the year.

Members are asked to familiarise themselves with the report (and associated documents) so that it may be taken as read at the Annual General Meeting.

2. Members and Friends
In the year 2004/2005 the most important activity among members was the work of the community building structure working party led by Renate Beilharz and including Manfred Decker, Winfried Beilharz, Ilse Nicholson, Rainer Busch, Tony Beilharz, Moni Imberger and Mark Herrmann. This group set into deeds four years of discussion of structural changes, which will help guarantee the future of the Temple Society Australia. These volunteers greatly deserve our thanks.

Our existing structure, in place since 1950 when the TSA was formed, was based on the principle of geographically located communities reporting to a central Regional Council, as had been the Temple Society’s custom in Palestine. At various times small changes to our constitution had to be made to reflect addition of new initiatives and closure of existing activities, such as the former youth group, which disbanded for lack of younger people wishing to continue a structure no longer attractive to young Templers. The new constitution recommended by the working party includes a mechanism for making such changes, by establishing new interest groups for new initiatives and closing interest groups for activities no longer required. We no longer need to alter the constitution to make such adjustments to changing situations in a rapidly changing world.

On 30th June 2005 the working party – in conjunction with the Regional Council – had made all preparations for an extraordinary general meeting of the TSA to adopt our new constitution. As we all know, this meeting (in July 2005) easily met its quorum requirements and the new constitution was adopted almost unanimously.

We are now in the change-over period in which we settle into the new structure. In the coming Annual General Meeting, for which I am writing this report, we will embrace the new constitution fully by electing members for the new Regional Council and for the various focus groups. These focus groups will guide the operation of the interest groups, through which all the TSA’s activities will be managed.

Last year’s Annual General Assembly (AGA) accepted the Regional Council’s proposal for a self-determining level of membership contributions. The 2004/2005 financial year was the first under which this system applied. Coupled with the new membership induction process, it is hoped any barriers to joining the TSA are reduced if not totally removed and that membership can be better explained and understood and thereby encouraged.

Our former Templer president, Dieter Ruff, left us on 25th November 2004 after bravely battling cancer for several years. In his quiet way he was a truly great man who had earned the respect not only of us Templers in Australia and Germany, but also of the many Australians he had met in professional life and in other Australian religious communities in the Bentleigh area and elsewhere. His final Templer service was in the South Australian community where he had started as an elder so many years ago.

The current TS President, Peter Lange, visited Australia from 8th April to 10th May 2005. He again met many TSA members and contributed to discussions at members’ and elders’ meetings. At a meeting for the launch of a new book about Sarona “From Desert Sands to Golden Oranges”, by Helmut Glenk and other TSA Heritage Group members, Peter was presented with a copy of the book for the Temple Society in Germany (TGD) and I accepted a copy for the TSA. Peter also contributed to a discussion of the results of the members’ survey on aspects of the TSA which arose out of the “I have a dream” forum, which Peter had addressed on his previous visit in 2004.

In 2004/2005 our aged care complex (TTHA – Tabulam and Templer Homes for the Aged) has continued to look after the welfare of older Templers and friends at a very high standard. Meetings between Regional Council members and the TSA representatives on the TTHA Committee of Management have endeavoured to improve the lines of communication and understanding of aged care issues in and for the TSA. Heinz and Heidi Vollmer moved in to one of the four new independent living units completed in the first half of 2005. Through their financing of the caretaker residence in Bayswater and subsequent undertaking of the community caretaker role, Regional Council considered it fair and proper to meet the Vollmers’ capital entry contribution requirements for the dwelling.

2.1 The following fourteen (14) new members were welcomed to the TSA: Erika Anderson, Waldemar and Rosemarie Beilharz, Jevan Bouzo, Amy Davison, Rüdiger Froeschle, Hilmar Hoefer, Elizabeth Hoffmann, Ursula Marnow, Holger and Tanja Messner, Peter and Karin Riordan, Helene Varjabedian.

2.2 Four (4) children were born to members of the TSA, and we are aware of nine (9) further children born to friends.

2.3 Seventeen (17) members of the TSA died in Australia during the year: Siegfried Bieg, Kathleen Bulach, Sigrid Ehmann, Hartwig Gassmann, Elfriede Hahn, Elfriede Imberger, Anneliese Kohl, Otto Kuebler, Agnes (Anni) Lancers, Ignaz Ruegg, Dietrich (Dieter) Ruff, Ingrid Schmidt, Emma Steller, Magda Storz, Horst Streker, Elisabeth Venus, Irmgard Weiss. Four (4) further friends in Australia also died: Maria Beilharz, Hugo Messerle, Richard Scheer, Sylke Weller.
The following members or friends of the Temple Society in Germany died: Grete Eicke, Liselotte Fast, Manfred Froeschle (in Canada),
Elfriede (Elfi) Kell, Else Lange, Helmut Lange, Dieter Paulus, Isolde Plenske, Aline Vollmer, Hildegard Weller.

2.4 The following seven (7) persons resigned their membership during the year: Kurt Beilharz, Peter Blackwell, Heidi Kitchen, Margrit Lang, Richard Scheer, Verena Scheer, Paul Wagner.

2.5 At 30/06/2005 the number of full members of the TSA was 570. This is ten (10) fewer than at the same time last year.

3 Administration
3.1 The Regional Council consisted of the Regional Head, Dr Rolf Beilharz; the two Deputy Regional Heads, Renate Beilharz and Harald Ruff (both elected); the Heads of Community Councils, Ulrich Asenstorfer, Hartmut Beck, Monika Imberger and Elisabeth Wagner; the Business Manager, Mark Herrmann; other elected Council members, Helga Anderson (from October 2004), Rolf Glenk, Ralph Richter, Gisela Schmidt and Hermann Uhlherr (to October 2004); the Committee President of Tabulam and Templer Homes for the Aged Friedrich Sawatzky; Youth Coordinator Susi Blackwell; and a Central Fund Director. Herta Uhlherr (editor of the Templer Record) regularly attended meetings by invitation.
The Regional Council held 10 regular meetings during the year and one informal meeting for which a quorum for a formal meeting was not reached.

3.3 The Board of Directors of the Temple Society Central Fund (Aust.) comprised the Chairman, Dieter Glenk, and elected members Ulrich Asenstorfer, Heinz Edelmaier (to October 2004), Paul English, Helmut Eppinger (from October 2004), Wolfgang Frank, Herbert Hoffmann, Dietmar Jürgensen and Peter Leszinsky. Mark Herrmann was Secretary of the Central Fund.

4. Assets and Financial Matters
4.1 The TS Central Fund (Aust.) again managed investments flexibly to optimise returns. Its business is dealt with in its separate Ordinary General Meeting.

4.2 Community Chapel at Bayswater
The Community Chapel is being well used for regular religious services, but also for an increasing number of other appropriate purposes.
The combination of Chapel and adjacent Hall has proved very valuable for funerals, when refreshments were available in the Hall after the funeral service. This arrangement has allowed people to give their condolences to grieving relatives in a relaxed setting. Through the efforts of Sigi Messner, a new hearing loop to aid the hearing-impaired has been installed around the carpet extremities within the main part of the Chapel.

4.3 At the end of June 2005, a 25-seater bus was purchased, for moving larger groups of Templers to different functions. With a smaller bus also available from TTHA, particularly at weekends, the TSA can now transport quite large groups of Templers and friends to community events. One obvious example is Tatura at the November remembrance service when our choir sings. The group responsible for achieving bus accreditation and managing the vehicle (Winfried Beilharz, Rolf Glenk, Michael Kuerschner) is arranging for more persons to be trained as drivers.

4.4 New signs promoting the TSA and advising of upcoming community activities and functions were commissioned and installed in Bentleigh and Bayswater.

5. Communication, Correspondence and Literature
5.1 Regular, lively correspondence with the TGD continues. Most of it is done rapidly by e-mail. The Office address is
<tsa@datafast.net.au>. Administrative matters are dealt with rapidly by the business managers of the TSA and TGD. The Templer President, Peter Lange, also uses e-mail to interact with our elders on spiritual matters. He and our editor, Herta Uhlherr, coordinate the leading articles of the Warte and the Templer Record.

5.2 After a series of meetings of members interested in communi-cation and literature in the TSA, a revised TSA Communication and Publications Policy was adopted at the June Regional Council meeting. This document sets out the requirements for publication in the Templer Record, the Templer homepage on the internet, books and booklets published by the TSA and possible new initiatives such as an interactive forum on the TSA homepage to encourage communication with internet users outside the TSA.

Two new books for and about Templers appeared during the year.
“Memories of Palestine” is the translation into English of “Damals in Palästina”. Peter Hornung and Heinz Arndt translated the many stories from their original German. It is a TSA publication.
“From Desert Sands to Golden Oranges” is a book about the history of Sarona, the first agricultural Templer Settlement in Palestine. This book was researched and written by Helmut Glenk with help from Manfred Haering and Horst Blaich of the TSA Heritage Group. This book was published by the Heritage Group, after checking details with Peter Lange and TSA members.

From the Israeli historians interested in Templer history we hear that Israelis are very interested in our Templer history as long as it is written in English.
Peter Hornung also translated into English “Wie es zum Tempel kam” under the title of “Origins of the Temple Society”.

5.3 The Templer homepage on the internet <www.templers.org> continues to bring information about the Temple Society, including the Templer Record (after private personal information has been removed) and religious services for which the elder concerned has given approval. This site continues to attract enquiries mainly from Israel about Templer properties and individual Templers of the past.

Alfred Klink has serviced the homepage on our behalf and we thank him for this. We encourage members interested in this medium to also use our homepage.

5.4 The archive of the TSA remains a useful resource for persons interested in the history of the TS and TSA.

5.5 Correspondence from members and friends and enquiries and requests for information from outside bodies and individuals in Australia were dealt with as promptly as practical.

5.6 Contact with other language organisations and non-Templers wishing to learn German continues through the German Language Schools in Bayswater and Bentleigh. Both schools have healthy enrolments and are doing well.

5.7 The Templer Record was published regularly in 11 issues over the year. The bilingual character of the publication and its diversity of content, ranging from serious religious and philosophical topics to humour, were maintained. Contributions from members continue to ensure a stimulating and successful community effort. We value Herta Uhlherr’s work as editor, supported by proof readers, also Alfred Klink’s contribution with computer layout and presentation.
A new document copier/printer has enabled production of the circular to again be done in the Office. Alfred and Ursula Klink, after 10 years of ‘helping for a short period until the TR can be produced in the Office’ have finally been able to pass their part of the job back. We are very grateful for their unstinting loyalty to the TR. They deserve our greatest thanks for the many years of help. Our office assistant Mrs Irma Wesselbaum now does the layout and necessary typing. We also thank those who helped with collating and stapling the magazine over a long period of time – our new machine can also complete these tasks.

5.8 Die Warte des Tempels (the Templer Sentinel) is published monthly by the TGD in German. It provides information about the religious thinking and the activities of Templers in Germany. It is read by numerous members in Australia.
The Warte is also available on the Internet. It can be reached by a link from the TSA’s homepage. Horst Blaich and the Heritage Group, with assistance from Dr Yaron Perry of the Gottlieb Schumacher Institut in Haifa, were instrumental in having issues of the Warte over its long history transferred from microfilm to compact disk. Indexing and other work is still necessary to make this format of the publication more user-friendly.
The TGD also produced a new hymnbook during the year.

6. Activities
6.1 Sommerfest was celebrated on Sunday 20th March 2005. Compliance with Government regulations about food for sale was again handled efficiently in the Hall. As in past years, the many activities available made the occasion a great success.
This year we had people from Knox Council and other Australian neighbours admiring the work of the Chapel wall-hanging working group, for which we have funding from the Council’s Community Development Fund. The display of the Heritage Group also attracted many people.

6.2 Sonnwendfeier was celebrated in the afternoon and evening of Saturday 18th June 2005. The rain held off and allowed the fire to burn well. A long lantern parade through TTHA and back was as exciting for the children as always. More than $1,200 was collected to be put towards stage 2 of the new children’s playground area in Bayswater.

6.3 By the end of the report period, the Confirmation for the present group of young Templers was halfway through the program of lessons and activities. As we all know, the 19 confirmands contributed greatly to a wonderful ceremony. Our elder Renate Weber coordinated the ceremony and also the very effective Urban Camp near the Victoria Market in the heart of Melbourne. She deserves our thanks, as do the other teaching elders Mark Herrmann, Herta Uhlherr, Harald Ruff and Rolf Beilharz. Renate Beilharz, although she did not want to be a teaching elder when two of her own children were being confirmed, did most of the preparation and organisation before the lessons started. Together with very cooperative parents, we could not do other than have a good successful course.
Special thanks go to the families in Brisbane, Rupanyup, Lang Lang and Leongatha who helped their youngsters to take part by telephone hook-up and e-mail for homework or by travelling long distances to attend the lessons.

6.4 At two Presentation Services, one in the Community Chapel at Bayswater in October 2004, and one at Bentleigh in February 2005, a total of four children were presented before the respective congregations. A special naming ceremony was also conducted in May 2005.

6.5 Regular Sunday School was held for the children of the Bays-water-Boronia and Bentleigh-Moorabbin Communities.

6.6 Our marriage celebrants conducted or contributed to a number of marriages. Our authorised celebrants are: in Sydney, Hartmut Beck and in Melbourne, Rolf Beilharz, Herta Uhlherr, Theo Richter and Renate Weber. The marriage celebrants have now experienced their first year of doing in-service training courses (about one day’s worth - 5 hours of lessons) in order to remain registered marriage celebrants.

6.7 Our elders conducted or contributed to 14 funerals, 13 in Mel-bourne and one in Sydney.

6.8 Divine services, in English and in German, were regularly conducted by our elders at the various community centres and in the Tabulam and Templer Homes for the Aged.
Evensongs (song services) were held in September 2004 in Bentleigh and in January 2005 in the Community Chapel. Bentleigh also hosted the inter-denominational World Day of Prayer in March 2005. Renate Weber presented a reflection on the theme ‘Let our light shine’. Helga Anderson and Herta Uhlherr ably assisted with the arrangements.

6.9 During the year, the elders held 3 routine meetings and 2 discussion evenings where particular topics were discussed at length. A workshop on Loss and Grief, open to members, was held in May 2005.
Individual elders have also taken part in regular interfaith meetings in the Glen Eira South Ministers’ Association (Rolf Beilharz, Mark Herrmann and Peter Lange) and in the Knox Interfaith Group (Rolf Beilharz and others). Both organisations are making the TSA better known in the local areas of Bentleigh and Knox, respectively.
A further elders’ forum was conducted by Peter Lange during his visit to Australia.

6.10 The Care Worker’s Reference Group has met at two-monthly intervals. Its role is to facilitate Helga Anderson in her care worker’s role and to monitor the effectiveness of the care being given for the TSA. A successful seminar on health and emotional challenges in childhood and adolescence was held in August 2004.

6.11 The Sydney Community continues its active life, holding monthly divine services and various other activities. The Sydney elders are Hartmut Beck and Werner Ehmann. Ingrid Turner has joined the Sydney elders. The Community continues its association with the St Hedwig Homes for the Aged. Ilse Birkner (September 2004) and Kurt Beilharz (October 2004) travelled from Melbourne to conduct services.

6.12 The Templer Group in South Australia has continued to hold regular religious services and other activities. Services are usually held by Uli Asenstorfer.

6.13 Templers from “Country Victoria - Central North/West” met for services in October 2004 (Strath Creek) and March 2005 (Rupanyup). The meeting at Strath Creek in June 2005 was cancelled as the host was unwell. The “Country Templers - Gippsland” met in November 2004 (Tynong) and February 2005 (Cowes). The meetings of these country groups generally are supported well by Templers travelling from Melbourne, except for those at Rupanyup, which is a bit far to travel to and from in one day.

6.14 Youth matters: Susi Blackwell, our youth coordinator, and the Youth Activities Resource Group provide many activities for children and teenagers. Monika Herrmann runs a very successful playgroup, which she wishes to offer on two days per week. Kids’ Club very actively provides for Templer families with young children.
Recent highlights were the family camp at Mount Martha, which Peter Lange and numerous grandparents visited, and a bushdance which raised funds for the Templer Choir’s trip to Perth. Two young Templers have been employed part-time to look after the activities of particular age groups. Kirsten Lubitz is facilitating the teenage group, while Kristen Steller is serving as mentor to the present group of confirmands.
Regional Council thanks all the persons involved in looking after our youth.

6.15 The Templer Choir under the direction of Annette Wagner-Hesse has contributed to all relevant functions of the TS in Australia. It will sing at a Sängerfest in Perth in September 2005. It held a very successful fundraising concert in July 2005. A highlight was the beautiful playing of the professional musicians Gudrun Beilharz (piano) and her husband Peter Bartels (flute).

6.16 The Australian-German Templer Exchange scheme between the TGD and TSA for young Templers continues. Bernhard Hoefer is the coordinator for the TSA. Tania Richter seems to have been an excellent TSA candidate in Germany. She has finished her time with the TGD and, after travelling in Europe, will soon be returning.
Peter Lange is keen to also have exchanges of elders and other officers between the regions.

In 2004/2005 two TSA members went to Germany for about one month each. The first was Helga Anderson, our care worker, and the other was Renate Beilharz, one of our deputy regional heads. The elder, Renate Weber, has made firm plans to spend a similar period of time with the TGD in the coming months.

6.17 The Heritage Group under the direction of Horst Blaich continues to enthusiastically work on a variety of initiatives and presentations.
Visits to Australia from Dr Danny Goldman (August/ September 2004) and Dr Jakob Eisler (February 2005) proved extremely valuable and popular. Manfred and Johanna Löbert represented the TSA and gave a short address at the opening of the Tatura museum extension in June 2005.

7. Sub-organisations
Our many community activities were strongly supported by the efforts and initiatives of many dedicated members of our sub-organisations. Reports of most groups and committees accompany this report. Please read all of these reports so that they may also be taken as read at the Annual General Meeting.

8. Committees and Working Groups
8.1 Tabulam and Templer Homes for the Aged: Isolde Busch, Judith Eppinger (from October 2004), Ernst Ruff (until October 2004), Karin Ruff, Friedrich Sawatzky (President), Hermann Sawatzky.

8.3 Community Care Reference Group: Helga Anderson, Linda Beilharz, Rolf Beilharz, Ruth Haar, Renate Hoffmann (until December 2004), Geoff McCallum, Elisabeth Wagner.

8.5 Kids’ Club: Anita Cross, Marianne Herrmann, Birgit Verhagen, Michelle Weller.

8.6 Sunday Schools
a) Bayswater: Christine Ruff
b) Bentleigh: Dot Ware, Renate Beilharz

8.7 Youth Trial Focus Group: Winfried Beilharz, Susi Blackwell, Mandy Etherington, Mark Herrmann, Bernhard Hoefer, Beate Kuerschner, Ralph Richter, Harald Ruff.

8.8 Property Trial Focus Group: Tony Beilharz, Winfried Beilharz, Manfred Decker, Mark Herrmann, Dietmar Jürgensen, Ernst Ruff.

8.9 German Schools:
a) Bayswater: Irene Bouzo (Coordinator), Doris Frank (Treasurer)
b) Bentleigh: Marianne Herrmann (Coordinator)

8.10 Bayswater-Boronia Community Council: Tony Beilharz, Manfred Decker, Paul English, Mandy Etherington, Minnie Haering, Peter Hapke, Petra Murrihy-Ruff, Resi Schwarzbauer, Elisabeth Wagner (Head).

8.11 Bentleigh/Moorabbin Community Council: Herbert Hoffmann, Monika Imberger (Head), Oskar Krockenberger, Diana Rainbird, Theo Richter, Gisela Schmidt, Paul Weberruss.

8.12 Sydney Community Council: Hartmut Beck (Head), Manfred Schnerring, Erika Schulz, Emmy Simmer, Herbert Steller, Johanna Steller, Erni Weller.
R.G. Beilharz - Regional Head

SYDNEY COMMUNITY
Ten religious services were held in the Sydney Templer Community. Sydney elders conducting Saal were Werner Ehmann, Ingrid Turner and Hartmut Beck; visiting speakers from Melbourne were Ilse Birkner in September and Kurt Beilharz in October 2004.

Dr Danny Goldman’s visit to the Sydney Community on 22/8/2004 is a day to remember. Sixty people attended his presentation on the architecture of the Templer settlements in Palestine. Some older members with vivid recollections from their youth provided Dr Goldman with valuable information which will help in the reconstruction of this jigsaw puzzle, Israel’s renovation of historic Templer homes.

Seventeen members attended our Annual Members Meeting on 12/9/2004. As we were three members short of a quorum, a unanimous show of hands allowed us to continue with the meeting. The various reports were tabled, and questions were answered. Our thanks go to Alfred Meyer for his many years of service as auditor, but he is unable to continue through ill health, we wish him well. Hanni Steller was voted in as auditor for 2004-2005. The Community Council consists of Herbert Steller (treasurer), Erni Weller (secretary), Erika Schulz, Manfred Schnerring, Johanna (Hanni) Steller, Emmy Simmer, Hartmut Beck (chairman). Elders are Werner Ehmann, Ingrid Turner, Hartmut Beck.

After 4½ years as president of the Sydney Frauenverein, Erika Schulz retired from this position, our thanks go to Erika for her years of dedicated service to our Community. Hanni Steller has taken over as president, we wish her well in this demanding position.
There was one death. Emma Steller (Steinhauser) passed away on 24th May 2005 at the Allambie Heights Lutheran Home for the Aged. A funeral service was conducted jointly by Hartmut Beck & Pastor Peter Auserwinkler of the German Lutheran Church Sydney. May she rest in peace.

In October, author Margret Greiner was invited to read from her book Miss, wie buchstabiert man Zukunft? Twenty-five people attended. The ladies of the Frauenverein who hosted the afternoon decorated the tables beautifully with flowers; for afternoon tea there was Apfelkuchen, Bienenstich, tea and coffee. $140 was collected and a cheque for $200 presented to Mrs Greiner, proceeds of which went to the Paulus Haus in East Jerusalem.
Our family Picnic at Lake Parramatta in October was off to a chilly start. Despite the unseasonable temperature, 29 brave souls attended. Most of the younger generation brought mountain bikes and cycled around the lake. Due to the chilly weather, numbers were down from last year, those who attended certainly enjoyed this scenic outing.
As in previous years, November is the month for the Christmas Bazaar. Run by the Frauenverein this is one of the main social events on our community calendar, an exciting community gathering, where you can also meet up with people you don’t see all year. As in previous years, many goodies were for sale, the younger kids again had their own stall, which sold a variety of art and craft. Lunch and afternoon tea and coffee were available which usually attracts all visitors. Despite another German Bazaar being on at the same time, many people attended.
The Christmas Service was conducted by Ingrid Turner. It included a nativity play by the children who then performed solos on various instruments. These performances show the depth of musical talent in our community. Together with the service and the candle-lit Christmas tree, they made it feel like Christmas.
Dr Jakob Eisler’s visit to Sydney in February 2005 attracted a lot of interest. Fifty-seven members and friends crowded into our little church to hear to Dr Eisler’s talk and watch his slide show on our former settlements in Palestine. He held his audience captivated for many hours with his knowledge on everything Templer. A fascinating day.
The Frauenverein Bus Excursion in May, to which all members and friends were invited, went to the Blue Mountains, to Leura Collectibles, where thousands of old and collectable teapots were on display, and to the Leura Toy and Railway museum, one of the best in the country. Again the weather was wet and cold, the 28 participants certainly enjoyed the day.
The final social event for the year was the booklaunch of Helmut Glenk’s book From Desert Sands to Golden Oranges. Helmut spoke of the work that went into producing this book, the collecting of data and pictures, the processing of all this information, the help he received from his family and co-workers. A fine book was produced. The afternoon was spent with coffee and cake and a million questions for Helmut.

Finally, I would like to thank all who attended our services and functions, especially those who contributed in any way to our activities over the past year. Hartmut Beck, for the Sydney Community

SOUTH AUSTRALIA
The Tanunda group met five times for Saal during the last year. Last winter we had to cancel one meeting due to lack of attendance (illness, other commitments). Ulrich Asenstorfer read the sermons and led devotions.
We were fortunate to have several visitors during the year: Edmund Pfaender, Isolde Ruff, Lili Robran, Briar and Richard Hornung. Mrs Thea Frank sent greetings for every gathering. Berthold Tannenbaum has been unable to attend due to illness. In spite of a much higher rent for the room, we seem to keep afloat financially.
The ladies’ group met monthly, whenever possible, to make handicrafts and generally enjoy each other’s company. For our annual outing we went to Mt Lofty on an exceptionally good day and had fabulous views over Adelaide. After lunch we visited first Mt Lofty house with its beautifully kept garden and views into Piccadilly Valley and the hills. Then we went to the Mount Lofty Botanic Gardens and enjoyed the lake, the sunshine and plants. We were able to send a cheque for $75 to the TTHA.
Rose Asenstorfer

AUSTRALIAN-GERMAN TEMPLER EXCHANGE
The AGTE program has seen Tania Richter depart to Germany in February 2005 and start at the IFA School for German in early March. Tania is the first candidate to attend that school and the AGTE panel is awaiting her feedback. It is based in Stuttgart which allows the candidates to stay with their host families at the same time as they are going to school. The TGD had requested that we look into this option, which allowed it to work better logistically within the 3-4 month window of the exchange program. By all accounts, things seem to have gone reasonably well.

As we saw from Tania’s article in the TR, her time in Germany has been a very positive experience for her. It has allowed her to open up the communication lines with her counterparts in Germany and interact with our fellow Templers in Germany. She has also had the opportunity to intermingle with a host of international students and expand her horizons. It is a promising sign, given the world we live in these days.
We had no one come from Germany this year. It is anticipated that there may be a candidate coming in 2006. We look forward to the arrival.
The AGTE program is running along nicely and meeting its objectives. It falls within the Heritage & Culture Focus Group as part of the new constitution which was voted in recently. The budgets are unchanged for the program and have been steady for several years. Flights are relative cheap these days in a competitive airline market and there are numerous schooling options.

We are continually looking for future hosts for our German candidates; expressions of interests are always welcome. We have drawn up some resource sheets for all components of the exchange and these provide some guidance. The program does also rely on people’s initiatives and self-resourcefulness to work successfully.
Please feel free to forward any questions, email is preferred hoovy@bigpond.com as it allows me to respond when I have a spare moment. Bernhard Hoefer (Hoovy), AGTE Coordinator

ARCHIVE
Thanks mainly to the efforts of Ingrid Edelmaier, the sorting and rehousing of archival material had continued steadily this year. Ingrid has also been the main point of contact for people wishing to access the archive, and we are all grateful that she is willing to make her time available to the Templer and wider community.
We are also grateful to the many contributors of materials for the archive and the Office library, over the year. Many Templers, along with friends and relatives, donate documents, photographs, realia, personal writings and privately published books to the Temple Society Archive, making it a continually growing resource.

In the new structure, the TSA Archive is a sub-group of the Heritage Interest Group. Renate Beilharz is still the Archive Manager, and will be working closely with the Heritage Group to ensure that all Heritage activities complement and support each other.
Renate Beilharz

BAYSWATER-BORONIA GERMAN SCHOOL
We currently have an enrolment of 27 students, of which 7 are from Templer families. We run 2 classes on Friday nights at the Bayswater Hall. A team of dedicated volunteer parents maintains an efficient one-to-one reading program for the children and our thanks go to them.

Highlights from the year:
• Cultural Diversity Evening and presentation of quilt made by the school children in March, a joint function with Bayswater South Primary School.
• We showcased the Cultural Diversity Quilt at the Easter Saal for the Templer Community. It now hangs in the German School room.
• Development of new school logo
• Purchase of new reading books for our reading program and software for our lending library
• Joint excursion with the Bentleigh Templer School to the National Gallery of Victoria
• We hosted two German Cultural Discussion evenings open to all adult German-speakers.

Our funding sources (apart from student fees) have been:
• $1,500 grant from the Victorian Multicultural Commission for professional development
• $600 grant from the Victorian Multicultural Commission for our Cultural Diversity Celebration
• $2,552 from DE&T per capita grant for students enrolled in Term 1, 2005
Irene Bouzo and Doris Frank, for the Management Committee

BENTLEIGH-MOORABBIN GERMAN SCHOOL
We currently have an enrolment of 48 students, of which 7 are from Templer families. We run 3 classes on Monday and 3 classes on Wednesday evenings at the Bentleigh Hall.
In Term 3 2005 we introduced a Year 12 VCE preparation class on a Tuesday evening with 5 students attending. (1 student is from a Templer family)
We are very grateful for the efforts of our teachers who are a great team. They are Josefine Hennel, Sigrid Schweiger and Michiko Weinmann.

Highlights from the year:
• A winter concert in September 2004 (and on 28th Aug. 2005)
• German school Adventsfeier to finish the 2004 school year
• Purchase of a bar fridge and microwave for the Community Care Quiet Room in Bentleigh, thanks to a State Government Grant for our German School volunteers
• Cultural Diversity Afternoon where the children displayed and discussed their posters about “why their family had come to Australia” at an afternoon for families and friends in March.
• Purchase of 2 new white boards, a portable notice board, vertical blinds for German School room, class sets of new textbooks and teachers resources, cassettes and books
• Joint excursion with the Bayswater Templer School to the National Gallery of Victoria
• Introduction of the Year 12 VCE Preparation Course
• 7 Students participated in the AGTV poetry competition with 3 students being invited to the State Final on 27th August 2005.

Our funding sources (apart from student fees) have been:
• $345.45 from the Victorian Government Volunteers and Small Equipment Grant Round 2, 2004
• $1,500 grant from the Victorian Multicultural Commission for professional development
• $600 grant from the Victorian Multicultural Commission for our Cultural Diversity Celebration
• $4,116 from DE&T per capita grant for students enrolled in Term 1, 2005
Marianne Herrmann, Be/Mo German School Coordinator

TABULAM AND TEMPLER HOMES FOR THE AGED
In line with our constitution, the TTHA Committee of Management met 11 times. Present were five members of each of the parent organisations. Mr Ernst Ruff left our committee after many years of devoting countless hours assisting the Home, particularly in relation to the Home’s design and construction. We were pleased to welcome Judy Eppinger as a new committee member representing the Temple Society,
Our meetings were less turbulent than in previous years, when the Otto Loebert Home was being built, with its never-ending challenges.
It was pleasing to see the last four independent units completed. Compared to previously built units, they have many improvements based on experience gained over the years. We trust that the new occupants are as pleased with them as we are.

Fourteen old rooms within the Altersheim complex were reconstructed into seven apartments. In the opinion of the undersigned, they are wonderful.
Maintenance requirements to the independent living units were frequently discussed. The major concern was a required repainting program. This was commenced and will need to be ongoing. During the year we observed the restructuring of the Maintenance section. Into the group we welcome Marco Hoefer, now in charge of maintenance.
A new car park was also constructed, providing easier parking for residents and visitors. Gutters around the Altersheim wing were replaced at quite some expense. The carpet replacement program in the Tabulam wing has commenced. However, this is a painfully slow project and will extend well into the next financial year.
Several discussions took place with Knox City Council regarding water run-off from land situated on a higher level than the Tabulam wing. Our concern is that massive quantities of water may slide mud toward the wing after or during a higher than normal downpour.
The Tabulam Development Fund, (TDF) which forms the financial backbone of our establishment, is operating very nicely. Many thanks to all those who invest and support our Home. At the end of this financial period, we note an investment of $3.67 million, paying an average interest rate of 3.3%. On top of the TDF, we are so fortunate to receive numerous, sometimes substantial donations. Among the more generous of these we must mention the $50,000 donation from the former ‘Edelweiss’ Austrian Club.
The TTHA, a non profit organisation, depends heavily on all your generous donations. Thank you very much for your generosity. Also many thanks to our dedicated volunteers who assist our Home staff so immensely.
On behalf of the management committee, I also sincerely thank Dr Schreiber, the two Directors of Nursing, Karin Baumert and Cheryl Young, as well as the entire team, for the sterling efforts in caring for our elderly and creating a relaxed lifestyle.
Finally we remember our two umbrella organisations. Their unqualified support is valued immensely. I thank their representatives, my colleagues, for their contribution throughout the year.
FH Sawatzky

PROPERTY MANAGEMENT FOCUS GROUP
The Property Management Focus Group (PMFG) was set up in early 2005 by Regional Council to trial the Community Structure Working Party’s (CSWP) recommendations for a new TSA structure.

The agreed PMFG aims are:
• to encourage a ‘Sense of Community’ through community involvement in property management;
• to ensure that there is a consistent and efficient approach to care and maintenance of TSA properties, sharing of relevant information, ideas and experience to avoid duplication of tasks and resource utilisation;
• to encourage appropriate use of properties by groups both within and outside the TSA;
• to support and advise associated Interest Groups;
• to ensure that appropriate contact details are well known within the TSA;
• to cater for the changing property needs of Focus Groups, Interest Groups and Members;
• to maintain a prioritised Property Project Register of major capital works and planned maintenance projects; and
• to advise Regional Council and/or Central Fund on property viability.

Initial PMFG set-up activities were undertaken jointly by CSWP & Project Register Committee members and Mark Herrmann in his dual roles of TSA Business Manager and Central Fund Secretary. These tasks included:
• agreement on which TSA properties will be managed by PMFG and which will continue to be managed directly by Central Fund;
• agreement on which property related services & supplies will be managed by PMFG;
• take-over of the Property Project Register from the Property Register Committee and property work-in-progress from the Melbourne Community Councils;
• comprehensive review & priority update of all projects on the Property Project Register; and
• development of budget proposals for operations (basic services & supplies provision), corrective maintenance (fix things that have broken), preventative maintenance (fix things before they break) and capital works (new, refurbishment or replacement work).

PMFG & responsibilities
With the implementation of the new TSA constitution & structure in July 2005, the following interim PMFG members were ratified:
Tony Beilharz, Winfried Beilharz, Dietmar Jürgensen, Theo Richter and Ernst Ruff.

The PMFG is tasked with the following:
• to ensure that the TSA’s non-commercial properties are main-tained and properly utilised:
 Bayswater Bowling; Bayswater Chapel; Bayswater Clubroom; Bayswater Hall; Bayswater Land; Bayswater Property Rooms; Bayswater Schoolrooms; Bayswater Tennis; Bayswater Guest Unit; Bentleigh Archives; Bentleigh Bowling; Bentleigh Hall; Bentleigh Land; Bentleigh Office; Bentleigh Quiet Room; Bentleigh Schoolrooms; Bentleigh Tennis; Sydney Hall (vested in Sydney Community Council) and TSA Bus.
• to facilitate and support the associated Interest Groups in their responsibilities of managing maintenance and usage of these properties:
 Bayswater-Boronia Complex; Bentleigh-Moorabbin Complex and Bus Operations.
• to represent the associated Interest Groups at Regional Council.
• to facilitate the organisation and support of the following core activities:
 equipment maintenance and hire; facilities bookings; facilities caretaking; facilities cleaning; facilities maintenance; grounds maintenance; Property Project Register maintenance; religious services set up and working bee management.
• to facilitate effective communication between associated Interest Groups, other Focus Groups, Interest Groups and Regional Council.
The PMFG will continue to work with Central Fund to manage the Property Project Register and ensure appropriate use of available skills & resources.

Property projects
The proposed property related projects for this financial year reflect the age of our community properties, changed community expecta-tions and significant capital projects which have until now been deferred. They are subject to modification & approval by Regional Council in conjunction with Central Fund within the context of the global TSA budget.

Property projects underway or recently completed include:
 TSA Bus purchase; Bayswater Chapel & Hall security system installation; Bayswater Chapel bell installation; Bayswater Playground (junior) refurbishment; Bayswater Hall kitchen compliance modifications; Bayswater Property Room shelving system installation; Bayswater Hall toilet upgrade; Bayswater Youth Unit & Guest Unit refurbishment and Bayswater Hall dishwasher installation.

Amongst the many projects in initial planning within the proposed budgets are:
 Bentleigh Office window replacement; Bentleigh Office external repainting. Sydney Hall mower replacement; Sydney Hall tree removal; Bayswater Chapel window anti-glare treatment; Bayswater Playground (senior) establishment; Bentleigh Hall under-stage table storage facility; Bentleigh Hall partitioning to create an additional room in the rear of the Hall; Bayswater Chapel carpark drainage, kerbing & sealing; Bayswater Tractor refurbishment and Bentleigh Office perimeter fence replacement.

COMMUNITY SUPPORT
As under the Community Council structure, ongoing community support is essential for setup of Interest Groups to support the existing mowing, working bee & services setup rosters and providing volunteers to manage and/or offer skills & services for our property projects.
Anyone interested in supporting the PMFG’s work in these areas is encouraged to contact Winfried Beilharz by email on
wbeilharz@prodrive.com.au or any other PMFG member.
Manfred Decker, for the PMFG
SUNDAY SCHOOL
At the end of 2004, we said a fond farewell to Dot Ware, who has been the Sunday School teacher in Bentleigh for a number of years. She has gone to live in New Zealand. We sincerely thank her for her work with the children. It was appreciated by both young and old.
The theme for Sunday School classes during 2004 was ‘Jesus – a banquet of stories’ focussing on Jesus’ life and the stories he told. The display that grew in the Chapel Sunday School room was a testament to the many and varied stories the children experienced during the year.

Over the past few years we have run the same theme in both Bentleigh and Bayswater Sunday School, ensuring classes complemented each other without repetition. The theme for 2005 is ‘The Temple Society’, and classes are based on the activity book produced by a team of mothers in 2001. The Templer Record Children’s Section is now also mirroring the topics covered in class. The complete book will soon be finalised, and be made available to ‘distant’ families.
Please keep an eye out in Bentleigh and Bayswater for the growing Temple Society displays, produced by the Sunday School children.
We thank all parents and children who enjoy and support the Sunday School classes.
Christine Ruff and Renate Beilharz

YOUTH
Our TSA Youth Program is active and alive, in spite of the same continuing challenges that present themselves year after year! Motivation, commitment and time constraints remain the major issues. The volunteer list remains small, familiar and still dedicated! As always a very huge thankyou must go to those people who have helped out with the youth program in any way over the last 12 months – your continuing assistance is very much appreciated and without you programs and activities would simply not run.

There are many areas, some large and some small, where help is required, so please consider volunteering to help out with the youth program – it can be just as rewarding for you as it is for the young people taking part!

Youth Focus Group
The last 12 months have seen the YARG successfully transform into the Youth Focus Group and adjust itself to run in accordance with our new TSA Constitution. The four Interest Groups; Playgroup, Kids’ Club, Teenage Group and Youth Groups, run independently yet interact and are linked together under the care and administration of the Youth Focus Group and the Community Youth Coordinator (CYC). The Focus Group members have had regular meetings with the CYC and continue to evaluate and adjust the youth program to try to best cater for the needs of the TSA young people.

Kids’ Club
KC has monthly activities, often linked with existing TSA functions such as Sommerfest, services and Sunday School and Sonnwend-feier. Some of the year’s highlights were: another very successful Family Camp at The Briars in Mt Martha, Sommerfest activities, Sonnwendfeier lantern parade, the Maize Maze, craft and card making, bush dance and much more.
Many thanks go to the committee members – Birgit Verhagen, Anita Cross, Michelle Weller and Marianne Herrmann, for their continuing hard work and commitment. Here also is a great need for some more involvement from families both in assisting the organising committee and also supporting activities by taking part!
If Kids’ Club is to thrive and stay alive it needs new ideas and ongoing enthusiasm!

Teenage Group (TG)
Monthly TG activities continue, varying in nature according to the program chosen by TG participants at the beginning of the year. Some of these include Laserchallenge, movie and pizza nights, Winter sleepout, the annual summer camp in the January holidays, pool party, ice skating and much more. The activities are much enjoyed by our young people, and friends are always welcome to come along.

Kirsten Lubitz, after having organised TG activities on a voluntary basis for more than 12 months, has now been deservedly appointed to the paid position of Youth Leader, and is still doing a great job! Thank you for your valued time and effort Kirsten! Many thanks also to the wonderful people who have helped out with the program at various times throughout the year.

Youth Groups
Last month 19 young people completed their series of confirmation lessons with their confirmation ceremony. To help promote interaction and hopefully ongoing cohesion, this group of confirmands were supported and encouraged to continue with social activities by another recently appointed Youth Leader – Kristen Steller. Kristen will continue to organise regular social activities for the 2005 Confirmation Group in the hope of maintaining the momentum of group friendship and interaction created by the confirmation lessons. In time we are hoping to build on that interaction among young people in the TSA and get them more involved in regular activities, thus forming a functioning Youth Group.
So far this year there have been no Youth Services, but there is one planned before the end of the year.

Again I ask you all to give the TSA Youth Program your full support and find even just a little time to help out in some area. Most of all, encourage our young people to participate!
Susi Blackwell – Community Youth Coordinator

CHOIR
Our focus over the last few months was firmly on our participation at the Perth Sängerfest in September. We thank the TSA for supporting us in this endeavour. Our recent concert, also in aid of the Perth trip, was a wonderful event in the best Templer family spirit. We are very grateful to all who contributed in any way (see page M&F ).
Kurt Imberger has kindly taken on the big task of organizing our flight to Perth, our accommodation and movements there. He also is our delegate to the German Choral Association and attends their bi-monthly meetings. We welcome Monika Strasser and Helga Jürgensen, who joined us some months ago. We are already benefiting from their talent.
We are glad that we can still help to musically enhance a few special Templer functions every year and also provide some entertainment. At the end of last year, we were privileged to contribute to the farewell of our former President and long-standing and dependable choir member, Dieter Ruff. Last but not least, all this is made possible through the dedication of our wonderful leader, Annette Wagner-Hesse, whom we appreciate very much! Ulrich Hapke

More Annual Reports next month.
FROM THE ELDERS
At a meeting in Bayswater on 19th August, 6 Elders had an animated discussion about books they had found of interest and value. Also mentioned were the film What the Bleep do we know? which challenges our perception of who we are and how the universe works. (It’s on at the Kino). And the current debate in the press about Intelligent Design.
Theo Richter was nominated leader of the Elders Focus Group for a year.
More Texts of the Month are needed for the TR. The TGD Elders will be doing some as well for the Warte/TR.
Some of the books mentioned were:
Taylor Caldwell’s Dear and Glorious Physician (1959) about St Luke, and Great Lion of God (1970) about St Paul – great descriptions of life and concerns in New Testament times.
Catching up with Jesus, Dearmid O’Murchu, Crossroad 2005, which includes imagined conversations with Jesus in the language of today, and without some of the outdated ‘Churchy’ baggage. Some good insights, but not for all tastes.
Conversations with God, an uncommon dialogue by Neale Donald Walsch, 1996, whose puzzled questions ‘God answered’. Again, some interesting insights.
The Templer Revelation by Lynn Picknett & Clive Prince, Corgi, 1998.
It was read to follow up Dan Brown’s The Da Vinci Code; earlier still is The Holy Blood and the Holy Grail, Baigent, Leigh & Lincoln, 1982 – about the Holy Grail, the divine feminine embodied in Mary Magdalene, the sacred vessel (Grail) of the bloodline of Jesus.
Jesus the Man by Barbara Thiering, Corgi, 1993, also very challenging for traditional (Church) belief about Jesus.
Honest to Jesus (Hodder & Stoughton, 1996) by Robert Funk of the ‘Jesus Seminar’ group who research what Jesus really was and said, in contrast to what is said or written about him.
When bad things happen to good people, Pan 1981, by H. Kuschner, a rabbi struggling with a faith-shaking waste of a life.
Also mentioned was Rudolf Steiner, whose biodynamic principles are helping regenerate the saline land devastated by clearing and unsustainable agricultural methods along the Murray.
Perhaps readers would like to share books that have helped them and a few sentences about the book?
Herta Uhlherr, for the Elders

Annemarie Kirchner Olga Kroh
Sigrid Katz Horst Kolb
Klaus-Peter Hoffmann Leni Löbert
Friedrich Kroh Manfred Frank
Elfriede Weller Hildegard Hoffmann
Emma Polacsek Charlotte Dravenieks
Liselotte Faig Hildegard Turnevicius
Heinz Margate Elfriede Bechert
Anneliese Herrmann Gertrud Frank
und wünschen auch allen hier nicht angeführten Geburtstags-kindern alles Gute und Schöne zum neuen Lebensjahr.

Aida Ellen Arndt McCoid born 16.7.2005
Parents: Clarissa Arndt & Mark McCoid
Two more grandchildren for Irmgard and Guenter Arndt !

Rachel Susanne Glover born 3.8.2005
Parents: Mark Glover and Jenika Graze
Eleventh grandchild for Theo and Susan Graze
The Glover family will return to Kathmandu in January 2006.

BEREAVEMENTS
Our cousin and friend Theodor (“Männe”) Doh passed away peacefully at Tabulam & Templer Homes on 28th July 2005, aged 81 years.
We are grateful to Hulda Wagner for the beautiful service and we thank Mark Herrmann and Dr Martin Schreiber for their thoughtful and sincere words. A special thankyou goes to the staff at the Homes for their patient and dedicated care.

On behalf of the friends and relatives,
Luise and Helmut Ruff, Siegfried and Rose Hahn

After a short illness our dearly loved mother, mother-in-law, sister, grandmother and great-grandmother Luise Wied passed away peacefully on 14.8.2005 at the TTHA, aged 92.
Helga and Jim Anderson,
Magda Persztik,
Christian and Tiffany with Amelia,
Silvia and Brendon, Erika and Mel.

We thank our Elder Herta Uhlherr sincerely for her help and comforting words. We wish to express our gratitude to all the community members who helped with the refreshments, flowers and everyone who contributed to this celebration of our Oma’s life.
Thank you sincerely for the many expressions of sympathy in the form of flowers, cards, telephone calls and text messages, as well as the generous donations to the TTHA.
We are truly grateful to the staff of the TTHA for their loving care and kindness. Helga Anderson and family

Steady, quiet and unassuming as he was, Theo Doh would not have wanted any fuss. His memorial service at the Springvale Necropolis on 4th August was a heartfelt and dignified expression of friendship, respect, and gratitude for his long and dedicated service to the Temple Society. The following is based on Hulda Wagner, Mark Herrmann and Dr Schreiber’s words.
Theo was the youngest of Gottlieb Doh and Maria née Keller’s five children; Herrmann, Willy, Walter and Luise all died before him. Their story goes from Alexandria in Egypt to Germany, to Jerusalem, Wilhelma, Cyprus, to Australia, and included war-time displacement and internment. During the Wilhelma internment, Theo helped in Richters’ stable (work he hated), at the smithy, then the dairy. When more schooling became available, it soon became obvious that he was quick and intelligent. And not very interested in sport.

After arrival in Melbourne in 1949, some work and courses in electronics and accountancy, Theo was employed as a public servant with the State Government in its superannuation fund area. He proved himself through ‘perseverance, clarity, sincerity, dedication and professionalism’.
Mark Herrmann spoke of Theo’s service to the TSA. The expertise Theo gained benefitted various Templer committees. Theo was chairman and/or Director of the TS Central Fund for 27 years – only Werner Struve served longer in this voluntary duty. With their extensive financial nous and comprehensive investment background, they ensured, together with the other directors, that the funds of the TSA were securely invested to maximum advantage. In the late 1970s, Theo was instrumental in modernising the Society’s accounting systems to make them easier for interested members to understand
Theo was a steadying influence. If you asked him for it, he offered sound, wise and measured advice – his honest opinion – in an unambiguous way. He was opposed to the Community Chapel project – perhaps it was too risky a venture for him. But he always remained calm, rational and sensible, conceding others’ right to a different point of view. He looked for areas of common thought rather than differences. He was able to understand and interpret legislation – Acts of Parliament – admittedly after first rereading them carefully several times, and could then engage with the legal fraternity on their level. All this Theo did without expecting reward, simply content in the knowledge of a job well done. He was of outstanding value and service to the Templer community.

Dr Schreiber spoke of Theo’s service to our aged care facility and of his eventual stay in TTHA. Herr Doh was one of the foundation members of Tabulam in 1979, and was Secretary of the Committee for 24 years, a task he took very seriously and always with the well-being of the residents at heart. For 16 years, he supported and worked with Dr Schreiber, director of Tabulam and later CEO of TTHA. A väterliche Freundschaft developed and Herr Doh allowed Dr Schreiber to care for him like a father when, after a stroke, he needed care himself.
The decision to sell his home in Pine Street was hard. When the estate agent asked him his first name, as is usual in Australia, the reply was ‘Mister – my name is Mr Doh’. Theo was always a proud and very correct man and not fond of familiarity from strangers.
Dr Schreiber was with Theo, who was very frail but totally lucid, just before Theo died peacefully on 28th July, aged 81.

We are grateful to Theo Doh for his many years of selfless service to the Templer Community. Editor

ANTARCTIC JOURNEY – 28th July
What an interesting evening this was! Quite a number of Templers, friends and people attracted by the notice in the local paper came to hear Linda Beilharz speak about her trek across the ice to the South Pole last November and December.
It was gratifying to hear visitors marvelling at the Templer Chapel – ‘didn’t know it existed’. Its white wall made a good ‘screen’ for Linda’s informative slides. Since not everything could be photographed, cartoons served to illustrate a number of points. Linda had com-missioned them from a young Bendigo illustrator who does some work for her employer, St Luke’s Welfare Agency.
A wide range of questions from the audience elicited further fascinating information.
Some of the things we learned were that, despite the constant wind and the freezing cold outside, it could actually be quite warm inside at ‘night’, when the 24-hour sunlight was not obscured by clouds. That rubbish was not left, but carried out. That the daily effort required to ski/walk and pull the sled was roughly equivalent to running a marathon every day – no wonder so much preparatory training was required! That mental and emotional stamina are as important as physical fitness on such a long, hard slog. That expeditions/leaders can be found on the internet. That it costs a great deal of money to attempt such an expedition. That you need to allow time to come back to ‘normal’ reality afterwards. And much more, of course. – There was quite a buzz of conversation over hot drinks after the presentation. The feedback I heard was very positive.

Sincere thanks to Linda for giving us the opportunity to share her experience in comfort. She put quite some effort into holding this talk for us. Just as she has done over her many years of service in the Templer Care Reference Group, she drove all the way from Bendigo, then back very late, to go to work next morning. She generously gave her presentation in the afternoon to TTHA residents for free, despite foregoing half a day’s pay to do it. (Thank you to those who gave her donations nonetheless).

Linda splits any profits with St Lukes for innovative projects in community development in disadvantaged rural areas. Editor

TEMPLER CHOIR – FUNDRAISING CONCERT 30th July
What a magnificent experience it was – well worth the two hours of travelling to come and hear such a ‘feast’ of music! All the more moving and rewarding for being performed in the lovely atmosphere of the Community Chapel.
Unfortunately, living so far away, I don’t have the opportunity to come to many Templer functions but when I saw this concert advertised in the Templer Record I knew I had to come – especially having once been a choir member myself. I brought a dear friend of mine with me who thoroughly enjoyed it as well. Annette (Wagner-Hesse) and the choir can be very proud of themselves for their wonderful delivery of the various German folk songs, all of which were familiar to me. My Australian friend didn’t know them, but loved them anyway.
Then the special treat of the instrumental contribution. Young Tim Weller performed very professionally for such a young pianist and his fingers flew over the keyboard for the Haydn Sonata. Krista Imberger serenaded us with her own arrangement of a Potpourri of German folksongs and finally we were thoroughly spoiled to be able to listen to the awesome performance of Gudrun Beilharz on the piano and [husband] Peter Bartels on the flute with three fantastic pieces. Especially the Sonata for Flute and Piano by Carl Vine blew me away. Peter had introduced it as being a taxing piece for the performers to play and he was not wrong. The applause told it all. What a fantastic opportunity to hear such magnificent music!
When the choir got back on stage to perform their repertoire for the Sängerfest, I am sure that everyone listening was as convinced as I was that they will absolutely shine in Perth this month. Unfortunately, due to a coughing fit, I had to leave the room for some of the final piece, “Die launige Forelle”, but I was assured by my friend that it was great – and very amusing.
When the musical part of the afternoon was finished there was another feast awaiting us over in the hall: coffee or tea and mountains of delicious cake. Not only the afternoon tea but also the community sing-along was enjoyed by all. The enthusiasm was evident when everyone began to sing Hab oft im Kreise der Lieben to the tune they all knew despite the accompanist playing quite a different tune!
All in all a very successful afternoon and hopefully the funds raised will help the choir with their quest for fun and fame in Perth. I wish them a great trip – they deserve it after what they gave us all on that Saturday. Erika Christian

Harald Gassmann adds (edited extracts):
Renate Weber did a great job as compere, the choir sang well and I sat there with a tear in my eye! …The final bracket by the choir was the program for the concert in Perth. Very well done! I wished that my voice would be there as well! …We were sorry that we could not stay for the singsong after Kaffee und Kuchen but, alas, the way home is long.
Once again, a heartfelt thankyou to Annette and the members of the choir for a memorable experience.
Harald Gassmann

END OF AN ERA
Thank you to the Regional Council for the beautiful flowers presented to the two community heads at the EOGM. It was a great honour to receive the trust of the Ba-Bo community when they chose me as their chairperson and it has been an honour to serve on the Regional Council as Ba-Bo representative.
I am sure that the new constitution will satisfy the needs of the younger members, the group that is now taking on the leadership from the generation ahead, and I am sure that they need our support as much as we needed the support of the generation before us.
I am sure that every single member in the TSA is needed for working bees, for Kaffeesaal, for reading, storytelling, and all those many little tasks that caring for a community involve. Each and everyone is important – we saw this at our constitutional meeting, at our concert, and at our funerals. Each and every member counts.
Please, I urge you, continue giving your support to the activities of the TSA. All of you make the fabric of our community.
With much love to all, Elisabeth Wagner

COMMUNITY MURAL PROJECT
Have you found your tile yet? If you have not already checked out the mural, please have a look next time you are at the Chapel. The amazing creativity and imagination demonstrated in the many ceramic tiles is wonderful to see. Individual efforts by our young and young-at-heart at last year’s Sommerfest have now culminated in the rather special mural along the wall leading from the Chapel towards TTHA.
Of course, we are very pleased that all the tiles have now been mounted (none were broken!) and are quite excited with the result. The general theme was `Growth’ in its many forms; we visualised trees or plants `growing’, allowing us the flexibility to add more tiles in the future. This project was initially begun by Kid’s Club and Playgroup and it was great that the residents from the Home added their talents, too.
As with any new project, the `how’ questions needed to be solved. One stumbling block was how to glue the tiles onto the graffiti-resistant paint. The advice given in the trade did not appeal (i.e. remove the paint). However, a chance word from a creative mosaic-tiler finally provided the solution, allowing us to set to the task earlier in the year. With the wonderful, creative talents and direction from Birgit Verhagen and Erika Herrmann and their many hours of help, we made progress. Many thanks to you both, especially to Erika for firing all the tiles in the first place. Thanks also to Nanne Herrmann and Christine Ruff, who also gave time to help.
It was such a productive and rewarding process, firstly visualising the design in our mind’s eye, then gluing and taping into place. We do apologise to the few people who found their tile `the wrong way up’ or sideways – sorry, we obviously didn’t interpret the artist correctly! Congratulations to all involved for such a fantastic display - each is a `building block’ forming a cohesive and aesthetic `whole’.
Moni Herrmann, for the Mural workers

NEW COMMUNITY STRUCTURE
A visit by Renate Beilharz & Mark Herrmann to the Sydney Community in July to further explain the new Community Structure was helpful in that members could ask any questions they had regarding the new Constitution and Structure.

After a shortened service held by Renate, Mark & Renate, with the help of a computer projector, outlined the proposed new structure, and answered all questions as they came up. Proxy forms for the meeting on the new constitution were handed to Mark to take to the Extraordinary Meeting. The question: ‘should the Sydney Community Council remain as is and exist as a Focus Group or go the way of the Melbourne communities?’ will be asked at our Annual Members’ Meeting. Mark and Renate, thank you for coming to Sydney to enlighten us on the subject
Hartmut Beck, for the Sydney Community

Calendar
• September 17th – Go Karting
• October 15th
• November 19th
• December 3rd or 10th – break-up party and 2006 planning

Where: Top Karts in Epping
Cost: $30 for 3 x 10 minute rides – this activity is being subsidised by the TSA
Time: The session begins at 3pm – We will be leaving Bayswater Hall on the bus at 1:45pm and travelling to Epping via a pickup point near Glen Waverly, for anyone not coming from Bayswater. We will be returning around 6:30 – 7pm and should be able to drop people at Bentleigh, home (if necessary) or Bayswater.
Bring: Snacks and some drinks to share
RSVP: You must book by 12.09.05 and I will send you an indemnity form to be filled out by your parents and brought along to the event.

If the weather is bad, the track will not be open. If you want to come, you must ring Kirsten and book by 12th September 05!

If you have any further questions, please either e-mail to kalub@deakin.edu.au or phone (03) 9762 6323 or 0439 900 771
Kirsten Lubitz

G’day to you all!
Welcome to spring. Have you noticed the weather becoming warmer and the days longer again? Are there any fresh buds or blossoms on the trees in your garden? Have you noticed any other changes in your garden? Spring is all about change – and there have been some changes to the children’s section too. Most of all, I need your help to write it!

Last month we began talking about the Temple Society. Two questions were asked and a few helpful children gave these answers:

What is the Temple Society?
• A Christian community (Monika Herrmann)
• People who all believe in God and Jesus, but also in free religion, i.e. believe what you want. But believe in God’s Kingdom (Tessa Decker).
• A Religion. A place – like the chapel (Martin Wennagel).
• God, Jesus, a church (Anja Ruff).

Of course, the Temple Society means different things to different people, depending on their upbringing, age, life situation, wants and needs and many other things. So these answers can all be right. What we should all be able to agree on is that the Temple Society is a religious group in which we worship God (a Christian community).

What is the Temple Society made up of?
• Lots of people forming a community (Monika Herrmann)
• People – smaller temples which make a bigger temple (Tessa Decker)
• People and God (Martin Wennagel).
• People, Jesus and love (Anja Ruff).

These are all wonderful answers. We all agree that our group is made up not only of buildings but a community of people (who are all temples of God!), who are joined by their belief in God, the teachings of Jesus, and held together by love. Our Temple Society would not function without its people, without us. We (you!) are its most important part!
If you looked up the Bible verse from last month (Acts 2:42-47) you would have read that Jesus’ followers ‘were like family to each other… (they) prayed together… often met together… and they shared their food happily and freely.’ Think about our many different functions in the Temple Society. We do all these things too, don’t we? This is what we are about.

Next month we will reflect on our name: the Temple Society.
Could you prepare an answer to this question:
What does the name of our community mean?
If you need a clue, look up 1 Corinthians, 3:16 in the Bible.

Beware – I’m looking for different people to answer this time. (And as I have found that bribery works well on my own children, I am quite prepared to offer a small reward to anyone who offers an answer without being coerced).
Stay happy and healthy. Christine Ruff

Yolanda Krockenberger
Kirilly Simmer
Karla Wade
Stephanie Brown
Monty Weller
Jessica Weller
Lachlan Glenk
Charlotte Breisch
Kelilah Breisch
Alexander O’Brien

Liebe Freunde, Dear Friends,
Anfang August hatten wir “hohen” Besuch im Heim von fünf Parlamentsabgeordneten (Victo-ria), eine hohe Ehre. Unser für Bayswater und Umkreis zustän-dige MP, Mr Peter Lockwood, sowie Frau Anne Eckstein MP, Abgeordnete für Ferntree Gully, waren die “Anstifter” des Besu-ches. Übrigens – Frau Ecksteins Eltern stammen aus der Templer Kolonie Jaffa. Sie engagiert sich sehr für unser Heim, indem sie bei der Regierung für uns und unsere Nöte plädiert. Zu Besuch war auch Mr Gavin Jennings MLC, der zuständige Minister für die Alters-versorgung im Staat Victoria. Er war durchweg begeistert von unserem Heim. Wie oft hörten wir ihn sagen: “Wären doch alle Heime in Victoria wie euer TTHA, dann hätten wir die beste Alters-versorgung im Land”. In seiner recht langen Rede erwähnte er die vielen guten Taten und Pläne, welche die Regierung für die Al-tersversorgung unternimmt. Unter anderem kamen wir auf das Thema “Wundliegen”. Stolz konnte Dr Schreiber berichten, dass wir das im Heim nicht haben. Wir mussten feststellen, dass wir augenblicklich vier unserer Be-wohner in den nahe gelegenen Spitälern haben. Das ist für unsere zwei Pflegedienstleiterin-nen Karin und Cheryl immer eine große Sorge, denn so oft kommen Bewohner ins Heim zurück mit schlimmen Liegewunden. Etwas noch viel schlimmeres passierte vor ein paar Jahren: Einer unserer Bewohner war schwer krank, musste ins Hospital, war aber noch einigermaßen rüstig. Er hatte keine Verwandten oder sonstigen Besucher, die nach ihm schauten und - noch wichtiger - ihm bei den Mahlzeiten behilflich waren. Sein Essen wurde morgens, mittags und abends ordnungsgemäß ser-viert. Er konnte oder wollte nichts davon essen. Die Speisen wurden stets mehr oder weniger unan-getastet abgetragen. Langsam aber sicher wurde er im Kranken-haus immer schwächer und starb dort. Deshalb haben die zwei Pflegedienstleiterinnen immer Sorgen, wenn ein Bewohner ins Krankenhaus muss (ein wichtiger Grund, warum wir z.Zt. die Einrichtung einer „Post Acute Care Unit“ diskutieren). Die Moral dieser traurigen Geschichte ist: Bitte, bitte besucht Eure Lieben so oft wie möglich!
Am Monatsende waren 42 AGWS und 42 TSA Mitglieder im Heim.

Freundliche Grüße,
Ihr Friedrich Sawatzky,
Präsident TTHA Komitee.
In early August we received some very special visitors to our Home. Special, because it was a visit by five Victorian State Parliamentarians to “marvel at our Home”. What an honour. Our local member for Bayswater and district, Mr Peter Lockwood MP, as well as Ms Anne Eckstein MP, Member for Ferntree Gully, were the instigators of this visit.
Ms Eckstein’s parents were from the Jaffa Templer settlement and she is very keen to assist us and our Home by approaching the relevant state or federal ministers to convey to them the special needs of our establishment. Also visiting us was the Victorian Minister for Aged Care, Mr Gavin Jennings MLC. He was enormously impressed by our facility. We often heard him say: “If all the homes in Victoria were like TTHA, we would have the best aged care in the country”. In his lengthy speech he extolled the government’s plans and achieve-ments in aged care.

We also touched on the subject of bedsores. Dr Schreiber was proud to announce that our residents do not suffer from this affliction in our Home. Presently we have four residents in nearby hospitals. This is a mammoth concern for Karin and Cheryl, our two Directors of Nursing. So often our people return from hospital with terrible bedsores. Some years ago, a resident was extremely ill and had to go to a local hospital. At the time of admission, he was still quite a fit person. Unfortunately, no family and friends visited him and, more importantly, nobody helped him during meal times. His meals were regularly served morning, noon and evenings. He did not, or could not eat by himself. Very slowly, our former resident became weaker and weaker in the hospital and eventually died there.
This is what causes concern to our Directors of Nursing when a resident must go to hospital. (A very good reason why we are discussing how a Post Acute Care Unit can be accommodated in our Home). The moral of this sad story is: please, please visit your Loved Ones as often as possible.

COMING SERVICES
Sun 4.9. Ba 10:15 Fathers’ Day service & SS Mark Herrmann
Sun 11.9. CV 11:00 Eppalock Renate Beilharz
Sun 18.9. AH 10:00 Service Hulda Wagner
Sun 25.9. Sy 15:00 Service
Sun 25.9. Be 17:00 Evensong Renate Weber
Sun 2.10. CV 11:00 Family Service Badgers Creek H. & C. Ruff
Sun 9.10. Ba TSA AGM
Sun 9.10. SA 14:00 Service
Sun 16.10. Ba 10:15 Presentation & SS Herta Uhlherr

CENTRAL COUNTRY VIC – Eppalock 11th September
We invite everyone to the next Country Templers meeting at Lake Eppalock on 11th September. Renate Beilharz will hold the service at 11am. Please bring food to share as usual. Trinity Grammar Camp is a comfortable venue. Maps are available from me or the office.
It would be helpful if you let us know beforehand if you are coming, on e-mail beilharz@iinet.net.au
Linda Beilharz

EVENSONG – 25th September in Bentleigh
I would like to include a remembrance/memorial section in this Evensong Service. I think twilight is an appropriate time to remember and light a candle in memory of someone we have lost. Many cultures have special memorial services at certain times of the year and we certainly remember those who sacrificed their lives in war at quite public ceremonies by laying flowers at cenotaphs. If you feel you would like to be part of the candle-lighting ceremony to honour someone you have lost, please ring me. I will be lighting a candle to remember Winfried, so you won't be alone!
Renate Weber
FAMILY SERVICE – Badgers Creek 2nd October
NB: NOT at Wonthaggi

Family service will be held at Badger Weir Park at the end of Badger Weir Rd on Sunday 2nd October at 11.00am.
We will be taking the TSA bus, anyone wishing to travel on the bus please confirm with Christine Ruff by September 25th!
BYO picnic lunch / afternoon tea.
Pickup will be at 9:00am Bentleigh and 9:45am Bayswater.
Bus will leave Badger Creek at 2:30, returning to Bayswater, then Bentleigh. Christine Ruff

PRESENTATION SERVICE – 16th October – Chapel
Parents who would like to have their children presented before God and the Community at the service on Sunday 16th October at 10:15am in the Community Chapel, are asked to contact the Office for a registration form e-mail: tsa@datafast.net.au

DINNER DANCE – 10th September – Bayswater Hall
Reminder – Don’t miss this great evening, from 7:30. See page 27 in August TR. Book at once with Paul or Erika English. Ed.

WORKING BEE AT BAYSWATER HALL
The next working bee will take place on Sunday 11th September at the Bayswater Hall, commencing at 9:00am.
If you are able to come, even if it’s only for an hour, you will be very welcome. Jobs will include laying of gravel path near chapel, possibly playgroup area … and some old favourites such as pruning, spreading mulch, sanding, painting, cleaning, etc. may also be attempted depending on numbers available. If you have some tools that are appropriate to these jobs, then please bring them along, too.
Tea and coffee will be available throughout the morning, and our customary lunch consisting of a sausage sizzle and some drinks will follow the working bee. See you there!
If anybody has a spare workbench or something that can be used as such in the Bayswater Hall, I would very much appreciate it.
Tony Beilharz,
for the Property Focus Group

TEMPLER TENNIS CLUB – Ba-Bo Courts
Just a reminder that membership fees are due and can be sent to me. Tony Beilharz

THE BOOK GINGERBREAD MEN OF MOORABBIN
is now available. It is the Story of Erica Specialties 1957-1999, as told by Hans Richter, Hans-Jürgen Kirchner and Peter Richter, and written by Irene Bouzo. ISBN No.: 0-646-4423-9. Cost: $40. Please contact Hans Richter. Irene Bouzo

BUSHWALKING – Saturday 17th September
This month the hike is at the Ada Valley Tramline in the Yarra Ranges. Timber felling has been an important industry in the Warburton region since the start of the 20th century. At that time the only all weather access to the forests was provided by a network of timber tramways which used horse teams as well as steam locomotives to provide power. Along this walk numerous relics of the early logging operations will be discovered. Decaying trestle bridges, moss-encrusted railway cuttings, rotting sleepers, boilers and lengths of steel rail amid forests of mountain ash and tree fern conjure up images of the past.
Please bring your lunch.
Meeting Spot: At the picnic area at Starlings Gap at 10:30.
How to get there: Follow the Maroondah Hwy for 39km to Lilydale. Just past the town, turn right and follow the Warburton Highway east for 27 km to Yarra Junction. Turn right and continue south-east for 16km to the tiny sawmill settlement of Powelltown. Continue towards Noojee for a further 6 km to the Bump – this is on the divide between the watersheds of the Yarra and Latrobe Rivers. Turn left here along Big Creek Road, signposted Starlings Gap 11.3 km and drive to the picnic area at Starlings Gap. We will then need to car shuffle to Ada Tree car park.
Length: Approx 5 hours, grade: easy.

There is a warning: “The Yarra State Forest is the scene of logging operations and log trucks may be encountered on the roads. The roads are unsealed and can be treacherous after rain. Take care on the steep scrambles in and out of the gullies where trestle bridges, no longer safe to walk over, have collapsed.” In other words, please ensure that you have the correct shoes for this hike.
If you have any queries, please call me. Alysha Murray

ANTARCTIC JOURNEY – Sunday 23rd October Bentleigh
Another chance to hear Linda Beilharz, the first Australian woman to ski from the edge of Antarctica to the South Pole.
I have invited Linda to speak in the Templer Bentleigh Hall on Sunday 23rd October commencing at 5pm and concluding with supper. The cost will be $12 per head or $30 per family.
I heard Linda’s talk in the Community Chapel and was extremely impressed by the presentation and I felt more people needed the opportunity to hear her adventure, why she did it and how. It is an opportunity to raise more money for the St Luke’s Gondwana Fund, which supports community-building initiatives in rural areas.
The local Scouts and Guides are assisting in promoting the evening and I am hoping for strong support from Templers who were not able to hear Linda speak last time.
Linda delivers her inspiring message that it is possible to achieve one’s goals, whether they be conquering one of the last wildernesses on earth, climbing mountains, meeting work targets or fostering strong community ties.
To ensure adequate catering, please rsvp by Sunday 16th Oct. to me. Marianne Herrmann
(see also page 33)

ACCOMMODATION AT TTHA
A self-contained apartment suitable for 1 or 2 people and with access to all amenities is now available.
Enquiries to Helga Anderson.

THANK YOU to all who kindly responded to the call for an old tape recorder. Peter Hornung

TEMPLERS IN GERMAN EAST AFRICA
I recently received an interesting description from Luise Kopp in the USA of how the Baeuerle family travelled overland to the Arusha region in German East Africa where most of the Templer families settled. Below is a short extract of her story.

“..arriving in the port of Tanga we travelled north, by ox drawn wagon, towards our new home. The wagons were canvas-covered, drawn by ten to twelve pair of oxen. [They were the same type of wagons as used by the Boers in South Africa – HG] One wagon per family with all their bags and baggage. We were with some other emigrating families…they all came from the German colony of Jaffa…After a fortnight, on arriving at Knolls, a family which had settled prior to arrival and had come from the German colony of Sarona, a bath was prepared…in the middle of the farmyard stood a bathtub on a low stool with warm water and Frau Knoll scrubbed us down…after a long, dusty trek we must have been real grubby.”

If anyone has any similar stories of German East Africa, please let me know so that they can be incorporated into the book on the Templers who went to German East Africa. I can be contacted on email hglenk1@optusnet.com.au )
Helmut Glenk

SARONA RESTORATION PROJECT
We have recently received news from Israel of the progress of work to restore houses and buildings of former Sarona.
The buildings that had to be moved in Kaplan Street – the Groezinger, Sam Weller, Karl Steller houses as well as the “old” Gemeindehaus – have now all be relocated and are standing on their new foundations. Shortly the “new” Gemeindehaus (hall) is scheduled to be moved to a new location. Moving these buildings was necessary to allow for street widening. Restoration work on these buildings will now take place.
The Community hall has now been selected to depict the history of the Sarona settlement.
Other houses currently being or shortly to be restored are the former homes of Fritz, Otto and Lina Laemmle house (one of the oldest houses in Sarona), the Otto Jung house, Carl Balden-hofer house and the Gottlieb Glenk house. Paint scraping work is being undertaken to establish the original colours. This work has now revealed some beautiful decorative paint work in the interior of the houses.
The Carl Baldenhofer house, Pflugfelder’s old mill and the Karl Steller house have been tentatively designated as buildings to be offered to non-profit organizations for “cultural purposes”. We have been asked for any photographs of Carl Baldenhofer’s house and Pflugfelder’s mill – if you have such a photo please let us have it to scan and send on to the architects involved with the restoration project.
Further reports on the restoration project will be published as we become aware of progress. Helmut Glenk

AUGUST

THE POWER OF OUR ATTENTION

TEXT OF THE MONTH – 1Cor. 12:12-27
One body, many parts

This month’s text was chosen for the ecumenical service at TTHA to underscore the theme of unity, we’re all in this together – we are one, (even though) we are many! This theme is also very appropriate as we prepare to implement the new structure.
The Catholic Sister Theonatis read the text.
Pastor Stern from the Johannesgemeinde Springvale, who visits TTHA regularly, spoke to the text in his down-to-earth way: How would a body get on if it consisted of only eyes? How could it eat or smell anything if it was nothing but ears? What if a foot said ‘I’m not part of the body because I’m not a hand?’ It belongs to the whole nonetheless. God has combined the various parts so that there is no division in the body, ‘but that all its parts feel the same concern for one another. If one part suffers, all suffer; if one thrives, all rejoice together’. Each one of us is part of ‘the body of Christ’, each one can and should contribute to the welfare of the whole.

How can someone confined to bed still contribute? Through prayer and through providing a listening ear for others, for instance. [Prayer is the subject of a confirmation class and the notes of the lessons can be read on the TSA website www.templers.org by clicking on the Confirmation link.]

Templer Elder, Herta Uhlherr, added thoughts about being ‘fellow-citizens, members of God’s household’, ‘building stones’ that are to support and hold up one another (Eph. 2:19-22).
For instance, we can offer emotional support by practising kindness and patience, by showing respect for the other ‘building blocks’ of the community, even though they may speak in a different way, come from somewhere else, or be confused. Every individual has the right to feel welcome and safe among us. We can support others by listening more to what their heart is trying to tell us, rather than getting stuck on words. By not insisting they are wrong when it doesn’t really matter and only causes arguments and heartache. Trying to change others never seems to promote peace, only resentment.

Herr Vogt read a poem by Fontane about letting go of irritation and anger. Many things just aren’t worth getting all steamed up about. Herta read a short hymn (No. 87, black hymnbook) by Zinzendorf, about Jesus’ last concern: that his followers should remain united in one body. – Our compassion for and interest in others enriches them and us!

Despite a broken collar-bone, Meta Beilharz had herself escorted to Tabulam to do her reading of a modern version of the Beatitudes. Bärbel Beer read a poem, and accompanied the hymns we sang. Finally, Dolly Klaver united everyone by means of a looong ribbon, to the strains of ‘We are one, we are many’ – one body, many different parts. Herta Uhlherr

A PARABLE OF HEAVEN AND HELL
One day, a pious man approaches God and says, ‘Lord, I want to see what heaven and hell look like’. God replies ‘All right’ and takes him to a large room where people are sitting around a pot in which delicious food is simmering. Each person is holding a spoon with a very long handle. They dip their spoons in the pot – but they look thin, pale and miserable. No wonder. Their spoons are far too long and they can’t put them into their mouths. They are unable to eat the mouth-watering food.

The visitor asks, ‘What strange room is this?’ The answer is – hell.
They enter another room. It looks just like the first one – people sitting around a steaming pot with delicious food. But there is a difference. The people here look very healthy, well-nourished and happy. ‘Why is this?’ he wants to know and, on looking further, he discoves the reason. The people in this room are putting their full spoons into their neighbours’ mouths. Each feeds the other.
Now the visitor realizes where he is.

This story was told in Peter Lange’s service on 24.4.2005 in Bentleigh, as well as at the ecumenical service at TTHA on 16.7.2005.

BOOK REVIEW
My Son the Messiah, R.B. McSwain, 2004
Mary tells the story of her son Jesus

My Son the Messiah is a short work of historical fiction (170 pages). While the characters are based on the New Testament stories, the author – a Templer using the pen name R.B. McSwain – fleshes out some of them, especially Mary, Joseph, Jesus, his cousin John (the Baptist) and Mary Magdalene, in a way that opens up new insights.

Perhaps some of it was like that – we don’t know. Re-imagining the well-known story and telling it ‘as only a mother could know it’ is daring – and also intriguing; it challenges many conventional Christian beliefs. I read it in one go, sharing Mary’s very human concerns, her joy and her anguish. I mostly found that ‘her voice’ sounded authentic, though I wondered often: what is this particular part based on? Is it pure fantasy?

I was reminded of Taylor Caldwell’s substantial historical novels, in which she tells the stories of the Apostles Luke (Dear and Glorious Physician, 1959) and Paul (Great Lion of God, 1970) – well-researched, dramatic and totally absorbing, with an extensive bibliography. More recently, interest in biblical fiction has been rekindled by Dan Brown’s hugely popular DaVinci Code (2003). My Son the Messiah is different in voice, plot and scope. It is likely to appeal to those who seek to expand their consciousness outside the framework of mainstream Christianity, those who enjoyed such novels as Paul Coelho’s The Alchemist with its gentler pace and Alessandro Baricco’s Silk.

McSwain says his purpose is to make the biblical characters more accessible to modern day readers by developing a story as a ‘framework within which the events of the New Testament unfold’. It also seeks to address ‘the nature of Messiahhood.’

The manuscript-like font subtly reinforces the fiction of an elderly Mary in Ephesus at last telling her first-born son’s story.

‘My Son the Messiah’ is published by Blue Crane Press and is available at Dymocks and other bookshops at around $19.95. Distributed by Dennis Jones & Assoc. Pty. Ltd., tel. (03) 9720 6761. Editor

Realise that you cannot help a soul unless that soul really wants help and is ready to be helped. I tell you to send that soul nothing but Love and more Love.
Be still and wait, but be there when that soul turns for help.
Eileen Caddy, God spoke to me.

Notes from the Regional Council meeting of Friday 15th July
Some of the key topics and issues discussed were:
• Membership Contribution arrears: If the new TSA Constitution is voted in on 31st July this year, membership will automatically lapse IF there has been either no contribution paid OR no contact made with the Office regarding that membership for three successive years.
• Youth report: Planning for the Youth Fest has commenced, quotes for the playground stage two are being considered, the structure of the Youth focus group is being finalized. There will be a camp for the current confirmands in September.
• Communities: Transition arrangements need to be discussed with both Ba/Bo and Be/Mo community councils if the new TSA Constitution is voted in on 31st July. The Sydney community has been discussing ways they may be able to invigorate their community. Renate Beilharz will be travelling to Sydney (24.7.) and Queensland (7.8.) to provide information and follow-up on the new TSA structure.
• Bus purchase: The TSA bus has now been accredited and is ready to be used. We have 3 drivers with the appropriate license and accreditation requirements: Rolf Glenk, Winfried Beilharz and Ralph Richter. Winfried will also be undertaking a Hazardous Driving course which will enable him to drive the bus above the snow line. The RC expressed a huge vote of thanks to Rolf, Winnie and Michael Kuerschner for their hard work and achievements in purchasing “Rosa”!
• Central Fund: Discussions are continuing with TTHA regarding a lease agreement. Alysha Murray will be auditing the TSA financial statements for the last time this year. RC expressed its thanks for Alysha’s efforts and needs to find a replacement.
• Bequest: TS Central Fund received a very generous bequest from the estate of the late Heinz Beilharz, a man deeply committed to furthering the Templer Community. RC expressed its sincere thanks to the Beilharz family for this very welcome donation.
• Templer Record: Alfred Klink is retiring from producing the Templer Record after 10 years of unwavering dedication to the job – this task has now been taken on by Irma Wesselbaum in the Office (see page 9 Irma). Ursula Klink is also retiring from the task of sending out wonderfully creative congratulatory cards for births, engagements and marriages. RC expressed its hearty thanks to both Alfred and Ursel for all their efforts.
• Chapel Wall-hanging: The tapestry project is progressing well. The Knox Leader newspaper printed a great article on the project in June. The City of Knox is putting together a Knox Community Arts Calendar for which they would like information and photographs of the project. Ursula Klink is documenting the progress of the project.
Susi Blackwell, on behalf of Regional Council

APPRECIATION of long and dedicated service
Alfred and Ursula Klink have served the Templer Community in a variety of ways over the years. The Regional Council wishes particularly to recognise their professionalism, reliability and dedication, both individually and together, in producing the Templer Record, writing TSA congratulatory cards and creating publications of various significant community events over many years. In 1996 Alfred offered to trial producing the TR on computer for 6 months, and continued to do it for almost 10 years in a voluntary capacity. Without fuss or fanfare, the Klinks set and maintained a very high standard. Fortunately for the TS, they have often indicated the joy and satisfaction their voluntary work has given them.
The TSA owes them both its gratitude for their considerable efforts!
Mark Herrmann, for Regional Council

PS: Is there someone out there who would take on writing cards for births, engagements and marriages? Please contact Herta Uhlherr on (03) 9802 3447.

Notes from the Elders’ Meeting – 26th June
Elders are interested in expanding their skills and knowledge. Renate Hoffmann was invited to make Elders aware of her expertise and availability as social worker, family and youth therapist, parent and couple counsellor. In general, Templers are not very familiar with counselling, but it is becoming a much more accepted way of dealing with complex issues and can be of great benefit in resolving conflicts. Naturally, private issues are dealt with in strict confidence.

Renate Hoffmann has been on our Community Care Reference Group and has worked with Helga Anderson, e.g. with the elderly on the grief and sense of loss when leaving the family home and moving to our Aged Care facility (TTHA). Renate speaks German. She also raised the idea of narrative therapists – they retell the story of the community and in doing so heal the pain of the past and enable people to move on. Renate is available to all Templers and their families.
Financial hardship should not stop people seeking help, as assistance is available via the TSA emergency fund on a confidential basis.
Renate Hoffmann – tel. 9580 9842 or mobile 0408 177083

In our dealings with people, we need to be aware that hurt and grief show up in different ways. ‘Letting go’ is the title of the next workshop/seminar being organised by the Community Care Reference Group for Templers and friends. The issue of younger families surviving hectic family life in the 21st century was also raised. Mental and emotional health are the key areas which need to be addressed and there may well be a seminar organised on that topic in the future.

Funerals – Many funeral parlours automatically charge the bereaved for the services of a celebrant/minister/elder. Rather than to the funeral home, this $150 fee should go to the elder who may spend 3 days preparing the different aspects of the ceremony. It is up to the elders whether they use it to cover their expenses or pass it on to the TSA, or waive the fee in cases of hardship. Many Templers prefer to know what is an appropriate amount, rather than feel they have to think up some suitable gift to show their appreciation.

Next meeting – Friday 19th August at 7:30pm. in Bayswater.
Discussion evening: books that help our understanding of religious/spiritual issues. Feel free to bring a book you have found valuable and perhaps read a little and talk about it – let us share our resources.
Renate Weber, for the Elders

GESANGBUCH
A small number of the TGD’s new blue hymnbook (2004) – all in German, of course – is available from the Office. Cost: $18 incl. GST. We congratulate the Stuttgart Templers on a fine hymnbook which contains melodies, verses, wise sayings and quotations (e.g. from the Psalms), older and many new hymns grouped in sections like Lob und Dank, Vertrauen in Gott, Trost und Bewahrung, Nachfolge, Liebe zum Nächsten, our motto at the front and the blessing before the alphabetical index at the back. There is a thematic index in the front.
A worthy addition to Templer resources. Editor

INTRODUCING IRMA
This month we introduce Mrs Irma Wesselbaum, who is taking on the formatting and compilation of the Templer Record. Irma has been working at the Templer Office for two years as a Casual Administrative Assistant and is usually there on Mondays, or as required. Her skills are a valuable asset to us and allow her to assist in many areas. She is not only able but willing, enthusiastic and friendly. She comes from Austria, and is a volunteer who regularly delivers meals on wheels. Ed.

SOCIAL CARE
Dear Friends,
Right now we are enduring the coldest month of the year, but there are some pleasant sunny days, too. Looking around the gardens I notice that the buds are swelling and some early spring flowers are coming into bloom. Spring is not too far off and we look forward to shaking off the winter ills.
To this month’s topic – at some stage in our lives we all experience loss and grief. It may be the death of a loved one, the loss of a job, a divorce, the loss of a pet, the loss of home and property or when children leave home to make their own way in the world. The reasons for experiencing loss are many and we all experience it in a different way. To help us to overcome or come to terms with these issues we learn to ‘let go’ of the past.
The CCRG is planning a seminar/workshop on the topic of ‘Letting Go’ on Saturday 27th August. It will be held in the Community Chapel at 2 pm.
We invite everyone who has an interest in this subject to attend. You may have experienced difficulties in the past, you may be going through a bad patch now or preparing for future eventualities. Whatever the reason, I am sure you will benefit from the seminar. We look forward to seeing you all there. See also page 24.
The ‘I have a Dream’ survey has not been forgotten. Work on this continues. – Watch this space!

Liebe Freunde,
Unsere Tabulam und Templer Heime (TTHA) haben 84 “Bett Lizenzen”, d.h. wir haben 84 Plätze, für die wir Zuschüsse bekommen. Dies ist sehr wertvoll, denn es besteht eine riesige Nachfrage dafür. Sie sind auch käuflich für etwa $50,000 pro Bett zu erwerben; oder man probiert, wie wir es bis jetzt regelmäßig aber erfolglos, getan haben, uns von der Regierung mehr Bett-Lizenzen zuteilen zu lassen. Augenblicklich werden für das kommende Finanzjahr für ganz Australien 5224 Lizenzen freigegeben, wenngleich der Bedarf um das Vielfache höher ist.

June Saal
The June Founders’ Day service was conducted by Werner Ehmann, with the text from Luke 13 verses 18 –19 regarding the mustard seed. Werner made reference to the thoughts of Küng and Hegel on the Kingdom of God and how they relate to the views of the Temple Society.

Annual Members’ Meeting Sydney
Our Annual Members’ Meeting will be held on 28th August at 3.00 pm at the church hall in Meadowbank. Please make an effort to attend as there are important issues such as the new Community Structure etc. to discuss.

We met on 12th June at Tanunda for Saal. We heard from Paul’s letter to the Corinthians, chapter 12, verses 1 to 11, how everyone has a gift and should use the gift to the best of his knowledge for the good of his fellow humans. We were able to welcome Richard and Brian Hornung, Edmund Pfaender and all our regular worshippers.

Our next Saal is on 7th August at 2pm at Tanunda.
Please note: This is the first Sunday in August! The last ladies’ meeting was at Gertrud Fischer’s home.
Rose Asenstorfer

Bertha Gunthner
Ruben Schlenker
Wilhelm Sawatzky
Helmut Beilharz
Karl Trefz
Waldemar Beilharz
Hans Pisch
Gerd Aberle
Meta Herrmann
Friedrich Beilharz
Hans Richter
Emma Aberle
Lina Laemmle

und wünschen auch allen hier nicht angeführten Geburtstagskindern alles Gute und Schöne zum neuen Lebensjahr.

DANKSAGUNG
Uli and Rose Asenstorfer danken herzlich für die Glückwünsche zur Goldenen Hochzeit.

BIRTH
Natalie Loren Scheerle
Parents: Randal and Alena Scheerle

MARRIAGE
Nicole Weller and Simon Bell

GOLD AND SILVER ANNIVERSARIES
Congratulations to Ingrid and Karl-Heinz Meyerheinrich on their golden wedding anniversary on 20th August, and to Karin and Peter Riordan on their silver wedding anniversary on 30th August.
We wish them many more happy years together.

NEW MEMBERS
We welcome Monika Strasser and Stephen Blaich as new members and hope they feel at home among us.

We are so grateful that our dear mother, Oma, great-grandmother and aunty Luise Imberger was able to pass away peacefully at the TTHA on 3.7.2005, aged just short of 99 years.
Her last words to me were: “i bin in guade Hend”, referring to the loving care given to her by the nursing staff.
Our heartfelt thanks go to Hulda Wagner for her warm celebration of our mother’s life, to the Home and to all of you for your attendance, your cards, donations, flowers and love. – Mutter, du fehlsch ons sehr.
Helga Löbert, Rolf, Kurt and Dieter Imberger and families.

A HEART-WARMING EVENT
What a heart-warming item appeared in our Templer Record (June p.16) describing a ‘naming ceremony’. How lucky can a young child be with so much love surrounding it! May the parents, grandparents, cousins, uncles and aunts have a wonderful time watching this child grow in their midst. We as a community, I am sure, will do our best to support the parents in their endeavour to raise and nurture this precious life, just as we are ready to support all our children in the adventure called life on this earth.
Elisabeth Wagner

MEDALLION PRESENTATION – 16th July Bayswater
A typical Melbourne winter’s day, cold, wet and blustery, saw many families arriving at the decorated Bayswater Hall to celebrate the post-humous presentation of commemorative medallions to a member of their family.
These medallions were struck by the Tempelgesellschaft in Deutschland (Temple Society in Germany) in appreciation of the enormous effort undertaken in the course of first securing and then disbursing compensation for Templer assets in former Palestine. Five medallions have been presented previously to Australian government officials who were involved in this endeavour. Eleven further medallions were presented on Saturday 16th July, to honour Templer men.

In October 1949 the Temple Society Trust Fund Act 1949 (“the Act”) was enacted to establish the instrument of authority for the administration and disbursement of the compensation payments by Israel to the Temple Society and its members in Australia. An advisory board, assisted by various Commonwealth officers, admini-stered the Temple Society Trust Fund in accordance with the Act. In December 1965 the Act was amended to cater for additional financial responsibilities.

I remember, as a child of one of these members, having to spend many evenings and weekends being as quiet as possible, so as not to disturb the men in our lounge room holding their very important meetings. On weekends, we were allowed to be mum’s helpers and felt very important when we were allotted the task to offer the scrumptious cakes and sand-wiches, which my mother had prepared for the men assembled in the lounge room.
It wasn’t only these men who spent many hours on the above tasks; others were also involved. In his address to the assembled families, Ernst Ruff mentioned that his brother, Helmut, spent many hours helping his father with the calculations. I remember seeing my mother labour over her manual portable typewriter, writing up minutes, drafts and many letters. Our mother also worked diligently in the kitchen, as she prided herself on always providing something very tasty for everyone who came to these meetings.

These thoughts were roving through my mind as we all assembled in family groups, at the 10 large round tables set up with a delicious afternoon tea. Very promptly we were served hot coffee and tea by a friendly and capable group of girls, ably supported by the hard-working ladies Irene Bouzo, Susi Blackwell and Renate Beilharz.

Dr Rolf Beilharz presented medallions to the following representatives chosen by their families:

Friedrich Aberle’s grand-daughter, Krista Allan.
Wilhelm Aberle’s daughter, Hedwig Wennagel.
Alfred Edelmaier’s eldest daughter, Nelly Spieth.
Wilhelm Eppinger’s son, Kurt Eppinger.
Carl Herrmann’s wife, Anne Herrmann,
Dr Richard Hoffmann’s sister-in-law, Hildegard Hoffmann.
Walter Hoffmann’s daughter, Emma Polacsek.
Jakob Imberger’s daughter, Rose Hahn.
Fritz Lippmann’s daughter, Lotte Frank.
Gottlieb Ruff’s son, Ernst Ruff.
Erich Weller’s son, Jürgen Weller.

After the formalities were completed and many photos snapped for the family albums, as well as formal ones for the Templer archives, everyone took the opportunity to socialize and to view the many articles on display from the archives. Trudi Murray (née Herrmann)

PS:
Why did it take so long to honour these people who have died meanwhile? It appears that Dr Richard Hoffmann was uncomfortable about being presented with a medal, and kept stalling the process. Then, when the Archive was being organised, the medals were ‘filed’ so securely that it took years of searching to find them again. Dieter Ruff kept pushing to relocate them. Now they have at last been presented posthumously – mounted, with citation and framed – to the representatives the men’s families chose to receive the medallions on behalf of the deceased.
Photos: H.U.

SONNWENDFEIER
A belated but very sincere “Thankyou” to all the wonderful people who helped out at the Sonnwendfeier in June by:
• planning and organizing the event
• ordering and picking up all the food
• organizing the fire permit
• setting up the bonfire
• setting up the hall
• preparing, cooking and serving food
• selling hot dogs and glow sticks
• making Glühwein
• organizing and lighting lanterns and leading the parade
• making damper
• bringing along a cake
• playing in the brass ensemble
• supervising the bonfire
• washing dishes
• clearing tables and cleaning up the hall
• waiting for the bonfire to burn down and clearing away the embers…

and all the other little incidental things I may have forgotten!! (Wow! We do have some hardworking people among us!!)
And, of course, thank you to all the families who came along to enjoy and take part in the evening and made all the above-mentioned work worthwhile! Together we managed to raise $1,266.60 for the construction of stage two of the Playground project. – Well done everyone!!

If anyone would like to make any further donations towards the construction of the Playground stage two, these will be most gratefully received! Please contact the Office. Susi Blackwell

The most powerful thing you can do to change the world is to change your own beliefs about the nature of life, people, reality, to something more positive … and begin to act accordingly.
Shakti Gawain, Creative Visualization

Was man gibt, verliert man nicht, sondern im Gegenteil, man verliert was man festhält.
Erich Fromm

Sun 7.8. Qld 12:00 Meeting
Sun 7.8. SA 14:00 Service
Sun 14.8. Ba 10:15 Confirmation & SS Renate Weber and Confirmands
Sun 21.8. AH 10:00 Service Ilse Birkner
Sun 28.8. Be 10:15 Family Service Christine Ruff
Sun 28.8. Sy 15:00 Service
Sun 4.9. Ba 10:15 Fathers’ Day Service Mark Herrmann

FLOWER ROSTER – Ba
14.8. Confirmands’ parents
4.9. Hella Edelmaier, Ilse Nicholson

BRISBANE TEMPLER GET-TOGETHER – 7th August
All members and friends who live in the area of Brisbane (or are visiting the region) are invited to a Templer get-together on 7th August, from 12 noon at Karin and Ross Walduck’s home. Tony and Renate Beilharz are travelling to Brisbane from Melbourne to meet up with the present and past confirmands, and hope to catch up with other Templers and friends. Just let Karin know if you plan to come.

WORKSHOP ON ‘LETTING GO’ – 27th August
The Community Care Reference Group is organising an afternoon on Saturday 27th August in the Community Chapel at 2pm. At some stage, we all have to ‘let go’ of people and things important to us, perhaps through death, job loss, divorce, loss of a pet, loss of home or property, loss of a particular role (e.g. mother, manager). Everyone experiences such changes and responds to them in their own way. Learning to ‘let go’ of the past helps us to come to terms with these issues.

For this seminar we have invited speakers who are well experienced in this field, to discuss and help people to ‘let go’ of the past and look positively to the future. The speakers are Dr Geoff McCallum, Isolde Busch, other speaker to be announced. Helga Anderson

BUSHWALKING – Saturday 27th August
This month the hike is along the Bay Trail from Brighton to St Kilda. The hike will begin at the end of North Road in Brighton. We will be walking along the coast to the St Kilda pier and then back again. We will be walking past Luna Park, St Kilda Marina, parks, and see a great view of the city skyline.

Please bring your lunch, as we will be stopping for lunch, however there will be so many places where you can purchase your lunch, if you prefer. Details are as follows:

Date: Saturday 27th August 2005 10:30am.
Meeting Spot: At the car park where North Road hits the Bay.
How to get there: As everyone will be coming from different directions and the location is fairly central, I have just included the Melways ref: 67 C7.
Length: Approx. 4 hours.
Grade: easy.

BE-MO WORKING BEE – Saturday, 20th August 9.00am - 12.00pm.
Just a note reminding you to take part in the working bee planned for Saturday 20th August commencing at 9am at the Bentleigh Hall.
This working bee will concentrate on pruning the bushes, re-mulching the garden beds and other general garden maintenance. If you can help for the whole morning, or only for an hour or two, we would really enjoy your company. Everyone is welcome and morning tea will again be the festive event we have come to expect.
For further details contact Theo Richter.

CHAMBER MUSIC CONCERT – 28th August Bayswater 2pm
Rumi and Irina Hornung from Germany, and Barbara Hornung (Australia) will play chamber music by Beethoven, Mozart and César Franck.
All are welcome. Peter Hornung

WINTER CONCERT – 28th August Bentleigh
Bentleigh-Moorabbin German School will have its annual concert on Sunday 28th August commencing at 5pm. in the Bentleigh Hall.

We have 6 classes operating this year. Our concert will give all students the opportunity to practice speaking German in front of an audience, learning lines, and working together with others. Our teachers are a wonderful team who have put much effort into bringing out the best in all our students.
We invite all community members and friends to join us and to maintain the important link between the TSA community and our German Schools.
Marianne Herrmann, Be/Mo German School Coordinator

COMMUNITY CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION in Bayswater – Looking for children for a nativity play
No, it is not ‘Christmas in July’ which is becoming more commercially popular; its called: being really, really organised.
Annette, a German school teacher at Bayswater, has offered to organise a Nativity play in English and German for the Community Christmas celebration in the Bayswater Hall on 17th December.
She is interested in hearing from any children, primary school age, who would like to participate in the play. Knowledge of German is not required. Children will be asked to attend about two or three rehearsals, probably on a Friday evening in conjunction with German school classes.

Please contact Renate Beilharz to register your child(ren) or grand child(ren) by the end of August. Renate Beilharz

ACCOMMODATION AT TTHA
A self-contained apartment suitable for 1 or 2 people and with access to all amenities is now available.
Enquiries to Helga Anderson

PLAYGROUP PIE DRIVE
This year, Playgroup will again be running its Pie Drive through Ivan’s Pies. We are able to purchase the pies at wholesale prices and sell them to you for an amount below retail prices. Any profit made will go directly to the continuing upgrade of the younger children’s playground and courtyard area.

Order forms can be picked up at the Bentleigh Office, Bayswater Hall, TTHA reception, or from Moni Herrmann (9758 1003) or Christine Ruff (9729 7074). The pie drive will be running until 11th August.
Please return all your orders and the full amount of money on or before that date. Orders can be returned to a box at the TTHA, to the Bentleigh Office, or Moni or Christine.

Orders must be accompanied by full payment in a clearly marked envelope with your name, contact phone number and amount enclosed. Cheques should be made out to ‘Templer Playgroup’.

The pies will be delivered to Playgroup at the Bayswater Hall on Thursday 25th August. If you are unable to collect your pies from Playgroup between 11am and 1pm on that day, please let Moni or Christine know well beforehand.
Thank you for supporting us in this venture and enjoy your pies!
Christine Ruff, for Playgroup

DINNER DANCE – 10th September Bayswater
This year’s Dinner Dance will be held at the Bayswater Hall on Saturday 10th September commencing at 7:30pm. Sherries and nibbles on arrival. Extensive buffet dinner in fine surroundings and company with dancing until late.

Cost is $ 40 per head, BYO drinks.
The new Templer bus will provide transport departing from Bentleigh at 6.45 pm and Bayswater at half past midnight to return to Bentleigh.
Bookings are essential. Please book early to assist with planning.
Bookings: Erika and Paul English
For further information phone Erika or Paul.

WANTED for a good cause
Reel-to-reel tape recorder in working order.
Please ring Peter Hornung.

Calendar
• August 20th – movie / pizza night
• September 17th – go karting
• October 15th
• November 19th
• December 3rd or 10th – break-up party and 2006 planning

MOVIE NIGHT – Melbourne City Mission Winter Sleepout
When: Saturday August 20th
Where: Bentleigh Hall
Time: From 4:00pm onwards

Getting there: We have organised a bus to pick you up from Bayswater Hall at 3:30pm and take you to Bentleigh, or alternatively you can drive there if it’s easier.

What to Bring: your sleeping gear (sleeping bag, lilo, pillow etc.), some snacks for the night, a tennis racquet (and runners) if you want a hit on the tennis cours, and any DVDs or CDs you wish to bring for the night.

You can either stay the night or make a time to be picked up on the same evening.

Pick Up: the following day at any time up to 9:30am. The bus may also be available
• You are more than welcome to bring a friend.
• Let me know as soon as possible if you are interested in coming.
If you need any more information, call me or send me an e-mail at k_lubitz@hotmail.com
Hope to see you there. Kirsten Lubitz

SUMMER CAMP LEADERS
Thank you to all the people who responded to my call for leaders to go on summer camp! I have enough male volunteers but do need another female to go. If anyone is interested, I would love to hear from you.
Contact Susi by by email susi.tsa@datafast.net.au

YOUTH FEST
Planning has now started for the Youth Fest to be held around September 2006. Bernhard Hoefer (Hoovy) will be coordinating this project with the help and participation of some of our young people. We have already been brainstorming and discussing many ideas about what to do and how to do it and would love to hear even more ideas and suggestions from as many young people as possible. Please give this project some thought – it will be a one-day event organized specifically for teenagers, so this is your opportunity to let Bernhard know what YOU would like to have organized for YOU to take part in!
Bernhard can be contacted preferably by email at hoovy@bigpond.com

A BIG HELLO TO ALL KIDS AND PARENTS!
As Moni has signed off, I (Christine Ruff) will be continuing with the children’s section for now. Renate Beilharz and I have decided we will link the children’s page with what is happening in Sunday School in Bentleigh and Bayswater. If you haven’t made it to Sunday School, you can find out what we’ve been doing and if you have come, it will be great revision. It also means that the more distant kids can follow the program. Many years ago a group of us began work on a Temple Society Activity Booklet. It consists of 10 units, all about the Templer Community, always with a focus, a story, discussion starters, activities and a prayer. It was designed for parents to use with their children at home. It is still in draft format, but is the basis of our Sunday School lessons this year. Starting next month, we will introduce you to this booklet, bit by bit.

Next month we will talk about what the Temple Society is. How would you answer these questions: What is the Temple Society? What is the TS made up of?

Maybe you could ask your parents or your grandparents what they think. I would love to hear some of your answers and print them in this section next month. Maybe you could ring me with your answers (if you don’t ring, I’ll come looking for you ).
Once you have an answer to this month’s questions, you (with your parents’ help) can look up these Bible verses to give you a clue what happens in a place of worship:
Acts, chapter 2:42-47.
Do we do some of these things in the Temple Society?
Remember, each month I’ll be looking for contributions from you guys for the Children’s Section, so parents and children beware! It would be great to have input from you all. This is the children’s section, so kids, let’s really make it YOURS! (And when you get your name published in the Templer Record, you can tell everyone you’re famous!!)
Looking forward to hearing from you!
Until next month, stay warm, healthy and happy.
Christine Ruff

BIRTHDAYS
We wish a big, wintry but happy birthday to
Virginia Klink
Megan Gartner
Monique Galloway
Nicola Brown
Brody Verhagen

SARONA RESTORATION PROJECT PRESENTATION
At the Founding Day celebration in Stuttgart on 19th June, Horst and Irene Blaich were able to present a comprehensive update on the progress of the restoration and preservation of the homes and buildings of the former Sarona colony. Their presentation was well received and much interest was shown by the community members and friends present. Much of the material Horst was able to show had been gathered by the Templer Heritage Group in Australia for this presentation. Horst also referred to the work associated with the publishing of the Sarona book, which was available for sale at that function.

SARONA BOOK
For the next two months, anyone wishing to purchase the Sarona book From Desert Sands to Golden Oranges should contact Helmut Glenk e-mail hglenk1@optusnet.com.au) or the TSA Office in Bentleigh – buy and pick up only – (not Blaichs or Haerings), or in Sydney Klaus Peter Hoffmann.
M.Haering, for the Sarona Book Project

CORRECTION
In the June TR (page 36) a photo shows Olga Hoersch receiving a book as the oldest Sarona Templer. The caption omitted the word present at the booklaunch. The oldest Saroner still with us is Else Hermann by a couple of months.

TEMPLERS IN GERMAN EAST AFRICA
Late last year I advised that I was proposing to write a short historical book on that period in the first half of the 20th century when a number of Templer families emigrated from Palestine, mainly from the Jaffa and Sarona Templer settlements, to German East Africa (GEA). At that time I asked anyone with information to please contact me. Several persons, in Australia and from overseas, did. I am most grateful for the written, photographic and verbal information that they have shared with me. I am now well into my research and documentation for this project. There are, however, several areas and issues that I am seeking further information on, and hopefully someone will be able to assist.

These issues are:-
1. Josef Treidel, a Jewish surveyor from Haifa went to East Africa early in the 20th century (1902/03?) to carry out survey work in a river valley. He was accompanied on that trip by Josef Wennagel. Does anyone know what area Treidel surveyed; was it in GEA or in British Kenya? Was it the Usambara area in GEA?

2. After World War I a number of German soldiers (which included several Templers) who fought in GEA under General Lettow-Vorbeck were taken prisoner and interned in Sidi Bishr in Eygpt. Does anyone have information on how the soldiers were taken to Egypt and from where in GEA?

3. Similarly, after WW I, when the German settlers were dispossessed of their properties, many German women and children were deported to Germany via South Africa. I believe it was a long and eventful trip! On arrival in Germany some of these families were sent to Bad Mergentheim where they met up with the Templer families that had been taken to Bad Mergentheim from Helouan in Egypt. Does anyone have any information on the deportation of the women and children from GEA to Germany after WW I or their arrival in Germany?

4. Any additional information on the period between the two World Wars – names of settlers who returned, where and how they rebuilt (restarted) their livelihoods, life in Tanganyika (as GEA then became known) during the British Mandate period up to WW II etc. I am especially interested how the settlers left (were forced out!) again in the late 1930s to return to Germany.

I can be contacted by mail – PO Box 152, Ringwood East 3135, Vic; by email hglenk1@optusnet.com.au I would welcome any information on the above matters or any other information you may have on GEA.
Helmut Glenk

JULY

To counteract divisiveness, Templers practise interfaith dialogue where possible. Having had the mystic’s experience of overwhelming Love/God and Unity, the 14th century poet Hafiz writes in The Gift (tr. by Daniel Ladinsky) that the assumptions and prejudices of his ego have all been burnt away.

I have learned so much from God
That I can no longer call myself a
Christian, a Hindu, a Muslim, a Jew.

The Truth has shared so much of Itself with me
That I can no longer call myself
A man, a woman, an angel, or even pure Soul.

Love has befriended Hafiz so completely
It has turned to ash and freed me
Of every concept and image
My mind has ever known
Hafiz
Sent in by a reader

‘Understanding and acceptance are morally preferable to mere tolerance. We don’t need more tolerance of immigrants, ‘ethnics’, ‘illegals’, Muslims, Aborigines, refugees or any other minority groups; what we need is more [friendly] curiosity. We need to master the art of getting to know each other better.
Hugh Mackay in Right & Wrong

Zwei Dinge erfüllen das Gemüt mit immer neuer und zunehmender Bewunderung und Ehrfurcht, je öfter und anhaltender sich das Nachdenken damit beschäftigt: der gestirnte Himmel über mir und das moralische Gesetz in mir.
Immanuel Kant (1724-1804)

Every so often it comes to our attention that ‘striving for the kingdom of God’, as our founders advocated, is taken seriously by others, too. Like the recently formed Ökumenische Initiative Reich Gottes – jetzt! (the ecumenical movement Kingdom of God – now!) whose founder, Pfarrer Dr Claus Petersen of Nürnberg, writes the following:

Believing in the kingdom of God
‘The world is the kingdom of God!’ If, in saying this, we leave behind the apocalyptic thinking of the time in which Jesus formulated his message, this would mean today: the world is the kingdom of God – always has been and always will be! Ultimately, the world and God are fundamentally one, irrevocably bound together.
We experience and ‘see’ God when we are able to perceive ourselves and the world around us with all our senses, and recognize the divine within it. However, this means that religion [or spirituality] takes place in the here and now – it is ‘eternity’. So we do not see the world for what it really and ultimately is until we discover and keep finding the divine in it, like a treasure that has remained hidden until now.
‘The world is the kingdom of God!’ We claim this, we dare to make this statement even though the world often seems more like hell to us, more like a place of dreadful suffering and appalling oppression, of human and animal pain, of torture and murder and gigantic military and economic power. As people motivated by the message of God’s kingdom, we see all this in very clear focus and with particular clarity. We are certainly not blind to the suffering, the ‘crosses’ which were erected not only for Jesus and many, many others a long time ago, but which line the path of world history up to the present day. Quite the contrary: Jesus’ message about the kingdom of God and its basic tenet that all this should not, and must not be, is what heightens our awareness of what is contrary to the kingdom of God, of what flies in the face of how the world ‘really’ is and should be.
Yet – and all the more so – we claim and keep insisting that ‘the world is the kingdom of God!’ The wonder, the divine, the shalom [peace, Grüß Gott] in it is immense; in fact we think these far outweigh all the terror, even though the victims may see and experience it quite differently. Despite everything and in the face of all the dreadful things, it is obvious and recognisable what the world truly is. Paying attention to this again and again gives us the courage to resist, and to overcome evil.

Living in accordance with the kingdom of God
How do we live in accordance with the kingdom of God? How can the way we live, our work, our daily lives do justice to the spiritual interpretation of reality, to our faith that the world is ‘very good’ (Genesis 1 : 31), divine even, and that we ourselves are a part of this divine glory?
We need to start perceiving ourselves as a part of God’s kingdom. If all is well with the world, if I am ‘right’ with myself, then I will be good and kind to myself and will, so to speak, adorn myself with the splendour of God’s kingdom. This can mean: to be fully aware of the gift of every day and every night, to honour it, to enjoy it and let my life be determined by it. It can mean that I nourish myself consciously, that I provide myself with good things (which has to exclude causing pain and suffering to other beings). I will do everything in my power to nurture the idea of the kingdom of God in me, to strengthen it, to keep it alive (through spiritual practices and purification, reading, music, art, etc.) I will take care that my soul can delight in God’s kingdom again and again in the here and now (for instance through the time I take to appreciate the unique, the astounding, the irretrievable present moment).
Those who want to – simply have to – strive in all things for the kingdom of God will find that their whole life is ‘divine service’ in the sense of a celebration of God’s kingdom and non-stop and tireless commitment to it. ‘Devoutness’ in this sense means nothing but ‘lifestyle’.

What we wish
All people who respond to Jesus’ message of the kingdom of God, who, like Jesus, believe or would like to believe in the reality of the kingdom of God, should link up. We call on you to get in touch with us so that our still small initiative will become a movement which gains influence in society at large and in our churches. This sets in motion fundamental changes in two ways: one, by questioning and even shaking up what has been the norm and two, by going back to the original Jesus and his message. This movement represents what our world most desperately needs in order to become what it is: the experience that our so very wounded world is truly a world of wonders – the kingdom of God, in fact.
From an introductory brochure of the movement ‘Kingdom of God – now!’, Sept. 2003. Tr.H.U. The original appears in the July ‘Warte’. – The TGD Elders have meanwhile started to network with this movement. One study day Peter Lange attended was called ‘Believing in the kingdom of God without cross or resurrection’.

TEXT FOR THE MONTH – Psalm 90 : 1 and 2
A sense that there is more to life than the physical
Lord, you have been our refuge through all generations. Before the mountains were brought forth or the earth and the world were born, from age to age you are God.
Today we know much more about the universe, about the immense distances between the stars and about the way the earth and the world were born. Yet there is something we can still learn from the author of the psalm. It is the acknowledgement that there is a power which is the source of everything and the giver of all life. The more we learn about the intricate details of different forms of life, the greater is our awe and respect.
We experience every year how the autumn leaves fall to the ground, how they are crushed underfoot or put on the compost heap. But each single one of the billions and trillions of autumn leaves with its cells, its molecules and atoms is an incredible wonder. Every blade of grass, every stalk, the birth of every insect with its organs and functions is more than we can visualize. Multitudes of creatures on our earth are born and fade away in ways which often seem cruel or senseless to us.
We don’t know why God, the ruler of the universe, has constructed this world in such a way that suffering and pain are part of it. We cannot argue with him or judge his management. We have to accept our inability to understand the ways of God.
But we sense and understand that there is more to our lives than the physical. In our innermost souls we are connected to God, even if we cannot find the right words to talk of Him, who is God from age to age and is our refuge through all generations.
The psalmist refers to two mysterious and awe-inspiring concepts: eternity and faith. Hulda Wagner, Elder

DAS REICH GOTTES ist wie ein Senfkorn und wie Sauerteig
Dr Rolf Beilharz on how the Kingdom of God can be understood, and on the future of the Temple Society. From a TTHA Service.

Für Jesus war es wichtig, dass seine Hörer das Reich Gottes verstanden und nach diesem Reich trachteten. Das ist auch für uns Templer wichtig. So will ich heute über Beispiele vom Gottesreich und über die Zukunft der Tempelgesellschaft reden.
Unser Text steht im Lukas Evangelium 13, 18-21 und sagt uns, dass dieses Reich am Anfang ganz klein ist, wie ein Senfkorn, das aber immer größer wird bis es in der heißen Sonne Schatten für alle spendet und die Vögel beschützt. Dann wieder ist das Reich Gottes etwas, das wie ein wenig Sauerteig in der großen Menge Teig, den ganzen Teig durchdringt. Diese beiden Bilder sagen uns, dass auch wenn unsere Arbeit am Reich Gottes nur gering erscheint, sie trotzdem mit der Zeit große Folgen haben kann.
Anderswo hat Jesus seine Zuhörer eingeladen, in das Reich Gottes einzutreten. In Markus I, 14&15 sagt Jesus: ’Die Zeit ist erfüllt, und das Reich Gottes ist herbeigekommen. Tut Buße und glaubt an das Evangelium!’ In Matthäus 4,17 liest man: ‘Von der Zeit an fing Jesus an, zu predigen und zu sagen: “Tut Buße, das Himmelreich ist nahe herbeigekommen!”’ In beiden Evangelien sagt Jesus ganz klar, dass dieses Reich den Menschen hier auf der Welt erschienen ist. Buße tun heißt, seine Sünden bekennen und bereit sein, nicht wieder zu sündigen. Es ist also der Entschluss, seine Lebensweise gründlich zu ändern. Dieser Entschluss ist der erste Schritt in das Reich Gottes.

In der Bergpredigt (Matthäus ab 6,25) sind Verhaltensweisen beschrieben, die es Menschen ermöglichen, miteinander in Frieden zu leben. Da unser Verhalten von unserem Sinnen und Trachten beeinflusst ist, sollen wir unsere Gesinnung so weit ändern, dass wir auch anderen gönnen, was wir selbst haben wollen. Das heißt: Wir sollen weniger selbstsüchtig sein und mehr nach dem Gemeinwohl streben, dem Wohl der Gemeinde in der wir leben.
Wenn wir es fertig bringen, dass wir so – friedlich und froh – leben können, dann haben wir hier auf dieser Welt den Anfang des Gottesreichs geschaffen.
Das Reich Gottes von dem Jesus sprach war nicht etwas Zukünftiges oder Jenseitiges, sondern ein Zustand unter uns Menschen hier auf dieser Erde, den man verwirklichen kann. Wenn man in Frieden und Freundschaft leben kann – selbst wenn es auch nur in der Familie oder im kleinen Umkreis ist – dann kann dieses Beispiel wie eine kleine Menge Sauerteig eine grosse Anzahl anderer Menschen auch zum friedlichen Leben anregen.
Dieser Zustand kann aber nicht durch Befehle erreicht werden. Er ist nur möglich, wenn jeder einzelne danach strebt und das Gemeinwohl vor das Eigenwohl setzt. Das Reich Gottes ist also ein Zustand, den alle Menschen erleben können, aber nur wenn sie mit ganzem Herzen danach streben.
Die Tempelgesellschaft wurde gegründet, um eben dieses Ziel zu erreichen. In unseren Siedlungen in Palästina, die zwar von der übrigen Welt ziemlich abgeschlossen waren, haben Templer gezeigt, dass ganz beachtliche Schritte in der Richtung zum Reich Gottes möglich sind. Wir wollen diese Auffassung des Gottesreichs und was man tatsächlich erreicht hat nicht verlieren. Die Tempelgesellschaft soll weiter bestehen.
Doch wir Templer sind jetzt in Australien und Australien im Jahr 2005 ist nicht das Palästina von vor hundert Jahren! Wir Templers leben heute in ganz anderen Umständen als damals. In diesen neuen Umständen sind viele Traditionen, die uns in Palästina gut gedient haben, überholt. Wenn wir das nicht erkennen und unsere Einstellung nicht ändern, riskieren wir unser Bestehen als Tempelgesellschaft in Australien. Deshalb ist es nötig, dass wir unsere Verfassung radikal ändern, um unser Trachten nach dem Reich Gottes trotz der neuen Umstände weiter verfolgen zu können.

Alle Mitglieder der Tempelgesellschaft haben in den letzten Wochen einen dicken Briefumschlag bekommen mit der Einladung zu einer Ausserordentlichen Mitglieder Versammlung am 31. Juli. Bei ausserordentlichen Versammlungen muss ein Drittel der Mitglieder entweder persönlich anwesend oder durch eine Vollmacht vertreten sein. Es ist also wichtig dass auch ihr älteren Mitglieder entweder kommt oder euch durch eine Vollmacht vertreten lasst. Der Briefumschlag enthält ein Vollmachtsformular, das man ausfüllen kann.
Was soll diese ausserordentliche Versammlung erreichen? Dass eine neue Verfassung der TSA angenommen wird. Bei dieser Versammlung wird nichts anderes besprochen als die Schritte, die notwendig sind um die neue Verfassung anzunehmen.

Warum braucht die TSA eine neue Verfassung? Das ist die wichtigste Frage, die ich euch jetzt erklären will.
In Palästina lebten die Templer zum größten Teil in kleinen geschlossenen Siedlungen. Abgesehen von Kriegszeiten lebten die Templer in ihren Siedlungen in Freiheit. Sie konnten hin und her reisen wie sie wollten. Aber ihre Wohnungen und Anwesen lagen nebeneinander. Ausser den ‘Kirchlern’, die in Haifa wieder in die Lutherische Kirche eingetreten waren, wohnten fast keine Nichttempler in den Siedlungen. In jeder Siedlung wuchsen die Kinder ganz selbstverständlich als Templer auf in der Erwartung, dass Jugendliche, wenn sie volljährig waren, der Tempelgesellschaft beitraten.
Das ist heute in Australien ganz anders. Hier wachsen die Kinder als Australier auf, unter anderen Australiern. Wenig australische Templer Kinder haben andere Templer als Nachbarn. Die Bayswater Gegend und ein kleiner Teil von Bentleigh sind Ausnahmen. Die meisten Templer Familien leben verstreut in Großstädten. Einige leben in Landstädten oder ziemlich isoliert auf Farmen. Man kann also nicht erwarten, dass die Kinder von Templern mit anderen Templerkindern zusammen aufwachsen, wenn man sich nicht bemüht, andere Templer zu besuchen oder in Templer Veranstaltungen zu gehen. In der australischen Umwelt muss die TSA sich bemühen, die einzelnen Templer zu ihren Veranstaltungen zu bringen. Die Großstädte bieten auch viele andere interessante und hochwertige Veranstaltungen. Wenn wir also wie früher weitermachen, dürfen wir uns nicht wundern, wenn die TSA die Templer Kinder nicht anzieht.
In Palästina hatte jede Siedlung ihren eigenen Gemeinderat. Abgeordnete aus den Gemeinden sind zu Treffen der Gebietsleitung gereist wenn es nötig war. In jeder Gemeinde gab es immer genug Leute um die Aufgaben der Gemeinde zu bewältigen.
Als wir in Australien neu anfingen und die TSA als eigenständiges Gebiet gründeten, gaben wir uns eine Struktur nach dem Modell von Palästina. Sydney wurde eine Gemeinde, in der von Anfang an die Familien weitverstreut wohnten. In Melbourne waren die Gemeinden in Boronia, Bayswater und Bentleigh-Moorabbin. Viele Templer wohnten in der Nähe dieser Gemeinden. In Süd-Australien wohnten auch viele Templer weit zerstreut, mit einer Kerngruppe in der Umgebung von Tanunda und dem Barossa Tal. Anfangs, als die Erwachsenen noch Palästina und das Lager Tatura erlebt hatten, war es nicht schwer, Leute für die Gemeinschaftsarbeit zu finden.
Als die hiergeborenen Kinder groß wurden, unter australischen Einflüssen und mit Schwierigkeiten in der deutschen Sprache, war es für diese jungen Erwachsenen gar nicht so selbstverständlich, in die Tempelgesellschaft einzutreten. Noch weniger selbstverständlich war es, eine Arbeit im Gemeinderat zu übernehmen. Das kann man ihnen nicht übelnehmen. Die Umweltbedingungen sind hier einfach ganz anders. Es wird immer schwieriger, Leute zu finden, welche die Aufgaben der TSA bewältigen wollen. Wir haben diese Schwierigkeiten erkannt und wollen deshalb unsere Struktur gründlich ändern.
Zum Beispiel wollen immer weniger Leute sich in die Leitungen der Gemeinden Bayswater und Bentleigh, oder in die Gebietsleitung wählen lassen. Genau das war der Grund für die Zusammenlegung von den Gemeinden Boronia und Bayswater. In der jetzigen Struktur müssen die wenigen Leute in den Gemeindekomittees alle die verschiedenen Arbeiten einer Gemeinde verrichten. Viele Templer haben Interessen und Fähigkeiten, mit denen sie gern der TS helfen würden, wenn man sie braucht. Aber dazu noch Gemeindesekretär werden, nur weil niemand anders das will, ist eine Bürde die man nur ungern annimmt. Auch dürfen wir unsere Mitarbeiter nicht überlasten.
Schon in den 1990er Jahren hat eine Gruppe jüngerer Templer in Melbourne sich darüber Gedanken gemacht, wie man die Zukunft der TSA sichert, ohne ihre Botschaft des Friedens durch das Streben nach dem Reich Gottes zu vernachlässigen. Seit vier Jahren hat Renate Beilharz mit einer Gruppe jüngerer Templer fleissig gearbeitet um so eine Struktur der TSA zu entwerfen, unter der die Arbeit der TSA leichter bewältigt werden kann. Das Ziel der Gruppe war eine Struktur zu schaffen, in der die Mitglieder Freude an Arbeit in ihrem Interessengebiet haben können und deshalb gerne mitmachen. Um diese neue Struktur in die TSA einzuführen, müssen wir unsere Verfassung ändern. Und das soll am 31. Juli geschehen.
Wir wollen also die neue Verfassung einführen, weil es mit der neuen Struktur leichter wird, die TSA zu erhalten und gedeihen zu lassen. Mehr Templer können in verschiedenen Arbeitsgruppen der TSA untergebracht werden. Die neue Struktur sieht viele Gruppen vor, um Leute mit ihren verschiedenen Interessen in die nötigen Arbeiten der TSA einzugliedern. Diese Interessen-Gruppen können auch Freunde von ausserhalb der TSA anlocken und uns auf diese Weise neue Mitglieder bringen.
Ein Beispiel einer solchen Interessen-Gruppe ist die ‘Heritage Group’, in der Horst Blaich, Manfred Häring und Helmut Glenk, deren Frauen und viele Freunde sehr aktiv das historische Kulturgut der Tempelgesellschaft aufarbeiten. Ihre Kontakte zu israelischen Historikern und Architekten hat die Templer Arbeit in Palästina in der ganzen Welt bekannter gemacht. Interessant ist, dass Helmut Glenk bis jetzt noch kein Mitglied der TSA ist und trotzdem eifrig bei der ‘Templer’ Arbeit mithilft. An diesem Beispiel sieht man, wie es möglich ist, Leute, die unter der jetzigen Struktur wenig an unseren Veranstaltungen teilnehmen, neu zu gewinnen. Wir brauchen diese neue Struktur um unseren unveränderten Glauben an unser Ziel zu stärken. Dann werden wir auch den Schatz unserer angesammelten Weisheit und unser Streben nach einer besseren Welt, so wie sie Jesus als Königreich Gottes auf Erden beschrieben hat, wieder besser an die Öffentlichkeit ausserhalb der TSA bringen können.

Dieses große Ziel, eine TSA wo Templer ihre vielseitigen Interessen verfolgen können, wollen wir erreichen. Wenn ihr, liebe Hörer, das einseht, dann sind die Einzelheiten der Satzungsänderungen gar nicht so wichtig. Denn wenn wir am Anfang kleine Fehler machen, können wir sie in der Allgemeinen Mitgliederversammlung der TSA im September korrigieren. Bei der Ausserordentlichen Versammlung im Juli hoffen wir, dass die Mitglieder Ja sagen zu der neuen Satzung. Die Neugestaltung der TSA kann dann ihren Anfang nehmen und weitere Entwicklungen möglich machen.

Wahrscheinlich habt ihr gehört, dass man die alten Gemeinden auflösen will. Was wir ändern wollen, ist nur die Methode, wie die Gemeindearbeit gemacht wird.
Im Gebiet Melbourne wohnen viele Templer verstreut durch die verschiedenen Vororte. Es ist heute nicht mehr sinnvoll sich geographisch an Bayswater oder Bentleigh anzuschließen, denn im Auto oder mit öffentlichen Verkehrsmitteln kann man leicht beide Orte erreichen. Deshalb sieht die neue Struktur das ganze Gebiet Melbourne als eine große Gemeinde. Man braucht für dieses Gebiet nicht zwei gleiche Gemeindeleitungen, die beide die gleichen Aufgaben erledigen, sondern verschiedene Gruppen, die für ganz Melbourne je eine Aufgabe übernehmen, z.B. die Altenpflege, oder die Jugend, oder die Instandhaltung und Reparaturen an unseren Gebäuden, oder unsere Templer Literatur. Die Zentralkasse hat schon immer alle finanziellen Angelegenheiten der TSA erledigt. Ähnlich haben auch die Ältesten in Melbourne schon lange als eine Gruppe fungiert und auch die Gruppen Sydney und Süd-Australien unterstützt.
Sydney bleibt eine Gemeinde, weil in Sydney und Neu Süd Wales weniger Templer wohnen als in Melbourne und Victoria. Man kann die Gemeinde Sydney als ‘Interessen-Gruppe’ für alle Templer in NSW verstehen.

Die vielen vorgesehenen Interessen-Gruppen sind wiederum in größere Abteilungen gruppiert, die ‘Focus Groups’. Die Abteilung ‘Jugend’ enthält alle Jugend Aktivitäten (Teenage group, Kids’ Club, Playgroup, usw.). Die Abteilung ‘Welfare and ‘Distant’ enthält die Interessen-Gruppen der TTHA, des Heims in Blacktown (wo ältere Sydney Templer untergebracht werden), die Gemeinde Sydney mit ihren Untergruppen, die verschiedenen Country Templer Gruppen und des Komitees, das Helga Anderson als Care Worker unterstützt. Renate Beilharz’ Gruppe hat so viel Arbeit in diese neue Struktur gesteckt, dass man sehr viele Details genau studieren kann, wenn man das möchte. Wahrscheinlich ist das aber gar nicht nötig. Ich kann euch versichern, dass die neue Struktur nach etwaigen Anfangsproblemen gut funktionieren wird.

Die neue Struktur ist offen und demokratisch, wie die Tempelgesellschaft schon immer war. In der Jahresversammlung wählen die Mitglieder zukünftig den Gebietsleiter (alle 5 Jahre), drei Stellvertreter, und die Mitglieder der ‘Focus Groups’. Die Gebietsleitung wird also kleiner als heute und kann sich mehr auf religiöse und philosophische Fragen, betreffs unserer Zukunft, der Öffnung der TSA nach aussen konzentrieren und auf den Templer Einfluss auf die größere australische Gemeinde. Die Gebietsleitung trägt weiterhin die Verantwortung für die ganze TSA. Doch die tägliche Arbeit wird dann in den Interessengruppen gemacht, und zwar von Mitgliedern die gern an den Aktivitäten der einzelnen Gruppen mitarbeiten. Diese Gruppen werden koordiniert und unterstützt von den ‘Focus Groups’. Interessengruppen sind auch für Nichttempler offen. In die ‘Focus Groups’ und in die Gebietsleitung sollen in der Regel nur Mitglieder der TSA gewählt werden. Je nachdem was ansteht, können Focus Group Leiter zu Gebietsleitungs-Sitzungen eingeladen werden.
Die neue Verfassung wird unser Streben nach dem Reich Gottes auf dieser Welt in einer gesunden und wachsenden Tempelgesellschaft leichter und effektiver machen als es unsere heutige, veraltete Satzung kann.

Bitte helft uns diese neue Struktur einzuführen. Kommt zur Ausserordentlichen Versammlung am 31. July, oder gebt eine Vollmacht ab. Wir freuen uns wenn ihr Ja stimmt zur neuen Verfassung.
Dr Rolf Beilharz in a ‘Saal’ at TTHA on 12.6.2005. Condensed and edited

CARROTS, EGGS AND COFFEE BEANS
A young woman went to her mother and told her about her life and how things were so hard for her. She didn’t know how she was going to make it and wanted to give up. She was tired of fighting and struggling. It seemed that, as one problem was solved, a new one arose.
Her mother took her to the kitchen. She filled three pots with water and placed each on a high heat. Soon the pots came to the boil. In the first she placed carrots, in the second she placed eggs and in the last she placed ground coffee beans. She let them sit and boil, without saying a word. In about 20 minutes she turned off the burners. She fished the carrots out and placed them in a bowl. She pulled the eggs out and placed them in a bowl. Then she ladled the coffee out and placed it in a bowl.
Turning to her daughter, she asked: 'Tell me what you see?' 'Carrots, eggs and coffee,' she replied. Her mother brought her closer and asked her to feel the carrots. She did and noted they were soft. The mother then asked the daughter to take an egg and break it. After pulling off the shell she observed the hard boiled egg. Finally, the mother asked the daughter to sip the coffee. The daughter smiled as she tasted its rich aroma.
The daughter then asked: ‘What does it mean, Mum?' Her mother explained that each of these objects had faced the same adversity – boiling water. Each reacted differently. The carrot went in strong, hard and unrelenting, but softened and became weak. The egg had been fragile. Its thin outer shell protected its liquid interior, but after sitting through the boiling water, it became hard inside. The ground coffee beans were unique. When they were in hot water, they changed the water.
'Which one are you?' she asked her daughter. 'When adversity knocks on your door, how do you respond? Are you a carrot, an egg or a coffee bean?'

Am I like a carrot that seems strong but, when faced with adversity, do I wilt and become weak? Or am I like the egg that seems fragile and fluid, but becomes hard on the inside when faced with difficulties? Or am I like the coffee, take the heat and become better and change the situation?
How do you handle adversity – are you a carrot, an egg or a coffee bean?
Sent in by a reader

FROM THE REGIONAL COUNCIL

Notes from the Regional Council meeting of Friday 3rd June
Some of the key topics and issues discussed:
● The package of information (regarding the new TSA structure) for the Extra-ordinary General Meeting in July has been sent to all members – please be sure to attend one of the four information sessions, advertised in the June TR. (Well done, Renate and the team – almost ‘mission accomplished’!)
● The final draft of the Communication & Publications policy was discussed and approved with minor amendments. See below.
● The TTHA extension proposal (a further 34 bed wing).
● The Central Fund report (thankyou Paul English) on its work towards formalising a lease arrangement with TTHA to secure our current relationship for the future.
● Any TSA involvement, on an official level, with the ‘Deutsche Schule Melbourne’ was felt to be inappropriate at this time. Interested individual members may/should, of course, get involved.
● Although the individual membership contribution amount has become self-determining, the total amount paid as contributions to date has increased. Unfortunately, there is still a group of members not making any contribution – please contact the Office, especially if you are not certain of your status. Reminders are to be sent to the 70 members who have not made a contribution, for the current year. Under the new structure of the TSA it is proposed that membership will lapse after three years, if someone has not made contact or paid a contribution.
● Rolf Glenk’s report on the progress towards the purchase of our bus (there is lots of paperwork to deal with), including setting a budget for various costs and requirements, accreditation, maintenance schedules etc. The ‘Bus Operations Group’ (consisting of Rolf, Winfried Beilharz and Michael Kuerschner) has put in a power of work.
● The focus of ‘Sommerfest’ may be changed to more of a family picnic day.
● Lots of reports on ongoing issues – Mark has been as busy as ever:
○ Property management and project register committee
○ Refurbishment of the guest facility and rental unit in Bayswater
○ Security arrangements for the Office
○ Staff workplace agreements (having almost finished these, Mark was very happy that the Federal Government is changing things)
○ The interim financial statements for 2004/05 and proposed budgetry work for 2005/06
Meeting closed: 11.40 p.m.
Harald Ruff, on behalf of the Regional Council

In keeping with clause 12.01 of the TSA Constitution (2000) all members of the Temple Society Australia are herewith invited to attend an Extra-Ordinary General Meeting to be held in the Community Chapel at Bayswater on Sunday 31st July 2005 commencing at 2:00pm. A quorum of more than one-third of all members of the TSA, present in person or represented by proxy, is required. Members unable to attend the meeting personally are invited to arrange for their representation by proxy. Specific pink proxy forms for all TSA members are enclosed.

Agenda
1. Attendance/proxy registration
2. Presence and establishment of quorum
3. Constitution presentation
4. Motion: “That the proposed Constitution (July 2005) for the Temple Society Australia be adopted in its current form.”
Moved: Rolf Beilharz Seconded: Harald Ruff
5. Vote on motion (a two-third majority is required for the motion to be carried)
a. Subject to the motion being carried, the TSA EGM will be suspended for the EGMs of the Melbourne Communities
b. Reconvene the TSA EGM at the conclusion of the Community EGMs
6. Ratification of the Structure Proposal
7. Ratification of the co-opted, interim Deputy Regional Heads and Focus Group members for the period until formal elections at the October TSA AGM

Rolf Beilharz/Mark Herrmann
on behalf of the Temple Society Australia Regional Council

TSA COMMUNICATION AND PUBLICATIONS POLICY
After lengthy deliberations and a number of drafts, this document is now complete and approved by Regional Council. It covers all forms of official communication and publications of the TSA, the aim being not to stifle individual initiative but to have it consistent with the intent of the TSA gold booklet Religious Perspectives: Statement of Identity, Faith and Practical Issues (available from the Office and the Halls)
The policy document updates and expands on previous ‘editorial policies’. As well as the Templer Record, translations and brochures, we have a TSA homepage on the worldwide web (at www.templers.org), propose an on-line forum (when possible), send out urgent messages (like funeral notices) via TSA on-line and the TSA telephone hotline, and our Heritage Group is writing material as well as attending to its ongoing tasks.
In general, TSA publications will be a team effort and will involve an editing process. Fundamental documents about the faith of the TS must be approved by the President (see Constitution).

Guidelines
All communication and publications should:
● Be constructive and stimulating
● Reflect diversity of thought about issues relevant to Templer thinking and way of life
● Be in line with the principles of fairness and tolerance
● Be well expressed and factually correct
● Not contain offensive words and terms, or contain personal attack or affront
● Clearly indicate authorship
● Take into account relevant privacy legislation
● Clearly indicate that it is a TSA publication

Guidelines for contributors to the Templer Record
Keep in mind the TR is a forum for constructive discussion about issues relevant to the Temple Society
● Articles must be received by the published deadline
● In general, articles should not exceed 2,000 words
● Contributions may be abridged, revised or rejected by the Editor
● Contributions may not be published immediately (depending on space)
● Contributions will be published, as part of the Templer Record, on the TSA Homepage, unless authors specify otherwise
Naturally, there are also guidelines for the editor.
We encourage people who write for the TR, or the TSA, to request a copy of the Policy from the Office.

Additional guidelines for TR contributors
Please send your e-mail contributions – by 18th of the month – to the editor
hru@optusnet.com.au and to the Office – NOTE: to nanne.tsa@datafast.net.au, not to Mark (so that he doesn’t have to spend time forwarding them to Marianne’s computer). It helps no end if you use headings, Australian Language setting and no underlines or borders, just like the TR. Please format for A4 size, not US letter size.
Please forgive me for not e-mailing you back – I rely on my helpful husband Hermann Ralph to handle e-mails, and don’t want to burden him further – we both have minimal typing skills.
Letters – Please mark envelopes with TR or Editor
Thank you to those who already submit their articles on time and print ready.
Herta Uhlherr SOCIAL CARE
Dear Friends,
This month I wish to mention the admission process to the TTHA.
The TTHA is a facility licensed for 84 beds. That means that the Government pays a subsidy for 84 occupied beds. In addition the TTHA has four (unfunded) beds for which the Home receives no subsidy. These beds are emergency beds and it must be understood that they can be located anywhere within the facility. There are no specific rooms set aside for such emergency admissions! However, the residents are well cared for wherever they are accommodated within the Home.
The TTHA is operated in partnership between the Temple Society Australia (TSA) and the Australian German Welfare Society (AGWS). That means each parent organization has access to 42 beds. In the past this arrangement has always sat comfortably with our members as we have seldom claimed our full bed entitlement. Therefore, when a bed was urgently required, Templers had priority when one became available. This has now changed, as the demand for beds has increased and we are occupying our full bed quota. However, the emergency beds are still available.
Respite care must be booked with the Directors of Nursing, Cheryl Young and Karin Baumert, at the TTHA; it can be given only when a bed becomes available. It should also be noted that extra bed occupancy means extra work for the staff and does place a strain on the services. Whilst we are in a privileged position to have staff always willing to help out, difficult situations sometimes arise, and we thank you for your understanding.
Best wishes to our sick and infirm friends, Helga Anderson, Community Care Worker

AUS DEM GEMEINDELEBEN

Wir gratulieren herzlich zum Geburtstag unserer Mitglieder:
Maria Feubel
Helga Weberruss
Anneliese Wagner
Bringfriede Steller
Meta Katz
Walter Scheerer
Theodor Doh
Lucie Scheerer
Hertha Blaich
Irma Richter
Erich Baldenhofer
Gertrud Schnerring
Gerhard Beilharz
Ruth Haar (née Scheerle)
Günther Weller
Herbert Steller

und wünschen auch allen hier nicht angeführten Geburtstagskindern alles Gute und Schöne zum neuen Lebensjahr.
We inadvertently made Kurt Haar younger last month – we hope he enjoyed his newfound youthfulness!

GOLDEN WEDDING – GOLDENE HOCHZEIT
Wir gratulieren Ulrich und Rose Asenstorfer herzlich zu ihrer goldenen Hochzeit am 9. Juli und wünschen ihnen noch viel Freude miteinander.

CONFIRMATION 2005
Classes are continuing. We apologize for leaving Karl Wennagel off the list on page 19 last month. Reminder – you can follow summaries of lesson content using the Confirmation link on our website www.templers.org. Ed.

BEREAVEMENTS
After a short illness Emma Jolly Steller (née Steinhauser) passed away at the Royal North Shore Hospital, Sydney, on 24.5.2005, just 2 weeks short of her 88th birthday.

Loved mother, grandmother and great-grandmother of
Bernd and Renate Steller, Sophia, Kim and Diane with Anna

We thank Hartmut Beck and Pastor Peter Auzerwinkler for the lovely service they jointly conducted at the funeral.

Otto Friedrich Kübler died peacefully on 27.5.2005 at Tabulam, aged 90.
The family would like to thank Hulda Wagner for her sincere eulogy on Otto’s life. We are grateful to the dedicated staff at TTHA.
Theo Graze, Inky Arndt and Marion Graze, on behalf of all the relatives.

Sadly but not unexpectedly, our mother Anneliese Else Kohl passed away on Sunday morning the 22nd of May 2005. She would have been 86 soon. As was Anne’s wish, we had a private service on the following Wednesday morning and then a last ‘Kaffee und Kuchen’ at our place with family and friends.
We would like to thank all of you who came at such short notice. It meant a great deal to us, and Mum would have felt honoured.
Anneliese was born in Berlin and was not originally a Templer. As fate would have it, Anne and Jack settled in East Bentleigh after emigrating from England. The story goes that she heard Mrs Lore Decker speaking German to Heidi in King George Oval, of all places. Mum always felt blessed to have met, and to have been accepted by the Templer community. She strongly agreed with their ideology and I can still remember many lively discussions with the late Dr Hoffmann on Sundays at our house well after Saal had finished.
Mum particularly enjoyed singing with the choir and the Frauenverein sessions. Her fondest moments were the Adventsfeier and the ‘Ihr Kinderlein kommet’ candle parades at Christmas services.
Working at Monash Uni. she always felt particularly proud of the Templer kids who attended there, especially those she had taught long ago in German School, ‘when the peppercorn tree poked through the roof’. You know who you are!
Anne’s health began to deteriorate in 2003, but her mind remained sharp. She was still talking and lecturing right until the end. She is now at peace and reunited with her beloved Jack. We are thankful for her life.
Thank you to all who have since sent cards, letters, flowers and made telephone calls. We have been comforted by them, and Anneliese would have been at a loss for words!!!
Christine and Roland Leschinski with Kieran, Jonathan and Patrick
Karin and Stan Manley

The Streker family wish to thank everyone for their cards and wishes on the passing of Horst Daniel Streker on 6th June 2005, aged 83.
A special thankyou to the staff of Tabulam and to Care Worker Helga Anderson for the care and advice we received.
Eileen Streker and family
Lieselotte Korbel and family
Lothar Streker and family

From Germany we hear that Isolde Pleuske died in Ludwigsburg on 2.5.2005 after a long illness. She was 79.

Else Lange née Rehm died in Bietigheim on 5.5.2005 shortly before turning 85.
Our condolences to all these families.

BUSHDANCE – 21st May
The bushdance was in full swing when I got there, with the band yodelling and having as much fun as all the (big and little) kids. The main difference from the traditional Sommerfest after-party bushdance was that the average age was somewhat lower. But these kids taught us a thing about toe and heel, toe and heel. It was an Irish band, wasn't it? (I'm sure Ned Kelly had something to do with all this bushdancing in this country). So as we doci doed (I welcome any spelling corrections from kids and parents alike), we got the hang of it pretty good as a group I thought, so much so that they made us go faster and faster until it felt like the world had stopped rotating. At this point I went back to the table where Rick B. offered me some of their BYO BBQ chicken, a very Christian act as those who know about Rick and food will appreciate.
Thanks very much, Rick and Cath, it was finger licking good. At this point in time I felt content to watch the bushdancers in their merriment and distributed some red wine around our table. This lasted for a short while. Then the Weber girls thought Rolf and I looked bored. So they kindly asked us to dance which we welcomed and again we were doci doeing and heel and toeing and stopping the world from rotating again. It was a jovial night enjoyed by all who attended. It then got past my bedtime and some of the youngsters felt they ought to go, too, so we slowly called it a night by cleaning up the Bentleigh Hall. (On the previous weekend Christine R. had wanted to order a pizza during our 1st aid course but general consensus thought we better not). Before we left, we indulged in the cakes that were put there for the kids – hands up any adults who had some? I guess there is a child in all of us in some small way.
Many thanks to all who organised and helped make the night a resounding success!
Till next year, Bernhard Hoefer

‘BIGGEST MORNING TEA’
A warm and friendly atmosphere again filled the Bayswater Hall on Thursday 26th May as about sixty guests, including many Home residents, came together for the yearly `Biggest Morning Tea’. A contented hum of conversation confirmed that the cuppas and the delicious food were being enjoyed.
Donations were generously given to the Cancer Council for cancer research and to help all those affected by cancer. We raised $224! A big thankyou to all those kind-spirited people.
My thanks go to our playgroup parents, grandparents and friends who brought the tasty fare, and in particular, to the band of willing and cheery helpers who set up and served the morning tea. Moni Herrmann for Playgroup

GRIEF AND LOSS WORKSHOP – 28th May
On a cold, wintry Saturday afternoon in late May a small group of Templers, mainly elders, gathered to participate in a workshop facilitated by Mr John Edwards of the National Association for Loss and Grief (NALAG – through grief … to growth). Following a car tyre puncture on the way and an impromptu ‘tour’ of the adjoining aged care facility, John finally found his way to the Bayswater Community Room – the participants had already been eyeing off the afternoon tea for about 30 minutes!
Whilst focussing on bereavement, John’s presentation provided strategies that could be applied to many situations involving loss and grief (eg. job loss, divorce or separation, death of a pet, etc.). A number of key points often restated were: loss is a natural part of life; it is unique as an experience and unique to each individual; we all react differently to bereavement; we need to determine whether our involvement is as one of the bereaved or as one offering support. As was pointed out by one of the Elders present, being part of a close-knit community means the distinction between supporting and bereaved person is not always so easily established.
Bereavement, despite being an emotional and difficult time, is a natural human process. John said: “You live with loss, it comes with you; you adjust, but you don’t get over it.” As a supporting person (if that is the role you have identified for yourself), listening is a valuable skill. Support persons need to remain normal and be understanding, thoughtful, caring and feeling, without absorbing the burden of grief.
A delicious afternoon tea provided by Renate Beilharz rounded out a beneficial, thought-provoking and challenging workshop. John left some written material (available from the Office and left at the Halls) and indicated that NALAG could provide further discussion forums in specialised areas. Mark Herrmann

FABRIC OF SOCIETY TAPESTRY WORKSHOP – 4th June
An enthusiastic cross section of the community gathered in the cosy confines of the Bayswater community room, listening to Lesley Uren’s instructions on the intriguing processes of felt making. Lesley is a an inexhaustible source of ideas and techniques and disseminates her boundless knowledge in an interesting and succinct way, always enthusiastic and encouraging. Everyone had an opportunity to give their creativity a free rein. Many were delighted by the surprising results they achieved.
After the felt making experience, the 22 participants had their lunch in convivial companionship.
Robert Capes then took over the afternoon session, demonstrating a different slant on conventional tapestry embroidery, by showing us several of his magnificent framed pieces and the book he has published. We then had a practice ‘play’, trying out various techniques on our own sample pieces of tapestry.
We’re learning that it’s not about the right way or the wrong way, just different ways of decorating fabric in a creative way.
If you haven’t been before, I recommend you try some future workshops – you’ll get a new view on what embroidery is or can be – and it’s fun. See page 31.
Imi Roscher, participant
‘Embroidery is very cool right now… The emphasis is on design and social trends’. Stitching provides time out.
The Age, Sunday LIFE, 19.6.05

THE TATURA MUSEUM'S NEW INFORMATION CENTRE
On Sunday, 5th June, a few of us city folk headed north to attend the official opening of the Tatura Museum extension and were greeted by friendly locals under a cloudless blue sky. They told us that what they had really wanted for the day was a downpour to break the long drought. – Welcome to real life in the country.
About 100 people attended the official opening of the Tatura Museum’s new Information Centre Extension, including Jeanette Powell MP, the Mayor, the President of Rotary, representatives of the Duneera group, and of the TSA.
Lilli Kuhnle and Manfred Löbert All these groups had made generous donations towards the cost of the new Centre and their financial support was gratefully acknowledged by the President of the Tatura & District Historical Society, Mr Evert Worm.
In my speech as the representative of the TSA, I made the point that “it was fortunate that a few camp-made objects had survived, and were able to be donated by Templers to the new Tatura Historical Museum after it opened in 1988, becoming an important part of its growing wartime camp collection. Those who have toured the museum will have seen these objects and will have marvelled at their diversity. Yet what is seen is only the tip of the iceberg, because after the war, much of what had been made was considered by many as no longer of any use and was discarded.
We owe a debt of gratitude to those few Templer donors who recognized the historical value of these camp-made objects, and who retained them for almost 50 years. We also owe a debt of gratitude to the Tatura & District Historical Society for collecting and assembling these objects into the permanent display that we see today so that we, as well as future generations, may continue to be informed and enlightened by them. Today’s opening is clear evidence of the drive and the enthusiasm that characterizes the volunteers who make up the Tatura & District Historical Society.”
The final project of this group of volunteers will be to relocate their extensive Wartime Camps Collection into a new building to be built next to the museum. This building is to bear the name of its most generous donor or donor group.
Manfred Löbert
SONNWEND – 18th June
We are so grateful for recent patches of rain. We are also grateful that the rain didn’t come till much later, after the bonfire burnt down and all had gone home.
It was relatively mild and the bonfire blazed impressively, sending a shower of sparks ‘right up to the moon!’ Children raced around on the dark Wiese, tossing up and chasing their coloured glow sticks and ‘haloes’, while many adults finished their dinner and enjoyed Glühwein – thanks all you food preparers! The hall lights went off and the long procession of children and their grown-ups filed past the tables with lanterns lit. What a variety of lanterns there were – such creativity! As the lights went on again, the reduced brass ensemble continued to play their lively melodies – thanks, gentlemen!
The procession wound its way over to our Home for the Aged and waved to many residents. Some lantern bearers went up to the units, too (and got some lollies, I believe). Damper making followed, more fun with glow sticks and sparklers under a giant halo round the moon above, more companionable conversations – and cleaning up. It was good to see a number of our confirmands there, too, some helping.
It was a lovely community evening for young and old. Thank you very much to all who made it possible.
Herta Uhlherr

A Winter Solstice was also held at the Collingwood Children’s Farm (by the Steiner Group?) with bonfire and lantern procession; we are no longer alone.

SYDNEY
Saal and Booklaunch
Fifty members and friends attended our Saal & booklaunch. A shortened Saal written by Klaus-Peter Hoffmann was read; it showed that the founders of the Temple Society based their belief of settlement in the Holy Land on Bible prophecies and on what Jesus had preached.
In the booklaunch of From Desert Sands to Golden Oranges, both Manfred Haering and the author Helmut Glenk (above left) thanked the community for their support in collecting material for the book. Helmut outlined the amount of work and the tremendous effort by his team of helpers who worked tirelessly to produce this well written book on the history of Sarona.

Congratulations to you, Helmut, and your associates, Manfred Haering & Horst Blaich, as well as your many helpers on this very fine book and thanks for coming to Sydney to show and tell us about it.

Correction: I apologize for getting Erika Schulz’ service as Frauenverein leader wrong – it was 4½ years. We are grateful for everyone who serves our community.

New Book by Margret Greiner
Author Margret Greiner, who visited the Sydney Community in October last year, has sent a copy of her new book “Jefra heiβt Palästina” the story of a young girl in Jerusalem. This fine novel portrays the life of a 17-year-old schoolgirl living in the Palestinian section of Jerusalem together with her family. Margret Greiner taught German at the Schmidt’s Girls College in East Jerusalem until 2002. One of her young charges, Lama Tarayra, 18, who is studying in the USA and was also awarded the “Stuttgarter Friedenspreis” in 2004, is the role model for Jefra in this excellent novel. In the days of the Intifada, Jefra longs for peace, to be able to grow up in a normal manner. This is the story of a young Palestinian girl torn between the traditions of an Arab family and a dream for freedom. - An extremely good read.
The book is available through Piper Verlag www.piper.de

Letter of thanks
The Sydney Community has received a letter of thanks from Sr. Ruth Reiβig of the Paulus Haus in Jerusalem for the $200 donation the Frauenverein collected at Margret Greiner’s book reading last October. The donation was passed on personally by Margret Greiner during her Christmas visit to Jerusalem.

Dates to remember
Sunday 24th July 3:00pm Saal. Hartmut Beck, for the Sydney Community

TEENAGE GROUP

Calendar:
● July 23rd
● August 20th
● September 17th
● October 15th
● November 19th
● December 3rd or 10th – break-up party and 2006 planning

If you haven’t been to a teenage group activity before and would like to attend, please let Kirsten know and provide her with your contact details.
For further information contact Kirsten e-mail k_lubitz@hotmail.com
Susi Blackwell, Community Youth Coordinator

ROCK CLIMBING – Saturday 23rd July
Time: most likely around lunchtime. I can’t confirm the time until we have at least 10 participants. We will be staying at the center for 3 to 4 hours depending on how long you wish to climb.
Where: The Hardrock Climbing Company16-18 Varman Court, Nunawading on the city side of Maroondah Hwy & Springvale Road intersection, Melways Map 48 E10.
Cost: $21 per person, includes entry into the gym, a group rock climbing session, shoe and harness hire, as well as unlimited climbing after the group session.

What to wear/bring: comfortable clothing such as tracksuit pants, shorts, leggings or similar are best, along with a T-shirt, jumper or similar. You might also want to bring a bottle of water and a snack to eat. (There may be a kiosk at the center, to buy food and drinks). Proper climbing shoes are provided by the centre.

Getting there: We will organize a car pool to leave from Bayswater and take us to Nunawading, or alternatively you can meet us there. You’re more than welcome to bring a friend.
Let me know as soon as possible if you are interested in coming. The sooner you let me know the sooner I can confirm the times!! If you need any more information call me or send me an e-mail at k_lubitz@hotmail.com
Hope to see you there!
Kirsten Lubitz

HI KIDS AND PARENTS
The mustard seed -– Luke 13: 18-21
The mustard seed is tiny. Perhaps there is grainy mustard in your pantry and your Mum can show you. But when this tiny seed is sown in the ground and grows, it becomes big and provides shade and shelter.
Jesus said that the Kingdom of God is like a mustard seed. You cannot see it, but the little seed of it is already sown in people’s hearts. One day, if we care for it, it will grow and spread far and wide and provide shelter for many. We can help make it grow in our hearts and the world.

A bad workman keeps the doctor away.
A bird in the hand saves nine.
You can’t teach your grandmother to spoil the broth.
An apple a day is worth two in the bush.
Make hay while the cat’s away
Too many cooks suck eggs.
Procrastination blames his tools.
While the sun shines mice will play.
A stitch in time is the thief of time.

BIRTHDAYS
Monika Herrmann
Samuel Hardefeldt
Steven Osarek
Benjamin Gavin
Brayden Murrihy
Anneliese Hoffmann
Brittany Holley
Bridie Ruff
Tara Kelly
Jessica Kemper
Franz Hesse
Thomas Grubb
Kayden Verhagen

Moni Imberger is signing off. We thank her very much for doing the Children’s Page for many years and know you have enjoyed her stories and activities. We all wish Moni and her family well!

Who can take over? If you would like to have a go, contact Herta on 9802 3447 or hru@optusnet.com.au It’s not hard and you can develop new ideas. Please consider it.
We would also like a Youth editor – any takers? Ed.

TTHA

Unsere Eltern sind nun im hohen Alter und sollten eigentlich ins Heim umsiedeln, ins Tabulam & Templer Heim (TTHA). Aber wir müssen uns immer anhören, “Da wird es uns langweilig, niemand wird uns besuchen, wir werden unsere Unterhaltung vermissen”. Und, und, und...
Aber das stimmt natürlich ganz und gar nicht. Langweilig dürfte es überhaupt niemand sein. Das Heim bietet recht viele Aktivitäten und Unterhaltungen und erfüllt die meisten Wünsche soweit sie “machbar” sind.
Gut, dann unternehmen wir doch mal einen kurzen Streifzug durch die vielen Angebote und Unterhaltungs-möglichkeiten, die Dolly und ihre Helfer anbieten. So etwa werden Bus-Ausflüge, auch mit unserem “Hausbus”, immer wieder veranstaltet. Gelegentlich auch nur für eine kleine Gruppe Männer die “ins Blaue” fahren möchte. Wöchentlich geht es zu einem Einkaufsbummel nach Knox City, Boronia oder Studfield. Weiterhin haben wir die Hoffnung noch nicht aufgegeben, dass ein Linienbus mehrmals am Tag am Heim vorbei kommt, um zu den Bahnhöfen Bayswater, Boronia oder Glen Waverley zu gelangen. Aber auch im Heim selbst gibt es immer wieder Einkaufsmöglichkeiten.
Kulturell bereitet unsere “Veranstaltungs Dame” (Diversional Therapist) eine große Anzahl Darbietungen. So zum Beispiel Besuche von Männerchören, gemischten Chören, Tenören, von Kinder- oder Schulgruppen und von Künstlern aller Art. Es gibt Vorlesen, Singnachmittage, Leibesübungen, Dia und Video Vorstellungen, besondere Essen, Feste zu den Jahreszeiten und besonderen Ereignissen wie Olympiade oder andere. Gottesdienste (Lutherisch und Katholisch) und Saal, (Templer Andacht) werden monatlich gehalten. In der naheliegenden Chapel der Tempel Gemeinde wird ebenfalls jeden Monat Saal gehalten. Selbstverständlich können auch dort TTHA Bewohner und ihre Familien an allen Veranstaltungen teilnehmen.
Jetzt aber zurück ins Heim. Je nach Bedarf gibt es Komputer- und Internet Kurse. Bastelgruppen fertigen die schönsten Artikel an, die dann käuflich sind.
Immer wieder lässt sich Dolly etwas Außergewöhnliches einfallen. So z.B. feierten alle Bewohner eine wunderschöne “Hochzeit”. Die Braut und der Bräutigam (Heimpersonal) zeigten dabei Kleidungsartikel vom vorigen Jahrhundert. Dies war eine “Scheinfeier”. Das ist aber nicht immer der Fall. Manchmal gibt es einen “Restaurant” Abend: Heimbewohner werden an herrlich mit Kerzen geschmückten Tischen empfangen und dürfen wunderbare Speisen genießen.
Langweilig im Tabulam und Templer Heim? Das ist ja unmöglich.
Am Monatsende hatten wir 41 AGWS & 43 TSA Bewohner im Heim. In den kommenden Wochen wird ein Appartement frei. Somit laden wir Interessenten ein, dasselbe anzuschauen. Die geplante heimeigene und öffentliche Arztpraxis ist nun endgültig im “Werden”. Wir hoffen, dass bis Jahresende auch diese unserem Heim dienen wird.
Für heute, freundliche Grüße,
Ihr Friedrich Sawatzky,
Präsident TTHA Komitee.

Our aged parents should really be moving to a home, into the Tabulam & Templer Home for the Aged (TTHA). However, and we hear this so often, “we would be totally bored there, we would have no visitors, and would miss our much needed entertainment”. Excuses, excuses.
This is definitely not true. The Home offers many activities and lots of entertainment, and will implement all “entertainment wishes” if they are “doable”. Let us take a short tour through the myriad of activities and entertainment possibilities which Dolly and her helpers have on offer.
For example there are periodic bus excursions, including those with our own bus. Occasionally a small group of men only, journey into the “blue yonder”. There are weekly shopping trips to Knox City, Boronia or to Studfield. We are still very hopeful that a public bus service will detour several times per day past our Home to take travellers to the railway stations of Bayswater, Boronia or Glen Waverley. There is also the occasional possibility to shop “in-house” when charitable organisations set up stalls within the foyer.
Culturally, we note that our “Entertainment Lady” (or Diversional Therapist) has a huge array of presentations on offer. For example, we have visits from Male or Mixed Choirs, tenors, from children’s or school groups and from numerous other artists.
Also provided are reading sessions, sing afternoons, physical exercises, slide or video presentations, special dinners, festivals at special events such as the Olympics and others. Divine services (Lutheran and Catholic) and Saal (Templer service) are held monthly. In the close-by Templer Chapel, there is a service or Saal held monthly. Naturally all TTHA residents and their families are always welcome to all functions held there and in the other Templer buildings.
However, back to the Home. Depending on demand, there are computer and internet courses available. A hobby class produces the most exquisite articles which are subsequently available for sale.
Dolly constantly dreams up extraordinary events. The residents celebrated, for example, a wonderful wedding with the bride and groom (Home staff) modelling wedding garments from past eras. That was a mock event. However, some are genuine. At times there is a Restaurant Evening, when residents meet at wonderfully set, candle-lit tables and enjoy a fantastic evening. Who could be bored in the Tabulam & Templer Home? Nobody who participates.
At month end we had 41 AGWS & 43 TSA residents. We invite interested parties to inspect an apartment which will be available in few weeks’ time. The planned Doctors’ clinic, available for residents and others, is in the making. We trust that by year’s end it also will serve our Home.
For today, warm regards.
FH Sawatzky, President TTHA Management Committee.

FORTHCOMING SERVICES

Sun. 3.7. Ba 10.15 German service Alfred Klink
Sun. 10.7. Ba 15.15 Service + SS
Community afternoon Dr Rolf Beilharz
Wed. 13.7. TTHA Ecumenical service Herta Uhlherr and others
Sun. 17.7. AH No service, see above
Sun. 24.7. Be 10.15 Service + SS Harald Ruff
Sun. 24.7. Sy 15.00 Service
Sun. 14.8. Ba 10.15 Confirmation service

CENTRAL COUNTRY VIC TEMPLERS
Unfortunately the meeting at Strath Creek on 19th June had to be cancelled. We hope Helmut (Beilharz) is much better. Ed.

COMMUNITY AFTERNOON in Bayswater
Everyone is invited to the service in our Chapel at 3:15 pm on Sunday 10th July and afternoon tea afterwards.
Ba-Bo ladies are asked to bring cake already cut.
Would the following ladies please be at the hall by 2:45 to help: Anita Galloway, Moni and Erika Herrmann, Inge, Inge and Birgit Hoefer, Krista Imberger.
If you can’t attend, please ask a friend or ring me Uta Steller

TTHA ECUMENICAL SERVICE – Wednesday 13th July:
Anstatt am 17. Juli wird am Mittwoch 13. Juli um 11 Uhr ein gemeinsamer Gottes-dienst im Tabulam stattfinden.

BA-BO FLOWER ROSTER
Chapel 3.7. – Rose Weller, Moni Herrmann
Chapel 10.7. – Inky Arndt, Diane Richter

KNOX INTERFAITH MEETINGS
At Knox Council Chambers
Monday 1st August at 7:30pm
Monday 3rd October at 7:30pm
Monday 5th December at 7:30pm
Interested people are welcome. Rolf Beilharz

AGTE TEMPLER EXCHANGE
We welcome applications for the Australian German Templer Exchange program to Germany in 2006. Application forms can be obtained from the TSA Office or Bernhard (Hoovy) on hoovy@bigpond.com.
Any queries can be addressed to the above, or call. Nominations close 31st July 2005.
Bernhard Hoefer, AGTE Coordinator

UPDATE ON "THE TEMPLER JOURNEY. FABRIC OF SOCIETY"
An Invitation to Embroider
The steering Committee met on 14th June and it was decided that we needed to continue experimenting with techniques to work the stamps, logos and shields of our Society. We invite interested participants to attend two afternoon embroidery sessions in July in the community room at the Bayswater Hall.
The dates are Wednesday July 13th and 27th from 1 pm to 3pm. We will supply all the fabric and threads but you need to bring your enthusiasm and maybe a thimble if you use one. Expertise is also not a pre-requisite as we will be discussing and sharing ideas to execute the various pieces. Please telephone Helga Jürgensen (9729 1033) to let her know you are interested. We are also hoping to package "kits" for our distant friends who would like to have a go but can't get there in person. Just let Helga know you are keen and we will send you off a packet in the mail! Those of you who can, come along for a cuppa, a chat and an embroider!
Renate Weber

BUSHWALKING – Saturday 23rd July
This month’s hike will be along Merri Creek. This walk is now finally out my side of town – so I get a half hour sleep in!! We will be staring at the Coburg Lake just near the old Pentridge Prison. We will be walking along Merri Creek to Ceres in East Brunswick. We can then spend some time here. Ceres is all about organic food, alternative energy and farm animals. On the day we will decide on whether we stay here and then walk back to Coburg (circuit walk), or continue on to the Fairfield Boat House, where we will need to car shuffle back to Coburg.
Please bring your lunch and water. If we do decide to walk to the Boathouse, there is a café there.
Meeting Spot: At the beginning of the walk at the carpark at Coburg Lake.
How to get there: From the end of the Eastern Freeway, at Alexandra Parade in Collingwood, continue along the Parade and then turn right at Brunswick Street. Travel along Brunswick Street for some time. Brunswick Street will turn into St Georges Road and continue along until you get to Murray Road in Preston. Turn left here. Cross over Gilbert and Elizabeth, and then turn right at Newlands Road – right where the Prison is on the left side. The carpark is 150m on your left.
Length: Whether we choose on the day to walk to Ceres and back, or to continue one way to Fairfield Boathouse, the walk is approx. 8km.
Date: Saturday 23rd July, 10:00am. (Grade: Easy)
If you have any queries, please call me Alysha Murray

ANTARCTIC JOURNEY – Thursday 28th July 8pm
Templer Community Chapel, 51 Elizabeth Street, Bayswater Vic.
Donation $10.00
Linda Beilharz is the first Australian woman to ski from the edge of Antarctica to the South Pole. You are invited to join Linda for a glimpse into her recent adventure.
She reached the geographic South Pole on 28th December after a 56 day, 1,100 km trek from Hercules Inlet on the edge of the Ronne Ice Shelf. Travelling as part of a guided group, she averaged 23 km a day, through a constantly bitter wind, sun, whiteout and snow, and temperatures ranging from -15 to -50 degrees Celsius.
Each group member pulled a sled with all their gear in it – tent, food, fuel and warm clothing. The group skied for 7 ½ hours most days and spent each night in a tent on the flat white Antarctic plain while the sun circled overhead. Linda says “we skied for day after day across a flat white landscape, with no sense of progress because there were no visual clues that we were actually moving anywhere. The only sign was a new reading on the GPS at night and another camp marked off on the map.”
Linda will describe her trek in the Antarctic using slides, diary extracts and stories with the aim of letting people know a little about what it is like to be on that frozen continent and what it takes to undertake such a journey. There will be time for questions afterwards, such as the commonly asked “How do you go?”.
Light refreshments will be served after the presentation.
Please ring me for catering purposes if you are coming.
Helga Anderson

CHOIR FUNDRAISING CONCERT – 30th July
All Templers with their family and friends are warmly invited to attend a concert featuring the choir and individual musicians on Saturday 30th July at 2.30pm in the Chapel. The concert will be followed by "Kaffee und Kuchen" and a sing-a-long in the Bayswater Hall.
Tickets are $10 for adults, children by donation. The concert is part of our fundraising efforts to send the Templer choir to Perth in September this year. Please book as soon as possible to help us with our planning!!
Annette Wagner-Hesse or Renate Weber.

Tickets in the Puzzle Game from the German Choral Association of Australia will be available. The tickets cost $2 each and the prizes are awesome (1st Prize is a return trip for two economy class to any country in Europe!!!) Don't miss out! The choir is looking forward to hosting this event and seeing as many of you as possible!
Annette and Renate

BE/MO GERMAN SCHOOL
A Year 12 VCE preparation course will be held on Tuesday afternoons during term 3 from 5:15 - 6:15pm in Bentleigh. For further information ring Marianne Herrmann or e-mail nanne.tsa@datafast.net.au.

NOTICE OF THE EXTRA-ORDINARY GENERAL MEETING
of the TEMPLE SOCIETY AUSTRALIA
In keeping with clause 12.01 of the TSA Constitution (2000) all members of the Temple Society Australia are herewith invited to attend an Extra-Ordinary General Meeting to be held in the Community Chapel at Bayswater on Sunday 31st July 2005 commencing at 2:00pm.
A quorum of more than one-third of all members of the TSA, present in person or represented by proxy, is required. Members unable to attend the meeting personally are invited to arrange for their representation by proxy. Specific pink proxy forms for all TSA members are enclosed.
(Refer to full notice in REGIONAL MATTERS)

CHAMBER MUSIC CONCERT – 28th August 2pm at the Chapel
Rumi and Irina Hornung, well known musicians at the TGD Stuttgart, plan to come to Australia in August and give a concert of chamber music at Bayswater. More in the next TR. Peter Hornung

ROSA, THE TEMPLER COMMUNITY BUS
The purchase of a 25 seat bus for the Templer Community was approved by the Regional Council at the May 2005 meeting. Rosa (the bus) has now been delivered and is parked at the Bayswater Hall.
A small group has been formed to manage the bus operations. The Templer Community Bus Operations Group (TCBOG) is currently obtaining accreditation to enable us to take passengers and we are also responsible for taking bookings for the bus and providing drivers. We currently have 9 Templer drivers with appropriate licences who have volunteered to become bus drivers. It is anticipated that everything will be in place to commence operation by early July.
The bus will be used for "official" Templer Community activities which will be advertised in the Templer Record. The bus may also be booked by members of the TSA for private use (kindergarten, shopping tours, sports club outings, friends groups outings, winery tours, camping holidays etc etc).
The bus usage/bookings can be viewed at : http://au.calendar.yahoo.com/tsa_bus
so that people can see when the bus is in use and when it is available for "hire".

Bus Details:
2005 Mitsubishi ROSA
24 passenger seats
6 child restraint anchorages
Towing Capacity = 715 kg unbraked and 1615kg with brakes
Bookings for the bus can be made by contacting the TCBOG, email: tsa_bus@yahoo.com.au
Rolf Glenk, for TCBOG

THE HERITAGE PAGE

SARONA BOOK
Horst Blaich, Manfred Haering and Helmut Glenk thank the many people who attended the booklaunches of From Desert Sands to Golden Oranges in Melbourne and Sydney. From the authors’ viewpoint the launches were very well attended and the book was well received. We have been especially heartened by the many, many positive and very sincere comments we have received about the book. The book, with its numerous illustrations, seems to have awakened happy memories for many of the former, now elderly, residents of Sarona.
We particularly thank members of the Sydney Templer community for their hospitality and friendship whilst we were in Sydney and for making the booklaunch there such a memorable occasion.
For those persons who expressed interest, but have not yet contacted us, please let Manfred or Helmut know whether you intend to purchase a book. We are still holding a book for you.
Anyone interested in purchasing an additional book please contact Manfred Haering or Helmut Glenk. Books are also available from the TSA Office or in Sydney from Klaus-Peter Hoffmann.
Helmut Glenk, for the Sarona Book Project Group

BOOKS AND VIDEOS FOR SALE
Very limited copies are available of:
▸ Deutsche Kolonisten im Heiligen Land by Dr Jakob Eisler, $ 54.50.
▸ Der Kaiser reist ins Heilige Land, by Alex Carmel and Jakob Eisler, $ 88.50.
▸ Three-hour video of Dr Danny Goldman’s presentation in Bayswater last August, $ 18.
Contact Manfred Haering

Anne Herrmann	Hanskarl Baldenhofer
Christian Herrmann	Elly Steller (née Lippmann)
Lucie Weller	Hedl Beilharz
Lotte Lange	Luise Edelmaier
Hans Kirchner	Georg Weber
Georg Bauer	Karl Richter
Hetty Meyer	Irmgard Katz
Karl Wagner	Hulda Lange
Ilse Birkner

for the year 2005

December issue 679

October

AUGUST

JULY

JUNE

Sun	11.12.	SA	14:00	Service	Tanunda
Sun	18.12.	AH	10:00	Advent service	Hulda Wagner
Sun	18.12.	Sy	16:00	Christmas service
Sat	24.12.	Be	16:00	Christmas Eve service + Children’s presentation	Dr Peter Uhlherr
Sun	25.12.	Ba	10:15	Christmas Day service	Renate Beilharz
Sat	31.12.	Ba	18:30	NYE service	Alfred Klink
Sat	31.12.	Be	19:30	NYE service	Dr Rolf Beilharz
Sun	15.1.	AH	10:00	service	Hulda Wagner

Sun 6.11.	Ba	15:15	Service + SS + Community discussion	Renate Weber
Sun 6.11.	Ba	15:15	Service + SS	Renate Weber
Sun 13.11.		11:00	Remembrance Service	Tatura
Sun 20.11.	AH	10:00	Service	Ilse Birkner
Sun2 7.11.	Be	10:15	Service + SS	Theo Richter
Sun 11.12.	SA	14:00	Service	Tanunda

Ingrid Beilharz	email: i.beilharz@optusnet.com.au
Manfred Decker	email: deckers@bigpond.com
Brendon Glenk	email: brendon_glenk@bigpond.com
Marianne Herrmann	email: nanne.tsa@datafast.net.au
Petra Murrihy-Ruff	email: petra@iinet.net.au