Index

Year 2009

February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December

to the end

DECEMBER
TEMPLER RECORD - ISSUE No. 723

REFLECTIONS

REFLECTION for December and January

I am sitting in a quiet exam room supervising one special needs student who is writing her first paper for Economics. How unusual it is to have enforced silence and restricted movement. It doesn’t happen very often, but it is giving me an opportunity to reflect. December and January are two quite different months in my life. I wonder are they in yours, too?

Late November to 31^st December are hectic times for me. Advent and Christmas are looming. The diary is filling with dates, choir practices, birthdays, Advent celebrations, extended family Christmas parties, Playgroup break-ups, divine services and, of course, the Gutsle-baking and Christmas shopping must also be fitted in. Getting the overseas mail off is always a challenge!

How often do we get or take time to reflect on why we are rushing about – why is this a busy time of year? I am trying to give smaller gifts to my family and more to those who have little or nothing. Goats, pigs, clean water and chickens are on my gift list this year, as are donations to the Alfred Hospital and, of course, the Salvos. I tend to express my love with gifts and services. I like to share my bounty and blessings with those who have less, socially, financially or emotionally.

The text for the New Year’s Eve Service in Bayswater fits in well. It comes from the Old Testament.

Psalm 39:4-7

Lord, remind me how brief my time on earth will be.

Remind me that my days are numbered – how fleeting my life is.

You have made my life no longer than the width of my hand.

My entire lifetime is just a moment to you;

at best, each of us is but a breath.

We are merely moving shadows

and all our busy rushing ends in nothing.

We heap up wealth, not knowing who will spend it.

And so, Lord, where do I put my hope?

My only hope is in you.

Amongst my blessings, I count my family as number one. How lucky am I to have healthy offspring who have reproduced and given me five gorgeous grandchildren! We celebrate Christ’s birth at this time and read how poor he and his family were, but they were happy, blessed and special. Jesus’s teachings still drive us as a Society today, so from humble beginnings much has come. We need to encourage our families to be their best. It is not the possessions, houses or furniture they have that is really important; much more significant is the environment in which they are raising their children.  Is there order, sharing, caring for others, discipline, time for individual growth for all the family members? Can we, as the older generation, offer time to facilitate our families’ growth? Money may be short, but our time is ‘free’!

I would love to be remembered by my grandchildren as the Omi who played chasey and hide-and-seek in the house and garden, helped with mud pies in the sand, fed the birds, cooked delicious soups, and gave the best cuddles and hugs.

I also value being an active member of the Temple Society. It enriches my life. It creates work, but I find that stimulating and rewarding. We can all give to others and often we are the ones who benefit just as much as the people for whom we are ‘working’.

Being an Australian and living in Australia is another blessing. Most of us live in a clean, safe environment, free from violence. We can openly pursue our faith, express our opinions and live our lives according to the values and standards we feel are important.

I especially enjoy all the German traditions at Christmas time. The Adventskranz with its four candles, the traditional cookies, St Nicholas night, celebrating the first Sunday in Advent with all the ladies, Heiliger Abend, the German Christmas carols. All this in the heat of our summer!

There is a little chance for a quick breather between Christmas and New Year but holidays don’t really start until January. Long hot sunny days, balmy evenings or having a late barbeque with a glass of bubbly, going to the holiday house by the sea if you are one of the really lucky ones! Just enjoying a break from the daily routine and spending relaxing times with family and friends; treasuring and using the physical capabilities that you have, all spell holidays to me. Maybe next year you can walk more, jog  instead of walking, tackle that new pursuit you keep putting off.

This is also a good opportunity to visit and spend a little more time with your oldies. Who knows how long they will continue to be a part of our lives? Give them a hug and take them outside for some fresh air if they are house-bound. Are they still young at heart and capable? Enjoy that stage in particular. So much can change in such a short time. Don’t keep putting things off! You can live a long time regretting what you didn’t do!

New Year is also a good time to look back and reflect, on your successes and things you could have done better or differently. January can be a time to set new goals, undertake new things but, above all, take some time to just be.

My thanks to all who added richness and friendship to my life, may you all have a blessed and Merry Christmas and a wonderful start to 2010!

Renate Weber

TEMPLER PRESIDENT VISITS GERMANY

The focus of this, my second visit to the TGD as President, was to have in-depth conversations with individual Templers as much as possible. This I was able to do.

I arrived in Frankfurt early on Saturday 3^rd October. Wolfgang Blaich picked me up at Stuttgart Hauptbahnhof (central railway station) and drove me to the guest apartment in Degerloch; he made sure that I had all I needed for the next two days – shops were closed for a holiday. I spent the weekend walking and getting reoriented in Stuttgart.

Monday I met the TGD Office staff over morning coffee – a lovely way to find out what is happening. That evening Karin Klingbeil took me to an Elders’ meeting at Brigitte Hoffmann’s home. The Elders discussed articles for the next issue of Die Warte – they now work as an editorial team – then I spoke about the issues I wanted to discuss with them:

§ At the August forum in Melbourne we had discussed the Templer founding. I was pleased to find that the TGD Elders (Brigitte, Karin, Wolfgang, Peter Lange and Jörg Klingbeil) agreed with our conclusion that Hoffmann and Hardegg were both crucial to the emergence of the Temple Society (TS): Hoffmann had the idea and the vision and Hardegg had the practical drive to make the settlement in Palestine happen.

§ Ralf Balke’s articles, most recently in Der Spiegel, continue to allege that all the Templers in Palestine were Nazis. This is not true. His recent article had been suggested as a possible piece to be used in teaching German in Australian schools. We sent copies of Paul Sauer’s history to the Association of German Teachers of Victoria and they apologised – none of them had actually read Balke’s article. The Elders in Stuttgart say no one there takes Balke seriously any more on this topic. (However, ‘sensational’ allegations sell papers, and he keeps recycling his ideas.)

§ I told the German Elders about the novel God’s Elect, written by a young Israeli historian, Frank Shapiro. He maintains his first novel is pure fiction, but it starts with correct information about Templers settling in Palestine, and internment at Tatura, then settlement in Australia. Then a small fanatical group he calls the ‘True Templers’ become religious terrorists in 2010. Shapiro is surprised that Templers are concerned about the light in which this casts our present living community. He blithely says ‘everyone knows this is fiction’. We want him to say clearly on his website that the characters in his book have nothing to do with our present Templer Community.

§ I want to write more about science and religion. The TSA with Progressive Christians in Australia and the TGD with the Freie Christen in Germany are examples that show successful community life is possible without religious dogmas. The TSA is showing signs that the decline in membership is slowing; our numbers in the ages up to 60 are steady and even increasing.

Next day Peter Lange showed me the Archive and his family genealogy database. After lunch together with his wife Helga, Peter and I visited the Darwin and Evolution exhibition at the Rosenmuseum.

At the TGD’s AGM on Saturday 10.10. I passed on greetings from Australia and spoke briefly about the situation there.

Sunday, 11.10. was Dankfest, their Thanksgiving Service. After the welcome and hymn, Peter Lange invited me to speak. Having no dogmas, Templers are free to accommodate religion and science in the same big picture. Traditional religious teaching often consists of ancestral stories told in the world views of long ago. Some of these have been set in concrete as dogmas. Templers are not obliged to believe these and so are free to search for the wisdom the ancients were trying to convey, hidden in old ways of understanding the world. We know much more about evolution as the way changes of life forms occur. And our concept of ‘God’ is very much wider and open to deeper understanding. After music, Peter continued the service. The stage was decorated beautifully with many plants and vegetables. Rumi Hornung’s music was wonderful – the TGD has a treasure in her.

A magnificent lunch and the break were an opportunity to talk with many people, then came the session on the Fabric of Society wall-hanging launched on 29.8. in Bayswater. Werner and Turid Lange joined me up front in identifying people on the DVD and other pictures. I reported briefly about the afternoon of the launch. The Stuttgarters were a little envious about our textile mural’s huge success as a work of art and especially as a project that united so many Templers and friends in a creative endeavour.

12.10. With Brigitte Hoffmann I walked through forests and wineries – within ten minutes you can walk from anywhere in Stuttgart and be somewhere green. At lunch, we discussed Templer issues. 13.10. Norle Henker took me to the Hoffeld Home for the Aged where we visited Elfi Frank, who was sitting up and recognised me. The afternoon and evening were spent with Klingbeils. On Wednesday 14.10, Eberhard Bitzer drove with me to the Bodensee; on the way we reminisced about the time we spent in Tatura.

That evening the Pankratzes took me to their Degerloch Choir. I was able to join in with die Forelle which I’d sung with the Templer Choir. Next day they took me to the Art Gallery and a Besenwirtschaft for lunch. The people at the next table spoke lovely, old-fashioned Schwäbisch, which evoked memories of my childhood in the Tatura camp. The next night, after several hours of research, I joined the Bowling Group, listening, talking and sometimes rolling a ball.

I count Saturday 17.10. as a highlight; I spent it with Otto Hammer and his grand-daughter. They took me to Möttlingen where the life of Pfarrer Blumhardt was explained. This good man had a great influence on many Swabians, through his conviction that the kingdom of God was imminent and that the Holy Spirit expresses itself in healing. He was part of the background to the founding of the Temple Society. Otto gave me a book by Johannes Seitz. Influenced by Blumhardt’s thinking, Seitz describes how they joined the TS, inspired by Hoffmann’s ideas about the kingdom of God. When Hoffmann wrote in his Sendschreiben (Open Letters) that religious rites or sacraments, including baptism, were meaningless if people did not change their attitude and forgive, and love their neighbour as themselves, Seitz and Martin Blaich left the Temple Society. Otto pointed out that the coming of the kingdom of God can be seen in different ways. Blumhardt’s thinking emphasised spiritual healing as the way to bring God’s kingdom to earth. Deep difference in their belief as to how the kingdom of God would come about also made it impossible for Hoffmann and Hardegg to continue to work together. Seitz wrote that Hardegg joined the society of brothers that Seitz and Martin Blaich had founded.

We had lunch at the Hotel Kloster Hirsau – this monastery was once of world significance – then visited a ‘jewel of faith’ nearby. There was more conversation over dinner at Otto’s home. I learnt a great deal that day.

Sunday afternoon 18.10. I spent with my cousin Michael from Blumen Beilharz and his wife Susi. Tuesday 20.10. I had a last talk with Peter Lange about the TS. Later Karin took me to the Hauptbahnhof, where she and Jörg farewelled me.

At Frankfurt, squeezing aboard the shuttle bus to terminal 2, someone bumped into me. She began to apologise and exclaimed ‘Rolf!’ It was Marion Graze, widow of my boyhood friend Harald, also returning to Australia.

Thank you to all the German Templers who made my stay so enjoyable and worthwhile. It is important that individual Templers keep up contact with the other region, as well as within their own area, to promote cohesion.

Our community life can be an example to others. We can keep alive the hope, and demonstrate, that human beings can create better ways of living on this earth. The world needs that.

Rolf Beilharz

Condensed by H.U.

THE TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS

On the first day of Christmas my true love said to me,

I’m glad we bought a big turkey and a real Christmas tree.

On the second day of Christmas much laughter could be heard,

As we tucked into our turkey, a most delicious bird.

On the third day of Christmas we had people from next door,

The turkey tasted just as good as it had the day before.

Day four, relations came to stay – poor Gran is looking old,

We finished up the Christmas pud and ate the turkey cold.

On the fifth day of Christmas outside the snow flakes flurried,

But we were nice and warm inside and had our turkey – curried.

On the sixth day of Christmas the Christmas spirit died,

The children fought and bickered. We had turkey rissoles – fried.

On the seventh day of Christmas I saw my true love wince,

When he sat down at the table and was offered turkey mince.

Day eight our nerves were getting frayed, the dog hat run for shelter,

I served up turkey pancakes with a glass of Alka Seltzer.

On day nine our cat left home, by lunchtime Dad was blotto,

He said he had to have a drink to face turkey risotto.

By the tenth day the wine had gone, except for the home brew,

And as if that wasn’t bad enough we suffered turkey stew.

On the eleventh day of Christmas, the Christmas tree was moulting,

The mince pies were now hard as rocks, the turkey quite revolting.

On the twelfth day of Christmas, Dad sat and smacked his lips,

The guests were gone, the turkey too, and we had fish and chips.

Sent in by a reader (slightly adapted from ‘Pointer’ 1999)

Return to the Top

REGIONAL MATTERS

NOTES from the RC meeting of 6^th November

Since a quorum was not reached for the October RC meeting, that meeting’s business was dealt with here. As a trial, correspondence was circulated beforehand, so that only the key issues would be tabled for discussion.

The main item was advice from the TGD that they have decided that the gate on the Jerusalem Cemetery needs to be replaced and that they intend to raise funds by way of a special membership donation drive. RC agreed that the TSA would be happy to give support to this initiative (see below). There is also the prospect of a Templer museum or historical display being incorporated into the renovations of the Salwey Altersheim in Kirschenhardthof, though at this stage details are only very tentative.

A forum was held with the AGWS on 26^th October as a preliminary discussion on the TTHA land sale. The AGWS confirmed that the decisions concerning this are to be with the Home, through its Committee of Management. To this end, RC specifically empowered the TSCF to proceed and negotiate the process on behalf of the TSA.

Knox Council asked that our Fabric of Society wall-hanging be loaned to them for display from 16^th November to show what can be achieved through their community grants program (see here). We expect the textile mural to return to the Chapel in December, after a short stint in Bentleigh.

John Maddock, Administration Manager

JERUSALEM CEMETERY GATE REPLACEMENT – Donations sought

Following assessments made during trips to Israel earlier this year, the TGD Gebietsleitung (Regional Council) has identified the need to repair or replace the main Jerusalem Cemetery entrance gate (from Emek Rephaim). Given numerous previous repairs, it was decided that it was more cost effective to replace the complete gate on this occasion, and thereby simultaneously address some related issues.

The TSA Regional Council supports this position and both regions are now calling on members and friends to donate specifically towards this project. The cost of gate replacement is quoted as 10,200 NIS (about A$3,000).

Donations can be made directly to the TSA Office through the usual payment options, and totals will be forwarded to Germany via our quarterly Verrechnung (the next transfer is due before the end of December). Thank you in advance.

OFFICE CLOSURE

The TSA Office will not be fully attended during the Christmas and summer holiday period. We will close on Friday 18^th December and re-open on Thursday 21^st January 2010. Messages can be left on the answering machine, but please be aware that they may not be responded to immediately. The bereavement line will continue to function at all times.

In emergency situations or matters of need, please contact one of the following:

1    Mark Herrmann – Regional Head

2    Martina Eaton – Community Care Worker

3    John Maddock – Administration Manager

THANK YOU

As we prepare for a bit of a break over the Christmas/holiday period, I sincerely thank all TSA volunteers – Members and friends alike – who work extremely hard for the benefit of others and give a great deal of their time to provide so much richness to our Templer Community, its programs and initiatives over the course of the year.

Mark Herrmann, Regional Head

Thank you also to all those involved with getting the Templer Record out each month, also to Mark and all the Office staff for their dedication.

Ed.

PCNV

Some of us have been able to go to meetings of the Progressive Christian Network of Victoria over the past year. The speakers are always very knowledgeable, stimulating, and often inspiring. For Templers, who have very little formal theological training, here is a relatively painless way to learn about issues people like us are dealing with, and the latest in religious thinking.

The Common Dreams Conference is in St Kilda, Melbourne, from 15^th to 18^th April, with an impressive array of speakers. Keynote presenter is the ‘brilliant, insightful and courageous young woman’, the Rev. Gretta Vosper from Canada. Like Christoph Hoffmann, she hoped the Church would play a transformative role in shaping society, but sees that the Church itself must undergo radical change in order to help society change with ‘open-mindedness, passion, creativity and intellectual rigour’.

We Templers talk about our community life being an example to others, and most of us are becoming more open-minded and creative, but what of passion and intellectual rigour? Would our report card say ‘could do better’? Would some of the Templer offspring who are world leaders in various fields be more interested in the Temple Society if we could argue with intellectual rigour as well as demonstrate that our way of thinking and living can make a positive impact on society’s attitudes? On human survival even? Gretta Vosper’s book is called With or without God – why the way we live is more important than what we believe (by way of theology and creeds – of course, what we believe influences the way we behave).

For those of you willing to engage in thinking about Templer issues beyond the everyday, attending some or all of the Common Dreams Conference might just be the impetus to, for instance, participate in a Templer ‘think tank’ (talk to Rolf Beilharz or Mark Herrmann) or have deeper discussions with e.g. Renate Beilharz or Harald Ruff.

Website: www.commondreams.org.au

Early Bird and concession rates till 7.2.2010

Herta Uhlherr

A DIFFICULT TOPIC – but an important one!

A group of us has been working on the information the TSA provides to a family when a loved one has died. Death is a topic which many of us are reluctant to face, yet each one of us has a finite number of days upon this earth.

We are asking you all to spend some time with those you love, talking about your wishes and thoughts regarding what you would like to happen after your death. How do you want your earthly remains to be treated? Do you want to be cremated and your ashes scattered somewhere significant to you and your family, do you wish to be buried; do you already have a ‘spot’ next to a loved one who has preceded you? Do you want flowers or would you rather have donations made to help others – who? An increasing number of people are choosing to prepay their funeral and provide details of what is to happen to their earthly remains after their death. All this makes it easier for those who are left behind to make the ‘right’ decisions.

Currently there is a big push to register organ donation and talk to your family about it. Australia has one of the lowest rates of donorship in the developed world, even though many of us have now registered to donate our organs. It appears that when the time comes, the surviving relatives make the decision and ignore the wishes of the deceased. Having had personal experience of waiting for a suitable organ before time ran out, I ask you to please talk to one another – maybe by so doing another family can enjoy their loved one longer and in better health.

It is also important to let those close to you know where to find official documents such as your will, birth and marriage certificates, land titles, lease details, mortgage details, insurance providers, your social security number, bank account details and all other important papers – while you can still tell them and remember where you keep them. It may be a good time to clear out some of the files you no longer need.

If you are ageing, it may be a good time to discuss giving someone trusted your Powers of Attorney, medical and financial, while you are still able to do so. We are thinking of running another seminar on this topic in 2010. Would you be interested? Let the Office know.

So please have a discussion with your loved ones, let them know your wishes, you will make it easier for them to act rationally and according to your wishes even while coping with the grief of your loss, when the time comes. The Care Worker can assist with information.

In the meantime…Live simply,

                           Love generously,

                           Care deeply,

                           Speak kindly.

We make a Living by what we get; we make a Life by what we give.

Love and best wishes to you all!

Renate Weber

MEMBERSHIP DIRECTORY UPDATE – act now!

Members are reminded to send any new contact details to the Office for the next version of the Directory. Thank you to those who have done so, and for letting us know that you value the Directory.

Ed.

SOCIAL CARE

Dear Friends,

I would like to wish you all Frohe Weinachten und ein gutes Neues Jahr! This year has gone very quickly, hasn’t it? I have managed to meet many of you now. I welcome feedback, both positive and constructive, and I am always available to come and chat with you, or help you if I can, so please feel free to contact me. I hope next year will be a healthy and prosperous year for you all and I look forward to continuing my work with you. J

Last month I organised a workshop for Carers’ Week titled ‘What you do makes a difference’. Over 20 people attended and enjoyed an interesting talk from Renate Hoffmann – thank you for jumping in at very short notice – and a yummy afternoon tea with the help of Dot Ware and Helga Anderson. Carers spoke about whom they care for and what some of the strengths they bring to the caring role are. They also had a chance to network with other carers about their experiences. Many thanks go to Carers Victoria for supporting this event through a grant and to Dot and Helga for making afternoon tea and serving it to the participants.

I also organised a Girls’ Night In fundraiser for the Cancer Council of Victoria. This was a really fun night for women of all ages with DJ Skratch playing some hit music, a trivia event hosted by Renate Beilharz, a fashion parade, door prizes and a raffle! We had many donations and I would like to thank the following businesses:

Walma’s Delicatessen in Bayswater for donating the meat platters and bread rolls, Coles Mountain Gate for a food voucher for drinks, TTHA and Amanda Seward for their donation of wines and champagne, Red Cargo, Jackie Reeves and Mark and Marianne Herrmann for their donation of door and raffle prizes and Renate Hoffmann for the donation of the DJ’s costs. Thank you also go to DJ Skratch for giving us a discount on his usual fee. The music was enjoyed by all, as was the other entertainment and the food. Thank you to everybody who attended. We raised over $400 towards the cause! Hopefully next year we will get a range of ages attending when word gets around about how much fun it was!

By the time you read this I will be on my way home from Sydney after visiting Ingrid Turner and the Sydney Community. A huge thankyou to Ingrid and her lovely family for opening their home to me once again!

Telelink: The dates for Telelink this month are 2^nd and 16^th December. There will then be a break over Christmas and we will return on Wednesday 6^th January. Please contact me if you would like to participate.

Bayswater Frauenrunde will have their final meeting for 2009 at Foodstar in Wantirna South on 7^th December. Attendees will pay for their own meals and there will be a discussion about major changes to the Frauenrunde next year. Please contact Gretel Krockenberger or Trudi Herrmann if you would like to attend the lunch.

Bus Licence: In January I will do bus-driver training, so there will be an extra Rosa bus driver available during weekday hours. Thank you to Winfried Beilharz for organising these lessons and the TSA for allowing me to gain this skill.

Knox City Council Community Development Grant received: The TSA was fortunate to receive a grant from Knox City Council to run Home Safe Seminars for senior citizens living in the City of Knox (and beyond).  There will be four seminars throughout next year about how to remain safe whilst still living independently in your own home: preventing falls, medication safety, driving safely and community safety, among other important issues. Look out for more information in the new year. People from outside the City of Knox are also welcome to attend!

Men’s Weekend Away 2010: Some men are currently organising a weekend away for next year, so place 14^th – 16^th May in your diaries and get ready for a fun-filled weekend away. If you are interested in attending or in helping to organise it, please contact me because, although I will not be there (it’s a girl-free weekend!) I will help with bookings, monies, etc. A flier will go out in February with more information. All ages welcome!

The Women’s Retreat 2010 is something I will be organising (again) with my colleague Ingrid Turner in Sydney. After the success of this year’s retreat, we will have an even better one in 2010. We would love it if you are interested in helping to plan this, so please contact Ingrid or myself. All ages are welcome and, in fact, make for a more interesting and dynamic time. The venue for next year will be more ‘up-market’ as per your requests, but will therefore cost more, so please start saving now. The dates are 6^th–8^th August 2010. Please mark these in your diaries now!

Freebies and Useful Websites

Kids Alive – Do The Five! www.kidsalive.com.au

This is an excellent website for preschool children and their parents (and for early primary school aged children, too). As the weather warms up and you spend more time with your children or grandchildren near water, please be water safe! Drowning is the greatest cause of accidental death in children under five in Australia. On average, one child drowns each week. In 1988, to combat drowning, Laurie Lawrence created the Kids Alive – Do the Five water safety program. The Kids Alive community service program educates the public on five important steps to reduce the risk of preschool drowning.

1.          Fence the pool

2.          Shut the gate

3.          Teach your kids to swim - it's great

4.          Supervise - watch your mate and

5.          Learn how to resuscitate

Government House Open Day

On Australia Day, Tuesday 26^th January, all citizens and visitors to Victoria are invited to visit Government House between 10:00am and 3:00pm. Admission is free.

You will be able to view the State Apartments, the Private Apartments, and the Governor’s study. Many of these rooms are not normally open to the public. Bring a picnic and enjoy children’s entertainment in the grounds. Refreshments will be available for purchase. Musical performances will take place in the grounds and inside the House.

Government House is located in Government House Drive, Melbourne (Melways 2G A11). Parking is available in Birdwood Avenue and St Kilda Road. There is easy access for people with disabilities.

For further information contact the Open Day Coordinators on 03 9655 4211 or alexandra.hodgson@govhouse.vic.gov.au

or wendy.heintz@govhouse.vic.gov.au.

Martina Eaton, Community Care Worker
 

Return to the Top

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.

BIRTH

Jasper Otto Weller 

Parents: Nick and Sandra Weller

ANNIVERSARIES

Tony and Renate Beilharz are celebrating their Silver Wedding Anniversary on 8^th December, and Dieter and Pamela Edelmaier on 15^th December.

Hans and Gretl Hornung are celebrating their Golden Wedding Anniversary on 30^th January.

Our congratulations and good wishes to all these couples.

NEW MEMBERS – Welcome to

Günter and Renate Herrmann

and Peter and Anne Wied

BEREAVEMENT 

Heinz Vollmer died at home on 8.11.2009, aged 80. He is survived by his wife Heidi and their children Karin Lubitz, Monika Imberger, Renate Beilharz, Heinz Vollmer and Bernd Vollmer, his sister Luise with husband Karl Wagner, and all their families.

Ich möchte mich hiermit persönlich für die überwältigende Anteilnahme der Gemeinde herzlich bedanken, sowie bei den vielen Menschen außerhalb der TSA, die Heinz geschätzt haben; für die vielen Karten und Blumen die uns zugeschickt wurden, und für die Spenden an die TSA. Herzlichen Dank!

Thank you from the bottom of my heart to everyone who honoured Heinz’s memory with cards, flowers, donations and phone calls. I was overwhelmed by the attendance at Heinz’s memorial service and thank you all for your support, including the choir.

A very special thankyou to Mark Herrmann for his support and his thoughtful words at the farewell and memorial services for Heinz. Also to the volunteers who helped with the refreshments afterwards – much appreciated.

Heidi Vollmer with all the family

Our condolences to all the bereaved

OBITUARY – Heinz Vollmer (8.4.1929 – 8.11.2009)

Heinz was born in the Templer settlement of Wilhelma in then Palestine. He was the third child and only son of Ludwig Vollmer and Hanna née Scheerle. His father died in 1936 after a tree-felling accident, so Heinz grew up supported by his family, uncles and the wider community. When World War II broke out, Wilhelma was converted into a perimeter settlement by the British, and Heinz spent the war years assisting with the running of the barbed-wire enclosed farming community.

Heinz was proud to be one of the last Templers to leave Wilhelma when, at the age of nineteen, he was selected to be part of the team responsible for arranging the final selling of farm stock. He then joined the Templer refugees in Cyprus for about a year before coming to Australia by ship with his mother and sisters the following year.

In Australia Heinz found employment first at Ritter, then with General Motors Holden at the Fishermens Bend plant, and through hard work became a foreman in the manufacturing area. In 1954 he was invited by Otto Geiselhart to join him in running a small sauerkraut factory, which grew into GeeVee Pickles. GeeVee was very successful, and gave Heinz the financial security to support his family and his community.

Heinz was heavily involved in all aspects of building up the small Templer religious community in Australia. He met Heidi Frank through the Temple Society’s Younger Set, and they married in 1957; five children soon followed between 1958 and 1967. His growing family did not deter Heinz from involving himself in many aspects of the Templer Community; he participated in many committees and played active leadership roles. He was: an office bearer in the Younger Set when it began in the 1950s; a member of the choir for over 55 years; caretaker of the Bayswater property, building the caretaker’s residence in 1977; leader of the Bayswater Community Council for over 30 years, spearheading the extension to the Bayswater Hall and ensuring that it was seen as a community effort through the use of voluntary labour; the first president of the Committee of Management of the Templer Home for the Aged; an Elder, and a member of the Temple Society Australia’s Regional Council for many decades.

Heinz’s most memorable and spectacular achievements were the fundraising activities he organised with friends: eleven years of the ‘Templer Tavern’ at the Dandenong Oktoberfest; Mothers’ Day Restaurants in the Bayswater Hall, catering for 250 patrons; and the huge event in Tatura celebrating fifty years of Templer presence in Australia.

The Bayswater (later Knox City) Soccer Club and Iltis Ski Club, both founded with Templer friends, were the focus for his energies at various times in his life; he was an active member of the committees and helped with projects.

In the wider Australian and Bayswater community, Heinz was active on many fronts: the scouts’ Parent Committee, the Bayswater Primary School Council, the committee that established the Guy Turner Recreational Reserve; he was invited to stand for Local Government, an invitation he could not accept as he never took up Australian citizenship.

During retirement (from 1989) there was travel with Heidi, overseas and exploring this wide, brown land; a passion for gardening, increased family time (including with the extended family) and sleeping. In recent years, Parkinson’s, epilepsy and dementia started to take over his body.

In October he was diagnosed with myelodysplastia syndrome, his bone marrow was no longer able to produce the blood cells his body required. He came home from hospital, with Heidi taking on the carer’s role, supported by family and the community. Within one-and-a-half weeks the disease took his life, but not before he had seen all his children and grandchildren, including those living in Queensland, and his surviving sister, Luise Wagner.

On 17^th November, family, friends and community came together to farewell Heinz on the community property in Bayswater. The huge attendance at the memorial service and the comments on the many condolence cards received by Heidi reflect the impact Heinz’s active life has had on many individuals, as well as on the wider Templer, Bayswater and Australian community.

Renate Beilharz

COUNTRY TEMPLERS – Tynong 1^st November 

Esther and I left our home on Phillip Island in a light drizzle to drive to Tynong to take part in the Templer Saal on Heinz Bulach’s farm Edenderry, where about 30 Templers met to listen to a very interesting sermon by Theo Richter. I congratulate Theo with all my heart for the thoughts he expressed in his words – he put a lot of work into them. While we enjoyed our communal meal with all the goodies people had brought along, the weather started to clear up and we could appreciate the beautiful view. Heinz and his family looked after us very well and I think that not one of us will forget the warm feeling that emanated from the group that was sitting there, enjoying the good company. Thank you very much Heinz, Dieter, Marietta, Ruby and Darcy, also Carl, for a wonderful experience.

I like these country meetings. They may be far from Melbourne yet somehow, with the communal meal and the accompanying conversations, we feel very much at home with one another.

I am looking forward to the next get-together at St John’s Uniting Church in Cowes on Phillip Island on 7^th February 2010 at 12:00 noon. Please mark this date in your calendars. As usual, bring food to share and good weather. We’ll lunch together in the adjoining hall.

The collection will go to St John’s for the renovation of the church.

Harald Gassmann

VOLUNTEER RECOGNITION LUNCHEON – 8^th November

For our Regional Council-hosted luncheon this year, we recognised the long-term contributions to the TSA of Ilse Birkner (writing of birthday cards to our Members aged 75+), Rosemarie Hahn (Frauenverein treasurer and provider of meals/support to those needing a helping hand in the Bentleigh area), Peter Hornung and Emma Polacsek (Templer Record proofreaders and assistants to the editor).

A delicious meal, prepared by Monika and Stefan Imberger under difficult circumstances, was savoured and appreciated by all. The conversation flowed and a pleasant Sunday afternoon was ensured.

Like all community groups, the Temple Society relies on the goodwill and the efforts of volunteers. We acknowledge and thank them.

REMEMBRANCE DAY – Sunday 15^th November

The Volkstrauertag hour of remembrance took place in the afternoon at our Community Chapel in Bayswater. At the German Consul’s request, the occasion was commemorated in Melbourne, rather than at the German War Cemetery in Tatura, to allow the possibility of attendance by younger people, easier access for the elderly and the chance of media coverage. It is intended to alternate venues between Melbourne and Tatura.

All the Chapel seats were occupied when the Club Tivoli choir began proceedings. Speaking their words of remembrance were Dr Anne-Marie Schleich (Consul-General for the Federal Republic of Germany), Cr Adam Gill (Dinsdale Ward, City of Knox) and Pastor Johannes Achilles (CEO, Tabulam & Templer Homes for the Aged).

References were made to the need for current generations, many members of which have never experienced the atrocities of war – a privilege – to focus on the lessons of history and to strive to understand what leads countries to wage such hostilities. As we remember those who died and suffered during armed conflict, we should realise that the day is not confined to a single nation. It reminds us of the importance of working towards a peaceful world.

The choir from the Bayswater South Primary School presented the faces and voices of youth in a positive way. One of their pieces was entitled One World.

Wreaths were laid under the trees outside, accompanied by the Club Tivoli’s poignant rendition of Ich hatt’ einen Kameraden, before those gathered proceeded to the Bayswater Hall for refreshments.

Mark Herrmann, Regional Head

CONFIRMATION SERVICE – another Confirmand’s comment

During the classes, I learnt that one of the most important things for Templers is to try and achieve what Jesus called the kingdom of God. This is about living and working together in a community. That is why I chose my value: teamwork, because it is an important part of that.

Here is a quote I liked about teamwork:

      Coming together is a beginning.

      Keeping together is progress.

      Working together is success.

I think this fits in with the ideas of the Templers, that is, people coming together working and living together in a community and trying to achieve the kingdom of God. [Tim had opened the ceremony by playing Nocturne by Chopin on the piano – it was beautiful and moving].                                                                                          

Tim Weller

KNOX COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT FUND Grant Presentation -- 16.11.2009

Photo 1: As a previous grant recipient over 3 years, the TSA was invited to present the story of the triptych wall-hanging to those awaiting receipt of cheques for their particular community projects.

Photo 2: The Regional Head of the Temple Society with the Knox Mayor, in front of the wall-hanging proudly displayed in the Civic Centre foyer.

CARNEGIE CRAFT STALL THANKYOU

We were worried that the hot weather would keep away many customers. However, on opening the caravan door, window and roof vent, a cool breeze came to facilitate reasonable comfort for Irene Eppinger and Helga Anderson; customers came also. One table, covered with books at 50 cents each, was very popular, as were Irene’s aprons. All in all we had a good day, despite the fright of a few raindrops. We collected $277 for the Kids’ Club. After Kinder we even had my granddaughter Isabel Bulach’s help to pack up. She then supervised the Council man readying the caravan for towing away. Many thanks again to the team, and to Marianne Herrmann for organising it all, including the paperwork.

Gisela Bulach

BENTLEIGH NEWS

The organisers wish to say thank you to all those who helped during 2009; we look forward to your ongoing support.

The October 24 working bee, the third and last for 2009, saw the completion of the garden upgrade program. The working bee focussed on the space behind the office building, with the planting of native shrubs and trees and the installation of supporting ground cover and lawn edging. Known as the ‘secret garden’, this area features a large peppercorn tree that provides shade for picnics and fun climbing for children.

Members are encouraged to make use of the new garden. Pictured below is the 1967 confirmation group and friends enjoying a picnic on 7^th November in the new garden. The picnickers could also take some time to watch the tennis players who continue to play on a Saturday afternoon.

For further information, please contact me.

Peter Ware

TEMPLER EXCHANGE REPORT

Greetings from chilly Stuttgart where I have been since August. The weather has really started to turn.

My time here has been really enjoyable. When I first arrived, I stayed with Claudia and Andrea Mutschlechner (who have both been to Australia on the AGTE), and that weekend I was welcomed to the city with the annual Sommerfest. Then I moved to ‘Heaven’ to stay for the next nine weeks with Ludwig and Reinhild Beilharz, whose address is ‘Im Himmel’. During that time I attended the intensive German course, where I met some very nice people from all over the world. Unfortunately it resulted in few social outings, as all the other students in my class lived outside the city, and were all married. But we still went out for lunch after class sometimes, when there wasn’t too much homework to be done! All in all I found the course very beneficial.

I have studied German for quite a few years and it has been a longtime wish to immerse myself in the language and culture, which the course – and the exchange as a whole – provided. In class we focussed more on vocabulary for relevant day-to-day topics, rather than on grammar, much to my relief! This was because my class was predominantly for people whose next step would be working or studying in Germany. I’ve found that my fluency and confidence in speaking German has dramatically increased since I arrived, partly due to the course, partly due to the fact that I only speak German to Reinhild and Ludwig at home!

I have enjoyed spending time with the Templer community, through events such as Kegeln (bowling), Bastelkreis (craft), the Gemeindefreizeit (camp) weekend in Pforzheim, and Dankfest. I have met a lot of interesting people, and have appreciated their kindness and welcoming nature.

At the moment I am staying with Brigitte Hoffmann, and so far this has been very interesting and enjoyable as we both have a common interest in history. In the coming weeks I’ll be staying with Irina Hornung, then the Klingbeils. I look forward to my return to sunny Australia, and sharing with you more stories of my time here, even though it’s still a while away! I still have a few weeks to travel in Europe through the winter.

Melissa English

WALHALLA EXCURSION – 21^st October

There we were, all aboard the narrow-gauge train winding its way down Stringer’s Creek Gorge over magnificently constructed trestle bridges, criss-crossing the freely flowing creek deep down. We admired the lush vegetation, the waterfalls, the narrow cuttings and the picturesque merging of the creek with the Thomson River. We were on the Walhalla Goldfields Railway, established in 1904 when Walhalla was a thriving gold-mining town. Construction of this rail line was quite a feat and very dangerous. Nowadays it runs only as a tourist attraction between Walhalla Station and Thomson Station.

We had left Bayswater at 8:30am on the Rosa bus, stopping at Moe for a delicious Devonshire morning tea. On the way we enjoyed the beautiful green countryside while busily chatting with our neighbours. The second half of the journey, from Moe to Walhalla, became even more interesting as we left the highway and climbed steadily through dense forest and steep hillsides, with some quite precipitous drops.

Walhalla once had a population of over 3000, but that number dwindled rapidly when the supply of gold stopped. It now has a population of 10 and is a delightful tourist town. Many of the original buildings were pulled down and shipped to other towns on the newly-opened railway, but the remaining buildings have been beautifully maintained in their original state. It was in one of these buildings, ‘The Wally Pub’, that we had lunch, deciding that a glass of wine would be in order, as none of us was driving.

After lunch we explored the little town on foot. It has a fascinating history, explained in detail on the many information boards. The locals take great pride in keeping the town clean and beautifully landscaped – the gardens were lush after the rain. Exotic trees and cute miners’ cottages line the meandering street and twisting creek in the steep valley.

Flat land is at such a premium that, back in Walhalla’s heyday, the solution for a cricket/football field was to slice the top off a nearby mountain. To get to this sports ground requires a 1km/45 minute hike up the zig-zag track, for which we had no time. The cemetery clings to the side of the hill at a 45 degree angle and the slopes are dotted with cottages built on narrow ledges cut into the steep hillsides. Some buildings even straddle the gurgling creek.

As we walked through the little town, we couldn’t help but imagine the hustle and bustle of life in its gold-rush days. I left Walhalla with the desire to return for a lengthier stay in order to explore the historic Long Gully Mine, the cemetery, the cricket ground and the township some more.

Special thanks to Helga Anderson for so ably coordinating this excursion, the morning tea and lunch, and the train trip. Her effort was greatly appreciated. Also a special thanks to Christine Ruff for driving the bus so capably (and not drinking the offered alcohol at lunch time). We had a lovely day sharing conversation, food and new experiences.

Inky Arndt

THE FINAL ISTANBULLETIN

In June, work in our schools finished with the usual frenetic rush. The apartment was packed up and cleaned up, and passed inspection before we vacated. Our great good fortune was that we were able to store all of our things at a friend’s place for the following three months. All of July and nearly half of August we spent in the UK and Ireland, seeing as much as we could and mostly travelling by train: Cornwall, South Wales, a magical few days on the Sanday (one of the Orkney Islands), Scotland, Stratford, Oxford. We were able to boast of having done the trek from Land’s End to John O’Groats, but via Ireland, where we were delighted to catch up with dear friends. Some other dear friends gave us a home base in Kent before and after our travels.

Returning to Istanbul, we met my eldest son Stephen and showed him a bit of Istanbul before launching out on a fabulous tour of greater Turkey along the Black Sea coast, linking up with a tour guide and driver for almost three weeks to visit the far east bordering Armenia, Iran, Iraq and Syria, then curling south-west to finish in fantastic Cappadocia. Back in Istanbul we saw Steve off to London, said a series of emotional goodbyes and returned to Melbourne on 21^st September.

We are now reasonably settled in our new home (purchased in 2007) in the charming little town of Maldon, Victoria. Perry and Crispin are very happy at school and we are looking for more, permanent work.

Thank you for sharing our journey. It has changed each of us profoundly and, despite all the tough times, we would do it all again. Without doubt, it has been the most rewarding time of our lives. Already we miss our life in Turkey and Istanbul with an extraordinary longing for what was. This ageing man, who once thought that the best and most adventurous thing he ever did was to move to the far north of Australia and live with Aborigines, wishes more than ever to live a thousand years – life is so rich!

Feel free to come and visit: we have plenty of room. Just call first. Perhaps we can host a Country Templers meeting next year.

Some truths to say goodbye with: Turkey has a European head and an Asian heart; God made the Turk using a mixture of honey and gunpowder; and ‘Ataturk is not just a great figure of the 20^th century – he is the greatest!’ (This last from my dear friend Aytekin Ozgel.) Interestingly, I have become a great fan of Ataturk.

We send you all the season’s greetings. Arkadaslar, Gule gule,

from Mike, Annie, Perry & Crispin Beilharz-Smythe

SYDNEY

November

Ilse Birkner joined us from Melbourne and held a lovely service on 1^st November, looking at some different psalms. Despite numerous illnesses in our small congregation, twenty of us were delighted to catch up with our admired former community and Frauenverein leader. Afterwards we enjoyed a lovely lunch and chatted with Ilse until well into the afternoon. The day before, Ilse had visited our St Hedwig’s members and enjoyed touring the hostel and seeing some good friends.

On 7^th November, ten family group members took the ferry from Palm Beach to the Basin in Ku-ring-gai National Park on a sparkling spring morning. We all enjoyed the immense beauty of this spot. The kids found large starfish buried under a thin layer of mud. When washed, the starfish turned out to be brown and bright orange and they tickled your arm as they moved along it. Tiny crabs scurried between the holes dotted in the mud and people were pumping out yabbies. Just before lunch a large, dark brown wallaby appeared, and it took a great deal of restraint for the kids to follow the park rules and not to feed it. It was a busy time of year, but I hope more of us can attend these family events as they are always worth it on many levels.

The last Seniors’ Outing for 2009 on Saturday 14^th November was our Pittwater bus trip. Twenty members boarded bus driver Bob’s comfortably air-conditioned coach and enjoyed a superb, sunny day. First stop was morning tea at the The Piemonte Café at the Hills flower market in Terry Hills. We then toured through the hilly coastline overlooking the sapphire ocean surrounding the golden sand of Sydney’s northern beaches, until we reached Palm Beach. Next, we drove to the flat, glistening, boat-filled waters of Pittwater. At the tiny village of Church Point we took a stroll along the water’s edge enjoying views over to Scotland Island. Finally, we sat down to our meal of very fresh and crisp fish and chips at Pasadena’s Café. We enjoyed a long lunch sitting outside chatting on the wharf, sheltered from the hot sun by café umbrellas and overlooking sparkling water, busy with boats and surrounded by hills of beautiful bush. The last leg of our trip was afternoon tea near the magnificent views of West Head. The day was glorious, with the best weather, excellent views and good food, but the highlight was the warmth, fun and gorgeousness of the people whom I shared it with.

We are now in full swing planning for Christmas. Our flock has grown up and angels are now teenagers, so we desperately need angels and shepherds for our Nativity play at Christmas Saal. Please encourage your relatives to bring their children for this very special spiritual and cultural time. I look forward to seeing lots of families coming along for this special occasion.

•  Adventsfeier or Advent Celebration: 2:00pm 29^th November, Meadowbank Hall. Come and soak up the Templer German Christmas atmosphere. A warm, quiet, communal afternoon filled with carols, Gutsle and Stollen. There will be the Adventskranz, stories and jokes. We will also play the DVD showing many people involved in the making of the Templer textile mural, and sell the companion book Fabric of Society. Martina Eaton, the Community Care Worker from Melbourne, will be here to share this special event with us. Please bring a plate of German Christmas bakery to share. We are also running the tombola raffle, so please bring donations of prizes.

• Christmas Saal: 4:00pm  20^th December, Meadowbank Hall
  Hartmut Beck will hold the service. We invite all Templers and their friends to join us for this special Saal. There will not be any Kaffee und Kuchen afterwards. Since Santa’s helpers need to know whom to buy presents for, please let me know if we can expect any of your children – call me.

•  February – service on 7^th February at 10:30am at Meadowbank Hall: Welcome back for our first Saal of the year. Young people to head to Ryde wave pool afterwards.

•  Seniors’ Group – Friday 19^th February  Wentworthville Leagues Club.

• March – service on 14^th March at 10:30am at Meadowbank Hall, followed by lunch and book launch of Exiled from the Holy Land.

I wish you all a very special Christmas time and a happy New Year. The Sydney Community also wishes everyone in Melbourne, Adelaide and Germany Frohe Weihnachten und ein gutes Neues Jahr. I hope you keep well and that 2010 is a fulfilling and generous year for you.

Ingrid Turner, Sydney Community Development Worker

SOUTH AUSTRALIA

Our happy little group gathered on Sunday 11^th October at St John’s Church Hall in Tanunda at 2:00pm, as usual. We heard a service about the text in Mark’s Gospel that deals with healing on the Sabbath. Rules should never stop us from doing good and helping others on a Sunday.

Our next service is on 13^th December at the St John’s Church Hall at 2:00pm. Everyone is welcome.

Our little group sends season’s greetings to you all.

Rose and Uli Asenstorfer

Return to the Top

YOUTH

YOUTH GROUP CALENDAR

YOUTH GROUP 2010   

By the time you read this, we will have put together the Youth Group activities for 2010 and we’ll email or send the program to all the kids and families on our current mailing list. If you would like to add your name, or would like some information about Youth Group, please contact me on any of the following options:

Moni Imberger
email: gmnski@optusnet.com.au

SUMMER CAMP 2010 – Monday 4^th to Sunday 10^th January

The Summer Camp will be held at Cape Otway Ocean Lodge again and bookings are now open. For information and to obtain all medical and booking forms, please contact Susi and the forms will be emailed to you.

This is a great camp for all kids aged 11 to 14 years (and not yet confirmed). Anyone can attend and everyone is welcome to bring along friends, so please pass the word around. If you know of anyone who may be interested, direct them to the Office (or Susi). Financial assistance is available for families who may not be able to meet the cost – $308 for first child, $275 for second child in family. Please encourage your children to attend!

MOUNTAIN BIKING ON MT BULLER – 20^th to 24^th January

The next Youth Camp will be a little different – we are planning to go to Mt Buller to do some downhill, cross country mountain biking. This camp is suitable for ages 15 years and over and you do not need to have all your own biking gear.

If you are interested in coming along, or just have some questions, contact me ASAP by email susi@templesociety.org.au

Susi Richter, Community Youth Coordinator

Return to the Top

CHILDREN'S SECTION

Hallo all!  

Christmas is already around us everywhere. Are you someone who loves Christmas and the whole build-up to it? Do you enjoy seeing the decorations, hearing the carols and waiting in anticipation? Or do you find the Christmas season stressful, overdone and perhaps even meaningless? I hope you can find some way to enjoy it this year, and that it becomes significant for you in some special way.

I was recently given a children’s story book about Christmas called The Fourth King (by Ted Sieger), whose delightful message I’ll summarise for you.

The Christmas story has three kings in it, but in this story there is a fourth king, King Mazzel, who owns a camel called Chamberlain. King Mazzel desperately wanted to join the three kings as they followed the bright star in the sky which would guide them to the new baby boy born to Mary and Joseph. King Mazzel was to meet the other three kings on the edge of the great desert. But as he got closer to them, a ferocious dust storm sprang up, stinging Mazzel’s eyes and slowing him down. He worried that he would miss the others.

While the storm was raging, Mazzel and Chamberlain heard a small cry from behind them. They headed back into the storm and found a little nomad girl, alone and frightened. They picked her up and carried her through the blizzard until they found her family. When she was safe, they turned around again and journeyed on, hoping to make up lost time.

When they got to the edge of the desert, the three kings had gone on without them! They had missed them by minutes! Confident that they could catch up, they hurried on, Chamberlain galloping quickly, until they spied the three kings ahead in the distance.

Except it wasn’t them! It was other travellers in a merchant caravan who were lost in the desert and heading the wrong way. They had no map. Mazzel did have a map and knew where to go, but if he took them there, he would surely never find the three kings! What was he to do? He had already lost a lot of time.

Mazzel and Chamberlain led the travellers safely out of the desert, over a huge gorge (how they ever made it over, Mazzel did not know. Maybe somebody was secretly helping them?) and home again. They were later than ever. They travelled on for some time, until they both needed a rest.

As they were sitting resting, they saw a sad face. It was a tiny, withered, thirsty-looking plant. Mazzel deliberated, then gave it the last of his water. He and Chamberlain travelled on up narrow tracks through steep mountains, with a biting wind and rain that turned into hailstones.

Down from the mountains, their path was suddenly blocked by a strange, endless wall that had no gates or doorways. Just as Chamberlain and Mazzel got past its boundary, they realised – shocked – that the wall was being built by children who were slaves of a nasty rich man. The children were not allowed to go until they had finished the wall. So, do you know what Mazzel did? He stayed to help the children finish the wall, even though he knew he was getting further and further behind the other kings all the time. Eventually all the children were released from their prison and followed Mazzel on his journey. Together they followed the star almost all the way to Bethlehem, but the children stayed with some shepherds to be safe, because in the town, soldiers were searching for children to take away. A man appeared leading a donkey carrying a woman with a baby in her arms. They looked frightened, so Mazzel hid them in a secret place until the soldiers passed by and they were all safe. (Mazzel didn’t realise this was the very baby he was looking for – Jesus! He still hoped to catch up with the other three kings.)

The family with the baby left Mazzel, then he and Chamberlain found themselves on the edge of town. The stable they were looking for was up ahead, so they ran to get to it. But it was empty! They were too late! Their journey had all been in vain! Mazzel fell to his knees and wept. And then, as he lay there distraught, a voice spoke to him softly:

‘King Mazzel, you have not come too late!

You were always with me.

When I was lost, you showed me the way.

When I was thirsty, you gave me water.

When I was captive, you freed me.

When I was in danger, you saved me.

You were always there when I needed you,

And I will be with you forever.’

Suddenly Mazzel knew his journey was over and he was happy. The sun was warm on his face, a new day was beginning and Mazzel knew it did not matter that he had never caught up with the three kings. And many years later when he looked up into the night sky, although he could no longer see the big star shining brightly, he could still feel it burning brightly in his heart.

I love this story because it shows that you do not have to do anything a certain way to make Christmas meaningful. You do not have to have lots of decorations and presents or special food. You do not have to be in some grand building with famous people. What is important is how you act and how you feel Christmas in your heart. Christmas is about what you do, how you behave to the people around you (not just your family) and what you think. It is about being unselfish, helping others even when it puts you out and about giving, not only taking. But it is not about giving many expensive presents, it is about giving of yourself. It is about actions such as those of Mazzel, and realising that there is always something special to be found, everywhere.

Maybe this is the way to make Christmas special and meaningful for everyone? What do you think?

I hope you all have a truly special Christmas and that it holds meaning for you in whatever way you need it to.

Wishing you safe and happy holidays,Christine Ruff

Happy Summer Birthday to:

Return to the Top

TABULAM & TEMPLER HOMES FOR THE AGED

Dear Friends,             

It is hard to believe that another year is nearly over and the smell of Gutsle is wafting from the kitchen again.

On 1^st December we start with the volunteers’ Christmas party and I want to sincerely thank each and every one who has assisted the Home in whatever capacity – your help is very much appreciated. On 6^th December the Liedertafel Arion will sing in the Tabulam dining room and on the 12^th it will be the Liederkranz, again in the Tabulam dining room. The ILU Christmas party will be held on 18^th December, followed by the Tabulam Christmas party on the 21^st. On the 22^nd it will be the turn of the Otto Löbert, Warrina and Altersheim residents. During the month there will be many more spontaneous events such as decorating the Christmas tree in the reception foyer, Christmas baking etc. and I am sure one or the other school choir will sing for us as well.

The Home has all our 118 licensed beds allocated and we currently have 19 on our waiting list. The parent society ratio is 78 AGWS, 41 Templers. Our current case mix stands at 24 low care and 94 high care.

A new logo for TTHA was chosen, designed by Stephanie Roscher. (More about it in February.)

Our new staff room is under construction and plans for the 3 new ILUs to be built at 38 Elizabeth Street are awaiting Council approval.

On behalf of our CoM I take this opportunity to thank our CEO, Johannes Achilles, and all our wonderful staff for their efforts over this difficult year and wish them and all our residents a joyous, peaceful Christmas with family and friends and all the best for 2010.

Kind regards,

Hartmut Weller

Die Weihnacht gibt uns neues Licht,

dass nie die Hoffnung uns zerbricht,

wenn noch so finster ist die Nacht,

es sieget Gottes Lichtesmacht.

Die Weihnacht sei erneut der Ruf,

dass Gott die Welt zur Liebe schuf.

Lasst uns’re Herzen offen sein

der Weihnachtsbotschaft hellem Schein.

Melodie: Vom Himmel hoch  Text: Erich Bergmann

Return to the Top

NOTICES -- BEKANNTMACHUNGEN

COMING SERVICES  

FLOWER ROSTER

ADVENTSFEIERN

Bentleigh – Sunday 6^th December 2:30pm

Even if it is hot, we have the luxury of being able to keep the hall comfortable thanks to air conditioning. See pp 38-39 of the November TR, but please note a correction. We can receive Gutsle and raffle prizes up to 5^th December at the Office or at 2:00pm on 6^th December at the Bentleigh Hall. Deliveries in Bayswater must be received at the Beilharz’s residence, 51 Elizabeth St, by Thursday 3^rd December to allow for delivery to Bentleigh.

We will be setting up the hall and craft things and packing Gutsle from 2:00pm on Saturday 5^th December. It is important that we have some new people to assist, so please consider giving some time.

People from Bayswater wishing to come to the Adventsfeier in Bentleigh on Rosa must book with the Office ASAP to ensure you get a seat. For more information please ring me at the Office on 9557 6713.

Please note that our marvellous textile mural will be in Bentleigh for Advent and the Fabric of Society book will be available to buy for $35.

Marianne Herrmann

Bayswater – Thursday 10^th December 8:00pm

Come and join us in the Bayswater Hall for an evening of carols, readings, candles and companionship – bring a friend. The program is in English, with some German. All welcome. Please bring some Gutsle to go with coffee afterwards. There will be an Adventsbasar table with goodies as usual, thanks to our crafty ladies. Donations will go to the Borromeo Sisters in Jerusalem, as in past years.

Some help with set-up from 10:00am on the day would be greatly appreciated. Ring me or email resi.schwarzbauer@gmail.com 

Resi Schwarzbauer

BENTLEIGH CHILDREN’S CHRISTMAS PARTICIPATION

If you or your child would like to take part in the children’s performance at the end of the Bentleigh Service on Christmas Day, could you please call me soon. I only plan on a single rehearsal, with all details/parts being sent to you to look at beforehand.

Diana Rainbird

email: dmrainbird@optusnet.com.au

COMMUNITY CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION

Saturday 19^th December 6:00pm – Bayswater

Everyone is invited to the Community Christmas Celebration in Bayswater. This is a communal and family event for youngest to oldest, with children participating and a lot of communal carol singing. There will be some light refreshments at the end of the evening.

Giving Christmas

Please bring a gift to put under our Christmas tree for the Giving Tree Appeal. Record on the gift for which gender and age the gift is best suited. All children aged 10 and under, or participating in the play, will receive a small gift from Father Christmas, whom we have invited to attend our celebration.

Calling for children to participate by

J       Joining in the traditional candle procession at the start of the celebration

J       Joining in the performance of A Christmas Journey

J       Joining in the children’s songs

J       Joining in the dances

J       Dressing up for the nativity re-enactment

Children are welcome to join in on the night; attendance at practices is not a requirement, but children interested in participating are encouraged to attend as many of the following practices as possible, to prepare the songs, dances and play.

• Friday 4^th December 6:30pm–8:00pm This session will focus on introducing the play, learning songs and assigning parts.

• Sunday 13^th December 4:00–6:00pm

• Thursday 17^th December 5:00–7:00pm

• Saturday 19^th December 9:30am–12:00 midday (dress rehearsal – it would be great to have everyone there for this practice)

Help required

As always with an event such as this, many hands make light work. If you can find the time to assist with tasks such as preparing the stage backdrop, making props and costumes, decorating the Christmas tree, helping with the supper preparations and serving, setting up the hall, contacting Father Christmas, assisting with children’s practices etc. that would be wonderful.

Please contact

Phuong Breisch if you know your children would like to participate in the celebration. Let her know the age of the participants, and whether they would like a large, small or non-speaking part.

Renate Beilharz on  beilharztr@ozemail.com.au if you can help out with any tasks.

Phuong Breisch and Renate Beilharz

NEW YEAR’S EVE IN BAYSWATER

The service commences at 6.30pm. If we can find a driver, Rosa will collect from the Bentleigh Hall at 5:45pm. If you are interested in going by bus, please contact the TSA Office ASAP on 9557 6713. The time to return will need to be a mutual decision between those on the bus and the driver.

After the service there will be champagne, orange juice, Gutsle and Stollen to enjoy in the chapel foyer.

Those wishing to party on, please bring a plate of food to share, your own drinks and join others in the Bayswater Community Room to see in the New Year. You may leave earlier if you wish. For more information please ring Gudrun Dimpfel.

Marianne Herrmann

PLAYGROUP ENROLMENTS 

Come and play with us in 2010!

Enrolments are now open for our Templer Playgroup starting up again at the beginning of February next year.

A general clean-up working bee is planned for Thursday 4^th February – it would be great if as many families as possible could join us – with Playgroup sessions starting on 11^th February.

Please contact me to enrol your little person and for all enquiries: email integrityfire@bigpond.com

Kirrily Sydenham

TEMPLER GERMAN SCHOOLS 

Bentleigh

Enrolments are now being accepted for 2010. All new beginner students are required to have completed at least Prep at their day school. Classes will commence on Monday 8^th February for Muttersprachler students and Wednesday 10^th February for German as a second language students. Classes are conducted from 5:00–7:00pm. If there is enough interest, the school will consider having a class for students in years 8–10 (Wednesdays from 5:00 to 7:00pm) who are learning German at their day school.

For more information about any of our classes or enrolment please ring me.

In 2010, together with Language Matters, we will offer a VCE Conversation Tutorial as well as a Beginner German Class for Adults in the classrooms in Bentleigh. Day, time and costs are yet to be confirmed and commencement depends on interest and enrolment. For more information or to register your interest for either of these classes, please contact Sigrid Schweiger.

All classes for 2009 will conclude with an Adventsfeier on Monday 7^th (Muttersprachler) and Wednesday 9^th December (German as a second language) both commencing at 6:00pm. Community members and friends are invited to come along to either or both if they wish.

We thank the Temple Society for continuing to support our German Schools.

Marianne Herrmann, Coordinator

Bayswater

We are accepting enrolments for 2010. Children should be at least 6 years of age or in Grade 1 at school. Classes are on Tuesdays from 5:00pm to 7:30pm at the Bayswater Community Hall, 51 Elizabeth St, Bayswater. Classes will commence on 9^th February.

For more information contact me by email irenebouzo@optushome.com.au

Irene Bouzo, Coordinator

BAYSWATER AND BENTLEIGH INTEREST GROUPS

We are looking at forming a Bayswater and a Bentleigh Interest Group. These would support the existing Focus Groups by providing local input to decisions and coordinating activities.

Based on experiences over the past few years, we believe that these Interest Groups will help with the smooth operation of the Focus Groups. The type of tasks that need addressing include:

      Input to property projects, such as colour code selection;

      Coordination of Sunday service chair set-up and kitchen rosters.

If you are interested in joining one of these Interest Groups, please contact:

Bayswater: Tony Beilharz

Bentleigh: Paul Weberruss, Peter Ware

Peter Ware

JAHRGANGSTREFFEN – Reunion for the vintages 1933/34/35

Plans are almost in place to stage our Reunion in 2010. Please set aside the time-slot from Wednesday 10^th March to Friday 12^th March 2010.

Sommerfest on Sunday, 14^th March 2010 in Bayswater may be added to the program. The venue is not finalised as yet, but we will advise all details in the February TR.

Please register your interest in wishing to attend by contacting us at fredhs0@bigpond.net.au (please note: 0=zero).

Gisela and Friedrich Sawatzky

IMPORTANT NOTICE for all members living in Victoria

In response to the increased risk of fire in Victoria this bushfire season, a need of some members deciding to evacuate their homes on days of CODE RED (Catastrophic) fire danger has been recognised. Advice for days designated Code Red is that, if you live in a bushfire-prone area, the safest option is to leave the night before, or early in the morning.

As the TSA has large hall facilities in Bayswater and Bentleigh, it was suggested that we open up the Bayswater facility for people requiring and seeking a safe refuge on days which are deemed Code Red (or for nights before Code Red Days), until they are able to return to their homes. As the hall is well equipped with a kitchen, toilets and plenty of room to sleep, it would be an ideal place to come to if you required a temporary place to stay.

If you find yourself in this situation, please phone the TSA Bereavement Line on 9557 9695 so we can organise the hall to be opened up and ‘manned’. If you are interested in being on a roster to help in opening up/assisting at the hall in such an event, please contact me.

If you live in a bushfire-prone area, please ensure that you have a firm plan in place and evacuate before it is too late to prevent disaster!

Martina Eaton, Community Care Worker

Return to the Top

THE HERITAGE PAGE

BOOK EXTRACT

From Exiled from the Holy Land (compiled by Horst Blaich)

We lived through long and monotonous months at the Hospice from spring 1948 to the end of 1949. That taught us clearly that our stay in this land, which had become our home, was now more in question than ever before. Our fellow colonists, deported to and interned in Australia, had been released from captivity and allowed to integrate into the Australian economy, while the Cyprus group had dispersed to Germany and to Australia. We had maintained lively contact by mail with both groups.

In view of these conditions, we were not surprised when, on 14 November 1949, some of us received notice to leave the country. We understood that to protest against this expulsion would be useless, so the persons concerned began to pack their things. For the moment, it affected the families of Hermann Imberger and Nikolai Schmidt. A few days later, several others were also implicated.

This was the beginning of a time-consuming task for us. We needed various documents for this emigration. Every relevant office delayed the completion of our applications or relegated us to other offices. It meant we had to wait, wait and wait again, and then deliver longwinded explanations. It took five months to collect all papers and visas. On all these endless errands, it helped that almost all Israeli civil servants spoke German. Some, who were particularly strongly aligned with the Jewish cause, used an interpreter to have our concerns translated into Hebrew, even though they had a good command of German. So much time had been wasted by these energy-consuming visits that we missed the deadline of our departure. We now had to hire a solicitor to help us apply for an extension of time.

A group led by Samuel Faig and Karl Schnerring were able to leave the country in December 1949. They boarded a ship in Haifa and reached Melbourne by a detour via Smyrna, Cyprus, Naples and Genoa on an Italian steamship.

The second group, consisting of eight persons led by Hermann Imberger, embarked in Haifa on 4 April 1950, and arrived in Melbourne after a similar odyssey.

On 12 April 1950, my wife and I (Nikolai Schmidt) flew from Lydda to Sydney. Four more persons flew to Sydney a little later on, and three women and one man flew to Munich.

The last group to leave the country did so on 20 July 1950: five persons led by Jakob Imberger boarded a ship in Haifa bound for Australia. Eleven German refugees remained with the Sisters in the Hospice in Jerusalem.

So ended the enterprise of our settlements in Palestine that had begun in such earnest faith and with such high expectations.

Postscript

As I leave our home of many years, I want to convey my last greetings and best wishes to all those who have become aware of the values it has imparted to us. We wistfully remember the land of our birth, the land where we spent carefree childhoods, where we were blest to experience happy times, where the bonds of community have matured and yielded such excellent fruits, where we have grown up in freedom with commitment to our beliefs and where, most of all, we would have liked to stay for the rest of our lives.

From this land, which now has acquired an entirely new name and whose inhabitants mistakenly had wanted to blame us for many ills, I call out one more time: here we have learnt to distinguish between the glass and the gold; we have learnt to value community life higher than the mundane, which often is so highly rated by the selfish, and we have learnt to obey and honour God through His voice and His presence, which helped us to serve the people made in His image in pure, active love and to become more fulfilled in the process.

If humanity abandons the Master’s uniquely true message – which draws human beings to religion and makes them good, true and fair – deep abasement of individuals and communities will result.

Let us make our inner light shine, so that we may be directed on to the right path and that peace and happiness will grow.

Let us take leave, then, of this episode of religious history and let us rest assured in the hope that it has not been in vain.

May God grant it.

Nikolai Schmidt, April 1950

PHOTOGRAPHS FROM THE PAST

School class,  Schlachtfest

DEUTSCHE WEIHNACHT – Exhibition at TTHA

This exhibition in the Templer Gallery will run from December 2009 to February 2010 – All welcome!

Dies ist der Tag

Dies ist der Tag, den Gott gemacht

Sein werd’ in aller Welt gedacht!

Ihn preise, was durch Jesum Christ

Im Himmel und auf Erden ist.

Die Völker haben dein geharrt;

Bis dass die Zeit erfüllet ward;

Da sandte Gott von seinem Thron

Das Heil der Welt, dich, seinen Sohn.

Wenn ich dies Wunder fassen will,

So steht mein Geist vor Ehrfurcht still,

Er betet an und er ermisst,

dass Gottes Lieb unendlich ist.

Jauchzt, Himmel, die ihr ihn erfuhrt,

den Tag der heiligsten Geburt,

Und Erde, die ihn heute sieht,

Sing ihm, dem Herrn, ein neues Lied.

Dies ist der Tag, den Gott gemacht,

Sein werd’ in aller Welt gedacht!

Ihn preise, was durch Jesum Christ

Im Himmel und auf Erden ist!

Christian Fürchtegott Gellert

        Frohe Weihnachten und ein gutes Neues Jahr

        from the ‘Heritage Pages’ – Horst Blaich

Return to the Index

NOVEMBER
TEMPLER RECORD - ISSUE No. 722

REFLECTIONS

BEI DIR SEIN…

Kein Füllhorn von Bitten

will ich vor Dir ausschütten,

auch um keinen Scheck bin ich gekommen

wie leichte Söhne von reichen Vätern.

Keine Steine sollst Du mir aus dem Weg räumen.

Mit den andern, die alles von sich selbst erwarten,

will ich an der Steilwand hängen.

Bei Dir sein,

Diese knappen Minuten,

angelehnt, berührt, umfangen,

Bei Dir sein…

Aus dem Glück Deiner Nähe

Gehe ich hin zu den anderen.

Manfred Haustein

BEING WITH YOU…

I’m not here to empty

a load of petitions before you,

nor have I come for a cheque,

like the careless sons of wealthy fathers.

You are not to clear rocks from my path.

Together with those others who expect everything of themselves,

I want to hang on the cliff face.

Being with You

for these brief minutes,

leaning against You, touched by You, embraced,

being with you…

filled with the joy of Your presence

I go across to the others.

Tr. H. Uhlherr

THOUGHT FOR NOVEMBER – Month of Remembrance

Internationally, November is the month when people remember those who have died. The tendency is to focus on those who fell in war and to recall their gallantry and their sacrifice, often for little or no reward. Personally, we may expand remembrance to include our own departed loved ones. Memories of them are often evoked by various triggers, such as particular sayings, photos where we may discover ancestral facial features in new generations, mannerisms, certain items, favourite foods, flowers, melodies, visiting certain spots…

Traditional November remembrance days are All Saints Day on 1^st November, All Souls Day on the second, Remembrance Day on 11^th November, and the International Day of Tolerance on the sixteenth.

The first two are of Christian origin, which suggests to me that we could include honouring the spirit of our Templer founding generation. Our forefathers also fought and suffered, experienced hardships, sickness and death and they did so to establish a community living with unwavering faith, with strong principles as taught by Jesus of Nazareth. They were prepared to face an uncertain future by emigrating to a rather primitive Palestine (their dream being Jerusalem). Their perseverance over many, many decades from the 1860s on, left us with a legacy, a blueprint for how to live as a community with true Christian values which still stand, even though the world and our social environment have changed so much that they are not comparable with 100 years ago.

I feel it is appropriate during remembrance month to revisit that legacy, to remind ourselves of our Templer values based on what Jesus taught. And also to be thankful to our founder generation for their willingness to endure hardships and even death in order to pass on what they were convinced was important and right.

These values are still valid today. They are solid guidelines for the future of the Temple Society, if not for humanity as a whole.

Hermann R. Uhlherr

REPORT ON FORUM – CHALLENGES AND CHANGES – Part 3

Was transportation to Australia the greatest challenge?

This is the final part of the August Forum exploring how and why Templers just kept going despite major setbacks over the decades. Mark Herrmann led this part, which focussed on the effects of WW II; he suggested that the forced transportation of hundreds of Templers from their properties in Palestine during wartime to an unknown destination may have been the most difficult challenge. Mark used the translated work of Paul Sauer’s history of the Temple Society The Holy Land Called in his research. [Square brackets indicate input from a listener.]

How do you measure degrees of adversity? This forced journey was into the totally unknown and, in the end, a complete and final transition – there was no going back ‘home’ to Palestine. [It was also traumatic for those few left behind in Palestine during the war.]

Great Britain and France’s declaration of war on Germany on 3.9.1939 signalled the beginning of the end of the Templer settlement work. Men liable for military service were arrested and sent to Akko (Acre) and women and children were not permitted to leave the settlements. Families were split up and livelihoods threatened. [Even an 80-year-old man was imprisoned.]

The authorities planned to send all the settlers to a military camp at the edge of the desert, but Templer President Philipp Wurst’s counter-proposal was followed: that the rural settlements become internment camps.

In July/August 1941, over 500 Templers were forcibly removed. There were limits to what they were allowed to take in money and luggage: 40kg per adult and 30kg per child. [Compare this to airline limits today, to what we take for a holiday – this is what they were allowed to take to start a new life in the unknown.]

Could the Templers have had any idea of what their fate might be? The Queen Elizabeth had brought Australian troops to North Africa and would return to Australia with internees and POWs. Who knew this?

At Fremantle, fingerprints were taken and immigration forms completed. [Does this happen to the boat people who arrive on our shores?] The family camp at Tatura had insufficient room and huts, and tents had to be erected. Coming into winter in their summer clothes brought issues of acclimatisation and illness, on top of feeling dispossessed, uncertain, isolated and helpless.

Mark was struck by the realisation that his Opa Weiss, when he arrived at Tatura with two daughters aged 13 and 8, to spend five more years behind barbed wire, was much the same age as Mark is now. After roughly a month, Camp school commenced using the dining rooms for classes. The schooling was good, but many young people were robbed of their ‘prime’ years. [There was frustration among the young: they were ready for life, but had almost no opportunities to train for future careers.]

Mark mentioned the library of books from the Red Cross, the choirs and instrumental ensembles formed (some instruments from the Wilhelma Brass Band – and a sewing machine – had been allowed to be brought), a drama group, festivals... Camp Command authorised construction of a large assembly hall for divine services and theatre performances. A limited number of (censored) letters was permitted. Shoe repairs, tailors’ shops, vegetable growing, craft work, etc. The internees had nothing much except time, and this brought out their creativity and tremendous resourcefulness.

The Australian Government was generally responsive to internees’ requests. The military authorities also made sure that different nationalities and political leanings were segregated as much as possible.

Despite the unfavourable news from Palestine, the internees (to whom the Geneva Convention no longer applied after war’s end) held hopes for an early return to their settlements there – nobody contemplated remaining in Australia. This changed in June 1946 when return to the Holy Land was made impossible by the High Commissioner for Palestine’s edict. The choice now: remain in Australia or be repatriated to (a war-ravaged) Germany. Internees could not apply for naturalisation until 12 months after their release and some Australian States prohibited foreigners from acquiring real estate. Mr Temby (Secretary of the Commission for Investigation of Overseas Internees) advocated for the Templers, laying special emphasis on the Templers’ religious and political independence, their efforts to organise their community life and the ‘high standards of personal behaviour they had set for their members’. He acknowledged that their national sympathies had been German, although they had never received official financial support from Germany. The first internees were released from camp in August 1946.

The first Rundschreiben (circular), an unimposing carbon copy of a single typed page, was issued and passed around in November 1946. Most Templers fit for work soon found jobs, even if only as labourers. There were obvious language and cultural differences and, although personal harassment was rare, there was widespread hostility towards Germans, who were all viewed as Nazis. [Parents told children not to speak German on public transport, for fear of hateful reactions.]

‘Now, almost 59 years after the formal establishment of the Temple Society in Australia, I believe the continued presence, strength and community spirit of the Temple Society serves as the best example of having faced and overcome challenges and change’ concluded Mark.

Comments

• Challenges made us stronger.

•  Are we too comfortable now? Do we need a serious challenge to test our faith and our community spirit?

• Some young people have said there is no big issue to unite them, as there was in earlier times. What could be a unifying project to enthuse and inspire them, something worthy of their engagement and fruitful for the TS?

• Occasional courses in basic Templer ideas and values, a bit like our modern, interactive Confirmation sessions, could promote appreciation of what we stand for.

• The June Family Service to which Christine Ruff invited many families, where half those present took part in enacting the Templer journey with pictures, was a great success. Like the Embroidered History, an easily digested, colourful presentation of our Templer history would be inspiring. How about a children’s book – who could take that on?

Please forward any good ideas to Mark Herrmann at the Office.

Summarised by H.U. Ed.

CONFIRMATIONS – 13^th and 27^th September

The Melbourne and Sydney Confirmands all contributed to their confirmation service (see here for the ceremony in Sydney). This month we have Ruby Bulach’s contribution:

As I have been brought up with Catholic beliefs all my life, before coming to these confirmation classes, I really knew nothing about the Temple Society. But over the weeks I learnt more and more and understood and began to really enjoy the way that the Temple Society sees things. The most important thing that I learnt during the confirmation lessons was the beliefs of the Temple Society.

Although Christian, the Temple Society is an independent community which means it is not affiliated with any other Christian Church. Templers are not forced into believing any set idea about God, but instead are encouraged to try to find answers to the deep questions of life themselves, and form their own beliefs. They believe in striving for a complete and satisfying life. The Temple Society accepts people from other religions.

The teachings of the Temple Society differ from those of other Christian Churches in that Templers focus on what Jesus taught, rather than on what the Church teaches about Jesus as a God or the son of God. Templers believe that our personal behaviour – how we speak and act in everyday life – is more important than rituals and liturgy.[ ] Not having priests shows that Templers have their own, individual, direct relationship with God, rather than needing an intermediary such as a priest.

For me, the most important thing I learnt from the Confirmation classes was that the Templers believe that God resides in every one of us, that each individual is a temple of God. This has given me a whole new idea of God and my relationship with him.

[To expand our young people’s concept of God – especially if it’s the old image of the bearded sage up in the sky that few people can now believe in – elders use a variety of possible descriptions of the divine, creative Energy that we can’t ever fully understand.]

Another idea I found very important was that you didn’t always have to refer to God as a man. Some of the elders sometimes referred to ‘God’ as ‘she’, which is very interesting – it shows that they believe a woman can do great things, too.

Slightly edited by Herta Uhlherr, for the teaching Elders

APPRECIATE WHAT IS

The Spring gardens are still gloriously lush, so let’s take the time to smell the flowers and step off the treadmill of desire and fear, memory and speculation. A thought-provoking greeting card reads:

            Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery

            Today is a gift

            That’s why it’s called the present – let’s open it.

To open the gift of the present moment, we simply need to: Stop, Look, Listen and come to our senses. Give it a go – at least briefly.

Stop trying to achieve, get ahead, grow, understand, control – in other words, stop trying and let go into now. Take a sweet, full breath of air and enjoy the texture and taste of this unique breath of life.

Look around, how bright is the light, where is the shadow? Pay attention to the shapes and colours that are painting the pictures that surround you. Just look, without judgment. Look at the faces of your children, friends, strangers.

Listen to the symphony of sounds that life is presenting to your ears. In this moment you are choosing what to notice. This is the only moment there is. Your life is lived in a series of now-moments. Time is a trick of the mind, memory and imagination.

Let’s just pay attention to what is actually here, instead of worrying about what should be, could be, should have been, could have been – all our fantasies, the constructs of our minds. We’ve somehow been tricked into living our lives too conceptually and not sensuously enough. Let the joys of the season bring you to your senses, and remember to enjoy the simple pleasures that are so sweet and freely available.

Based on Paul Bedson in the Gawler Foundation’s ‘Healthy Living’

WORLDWIDE INITIATIVE FOR PEACE  Wednesday 25^th November

How can we make a difference?  STOP – for Just This Day.

Go beyond nationality, religious difference or belief and remember the still, silent presence where everything is united.

Prayer is at the heart of religion and silence is at the heart of prayer. In the experience of silence, we connect with the Supreme and become instruments to bring God’s peace and light to the earth, wherever we are.

Please join people all over the world and stop for a moment on this day to focus on peace.

Website: www.justthisday.org/

PARLIAMENT OF WORLD RELIGIONS in Melbourne

Thursday 3^rd to Wednesday 9^th December

‘Make a world of difference – healing each other, healing the earth.’

Many speakers, varied program including dialogues, workshops, exhibitions, performances. Dr Irene Bouzo and Dr Rolf Beilharz are among the presenters.

Website: www.parliamentofreligions.org  for sessions and costs.   

Ed.

Return to the Top

REGIONAL MATTERS
 

RC NEWS

October’s RC meeting did not proceed for lack of a quorum, all business was therefore held over to the November forum.

Last month’s TSA AGM saw almost all Council, Focus Group and Committee positions filled, the exceptions being one place on the Communication & Promotion Focus Group, with another on the Welfare & Distant Focus Group. Please contact either the Focus Group leaders concerned or the TSA Office should you be interested in helping out. A reminder also that the Sydney Community Focus Group has provision for two more members – contact Ingrid Turner for more information.

May I also take this opportunity of publicly thanking all those who were prepared to be nominated and those who retired following their stint(s) of service.

A wonderful surprise occurred as we walked from lunch in the Hall back to the Chapel – the bell in the Chapel’s tower rang out!

Mark Herrmann

WARTE

If you received the wrong issue (October 2008 instead of October 2009) of Die Warte, please contact the Office.

Ed.

JOIN THE MULTIFAITH FUTURE LEADERS PROGRAM

Are you a future leader? Are you a dynamic young person, approximately 18 to 26 years, and see yourself as a future leader of your community? Are you keen to learn leadership skills that will help you become a better leader? If so, you may be eligible to join the Multifaith Future Leaders Program.

Participants begin with a free three-day residential leadership training workshop in February 2010 (all food, accommodation and activities are included – just bring comfortable clothes and enthusiasm) and commit to ongoing get-togethers when they return. They join in leadership training activities with other young people from different faith communities and form a network of connections to support each other in future leadership endeavours.

The Multifaith Future Leaders Program is sponsored by the Victorian Multicultural Commission through the Interfaith Grants program and organised by the B’nai B’rith Anti-Defamation Commission, a community organisation dedicated to promoting respect between people of different backgrounds and opposing all forms of racism.

When:     22^nd – 24^th February 2010

Where:    Campaspe Downs Country Resort

              1302 Trentham Rd., Kyneton (about an hour from Melbourne)

Go to www.antidef.org.au and click on the link under upcoming events or e-mail reception@antidef.org,au or phone (03) 9572 5770 or write to PO Box 340, Caulfield South, 3162.

Register your interest now.

Mark Herrmann

PCNV – 15^th November 12:15pm    www.pcnvictoria.org.au

The next meeting of the Progressive Christian Network of Victoria is at St Michael’s Uniting Church, cnr. Collins and Russell Streets, city.

Speaker: Val Webb, on Book burnings and crucifixion – the fate of new religious ideas. Feel welcome, but try not to be late, as Val Webb is an excellent and popular speaker.

At the October meeting, Dr Rufus Black was inspiring on why we progressive Christians are vitally important for humanity’s survival. Have you ever considered that the Temple Society is crucial to the evolution of humanity?

Herta Uhlherr, for the Elders

TSA MEMBERSHIP DIRECTORY 

The TSA Membership Directory, first published in August 2008, will be updated over the next few months.

Please contact the TSA Office if   

• your contact details, including phone and email address, require updating, or

• you do not wish your contact details to appear in the Directory.

Contact: tel: (03) 9557 6713, email: tsa@templesociety.org.au 

Renate Beilharz, for the Communication & Promotion FG

UNIDENTIFIABLE PAYMENTS

On 3.6.2009 we received a payment titled ‘subscription’ into our Temple Society Australia account.

On 20.10.2009 we received a payment titled ‘subscription’ into our Temple Society Central Fund account.

If you can lay claim to either or both of these payments, please ring the TSA Office and identify your payment and advise how you would like it to be allocated.

Marianne Herrmann, TSA Office

SOCIAL CARE 

Dear Friends,

By now I will have hosted two events for the Templer community in October: the Carers Workshop and afternoon tea, ‘What you do makes a difference!’ and the ‘Girls night in’ fundraiser for women’s cancer research. More about these two events next time.

On 16^th October, a group of about 10 men got together over pretzels and beer in Bayswater to map out a men’s weekend away for next year. Lots of great ideas were raised and now Ingrid Turner and I will turn these ideas into something special for the men, so stay tuned, gentlemen! Thank you to Marianne Herrmann for giving up her Friday night to help make the pretzels with the blokes!

Telelink: Telelink is now being held on Wednesdays (fortnightly) at 2:00pm. Erika Christian has kindly agreed to join in as co-facilitator due to my lack of German and Schwäbisch language skills. Hopefully I will pick some up whilst listening to the conversation. Telelink dates will be 4^th and 18^th November at 2:00pm. Please call me if you would like to participate in the conversation over the telephone.

Frauenrunde: The October Frauenrunde was held at a Seniors’ Week concert organised by Vision Australia. The Skylarkers performed a number of musical acts and a boxed lunch was provided to all attendees. The ladies seemed to enjoy the outing, judging by the photos. Thank you to Christine Ruff for driving the bus! Our next event on 2^nd November will have a Spring Racing theme, so wear your nice hats and come and join us in the TTHA sunroom for afternoon tea and conversation.

Trip to Sydney coming up: I will be travelling to Sydney from 28^th November to 1^st December to visit the Sydney Community and participate in their Advent Community Day, catching up with the ladies I met at the Women’s Retreat in August and the people I met on my last trip to Sydney. Please contact myself or Ingrid Turner if you would like to meet with me individually whilst I am in Sydney.

Grants received: I am pleased to announce that the Frauenverein in Bentleigh received a grant from Glen Eira City Council to help with administrative support. It has been suggested that the group may purchase a portable projector screen for use in the Bentleigh Hall and also to use some of the money for outings for the group, budget permitting. Thank you to Glen Eira City Council for proudly sponsoring this group.

Women’s Retreat 2010: We have already started looking at venues and have begun the planning for next August. If you would like to participate in the planning, please contact me or Ingrid Turner. Early next year we will have a planning meeting.

Freebies and useful websites

Equipment Recycling Network (ERN): The ERN is a registered charity in Ringwood that advertises second-hand aids and equipment. You can access a range of these which may be suitable for you or the person you care for. It is a good idea to consult an Occupational Therapist (OT) first, as the OT can meet with you and assess your physical support needs at home and help you review your environment before you decide to buy items. Ring 1800 052 222 or visit www.erni.asn.au

Bushfire Season – be prepared! This reminder is not to alarm you, only to prepare you. The coming fire season is expected to be much worse than the last, so please be prepared to minimise the risk to you and your family. Victorian members can visit the Country Fire Authority Victoria website www.cfa.vic.gov.au before the fire season is upon us. There are a number of useful tools on this website such as a Household Bushfire Self-Assessment Tool, a Fire Ready Kit and information about the new ‘Fire Ratings’ Victoria will be using this summer. If you live in NSW the website you should visit is www.bushfire.nsw.gov.au and for South Australians go to www.cfs.sa.gov.au/site/home.jsp .

Free Swine Flu (H1N1) Vaccination program: The Australian Government has rolled out the free vaccination program for nearly all Australians. If you fit into one of the groups below, they encourage you to get the free vaccine first. This includes:

• pregnant women

•  people with chronic health conditions such as asthma, heart and lung disease, cancer, diabetes, kidney disease, neurological disease and people with suppressed immune systems

• people with moderate to severe obesity (BMI of 35+)

• health care workers

•  Indigenous people

• parents and guardians of infants under 6 months old

For everyone else: You can get the vaccine for free,* including healthy people. Contact your doctor or immunisation provider to make an appointment. NB: Children must be over the age of 10 or under the age of 6 months to get the vaccine.

*Your provider may charge you a service fee.

Keep smiling,

Martina Eaton

Contact: email: careworker@templesociety.org.au

MORE ANNUAL REPORTS

Communication & Promotion FG

This year, the Communication & Promotion Focus Group has operated with limited membership, but we have continued to undertake our ‘behind the scenes’ support activities. Because of the nature of our work, we tend not to have any significant visible achievements, with the exception of the new website once it is completed.

We are currently working on re-organising and re-vamping the New Member Information Kit and are looking at publishing the next version of the TSA Membership Directory.

Our group focusses on a number of areas such as book publications, the TSA website and the Templer Record. We provide advice and assistance to the Office and to our fellow focus groups around advertising and general promotion, and have performed these functions throughout the year. We have been investigating the use of technologies such as Elluminate, which is an internet-based conferencing tool that was used during Confirmation lessons for communication with our Sydney Confirmands.

The group currently consists of only two official members, myself and Jevan Bouzo; however, we are ably assisted by Renate Beilharz (now officially in the Focus Group again) and the Office, for which we are grateful.

We have sought assistance from Regional Council to seek additional members, and ask anyone out there who may be able to help or knows of someone who can assist with the group to please contact the Office or come and have a chat with me.

Paul Blaich

Addition to Heritage & Culture FG report

Templer Exchange (AGTE)

Melissa English was the only applicant for the 2008/09 exchange period. After an interview and a proposal, she was accepted as a positive ambassador for the TSA. She is currently undertaking her exchange in Stuttgart and a report on her activities so far will be coming soon. Again, there was no candidate from Germany for this period.

There have been no applications for the 2009/10 period and there will be nobody from the TGD coming to Australia either, which is a pity.

The committee now consists of Christine Ruff, Winfried Beilharz, Erin Lubitz and Tania Richter.

The budget was adjusted slightly to cater for a somewhat more expensive course fee in Germany and an increase in public transport costs in Germany.

Most applicants are electing to undertake the exchange in a three-month time period, living with host families for the duration, whilst completing a two-month language course at Ifa in Stuttgart. This has been a very successful way of completing the exchange, particularly as the numbers of younger members within the TGD have dwindled. The Goethe Institut option is still available as well – i.e. a four-month exchange, of which two months are spent at a Goethe Institut somewhere in Germany and the other two months in Stuttgart with the TGD.

Tania Richter, for AGTE

Youth FG

The Youth Focus Group (YFG) consists of 4 members, and oversees the Youth Program and the Community Youth Coordinator (CYC). This group meets regularly to discuss bigger picture issues of the youth program to try to best cater for the needs of the TSA young people.

The Youth Program now has three Interest Groups; Playgroup and Kids’ Club remain the same, but Teenage Group and Youth Group have combined in order to consolidate numbers. This is now known as the Youth Group and continues to be facilitated by Moni Imberger. These groups run independently, yet are assisted by the CYC as the need arises. We continue to have a small and slow but steady growth in youth activities and try to open our programs up to the wider community as often as possible.

It was decided that Youth Fest would not run this year, due to the immense amount of work involved, and that this effort would be better spent on strengthening the current programs.

We have established some more formal links with the Bayswater South Primary School (BSPS), with which the TSA has always enjoyed a good relationship, as many Templer families and indeed teachers have gone there. Our CYC has had meetings with the Principal to discuss a joint Playgroup partnership, and we have been able to advertise our youth activities in their bulletin. We will continue to foster this partnership, and the Principal, Mary Ann Williams, is also enthusiastic about this.

Playgroup

Carolin Weber has done a great job in coordinating Playgroup sessions during the last year or more and we congratulate Carolin and Mykel on the addition of another baby boy to their family! This saw Playgroup welcoming Kirrily Sydenham to the role of Playgroup Coordinator in term 4 and, with Kirrily’s artistic flair, we are sure she will be a wonderful addition.

With the assistance of some generous donations and fundraising, some new bikes, toys and a lovely wooden shelving unit were purchased. A big thankyou to the craft ladies and Marika Sawatzky for their generous assistance, and of course to Carolin, for a wonderful job.

We had a small but lovely group of kids at the beginning of 2008, and this has grown nicely to about 10 families attending with up to 13 kids and babies. (One of these is a local family, who heard about us through BSPS.) Mums, dads, Omas and Opas have attended regularly, and the program has continued with craft, playdoh, painting, stories, songs and snacks, and the popular outdoor play.

Playgroup continues to cater for children 1½ years to pre-school age, and welcomes all!

An arrangement has also been formalised with the TTHA crèche, enabling them to enjoy the use of our Playgroup toys and facilities. Another request for use of our Playgroup facilities is currently under review.

Kids’ Club

The small Kids’ Club organising team is supported strongly by our CYC, Susi Richter. Monthly activities are aimed at primary school aged kids and families getting together for some fun. Some highlights were: Family Camp at The Briars in Mt Martha, Sommerfest activities, Sonnwendfeier lantern parade, BTYC Gym and the craft day including wooden plane making. Most activities have been well attended, with only 1 or 2 cancellations due to lack of numbers. In at least one of these cases, a clash in timing was a factor. So, on the whole, attendance has been very good.

Many thanks must again go to the many supporting families who have volunteered to take on individual activities (Glenks, Ruffs, Jürgensens, Richters, Kuerschners, Fields, to mention a few), and all the other people who have helped out with various KC activities.

Youth Group

Kylie Wilmot needed to resign as youth leader earlier this year, and since the teenage and youth groups were combined, Moni Imberger continues to keep monthly Youth Group activities running smoothly. Moni sends monthly letters to around 25 people between the ages of 11 and 18 years, who have been active (or their parents are ‘encouraging’ them to be active).

The Youth Surf Camp in Sydney in January was very successful, and enjoyed by all (although the leaders suffered some sleep deprivation).

There appears to be only a small number of regulars, aged 12-14, who attend; or more importantly, whose parents are supportive of their kids’ involvement! Moni organises varied activities at varied times, but attendance fluctuates and often activities need to be cancelled because of low numbers. In spite of this, most people, when asked, wish to be kept on the mailing list.

On a positive note, when there has been an activity, all who attend have a ball! Some of these activities included: roller-skating, movies, chocolate extravaganza, Wii challenge, and rock-climbing.

Many thanks also to the wonderful people who have helped out with YG activities at various times throughout the year and, of course, to Moni for all your good work!

Summing Up

Our future challenges include:

• Continuing to provide fun, high quality programs, while incorporating the values of the TSA.

• Finding creative ways to deal with declining numbers of participants.

Special mention and a huge thankyou must go to the ever-accommodating Rosa bus drivers!

Thanks again for the donations which contributed to the replacement of our Playgroup toys.

Thanks to the Youth Focus Group members who volunteer their time: Ralph Richter, Mandy Etherington and Irene Kemper.

Kudos to Susi Richter, whose dedication, commitment and attention to detail is rivalled by none!

As always the assistance by willing volunteers is paramount to our success and without the parents’ and the whole community’s help, the Youth programs and activities would simply not happen.

Looking forward to a fun-filled year ahead,

Beate Kuerschner, Youth FG Leader

Return to the Top

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.  

BIRTHS

Oliver Jules Weber

a little brother for Patrick Niklas

Parents: Mykel Weber and Carolin née Enzmann

Paris Luise Löbert

Parents: Richard and Stacey Löbert

Oriel Megan Glenk

Parents: Brendon Glenk and Nevila née Mullai

MARRIAGE

Ingrid Jurgensen and Peter Cass on 9.10.2009

ANNIVERSARY

Manfred and Johanna Löbert are celebrating their 40^th wedding anniversary on 8^th November.

Our congratulations and good wishes to all these couples.

BEREAVEMENTS 

Elfriede Reichert née Ruff, born 27.2.1916 in Tiberias, died suddenly at her TTHA unit on 18.9.2009, 93 years young. She is survived by her sons Bernhard and Werner with their families and her late brother Dietrich Ruff’s children with their families. Renate Weber conducted the funeral service.

Friedel and the twinkle in her eye will be sadly missed by all who knew her.

ÜÜÜ

Nelly Wladkowski née Wurster passed away at the TTHA on 20.9.2009, aged 78.

Nelly, daughter of Hermann Wurster and Hulda née Sickinger, was born in Haifa on 24.7.1931. She is the sister of Peter and Hans-Karl Wurster and mother of Erich and Richard Wladkowski and Annette (Annie) Daddo. She is grandmother to Carly, Alex and Will.

A memorial service reflecting on Nelly's life took place at the Templer Community Chapel on Thursday 24^th September. She was cremated and wished that her ashes be strewn over Mt Carmel in Haifa. Her daughter Annie will fulfil that wish for her.

ÜÜÜ

Hans Petz born 1.3.1929, died peacefully on 9.10.2009. Sadly missed by his children Karin and Bernd and families.

ÜÜÜ

In Germany, Lydia Obreskowa née Tietz died on 12.6.2009, aged 93. She went to school in Olgino in Teacher Fast’s class.

ÜÜÜ

Karl Steegmaier died on 16.8.2009, aged 97.

ÜÜÜ

Helene van der Meulen-Duhm from the Fast family died on 24.8.2009, aged 93.

Our condolences to all the bereaved.

PRESENTATION – 11^th October in the Chapel   

In the light and airy space of our Community Chapel, Renate Weber held a warm and personalised service, presenting the following children before God and the Community:

Charlie Cameron Bell

Parents: Simon Bell and Nicole née Weller

Declan Elias Campbell

Parents: Phillip Campbell and Karyn née Kinder

Alex Marie Herrmann

Parents: Peter Herrmann and Tara Maree

Mitchell Riley Francome

Parents: Daniel Francome and Tanya née Weller

Maddison Julianna Daross

Parents: Luke and Sonja Daross

Tate Rodi Schwarzbauer              

Maya Cari Schwarzbauer           

Parents: Peter Schwarzbauer and Joyce née Zara

The choir, led by Monika Strasser, sang beautifully. Colourful balloons were there for the young families, some of whom released theirs outside, sending a wish for their babies to ‘heaven’.

We certainly send our good wishes to all these families.

Ed.

REPORT on Seminar

On Saturday 10^th October I attended the seminar organised by the Welfare & Distant Focus Group. Three Templers gave fascinating presentations, causing two hours to fly by quickly.

Dr Geoff McCallum gave an overview of mental health disorders, providing the perfect basis for the subsequent discussions. Sonia Glenk followed with an explanation of the rights of children with disabilities in regards to education. She also gave some insights into the education of children with autism. Dot Ware finished the session with a discussion of the role of the disability support worker in education, drawing on her own experiences in this role in TAFE.

Our thanks go to the three wonderful presenters who shared their knowledge and experiences with us. Their talks complemented each other perfectly, giving me, personally, food for thought and advice for my work in education.

Renate Beilharz

AN EMBROIDERED HISTORY

There have been many enthusiastic and positive comments about the companion book to, as well as, the beautiful wall-hanging, now in the Chapel. Gisela Sawatzky’s DVD, with images from workshops and stitchathons along the way, was shown at the Dankfest in Stuttgart, along with other pictures of different parts of the project. Dr Rolf Beilharz contributed his impressions of the launch (which was on 29^th August), and the assembled company in Degerloch heartily applauded our community project. Werner and Turid Lange helped Rolf identify embroiderers in the DVD for the audience.

The DVD will also be shown in Sydney at the Advent afternoon on 29^th November at 2:00pm.

The ripples of wonder, pleasure and satisfaction with work very well done are spreading. Inky Arndt expressed some of this in her comments, which were inadvertently omitted from page 75 of the book.

Whilst the wonderful wall-hanging this community project produced may be its tangible result, what was just as important for me is intangible. I loved the feeling of camaraderie and harmonious teamwork I experienced whilst sitting on a warm floor, stitching away to beautiful background music, surrounded by many friends.

The book would make an excellent present, see also here.

Ed.

EPILOGUE to our Family’s Templer Heritage Trail – Tatura

We had been looking forward to the official launch of the Templer wall-hanging and companion book at the Chapel on the 29^th, and the visit to Tatura for a Country Victoria Service on 30^th August. We awaited both events in eager anticipation.

The wall-hanging has the subtitle The Templer Journey, Fabric of Society… an embroidered history. This seemed very apt to us, as we had not long ago returned from Germany and Israel, where we embarked on our own Templer journey. We had followed the footsteps of the early Templers from Kirschenhardthof in Germany to all the settlements in Palestine, and felt there was one more piece to explore – Tatura and the site of the internment camps there. The day trip to Tatura would fill that gap for us, and the wall-hanging would tell the whole Templer story, in rich and beautiful detail.

And so we found ourselves at the chapel on 29^th August as part of a wonderful occasion. The wall-hanging is Templer history as a form of art. Its three magnificent panels depict scenes and images from our story, intricately stitched in miniature and artfully interwoven. Due to our family’s recent travels, we now recognise just about all of the symbols and images on this masterpiece and admire them with keener eyes. We look at the story and don’t just read it, but understand it as well. It has become a story we know. We now look forward to reading the story over and over, each time we walk into the chapel in future, and are pleased that it will remain as a stunning display of our heritage for our children. All those involved should feel immensely proud of their creation.

Included in the wall-hanging are, of course, images of Tatura, where many Templers deported from Palestine in World War II were interned. It seemed only fitting that our family’s Templer Heritage Trail ended there. And so we were fortunate to be part of the group of approximately 30 who gathered at the Tatura Masonic Hall on 30^th August.

Mark Herrmann delivered a lovely service, reminding us of the events that transpired in this area over 60 years ago and the changes forced upon the lives of the Templers when they arrived in this foreign land. What resonated the most with us were Mark’s compilations: a meld of the feelings and experiences of Templers of different ages, as they grappled with what internment meant to them. They were made all the more real, as they involved people called Helmut, Rolf, Gertrud and Helga. Real people and real stories, beautifully delivered.

Our group’s attempts at unaccompanied singing were rewarded by a communal lunch in the hall, where Vyrna’s crunchy green salad recipe was eagerly sought and Kartoffelsalate were compared. Then came time for the Templer story to come to life again.

We made our way out to the site of Camp 3, where many of our Templers had lived out the war. The area is now a collection of paddocks and fields  (watched over by a herd of cows) which used to house the huts and buildings of the internment camp (then watched over by sentries in watchtowers). We had with us several of our older generation, who still remember how it was. We followed them avidly, trying to listen to all their anecdotes and stories at once.

Hard to document and digest it all though: the concrete slabs, drains and building remnants (which building was which?), the original trees, the barracks and their occupants (who lived where?), the placement of the roads, the perimeter fence and site of the school, the hot and cold washrooms and the emotions attached to everything. We tried to imagine it all, and used the maps we had with us to orient ourselves.

The area is now a peaceful place (as some of the internees remember it to be, too) – lush green with cows grazing serenely, ancient gums and only the noise of the wind. Were it not for the stories Helmut, Bill and others were telling us, and the actual footings and foundations of the buildings of their youth, it would be easy to believe it was only ever the cows who had been here.

Time was rushed, but we tried to absorb as much as we could, grateful for the presence of those who had once called this place home. We left the campsite with some sense of having finished the last chapter in the book and of having paid tribute to the last major phase of Temple Society history. A quick side trip to the German War Cemetery completed the experience, a number of our forefathers and some children having been laid to rest here.

After afternoon tea back in Tatura, we made our various ways home. (Great thanks to Ralph Richter, in charge of steering Rosa today.) This is not where the story of the Temple Society ends. As was mentioned during the wall-hanging launch, the story continues. Driving home in the bus I reflected how, within the confines of Rosa the bus, we had our own little microcosm of the Temple Society, from 86-year-old Bill Sawatzky, who was 18 when he was brought to Australia, to Anja who has lived here for all her 10 years in relative peace and quiet. Our lives have been so vastly different and yet, here we all were, sharing another journey. And it became very evident to me then, that those responsible for the continuation of the journey and the story, were my generation.

Yes, the journey will continue, the story is still being told, the adventure goes on. Let us treat the past with the respect it deserves and look to the future with the hope and desire that the ride will continue for some time yet.

Christine Ruff

REUNION of the 1937/38/39ers in late September

A well-organised reunion of suitably aged, mellowed and mature 37, 38 and 39ers took place on 23^rd, 24^th and 25^th September at the Kiama Cove Motel, Kiama, NSW. Irmgard and Strups (Günter) Arndt conducted the proceedings from go to whoa.

Animated conversations occurred in a common meeting room. Friendships were renewed and new networks made. We were informed of our timetable, interesting letters and emails explaining non-attendance were read out, as were deaths since the last reunion. Reasons for not attending broadly fell into three categories: overseas travel, family matters and ill-health.

Despite the dust storms closing Sydney airport, everyone finally made it to our motel, before, on Wednesday evening, we travelled by bus to a German feast at the Australian-German-Austrian Club on the outskirts of Wollongong. I find it incredible that the club is run entirely by volunteers. They did themselves proud with their meals of Rouladen, roast pork, apple strudel… A surprise highlight of the evening was the choir led by Strups. All songs were in German and the men dressed to suit the individual songs, changing their hats, vests, or discarding the delightful wooden horses, on which they pranced into the hall for the initial chorus. Their pianist was the only female member of the choir. Templer song books were then handed out and folksongs were sung with gusto. On occasion the first two rows were definitely ‘singing from a different song-book’ to the last two rows, who wanted and sang the third verse, while the others had stopped at the second. Great fun.

Thursday and Friday morning, ganz früh, one could exercise, walk, or practise yoga with Irmgard or Strups, or catch up and join others on the beach or paths which wind around the picturesque Kiama coastline. Orange dust deposited by the storm lay everywhere, but we were blessed with sunshine and blue skies.

An exciting and rather hair-raising aspect of Thursday’s bus tour up Macquarie Pass to the Illawarra escarpment occurred when a large truck and a very long, high B-double semi-trailer travelling in opposite directions met on a tight hairpin bend. Traffic piled up while these two mammoths inched backwards and forwards until they were eventually able to pass each other. Our large bus was backed closer to the edge of the steep drop to allow the truck to head downhill. A collective sigh of relief helped us to our lunch spot at the Illawarra Fly, a tree-top walk among remnant rainforest which also provided views of the surrounding farms, the coast and rock-faces. At Fitzroy Falls, cold breezes, a brilliant rainbow at the base, unexplained misty drops from the tree-tops and potted orchids endemic to the area were experienced. Kangaroo Valley had galleries to peruse and coffee to enjoy with friends.

That evening, a short stroll around a Kiama corner took us to the Waves Restaurant for another wonderful, German-inspired meal. Once again there was lively conversation followed by a DVD of previous reunions at Echuca, Bright and Sydney; Hartmut Beck’s people-identification; a discussion of table tennis for triples invented by Strups and a short documentary on searching for gold coins left in Palestine, presented by Manfred Haering. Dieter Glenk entertained us with laughter-inducing jokes.

As the Australian-born wife of a ‘once-German’ Aussie, Dierk, I was also impressed with the punctuality of bus departures; (ich glaube ich habe es als Letzte geschafft); Strups’s unique, ear-splitting whistle (to get our attention), the commendable work, talent and time involved in the Victorian embroidered history outlined in the book Fabric of Society – the Templer Journey, and the desire to meet again in 2012 in Victoria. Vielen herzlichen Dank, Strups and Irmgard with Hartmut and Ursula Beck, for organising this memorable, pleasant and successful 2009 reunion.

Rosemary von Behrens

Rosemary is an artist whose work was exhibited in Canberra as we met.

SYDNEY

In September and October we had two large gatherings that brought our little community together. First, on Sunday 27^th September, was the Confirmation Ceremony for our four Sydney confirmands: Kirrily Simmer; Jacob Withey; Dieter and Anneliese Hoffmann. It was lovely to share the service with Michael Aberle and his family from Nowra. Michael participated in the distant confirmation sessions via the internet and spent a weekend with the Sydney confirmands; he also took part in the Melbourne Confirmation.

This was a very special service in a packed hall, unifying parents, elders and confirmands from Sydney, Nowra and Melbourne. Our confirmands spoke beautifully and showed how the confirmation course had supported them to explore a wide range of issues linked with belief, religion, Templer history and values. We all extended our deep thanks to Renate Beilharz for her dedication and commitment, as well as the highly skilled manner in which she delivered each lesson and prepared for the service – all done from Melbourne! It was lovely to have Herta Uhlherr contribute to the service, as well as Melbourne confirmand, Tobian Roesner. Afterwards, community members, confirmands and their families and friends celebrated together. Yummy continental frankfurts and potato salads were supplied by members of the Seniors’ Group and delicious cakes were supplied by the confirmands’ parents. I think we all had a special time.

The other major event was the Seniors’ Group meeting at St Hedwigs Hostel on 9^th October. We enjoyed a tasty lunch with the residents, then took a tour through the excellent facilities at St Hedwigs, regrouping in the community room to enjoy afternoon tea. It was lovely to spend time with Hetty and Alfred Meyer, Magdalene Hill and Gertrud Schnerring. We are very grateful to Kathy and Roshni from St Hedwigs for organising such a lovely day and for giving up time out of their busy schedules to talk and meet with us.

November

• Seniors’ Group Bus trip to Pittwater and Berowra Waters, Saturday 14^th November. Departing at 9:30am from the corner of Ferndale Close and Cumberland Highway; and at 10:00am from Meadowbank Hall.
  Our bus tour goes to the stunning Pittwater area, with lunch at the scenic Berowra Waters Café. The bus will leave at 9:30am from near Herbert and Ruth Steller’s house and then from the Meadowbank Church at around 10:00am. We expect the cost for members to be around $40 and for non-members $50 (at the most). This includes lunch, morning and afternoon tea. We have booked a large bus that can take up to 52 passengers, so please bring some friends or invite your children and relatives for a leisurely catch-up. This will help keep costs down. RSVP to Ingrid Turner.
   

• Adventsfeier or Advent Celebration – 29^th November 2:00pm  
  We welcome one and all to this year’s Adventsfeier or Advent Celebration at the Meadowbank Church. Like last year, we hope to recreate some of the magical atmosphere and traditions of Advent and the German Christmas. We will also show the highly praised DVD of the making of the wall-hanging in Melbourne and the Fabric of Society book will be for sale. Martina Eaton, the Melbourne Community Care Worker, will be in Sydney to share this special event with us. Please bring a plate of Christmas Gutsle or Stollen for all to share. 

Until we catch up again, I hope you have many reasons to smile at the world; otherwise I hope you find the strength to laugh at it.

Ingrid Turner, Community Development Worker and Head of the Sydney Community FG

Contact: email: ingridt@tpg.com.au   

Return to the Top

YOUTH

YOUTH GROUP CALENDAR

POOL PARTY – Saturday 21^st November 2009  

Hi Guys, 

This will be the last activity for 2009 and it is an important one. It is when you can decide what is to be organised for you (I need help, because I am not a teenager and I do not know what you would like to do or what new things you would like to try). So please come along, have a swim, enjoy BBQ and snacks and do a bit of planning with me.

Time:           2:00–5:00pm

Place:          11 Australis Court Dingley

Transport:     Rosa pick up Bayswater: 1:15pm, drop off: 5:45pm

Contact:      Moni Imberger, email: gmnski@optusnet.com.au

Moni Imberger

SUMMER CAMP 2010 – Monday 4^th to Sunday 10^th January

The 2010 Summer Camp will again be held at Cape Otway Ocean Lodge and bookings are now open. For information and to obtain all medical and booking forms, please contact me and I will email the forms to you.

This is a great camp for all kids aged 11 to 14 years (and not yet confirmed). Anyone can attend and everyone is welcome to bring along friends, so please pass the word around. If you know of anyone interested, direct them to the Office (or Susi). Financial assistance is available for families who may not be able to meet the cost of the camp ($308 for first child, $275 for second child in family). Please encourage your children to attend!

MOUNTAIN BIKING ON MT BULLER!

Who wants to come? The next Youth Camp will be a little different – we are planning to go to Mt Buller to do some downhill, cross country mountain biking.

The dates are not yet finalised, but will be between the 14^th and 24^th January 2010. This camp is suitable for anyone aged 15 years and over and you do not need to have all your own biking gear.

If you are interested in coming along or have some questions, contact me ASAP: email susi@templesociety.org.au

Susi Richter, Community Youth Coordinator

Return to the Top

CHILDREN'S SECTION

We all need love     

Hallo to you all!  

Last month we had a Presentation Service in the Bayswater Chapel, where we welcomed seven babies and young children into our community. We had lots of kids in the Sunday School room that day (how nice it was to see you all!) and I’d like to share what we talked about.  First we read a book called Tucking Mummy In. In lots of families it is Mum (or Dad) who tucks kids into bed at night. In this story, the Mum was so tired that the two young girls ended up tucking her into bed!

We talked about the fact that babies need lots and lots of special love, care and attention when they are born, and that kids need tucking in at night, but so do the Mums sometimes! We decided that not only do little people need lots of help, but so, too, do big people, and not just the Mums!  Someone suggested that Dads need help too, as do grandparents, and our pets! In the end, we realised that, at some stage, everyone needs special care and attention.

We didn’t read, but talked about a story from the Bible, where a shepherd loses one of his sheep and goes to look for it. We clarified that a shepherd is someone who looks after and cares for sheep. This shepherd had lost one of his flock and, instead of saying, ‘Ah, it’s just one sheep missing, it’s not so special, I won’t go find it’, he decided that all of his sheep were special and needed his help. So he looked for it and found it! This shepherd knew that not just the young sheep, or the old sheep deserved his love, but all of them.

This is how it is with humans, too, isn’t it? Don’t we all deserve special help, love, care and attention sometimes? We thought so.

Even though we decided all of this, we still realise that babies are very special, and we hope that all of our babies and young children thrive in our community. To keep you reflecting on the love we all deserve, and are all able to give each other regardless of our age, here’s a gem:

A lesson from a child:

A four-year-old child’s next door neighbour was an elderly gentleman who had recently lost his wife. Upon seeing the man cry, the little boy went into the old gentleman’s yard, climbed into his lap, and just sat there. When his mother asked him what he had said to the neighbour, the little boy said, ‘Nothing, I just helped him cry.’

Have a great month,

Christine Ruff

We wish a garden full of beautiful flowers to these lucky birthday people:

Return to the Top

TABULAM & TEMPLER HOMES FOR THE AGED

Dear Friends, 

We are already in the last month of spring and I’m sure our residents will be happy to see a little sunshine again, though we are very thankful for the rain. Our TTHA AGM last month managed a quorum, but only just. We require 15 from each of our parent societies’ members and I hope next year more will attend.

Due to the Warrina Wing opening, this year has been exceptionally busy. We had 86 admissions, 53 into permanent residential care, 21 into respite and 12 into units and apartments. We also had the greatest increase in staff since the Altersheim-Tabulam amalgamation. I take this opportunity to welcome all our new team members and thank the CEO, together with the staff, for their effort and dedication during the year. I also thank all our wonderful volunteers, not only for their time, but also for the friendship they provide for our residents.

During the year we received some large bequests for which we are very grateful. I also thank our various fundraisers for their ongoing support and very significant donations.

November is the time our Home gears up for all the Christmas activities. On 10^th November ‘Moores Shoes’ will set up a stand in the reception area. They have a wide variety of women’s and men’s footwear, a good opportunity to get into the summer fashion. On Wednesday 25^th November we will have the Weihnachtsmarkt starting at 10:00am in the reception area. The Templer handicraft group will sell their lovely range of Christmas decorations. There will also be other stallholders with chocolates, cosmetics, Christmas cards, toys and very special items from a wonderful local gift shop. The Café will be open in the morning, so after enjoying the Weihnachtsmarkt you can relax with a coffee and some special Christmas treats. We hope to see you there to make the day a huge success!

Kind Regards

Hartmut Weller

Liebe Freunde,   

Wir gehen schon auf den Sommer zu und auch wenn wir dringend den Regen brauchen, bin ich mir sicher, dass unsere Bewohner sich sehr über den Sonnenschein freuen. Letzten Monat hatten wir unsere Jahreshauptversammlung (AGM) bei der knapp ein Quorum zustandekam. Wir benötigen dazu 15 Mitglieder von jeder Muttergesellschaft – und hoffen, dass das AGM im nächsten Jahr besser besucht wird.

Aufgrund der ‘Warrina’-Eröffnung war es ein außergewöhnlich ereignisreiches Jahr. Wir hatten 86 Neuaufnahmen, 53 davon in Dauerpflege, 21 in ‘Respite’ und 12 in den Units und Appartements. Gleichzeitig haben wir auch den höchsten Personalzuwachs seit der Altersheim-Tabulam Zusammenlegung. Bei dieser Gelegenheit heiße ich alle neue Team-Mitglieder herzlich willkommen und bedanke mich beim Vorstand sowie beim Personal für die Bemühungen und das Engagement. Außerdem möchte ich gern allen unseren Freiwilligen unseren Dank aussprechen, und das nicht nur für ihre Zeit, sondern auch für ihre Freundschaft zu unseren Bewohnern.

Während des Jahres haben wir einige größere Vermächtnisse erhalten, für die wir besonders dankbar sind. Auch unseren verschiedenen Fundraisern möchte ich an dieser Stelle für ihre Unterstützung und ihre großzügigen Spenden danken.

November ist die Zeit, in der unsere Weihnachtsvorbereitungen beginnen. Am 10. November wird ‘Moores Shoes’ einen Stand an unserer Rezeption aufbauen. Sie haben eine große Auswahl an Damen- und Herrenschuhen. Am Mittwoch, den 25. November fängt unser Weihnachtsmarkt um 10:00 Uhr an der Rezeption an. Die Templer-Handarbeitsgruppe wird ihre wunderschönen Weihnachtsdekorationen verkaufen. Es wird auch andere Stände geben an denen Schokolade, Kosmetik, Weihnachtskarten, Spielzeug und anderes verkauft wird. Das Café wird am Vormittag geöffnet sein, so dass Sie sich nach einem Besuch auf dem Weihnachtsmarkt bei einer Tasse Kaffee und gutem Weihnachtsgebäck entspannen können. Wir hoffen auf rege Teilnahme, auf dass dieser Tag ein großer Erfolg werde!

Mit freundlichen Grüßen,

Hartmut Weller

TTHA CAFÉ NOW OPEN SUNDAYS! 

The TTHA café will now be open every Sunday from 2:00–4:00pm.

This is a great opportunity for friends and relatives to come and visit our residents and enjoy a beautiful café atmosphere whilst sampling yummy home-made German cakes, pretzels and enjoying a cuppa.

If you would like to make a reservation, please do so via reception during business hours Monday to Friday on 8720 1333 or ttha@ttha.org.au  Otherwise just turn up on the day!

Return to the Top

NOTICES -- BEKANNTMACHUNGEN

COMING SERVICES 

FLOWER ROSTER

REMEMBRANCE DAY  –  15^th November  Chapel  1:00pm

Everyone is cordially invited to attend this year’s official Remembrance Day Ceremony at the Templer Community Chapel, beginning at 1:00pm. Following the ceremony, wreaths will be laid at the Tabulam & Templer Homes next door. Then there is coffee and cake in the Hall.

Please contact Marianne Herrmann before 10^th November to book for afternoon tea on 9557 6713 or email nanne@templesociety.org.au

Mark Herrmann

COMMUNITY AFTERNOON BENTLEIGH  –  22^nd November at 3:15pm

Members and friends are cordially invited to the service and community afternoon.  Ladies please bring a cake to share.

The following ladies are rostered to help on the day. Please be at the Hall by 2:45pm to set up: Charlotte Laemmle and Ingrid Laemmle-Ruff, Christine Leschinski, Johanna Löbert, Monika and Kia Maddock, Ursula Paton, Diana Rainbird, Heidi, Tania and Monika Richter.

Please notify me if you are unable to help.

Helga Anderson, for the Be Ladies

JUST THIS DAY – 25^th November – Stop for peace, see here

SUNDAY CONTEMPLATION – an alternative Service

Sunday 29^th November 5:00pm in the Bayswater Chapel

Join me for a contemplation on the first Sunday in Advent, with pictures, music and conversation.

Theme: Understanding the present time (see Luke 12:54-56).

A light supper will be provided, so let me know if you plan to come.

Renate Beilharz

Contact: email: beilharztr@ozemail.com.au

REUNION OF 1967 CONFIRMATION GROUP AND FRIENDS

Saturday 7^th November at Bentleigh from noon

A good response so far, but the more the merrier. Look forward to hearing from Aufpassers/leaders and others who attended camps with us – you know who you are!

Details are on pages 41 and 42 of the October Templer Record and/or phone me.

Gisela Schmidt

CARNEGIE CRAFT STALL – 12^th November

The Temple Society Craft Ladies will be holding a stall in the Glen Eira Council caravan somewhere between 101A and 113 Koornang Road Carnegie on Thursday 12^th November from 9:00am–2:00pm.

Gisela Bulach has the organising in hand but would love offers of assistance for the day. Donations of children’s wear, craft items, second hand books and small trinkets – no food please – may be left at the TSA Office prior to the day. For more information or offers of assistance please contact Gisela Bulach asap.

Marianne Herrmann, for the Social & Recreation FG

CHRISTMAS GREETINGS

If you would like to have your Christmas Greetings published in the December/January Templer Record, please let the Office have your name and donation by 18^th November.

Ed.

TTHA CHRISTMAS BAZAAR – Wednesday 25^th November from 10:00am

A Christmas Bazaar will be held in the foyer of the Tabulam & Templer Homes.

There will be a lovely range of hand-embroidered tablecloths, handmade Christmas decorations, handicrafts and Gutsle. These are always very popular, beautiful to keep or make great presents. So come and bring your friends!

Also, as per last year, the coffee lounge will open in the morning especially for you. So after your shopping you can relax with a coffee and cake, or bread and pretzels will also be available.

Thank you for your support,

Helga Kuerschner, for the Handcraft Group

ADVENTSKRANZ  MAKING – 27^th November

29^th November is the first Sunday in Advent, and it is time to once again consider whether you wish to make an Adventskranz out of cypress branches. My mother Heidi and I are happy to help anyone make an Adventskranz on Friday 27^th November at 7:00pm at the Caretaker’s residence.

Bookings with Renate are essential to ensure that there are enough materials for all. If you have the ring, candle holders and ribbon from last year, please bring them. If you are a ‘newcomer’, there will be a charge for these materials, which are then reusable (as long as you remember where you put them after Christmas!).

Renate Beilharz

Contact: email: beilharztr@ozemail.com.au

ADVENT CELEBRATION IN BENTLEIGH – Sunday 6^th December   see invitation in PDF format: English   German

We are looking forward to seeing everyone at our Advent celebration in Bentleigh. The program will start at 2:30pm and will be in English and German. The bus will travel from Bayswater, leaving at 1:30pm outside TTHA. Bookings for the bus must be made with the Office on 9557 6713.

Advent Donations

We have had a number of people making wonderful items for the bazaar, and welcome donations of lots more. You may wish to make food items for the bazaar – they are always popular – but please remember to include the ingredients on the packaging. You may also have home-made jams and pickles that you are happy for us to sell.

Donations of Christmas cookies (Gutsle) – we can never have too many – would be greatly appreciated, also items for raffle prizes are always gratefully received. These and any craft items can be left at the Temple Society Office, 152 Tucker Road Bentleigh, or at Renate and Tony Beilharz’s, 51 Elizabeth Street Bayswater, prior to Wednesday 26^th November. Bazaar items may be brought on the day, but they must be priced.

Gutsle Packaging – Saturday 5^th December 2:00pm in the Bentleigh Hall

Some assistance to pack what we hope will be lots and lots of Gutsle would be appreciated.

Advent Helpers

We would like to set up the hall on Saturday 5^th December from 2pm. This is different to previous years, to try to get more help. Please come, as the more the merrier and the job will get done in a twinkling! Any younger people – we would love to see you help us make this afternoon a success, by helping serve coffee and cakes and assisting with the cleaning up at the end. If you could come to the hall around 2:00pm, you can help cutting up cakes, etc. (yuummm!)

Finally – 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 mouth-watering.

Don’t forget your spending money for the bazaar, the raffle and the special table decorations, which will be available for purchase afterwards. And now please mark 6^th December in your diaries!

Marianne Herrmann, for the Social & Recreation FG

BAYSWATER ADVENTSFEIER – 10^th December 8:00pm

An evening of carols, readings, candles and companionship. Resi Schwarzbauer is working hard on the program, in English, with some German. All welcome. Please bring some Gutsle to go with coffee afterwards. Adventsbasar table with goodies, as usual, thanks to our ‘crafty’ ladies. As in past years, our donations will go to the Borromeo Sisters in Jerusalem.

Herta Uhlherr and Resi Schwarzbauer

BA COMMUNITY CHRISTMAS – Call for participants

Saturday 19^th December Bayswater  6:00pm

Any children wishing to participate in the performances on the night are asked to register their interest as soon as possible.

This year’s theme is A Christmas Journey, incorporating a short play, songs sung by the children and participatory dances. Children can take a large, small or non-speaking part, join in the dances and songs, help to enact the journey (many extras, who enjoy dressing up, will be required) and the nativity scene.

Children are encouraged to attend as many of the following practices as possible, to prepare the songs, dances and play.

•  Friday 4^th December  6:30–8:00pm (this session will focus on introducing the play, learning songs and assigning parts)

• Sunday 13^th December  4:00–6:00pm

• Thursday 17^th December  5:00–7:00pm

• Saturday 19^th December  9:30am–12:00 midday (dress rehearsal – it would be great to have everyone there for this practice)

Please contact

Phuong Breisch if you know your children would like to participate in the celebration. Let her know the age of the participants and whether they would like a large, small or non-speaking part.

Renate Beilharz on beilharztr@ozemail.com.au if you can help out with tasks such as decorating the Christmas tree, making backdrop, props and costumes, helping with the supper preparations and serving, setting up the hall, helping Father Christmas, assisting with children’s practices etc.

Phuong Breisch and Renate Beilharz

BENTLEIGH CHILDREN’S CHRISTMAS PARTICIPATION

If you or your child would like to take part in the children’s performance at the Bentleigh Service on Christmas Day, could you please call me? I only plan on a single rehearsal, with all details/parts being sent to you to look at beforehand.

Diana Rainbird

Contact: email: dmrainbird@optusnet.com.au

BOOKS FOR CHRISTMAS?

Fabric of Society – The Templer Journey: An Embroidered History is the lovely companion book to our magnificent wall-hanging (now up on the Chapel foyer wall). The book costs $35 and is available from Tony Beilharz or Helga Jürgensen in Bayswater, the Office in Bentleigh and from Ingrid Turner in Sydney (see also here). An excellent idea for Christmas presents. See also the books in the Heritage Pages.

Ed.

WELCOME TO OUR NEW PLAYGROUP LEADER

Welcome to Kirrily Sydenham as our new Playgroup Coordinator as of the start of term 4. We wish Kirrily all the best in her new position and hope she will be very happy ‘playgrouping’ with our little ones.

If there are any families with a pre-Kinder-aged child who would like to come along and ‘play with us’ at Playgroup on a Thursday morning, please contact Kirrily on email integrityfire@bigpond.com

I also want to say a big thankyou to Carolin Weber, who has been looking after and coordinating Playgroup wonderfully for the last nearly two years! I hope, Carolin, that you have had as much fun at Playgroup as the kids have and we hope to see you back at Playgroup soon – as a participant this time! Congratulations on your new son!

Susi Richter, Community Youth Coordinator

TREFFEN DER JAHRGÄNGE 1931–32

Unser nächstes Treffen wird im März 2010 in Batemans Bay NSW stattfinden, mit drei Übernachtungen, Dienstag bis Donnerstag, 9.–11. März und mit Tagesausflügen am Mitwoch und Donnerstag. Weitere Auskunft mit Kostenvoranschlag schicken wir unseren Mitgliedern per Post. Anmeldungen werden bis anfangs Dezember erbeten.

Das Planungskomitee: Erika Schulz, Renate Herrmann, Benno Glockemann

EQUIPMENT NEEDED FOR NEW HERITAGE ROOM

Donations of any spare laptop computers or desk lamps, to be used in the Heritage Room in Bayswater, would be gratefully accepted by the H&C FG. Please contact me by email kruff@optusnet.com.au if you have any suitable items you could donate.

Karin Ruff, for the H&C FG

SOMMERFEST 2010

For those who wish to plan ahead and possibly organise reunions, Sommerfest 2010 will be held on Sunday 14^th March.

Marianne Herrmann, TSA Office

LEADERSHIP PROGRAM – see above

FERNTREE GULLY CEMETERY

The following notice is posted at the Ferntree Gully Cemetery Gate. You may wish to contact the FTG Cemetery Trust and ensure your and your family plots are being maintained.

Knox Council is currently updating the records of its Ferntree Gully Cemetery and is inviting plot holders to contact Council and ensure their details are still current.

It’s common for people to hold a ‘right of interment’ over a cemetery plot for a long time — decades in some cases. And as we know, circumstances and details change over time so we need to make contact with plot lease holders and make sure our records are still accurate.

Council will also contact people with a ‘right of interment’ on an unused plot whose lease is nearing the end of its 25 year tenure. Currently, there are 70 such plots, and ‘right of interment’ holders will soon be contacted to see if they would like to renew their lease over the plot.

‘If you have a lease on an unused plot at the site and haven’t been in touch with Council for a while, let us know — we can both update our records and offer you a renewal over the plot,’ he said. ‘We’re keen to find out if you’d like to renew your lease, or if the plot can be made available.’

If you or a family member has a tenure on an unused plot at the Ferntree Gully Cemetery, particularly one that will soon expire, please call Karen Beaton at Knox Council: 9298 8000.

Fred Sawatzky

Return to the Top

THE HERITAGE PAGE

TREASURES FROM THE TEMPLER PAST

Betlehem Settlement/Galilee 

From Betlehem Neuland by Christian Kuhnle (1880 –1946)

On a February morning in the year 1906, a small group of riders left the road from Haifa to Nazareth and rode northwards over the oak-covered heights. They were the younger sons of the German settlers in Haifa, some of whom had just returned from Germany after completing their military service obligations or where they had undertaken further occupational training. Now they wanted to view a piece of land that could perhaps become their home one day.

The way led up through swampy terrain to the heights. Soon the Arab village of Beit Lahem was reached. Mighty building blocks from ancient times covered the rise, but the village that stood in the middle of this rubble from a past age was quite impoverished; there were no inhabitants that had actually been born there. The few native farmers who lived here came from neighbouring villages. Only a small part of the farmland was under cultivation, most of it was overgrown with tough thistles and other weeds; growth with metre long tough roots covered the area. For decades they had not been dug out, the farmers had simply steered their wooden ploughs around them.

But youth is full of hope. After the return to Haifa, consultations were held. Then the community leaders and those colonists that were thought to have cash were approached. A sympathetic hearing was obtained nearly everywhere. Soon the plans could be submitted to the Central leadership of the Temple Society. Representatives from all the settlements’ economic councils inspected the land, and the decision was made to buy it. By mid-August 1906, the surveying could begin.

Under the leadership of the chief architect, Dr Schumacher, a number of young men proceeded to the site. Under the oak trees, the largest of which now stands in our schoolyard, tents were pitched in which the people were to live. Soon the camp was established and eagerly they set to work. In the grey of the early morning the survey group headed off, to return again to the camp only in the evening.

In the beginning all the participants felt very well, and developed good appetites, particularly in the evenings. The Arab cook also cooked well. But soon, one after the other was seized by that evil fever malaria. Only two of those that had come for the surveying were spared. In spite of this, the work continued.

The formal ceremonial handover of the land occurred on 15 September in the presence of representatives from all the settlements. The Templer leader Christoph Hoffmann, the son of the Society’s founder, referred in his address to the first Templer settlement Samuniyeh, only an hour’s distance away. He expressed the hope that the new settlement in this area would have a better future. But many of us were in a fearful mood, looking back on all those sick that we now also had.

The site for the new settlement was established east of the ruins of the old Beit Lahem (place of fruitfulness)*. For the time being, a communal house and stable would be built for those who wanted to start living on site immediately. Most of them were unmarried and their meals were provided by a young family.            
* or house of meat.  Ed.

To be continued.

Translated by Christine Herrmann

CHILDHOOD IN PALESTINE 

Extracts from Werner Blaich’s Memories

‘Betlehem consisted of 18 houses built along both sides of a straight road. The settlement was fully self-contained with a schoolhouse, teacher’s quarters, community hall, water tower and pump house. There was also a community dairy, later on, about 1936 a bigger modern dairy was built in nearby Waldheim as a joint facility. All these projects were built by the settlers’ own efforts, as were the gravel roads.’

‘School classes were small, as there were not many children during my school years. We always combined children from two years apart to form a class. I was 7 and my sister Lotte was 5 years old when we started in the first class together. I felt like the big protector when we walked down the street to school with our schoolbags on our backs. Although Lotte was two years younger, it soon became clear that she was a lot better at mathematics and reading. Most classes only had about three pupils. Our class was the biggest with seven pupils. Two of the classmates came from Waldheim, about 5km away. Young Mr Staib was our teacher. He lived in Waldheim and was supplied with a little car. Everyday he drove from Waldheim and brought two classmates.’

‘Education in our settlement was very important to the Temple Society; we also had a kindergarten in every settlement.’

‘When World War II broke out, our settlement (Betlehem) was declared an internment camp by the British Government in Palestine. They erected a barbed wire fence right around the settlement. By the time all the young men of military age left for Germany, the older men were in a POW camp at Akko.’

‘After school and in holidays we would spend hours on our marbles patch.’

‘Our schoolhouse and community building were now (WW II) occupied by the British military and Jewish guards. With all the young people from Haifa, we suddenly had much bigger classes. The last house at the top end of our settlement was converted to a school. It was very crowded, but very well run. In charge were the twin sisters, Helene and Hildegard Weller, Templers who had joined a Catholic order years before the war. They ran the place with strict efficiency. I was very fortunate; our class teacher was a young lady, Elfriede Wagner, whose family had been shifted from Nazareth to Betlehem. She took on teaching because the need was there.’

‘In all my later years I have never had a better teacher and I still think fondly of those school days.’

PHOTOS OF THE MONTH

Main Street in early Betlehem     School outing in Betlehem      Betlehem Street Map

Horst Blaich

GUSTAV BAUERNFEIND EXHIBITION AT TTHA

From October 2009 to February 2010 – all welcome

VISIT BY DR DANNY GOLDMAN – 21^st November Bayswater Hall

Dr Danny Goldman and his wife Edith will give a PowerPoint presentation about the former Templer settlements and report about the progress made in the restoration of the settlements in what was then Palestine. This promises to be a very interesting afternoon, starting at 2:00pm, for a wide range of people, and many who have met the Goldmans on recent tours to Israel will be very happy to see them again.

The newly published book Exiled from the Holy Land, to which Danny was a significant contributor, will also be introduced. Light refreshments will be served after the show, providing opportunities for people to mingle with our guests.

Manfred Haering and Horst Blaich

TEMPLERS IN FORMER GERMAN EAST AFRICA

The records from the former German Consulates in Jaffa and Jerusalem are now in the Israeli State Archives and are accessible to researchers and other interested persons.

In the book Shattered Dreams at Kilimanjaro, which portrays the history of the Templers who migrated from Palestine to German East Africa (GEA) at the beginning of the 20^th century, I identified 60 persons who went there.

Recently an American Jewish historian who read my book sent me copies of 1909/1911 correspondence and other documents from the former German Consulate in Jaffa, which indicate that the interest of Templers who wished to migrate to GEA was far greater than my initial research had revealed. They show that the German Foreign Office wanted to know how many persons were planning to go to GEA so that the fertile agricultural land area near Arusha, which had been set aside for the Germans from Palestine, could be confirmed before being allocated to other settlers. The German Consulate in Jaffa had a list of at least another 50 persons who had firmly indicated their intention to migrate, provided they could first sell their properties in Palestine. They were:

Descendants from these families may not be aware that their forefathers had seriously planned to migrate to Africa. It would have been to the detriment of the Sarona settlement if all of these persons had left, as Sarona’s population was just over 200 at that time. They possibly stayed behind because, in some instances, they were not able to finalise the sale of their properties. Furthermore, in 1911 the first reports of severe tropical illnesses, which affected a number of the earlier settlers and forced them to return to Palestine became known. Although the GEA venture was ultimately unsuccessful, it was nevertheless a most interesting chapter of Templer history.

For those interested in Templer history, copies of Shattered Dreams at Kilimanjaro are available at $50 plus postage from

      Helmut Glenk

      Horst Blaich

      or from the Temple Society Office  152 Tucker Rd  Bentleigh VIC 3204, (03) 9557 6713

This book would make an excellent Christmas present!

Helmut Glenk
 

Return to the Index

OCTOBER
TEMPLER RECORD- ISSUE No. 721

REFLECTIONS

WEISST DU, WO DER HIMMEL IST?

Weißt du, wo der Himmel ist,

außen oder innen?

eine Handbreit rechts und links,

du bist mitten drinnen.

Weißt du, wo der Himmel ist?

Nicht so tief verborgen;

einen Sprung aus dir heraus,

aus dem Haus der Sorgen.

Weißt du, wo der Himmel ist?

Nicht so hoch da oben;

sag doch ja zu dir und mir,

du bist aufgehoben.

Poem by Wilhelm Willms aus ‘Reich Gottes – jetzt! 2006’

DO YOU KNOW WHERE HEAVEN IS?

Do you know where heaven is?

Outside or inside you?

Just a little right or left

you’re right in the middle of it.

Do you know where heaven is?

Not so deeply hidden;

just a leap outside yourself,

from your house of worries.

Do you know where heaven is?

Not so high above you;

do say yes to you and me,

you are in good hands.

Tr. H.U.

TEXT FOR THE MONTH – Matthew 20:1-15

The parable of the workers in the vineyard

The football finals in the various codes have drawn to a close (except the World Game where the season has just begun). Every year at this time, many people jump on the finals bandwagon, either one-eyed or vaguely following a team. Often the young or the new pick a team to fit in, and trumpet it loud and clear. Overnight they become experts on ‘their’ team.

There are mumblings from those supporters who have been loyal for years, following the team through success, half-success (making the finals but losing the big one) and the long lean years when the team might not make it from the bottom of the ladder. The grumbling is always along the lines that these people don’t really deserve to enjoy the team’s success, because they haven’t been there in the hard times. They have not ‘served their dues’.

I can see some parallels between this and our text, Matthew 20:1-15, the parable of the workers in the vineyard. We know the outline of the parable – it forms the basis for the second verse of the Templer hymn. Jesus was explaining what the kingdom of heaven was like. Matthew uses the term kingdom of heaven instead of kingdom of God, possibly because the name of God was holy and was not to be uttered.

Early one morning a man went out to hire some workers for his vineyard. He agreed to pay them the usual amount for a day’s work and sent them off to the vineyard. About nine that morning, the man saw some other men standing in the marketplace with nothing to do. He said he would pay them what was fair if they would work in his vineyard. So they went.

At midday and again at three in the afternoon he returned to the market. And each time he made the same agreement with others who were loafing around with nothing to do. Finally, about five in the afternoon, the man went back and found some others standing there. He asked them, ‘Why are you standing here all day long doing nothing?’ ‘Because no one has hired us’, they answered. Then he told them to go and work in his vineyard.

That evening the owner of the vineyard told the man in charge of the workers to call them in and give them their money, beginning with the ones who were hired last. The ones hired at five in the afternoon were given a full day’s pay.

The workers hired first thought they would get more than the others. When they were given the same, they began complaining to the owner of the vineyard saying, ‘The ones hired last worked for only one hour. But you paid them the same as us. And we worked in the hot sun all day long!’ The owner answered them, ‘Friend, I did not cheat you. I paid you exactly what we agreed on. Take your money and go! What business is it of yours if I want to pay them the same as you? Don’t I have the right to do what I want with my own money? Why should you be jealous, if I want to be generous?’

The usual response is: ‘This is not fair’. At that time, those hired first were always paid first because they were more tired, so this was a slight. We feel with the workers who were envious of those who got the same pay for less work. The boss comes across as eccentric, whimsical and autocratic.

The parallel between footy supporters (and for some football is their religion) and the workers in the parable is that the ultimate reward for support and work is the same for all. The euphoria of a Grand Final win is the same for all supporters, no matter how long they have been supporting the team. Our reward for doing God’s work – or striving for the kingdom of God on earth – is the same whether we start at 5 years of age or at 50. It is not a reward in monetary, but in social terms, or even in terms of how others perceive us, or of the meaning it gives to our lives. The work should not be seen in terms of ‘what a good person I am’; it should be unobtrusive, welcoming and giving to those who are outsiders in our society.

The parable also talks about those waiting for work. The second verse of the Templer Hymn combines striving for the kingdom of God with being called to work even though the day is coming to an end – ‘wishing and waiting bring small consolation’.

If goals are to be achieved, the members of any community must work together. There will be those who have the initial idea and start the ball rolling. Then others of like mind will join in and, as the project progresses, more and more join in right up to the last moment before the project is completed. All then share in the success of having reached the goal – even though it can be said that some have worked harder and longer than others.

In my country town we have just been successful in receiving a grant for a new Community Centre. To get to this stage it has taken more than two years of work by a dedicated group who organised plans and costings. A steering committee was put in place to finalise the grant application and they will drive the project forward, hopefully in eight months. To complete the building, volunteers will be needed to work as labourers, they won’t start for another two months. Right at the end, all will be invited to celebrate the completion and there may be some whose only input will be to provide the tea, coffee and food at that event. Yet they, too, will feel that the project could not have been completed without their help. 

In the same way, to create the living temple and God’s kingdom, you can start working towards the goal any time – the reward will be same.

Christa Lingham

REPORT ON AUGUST FORUM – Challenges and Changes – Part 2

The Templers and National Socialism

We found this topic challenging; it certainly led to spirited discussion! [Square brackets indicate input from a participant.]

As the presenter, I (Harald Ruff) approached the topic with some trepidation, but also with a sense of detachment. Like many younger people, I question whether the Nazi era has relevance to me. ‘How often does this have to be aired, discussed, acknowledged?’ was asked.

The topic is challenging not only because of its emotive charge and baggage, but also because of the very different opinions and resources available. We are now reliant on written material that often lacks first-hand detail and is open to various interpretations. Those Templers still alive who experienced the era were too young to be actively involved [or were sequestered behind barbed wire in internment camps, making it absurd to accuse them of anything, let alone of committing Nazi anti-Semitic atrocities. This fact is ignored by most of our critics].

I’m certainly no expert but have discussed this topic over the years with family, colleagues, Germans (Templers and others), Jews here and in Israel, and friends. While that era is long over, it continues to surface, like recently in an article in Der Spiegel.

A further challenge is to separate facts from opinions, emotions, generalisations, agendas and accusations like ‘Templers were Nazis’. – Were they all, or most, or some, a significant few, or an insignificant few? Templers avoid discussing the issue.

In 1993, for a seminar touching on our topic, the then Templer President, Dietrich Ruff, wrote: ‘By far the greatest challenge to the tenets of [Templer] faith came from the NS ideology and the policies of the NS regime during the era of the Third Reich.’ He was adamant that ‘the substance of our faith was retained – but there was a shift’. What was the cause? My grandfather, Gottlieb S. Ruff, wrote at the end of his brief historical account (see TR Supplement No. 4 June 2009 ‘Recollections of an old Templer’, written in 1974): ‘As far as my own, the third generation is concerned, one could perhaps say that the religious aspects were pushed into the background by economic and national issues.’ [We can no longer ask him to clarify that. Was the shift something other than away from the fervent belief in biblical statements? Hardly any of us have the early Templers’ pious faith any more, but we still follow Jesus’s teachings.]

From my reading (largely in Sauer’s The Holy Land Called) and discussions, it is clear to me that many Templers were attracted by that part of the NS ideology which expounded the idea of a great community of people serving a common aim for the common good. On the surface, this fitted the Templer concept of community and working together communally. Templers did join the NSDAP, but the numbers quoted range from 17% (the TS figure [Dr Richard Hoffmann once made a list of names]), 30% (the Israeli figure [does this include all Palestine Germans, not just Templers, and the members of the Arbeitsfront (amalgamation of all trade unions) who were not necessarily members of the Nazi Party?]), and 60% (alleged by a German to me). These figures can’t all be right.

There is no doubt that NSDAP structures were put in place in our Palestine settlements, including local groups, uniforms, etc. [Germans have always loved uniforms.] Photos show that the German national flag was displayed, but this would have been expected of German citizens. [Do these photos ‘prove’ that ‘all Templers were Nazis?]

The then President, Christian Rohrer, expressed serious reservations about the NS regime. When some Templers suggested that the TS as a body should join the NSDAP, he blocked the notion. In keeping with Templer belief, he left such a decision to the conscience of the individual. The next TS President, Philipp Wurst, was elected in 1935 after Rohrer’s death and a new constitution was adopted. [A more pro-Nazi candidate was rejected.] This did usher in a ‘change’ in faith, but Wurst’s stance also clearly demarcated the TS faith from NS ideology and anti-Semitic tendencies.

To further distance the TS from this, publication of Die Warte was moved from Stuttgart to Jerusalem in 1936 – there had been increasing distortion of the Templer faith through editorial manipulation. Wurst and the TS leadership continued to challenge the growing anti-Christian doctrine of the NS regime. [It was noted that relations between Templers and Jews before the war were good in Palestine. Some Jewish neighbours were sorry to see us evicted from our settlements. Then other Jews accused Templers of training Arab terrorists in their olive groves – from inside the camps??]

WW II with internment, then transportation to Australia marked the beginning of the end for Templer activity in the Holy Land. The Templers remained staunchly ‘German’ in the Tatura camp, but despite this, after thorough investigation, most from camp were allowed to remain and settle in Australia. (Mark Herrmann will cover the challenges of starting again and coming to terms with the loss of their homes and communities in Palestine, in part 3.)

The discussion that ensued was wide-ranging, with questions like:

•  Why did the Templers retain their German citizenship? [Consider the choices: to become a Jew or an Arab in Palestine, or join the enemy, the British/Australians.] After the war, many Templers became Australians once they were allowed to.

• Why, as Christians, aren’t we pacifists?

• Why did some Templers join the NSDAP? [Some seem to have joined to ensure that a measure of control over local decisions remained in Templer hands. Ralf Balke wrote his doctoral thesis on the Nazis in Palestine and keeps recycling his opinions in hate-filled articles like the one in Der Spiegel. He seems unaware that his own research shows that Templers made pretty ineffective Nazis, judging by the NS resolutions not passed in their local groups.]

• Is the flawed thinking of a minority the responsibility of the majority?

• Should the TS leadership have taken a more active approach against its NSDAP members? – Do ‘hotheads’ listen to more measured advice?

• Does 20/20 hindsight colour our, and others’, perception of the past?

• On what basis and with what underlying agendas do some people simply label all Templers Nazis? Do we need to challenge this?

• We noted that Prof. Yossi Ben-Artzi, Rector of the University of Haifa, was quoted in a recent article in an Israeli newspaper as believing that the Nazi episode in Templer history has been blown out of proportion. ‘The members of the younger generation to some extent broke away from the naïve religious belief, and were more receptive to the Nazi German nationalism. The older ones tried to fight it.’ In 1938, about 17 percent of Palestine Templers were members of the Nazi Party – the number, as we heard, is disputed, especially by Jews. It was interesting to read that this subject was openly discussed in Israel.

• For Australian Templers, the NS era seems more distant; they see it differently, since they have not been so constantly reminded of ‘German guilt’ as the German Templers (like all Germans) have.

• Are we still influenced by nationality? 

• Is leaving things to the individual member’s conscience always enough, or should our leadership take a position and prompt our consciences?

•  We need to keep challenging our thinking and our beliefs. Are there current issues we are not addressing, that should be debated to encourage the individual reflection required?

We were left with so many questions, but perhaps we can now consign some of them to the past.

Harald Ruff, with H.U.

Amendment

In last month’s Forum Report, half-way down page 3, there is a sentence which might be misinterpreted. The four words in brackets ‘and the Hoffmann family’ should be deleted.

Rolf Beilharz

Return to the Top

REGIONAL MATTERS
 

NOTES from the ERC meeting of 4^th September in Bayswater

This special meeting of the ERC was a Structure Review Meeting. Under the new constitution which brought about our ‘Focus Group’ based structure, there is a requirement that such a review take place at least every three years. The last one was in 2006.

The normal ERC agenda items were thus held over. Prior to the meeting, each Focus Group was asked to examine its operational effectiveness against the aims and objectives of the TSA and to report on these, based on a template questionnaire.

All of the various points raised were then discussed. The overall consensus was that the split-up of the functions of the various groups seems to be working satisfactorily, and for the most part the Groups are functioning well.

It was particularly noted that the Communication & Promotion Focus Group cannot expect to achieve their charter with only two members – if you think you can assist, or know of someone with marketing experience who could perhaps assist, please let a RC member know.

In due course revisions of the ‘TSA Structure Diagram’ and ‘Purpose, Aims and Expectations’ chart will be made available – the changes to these are more refinements than anything else.

At the conclusion of the meeting, special thanks were offered to all members of the various Focus and Interest Groups – their participation adds to the richness of Templer life.

John Maddock, Administration Manager

AGMs  

Members are reminded of the AGMs for the TSA and the Central Fund on Sunday 18^th October in Bayswater. The notices and agendas were published in the September TR (pp 6-8). Proxy and nomination forms (to RC, Focus Groups and TTHA Committee of Management) are available at our Community facilities and from the TSA Office upon request.

The annual financial statements will be posted separately to members once the audit process has been completed.

Mark Herrmann

VISIT TO TGD

Templer President, Dr Rolf Beilharz, will be in Stuttgart this month, taking part in the TGD’s AGM on the 10^th and Dankfest on the 11^th. Melissa English is on Templer Exchange in Germany. We wish both a happy and productive time networking with our sister community.

PCNV – www.pcnvictoria.org.au

Dr Rufus Black, Master of Ormond College, will speak on ‘Why Darwin requires us to rethink Christianity’. Sunday 11^th October 3:00pm at the Uniting Church, Glen Iris Road, Glen Iris.

Ed.

SOCIAL CARE 

Dear Friends, 

Many women donated goods and services to the Women’s Retreat. (See also page 30 for the report from Erika English about what the ladies got up to!) A Big Thankyou to the following:

Christine Ruff and Tony Beilharz for driving the Rosa Bus; Angela Sadler for her scrapbooking workshop; Dr Caroline Lloyd for her Women’s body maintenance workshop; Petra Cassai (TTHA) for her Avon gifts and Samantha Nott for her donations; Ashleigh Rutowicz, Dee Lippka, Ingrid Turner and Beate Kuerschner for their fantastic massages; Amanda Seward for her tarot readings and donated gifts; ‘Suzie’ and Yvette Jenkins-O’Dowd for their scrapbooking donations through Freecycle; and Karen Scott for her Personal Development workshop.

I am very excited to have booked my ‘Red Balloon Day’ for which the women gave me a gift voucher. I’m going to the ‘Cooking Class with Music’ with my partner, where we will learn to cook and share a meal from celebrity chef Bart Beek with lovely jazz music during the meal. Thank you once again!

Girls’ Night In: Following the success of the Women’s Retreat, both Ingrid in Sydney and I in Melbourne will be hosting a night of good company, food and fundraising for the Cancer Council to further cement the friendships forged on our recent Women’s Retreat weekend and to make new friendships. We would love you to come and join in the merriment. Please feel free to invite your family members and friends. See here.

Telelink: Telelink continues to run on a fortnightly basis on a Monday at 2:00pm. October meetings will be on 5^th and 19^th October from 2:00pm. Please contact me if you would like to participate.

Frauenrunde will be held on Wednesday 7^th October from 11:00am–1:30pm – an outing to a concert in Bayswater. Bookings are essential so please contact Trudy Herrmann or Gretel Krockenberger for more information.

Stamps: We will no longer be collecting stamps to raise funds. Thank you all for your stamp collecting efforts over the years. [The Uniting Church still collects stamps.]

Carers’ Week Event: What you do makes a difference! Carers afternoon tea and workshop with Heather Liubicich on Saturday 24^th October from 2:30–4:30pm in the Bayswater Hall. If you are a carer and would like to attend this event or know someone who you feel would benefit, please contact me on the details below. We were lucky to secure a grant from Carers Victoria to hold this event and we thank them sincerely.

Free Beer and Pretzels for the men: Right, now I have your attention please read on! I have an exciting idea planned but I need your help please! You just need to turn up to a meeting in Bayswater or Bentleigh. Men of all ages welcome (over 18 to drink the beer, of course!). The first meeting will be on Friday 16^th October in the Bayswater Hall at 7:00pm.

Please phone or email me (see below) to put your name on the contact list.

Disclaimer: Free beer may not be provided, unless you bring it yourselves.

Australian Pensions are changing: Do you, or someone you know, receive a pension? There are significant changes to Australian pensions from 20^th September 2009. These changes may affect people who receive the Age Pension, Disability Support Pension, Wife Pension, Widow B Pension, Carer Payment, Service Pension or Income Support Supplement. You should have received a letter from Centrelink during September if you are on one of these benefits. The letter will explain the changes and how they affect you. Please read this letter carefully. If you need more information or wish to talk to someone about your pension, contact Centrelink on:

• 132 717 for Disability Support Pension, Carer Payment or Carer Allowance Recipients

• 132 300 for Age Pension, Pensioner Concession Cards, Widow B Pension, Wife Pension and Commonwealth Seniors Health Care Card Recipients

• For a copy of a fact sheet, call 1800 663 011

Freebies and useful sites:

Keeping Kids Safe: NAPCAN (National Association for the Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect) has partnered with several organisations to establish Smart Online Safe Offline (SOSO), an initiative to educate kids about online dangers. By showing kids how to be safe online, they can stay safe offline.
Visit www.soso.org.au

Seniors’ Week Events: The first week in October is Seniors’ week and there are a number of free and low cost activities and events on from Sunday 4^th October to Sunday 11^th October. Free travel on public transport during this time is also available for all people with a seniors card.

Carers’ Week Events 18^th–24^th October: There are many events on throughout Australia. Carers’ Day is a day for all Australians to think about the contribution of carers in their community and to consider doing something for a carer they know. People may wish to take a carer out for a meal or an activity, or they may simply make the effort to spend some time with them or give them a call. See above for the TSA Carers’ week event.

Keep Smiling,                                                                                            

Martina Eaton, Community Care Worker

email: careworker@templesociety.org.au

ANNUAL REPORTS – continued

ANNUAL REPORT OF THE TSA REGIONAL COUNCIL (RC) 2008/2009

Mark Herrmann, Regional Head

ELDERS, RELIGIOUS & SPIRITUAL FOCUS GROUP 2008/2009

This year has again seen the Elders lead and provide the community with spiritual reflection and guidance, offered in regular services, at Presentations, Confirmations, weddings and funerals as well as through the TR.

Services

The Elders’ team conducts over 60 Services a year. Regular Services are held at Meadowbank, Bayswater and Bentleigh as well as in Country Victoria (Bendigo, Phillip Island, Ballarat, Tynong) and Tanunda in South Australia. The Services are conducted in English or German depending on the needs of the community. Elders who held Services were Renate Beilharz, Dr Rolf Beilharz, Ilse Birkner, Dr Irene Bouzo, Mark Herrmann, Dr Hennig Imberger, Christa Lingham, Dr Geoff McCallum, Theo Richter, Harald and Christine Ruff, Hermann and Herta Uhlherr, Dr Peter Uhlherr, Annette Wagner-Hesse, Hulda Wagner, Renate Weber; in NSW, Hartmut Beck, Ingrid Turner, and in South Australia, Ulrich Asenstorfer.

Werner Ehmann retired from Elder duties in the Sydney Community after at least 30 years of dedicated service. He was a strong supporter of the youth group and pushed for an affiliation with St Hedwigs Aged Care Home to cater more locally for the care needs of older Templers.

Christmas and New Year's Eve Services were celebrated in our traditional style.

The Agape service was held in the Chapel and the absence of some of our older members, due to frailty, was noted with sadness. Herta Uhlherr represented the Templers at the Glen Eira Stations of the Cross on Good Friday. She facilitated the annual Ecumenical Service held at the TTHA, as well.

We are thankful to be able to welcome so many children at our Presentation Services. It is a great joy for our communities to have our worship ‘spaces’ filled with young families, their Omas and Opas and other relatives. Eleven children were presented in Bayswater and Bentleigh ceremonies.

We continue to try new ways to stir the interest and encourage the involvement of our younger members and associates in the TSA.

Confirmation

Eighteen young people – 13 Victorians and 5 from NSW, 9 boys and 9 girls – began confirmation lessons under the direction of Renate Beilharz in April. She is using Elluminate to hold online lessons with our distant confirmands. Parents of the Melbourne confirmands were invited to a dinner held in the Tivoli Club in July and an information session for them was held concurrently with a confirmation lesson. The confirmation ceremonies in September in both Sydney and Melbourne are sure to be highlights.

Marriages

The TSA’s Marriage Celebrants conducted four wedding ceremonies in Melbourne and one in Sydney. From early 2010, a new training qualification will become mandatory for any newly registered celebrants.

Funerals

Elders were involved in a number of funeral services for our members and friends, ably supported by the team of volunteers who assist with the refreshments after the Service.

Other Elder Activities

The weekend seminar held in August 2008 at Marysville titled Interacting and Connecting with God was well attended, and the participants enjoyed the diverse topics facilitated by a variety of presenters. At the end, each participant wrote themselves a letter which Renate Beilharz posted to us six months later. It was interesting to read our own thoughts. However, all that remains of the venue are the photos taken and our memories, as the entire property was destroyed on Black Saturday. Maybe there is a lesson to be learnt from that.

Elders attend regular meetings and participate in discussion sessions. Ingrid Turner travelled to Melbourne in February to share her enthusiasm and ideas on involving younger people in our Society.

Harald and Christine Ruff visited Germany and Israel during the year. These interactions provide valuable connections with our sister community in Stuttgart, as well as exchanges of ideas.

Elders are attending talks hosted by the Progressive Christian Network of Victoria and enjoying the stimulating discussions. Rolf Beilharz and Mark Herrmann continue to represent the TSA at meetings of the Knox Interfaith Network and the Glen Eira South Ministers’ Association. Some Elders attended the Knox annual clergy lunch.

Irene Bouzo and Rolf Beilharz have been invited to present at the Parliament of the World’s Religions to be held in Melbourne in early December.

Thank You!

Each year it is important to acknowledge all the people who help our religious community to function more richly and successfully – to our wonderful musicians who play for services, the Choir, the Blaskapelle (brass ensemble), the flower arrangers, the people who set up and clean up our spaces, those who make and serve the refreshments after a Service and our dedicated Sunday School teachers – Thank you! We are blessed to have a community which functions in such a supportive, harmonious way and we could ‘celebrate ourselves’ far more than we do.

Renate Weber, for the Elders

Sunday School Report

A small, but dedicated group of families regularly attend Sunday School sessions which are held twice a month, concurrently with services in Bentleigh and Bayswater. Christine Ruff and Renate Beilharz have been taking the classes in Bayswater and Bentleigh respectively.

In 2008, lessons in both Bayswater and Bentleigh focussed on teaching about the Temple Society. The children were introduced to issues such as where our name comes from, our motto, ceremonies, our symbol.

In 2009, the Bayswater classes are focussing on the history of the Temple Society, using stimulus material brought back from the Ruff family trip to Israel, in particular photos of the Templer settlements as they looked then and now.

In Bentleigh the classes have focussed on prayer, and the Lord’s Prayer. Each month another line of the Lord’s prayer is discussed and related activities are enjoyed by all. It is encouraging to note how the children are prepared to think for themselves, making up their own minds on issues such as God and heaven, using what they have learnt during religious instruction at school from more traditional Christian teachers, and the ideas from a Templer point of view.

Parents and grandparents are encouraged to bring children to Sunday School, even if only occasionally, to experience the positive, active and stimulating environment of the Templer Sunday School classes.

Renate Beilharz and Christine Ruff

PROPERTY MANAGEMENT FOCUS GROUP

Focus Group members are: Rolf Beck, Uli Hoefer, Tony Beilharz, Peter Ware, Paul Weberruss and Winfried Beilharz.

The following has been achieved throughout the year:

Bayswater

• Cut down and mulched low-hanging branches, storm-damaged and unsafe trees.

• The five year inspection was carried out with the facility receiving a good report.

• Reactivated Heritage Room plans after approval of government grant.

Bentleigh

•  Painting of the hall and the exterior of the TSA Office was completed.

• Toilet cisterns were upgraded due to issues with the old system.

• Handrails were added to the stage stairs.

• The kitchen was upgraded with new benches, sinks, stove and dish washer.

Sydney

•  Essential Services Legislation compliance is underway.

• A termite inspection was completed.

• An unsafe Bunya pine was removed and replaced by newly-planted native trees.

Rosa Bus

• Servicing and routine checks have been carried out to schedule.

• Audit by Public Transport Safety Victoria was successful.

• Sign-writing of the bus has been completed.

Thank you to the focus group and interest group members for their time and effort during the year in upgrading and maintaining the properties and facilities of the TSA.

A special thankyou to Uli Hoefer for his dedication over the last three years.

Winfried Beilharz, for the Property Management FG

SOCIAL & RECREATION FG

The Social & Recreation Focus Group continues to facilitate a number of Interest Groups and community events.

Focus Group members:

Ingrid Beilharz, Marianne Herrmann, Ingeborg Imberger, Karl-Heinz Steller, Tania Richter, Monika Imberger who is also the currently nominated Leader. Contact details are published in the annual Temple Society Calendar & Contact Lists.

At the 2008 AGM, Brendon Glenk and Manfred Decker retired by rotation. The vacant positions were filled by Tania Richter and Karl-Heinz Steller and both members have been a great asset to the Focus Group.

Marianne Herrmann and Ingeborg Imberger will retire by rotation at the 2009 AGM. Ingeborg has put herself up for re-election. Marianne Herrmann is retiring and we thank her for all her work she has done.

Associated Interest Groups:

• Bayswater Bowling Club – led by Manfred Haering

• Bayswater Gymnastics Group – led by Kirrily Sydenham

• Bayswater-Boronia Tennis Club – led by Ralph Weller

• Bentleigh Gymnastics Group – led by Helga Weberruss

• Bentleigh Ladies Group –  led by Ruth Haar

• Bentleigh Tennis Club – led by Gary Imberger

• Brass Ensemble – led by Kurt Eppinger

• Bushwalking Group – led by Trudi Murray

• Carpet Bowling Group – led by Ilse Birkner

• Choir – led by Annette Wagner-Hesse and Kurt Imberger

• Handicrafts Group – led by Helga Kuerschner (Ba) and Marianne Herrmann (Be)

• Proposed Backgammon Group – led by Heiner Wagner

To ensure the Interest Groups continue to operate without interference or additional workload, contact has been limited to contact detail updates and feedback requests on budgetary and other support requirements and annual activity summary.

The modest 2009/10 budgets requested by Integrated Interest Groups have been approved by Central Fund and Regional Council, and Associated Interest Groups continue to manage their finances independently. As in the past few years, we obtained a Victorian Multicultural Commission grant to offset Sommerfest costs.

Major Events facilitated by SRFG during 2008/2009:

• Winery Tour to the Mornington Peninsula, August 2008, organised by Manfred Decker

• Bunter Abend, August 2008, organised by Kurt Imberger, Krista Imberger and Tania Richter

• Sängerfest, October 2008, organised by Kurt and Ingeborg Imberger

• AGM Lunch, October 2008, organised by Moni Imberger

• Werribee Park Open Range Zoo, October 2008, organised by Helga Anderson

• The Greek Spot Restaurant Night, October 2008, organised by Manfred Decker

• Christmas Bazaar, November 2008, organised by Helga Kuerschner

• Carnegie Craft Stall, November 2008, organised by Gisela Bulach

• Advent Celebrations (Bentleigh), December 2008, organised by Veronica Rutowicz and Marianne Herrmann

• Advent Celebrations (Bayswater), December 2008, organised by Imi Roscher, Inky Arndt and Helga Jürgensen

• Christmas Celebrations (Bentleigh), December 2008, organised by Nikki Imberger

• Community Christmas & Carols (Bayswater), December 2008, organised by Phuong Breisch 

• Bournda Family Camp, December 2008, organised by Winnie Beilharz

• New Year’s Eve Drinks & Nibbles, December 2008, organised by Marianne Herrmann

• Carnegie Craft Stall, February 2009, organised by Gisela Bulach

• Sommerfest, March 2009, organised by Winnie Beilharz, Manfred Decker & Moni Imberger

• Beleura House and Garden Tour, April 2009, organised by Helga Anderson

•  Sonnwendfeier, June 2009, organised by Susi Blackwell

• Craft Afternoons, throughout the year, organised by Helga Kuerschner and Marianne Herrmann

In general, Community support for these events has been good although attendance numbers continue to decline gradually. Feedback indicates that most members are satisfied with the type and number of events, so similar functions are planned during the next 12 months.

The next Sängerfest is proposed for Melbourne in 2010 to coincide with the Tivoli Club’s 150th anniversary, organisation by Melbourne-based choirs, expected to be primarily Tivoli Choir/Club. It has been agreed that SRFG will offer to arrange equipment hire and human resources to help run the day if the TSA Bayswater property is to be used.

Summary

No significant changes to the existing Interest Group associations, major events and their timing are planned in the coming year.  Most major events are planned for a break-even financial result. This financial year, exceptions were the Bunter Abend, Bentleigh Adventsfeier, Sommerfest and Sonnwendfeier. They contributed $11,131.87 to targeted fundraising.

On that basis, the 2008/09 SRFG budget, including its Integrated Interest Groups, had an income of $33,085.70 including external grants, expenditure of $31,249.15 and therefore a surplus of $1,836.55. Please note that much of this was Sängerfest income and expenditure. Targeted fundraising for Sängerfest in the previous financial year is not shown here.

As always, we are looking for constructive feedback on activities you would like to participate in, what improvements and changes we can make and, in particular, offers of assistance from Members to plan, organise and run events. Replacement Focus Group Members are required.

We remain committed to providing the Community with fulfilling social and recreational activities and will continue to use enjoyment of participants as our primary measure of viability.

Moni Imberger, for the Social & Recreation FG

Return to the Top

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.

BIRTHS

Takeshi Jakob McGregor Lambert

Parents: Mark Lambert and Rosemarie née Slip

Declan Elias Campbell

Parents: Phil and Karyn Campbell née Kinder

Our congratulations and good wishes.

NEW MEMBER –  Welcome to Ralph Edelmaier

BEREAVEMENTS 

Anneliese Charlotte Wagner née Doh, born 4.7.1925 in Stuttgart-Degerloch, Germany, died on 18.8.2009 at TTHA. Our heartfelt thanks for the many expressions of sympathy. We also thank the staff and volunteers at TTHA for their care of our Mum over the past four and a half years, and Renate Weber for conducting the service.

    Ingrid Cook

    Gisela and Enno Schmidt with Talja and Tobian Roesner

Ü Ü Ü

Manfred Schnerring died on 31.8.2009

(also see below)

Ü Ü Ü

Käthe Christina Rockenschuh née Kuebler died in hospital in Stuttgart on 4.9.2009, aged 92.

    Our condolences to all the bereaved

CONFIRMATION – 13^th September in the Community Chapel

‘What an uplifting ceremony!’ was the general consensus. ‘It’s different from when we were confirmed!’ said many parents and grandparents, ‘We were talked at and expected to sit still and listen’.

Yes, teaching methods have changed; now young people are asked much more to think for themselves, to question what is taught, to formulate and express their own thoughts. And so we heard from each one of the 14 confirmands, who all contributed to their ceremony in word and/or music, to the delight of the overflowing congregation. The theme was light, enlightenment and values. Future TRs will bring extracts.

Everyone involved was congratulated on the highly successful celebration of graduating to greater independence and responsibility.

Herta Uhlherr, for the teaching team

LAUNCH OF THE FABRIC OF SOCIETY – 29^th August

After years of dedicated work by many busy hands under the supervision of Helga Jürgensen and Lesley Uren, the day had finally arrived: the long awaited wall-hanging – presented in a noble pun as Fabric of Society – was unveiled in the Templer Chapel on 29th August. Well over a hundred guests filled the auditorium.

Following a musical introduction by Yann Tiersen played by Anka Mahler, the MC, Dr Irene Bouzo, introduced the distinguished guests, who included above all The Hon. James Merlino, Victorian Minister Assisting the Premier on Multicultural Affairs and Councillor Adam Gill from the City of Knox. Irene welcomed the congregation and invited Dr Rolf Beilharz to be the first speaker.

Dr Rolf opened proceedings with an overview of our history from Hoffmann and Hardegg to the present. Alluding to the early history of this country with delicate humour, he concluded by remarking that it was not the Australians, but the British, who had brought us here as internees – the last convicts, as it were – and, lo and behold, a ripple of solidarity swept through the rows of listeners.

With consummate ease, Irene Bouzo led the transition to the next speaker, Regional Head Mark Herrmann. Having been in charge of the steering committee, Mark described the genesis of the textile mural with well-chosen words. His only criticism, he said, was that one had to assume that the hills of Degerloch must have been swaying in the wind, because nobody would dare describe the Stuttgart television tower other than bolt straight! But, be that as it may, the Templer Journey would continue on its way through time, regardless.

Monika Herrmann played a musical piece by Yiruma as a prelude to the address of Minister Merlino who, recognising the difficult circumstances of our history, paid tribute to the episodes of hardship the community had endured. On behalf of his Government he thanked the TSA for its contribution to multi-cultural life in the State of Victoria and solemnly proceeded to officially unveil the triptych. The velvet shroud fell away with much applause – and the masterful work in all its glory stood there for all to see, looming like a three-piece altar from times gone by.

The wall-hanging illustrates scenes from the history and activity of the Templers in three continents: the beginning in Germany, building the settlements in Palestine and rebuilding communities in Australia and Germany following the war. All the places of interest and the ‘colonies’ are shown: Haifa, the first and largest settlement at the foot of Mt Carmel; Sarona with its winery and Saal; Jaffa with the pointed steeple of the Lutheran church and Jerusalem before the backdrop of the Old City. The Kirschenhardthof is seen next to Black Forest firs seemingly standing guard over a small Russian church to remind us of the Templers who settled in Russia. Wilhelma features with rural scenes and its schoolhouse; Betlehem is symbolised by its Saal, and Waldheim with its little church is not far behind.

Germany is represented by an image of the Templer Degerloch community centre, and Australia by the chapel and the halls of the re-created communities, as well as by the TTHA, which is run jointly by the TSA and the Australian German Welfare Society. A variety of symbols and logos pour forth from the wall-hanging in great volume, ranging from the Sydney Harbour Bridge, near which the Queen Elizabeth dropped anchor in 1941, right down to the trademarks of members’ successful businesses, with many stamps, emblems and brands, all of which are described in more detail in the companion book now launched by Cr Adam Gill. Cr Gill honoured the TSA as a component of strength, faith, commitment and community in the City of Knox; he raised the book as if to say that a picture was like a thousand words – no mean feat, considering the number of pictures in the book. He wished the TSA good fortune and prosperity also for the next 150 years.

Since, according to Irene Bouzo, celebrations without at least one hymn are unthinkable among Templers, all verses of All things bright and beautiful, were sung, accompanied by the brass ensemble directed by Kurt Eppinger.

Underscored by a Mozart violin concerto, a DVD show was staged tracing the progress of this piece of art from go to whoa in vivid detail, with many pictures of the helpers at work. Gisela and Fred Sawatzky had gone to the trouble of producing this.

Presently Helga Jürgensen spoke of the dedication, the patience, the pain and the satisfaction the constantly post-dated project – ‘three years had turned into five’ – had caused the dozens of participating talented people. She highlighted especially how Lesley Uren, a textile artist and long-time colleague, had surprised her helpers with ever-new techniques.

Irene Bouzo wrapped up the launch by expressing thanks to the Government and to the City of Knox for their help and financial support, without which success might not have been that assured. She conveyed the greetings and well wishes of Regional Head Wolfgang Blaich from the TGD and asked everyone to raise their hand if they had helped with the project in any way. The hands going up were hard to count in a hurry.

To the strains of a piece named Praise and Adoration, played by the brass ensemble, the guests betook themselves to the adjoining hall where, having coffee in congenial togetherness, they were able to discuss at length what they had seen and heard.

Peter Hornung

MORE DESCENDANTS OF TEMPLERS IN THE NEWS

Immunologist Assistant Professor Manfred Beilharz, son of Herbert and Irmgard Beilharz from Moe, ‘is trialling a daily lozenge to prevent colds and flu’ at the University of West Australia – his treatment might guard against swine flu. But his project, as well as six other research groups from W.A. medical institutions, missed out on federal funding, which favoured ‘the old boys’ club over in the East’. ‘What happens in W.A. doesn’t really get on the radar’, said Nobel prize-winning UWA researcher Barry Marshall, also turned down in favour of projects to limit H1N1 spreading rather than to develop new ways to treat it.

Based on The West Australian of 5.9.2009. Sent in by a reader.

With a grant from the Dept. of Education, Cowes Primary School has engaged script/screen writer and author Jutta Goetze to work with students on a creative project. In term 3 they will write a horror movie, which will be filmed in term 4, with students acting the parts.

Based on The South Gippsland Sentinel – Times, 28.7.2009, sent in by a reader. You are invited to share your family’s achievements.

Ed.

ISRAEL TOUR – Part 3

Just as we tried to come to terms with the Templer story and how everything we had seen tied in with it, we also tried to understand the Old City of Jerusalem. It almost defies description. So many people of different faiths trying to live in such a relatively small space. Age-old beliefs, fanaticism, the grind of daily life, locals making a living, tourists, holy sites and places of enormous religious significance all come crashing together in the network of alleys and streets of the different religious quarters. We struggled to understand the actions of the faithful at the Western wailing wall and marvelled at the sheer goldenness of the Dome of the Rock. But again, it was the almost subterranean souk that delighted the most (although great care had to be taken not to lose small children!).

Of course, Israel is more than Templer history and religious sites. We were fortunate to be able to visit many nature parks, see much Roman history, witness locals as they went about their lives, sample much local fare (and declare it to be sumptuous!) and even see animals not known to us before (the hyraxes and mountain goats were favourites). We also marveled at the state-of-the-art Baha’i gardens in Haifa, ducked in and out of Tiberias, saw the exact spot where Jesus is said to have been born in Bethlehem, swam at the Nordstrand in Jaffa and in the Mediterranean in Haifa, visited countless churches (including the Church of Jesus’s Ascension in Nazareth), drove around the Golan Heights and up to the border with Lebanon where some splendid sea caves awaited us, walked around the catacombs of Bet She’arim where sarcophagi still lay, floated in the Dead Sea, saw where the Dead Sea Scrolls are thought to have been found, were amazed at how the Bedouins live in the desert and marvelled at the history associated with Masada. Along the way we delighted in the friendliness of locals, particularly in the hostels we stayed in (Sister Emiliana at the Borromeo Sisters’ hostel in Jerusalem was Tim and Anja’s favourite).

After two weeks and thousands of photos, it was time to leave. Our group members bade each other farewell and shared highlights and emotions on our final night in Jerusalem. For most, the trip had exceeded expectations. For most, it was time to go home to digest it all.

Gottlieb Samuel Ruff concludes his recollections with this quote: Of our generation, as of any other, it is true to say that ‘by their fruits you shall know them’ (Matt: 7-16). I believe we may be able to add ‘By their fruits we shall remember them. And by their fruits we shall know from where it is we have come. This may even help us work out where we are going.’

We were fortunate enough not to have a sudden ending to our time overseas, being able to then share more time with friends and family and in the midst of Templer life in Germany, including being part of the religious seminar at Schönblick and taking part in meetings and services. Our time seemed too short to be able to catch up with all those we had intended to meet.

We realise how fortunate we are to have been able to experience all we did, both in Israel and in Germany, and are extremely grateful to all those who facilitated and organised so much. Particular thanks are due to Karin Klingbeil, whose work is endless and tireless.

The understandings, memories (and souvenirs!) we gained from this once-in-a-lifetime journey are many. The explanations we can give our kids and others as to who we are and where we come from, are now much clearer.  The anecdotes of parents and grandparents have been put into context and the fragments of knowledge we had acquired now have a story and a stage to belong to. We look forward to seeing the new Templer wall-hanging and visiting Tatura again later in August to close the circle of the Templer journey. Epilogue to the journey – Tatura – in next TR.

For us, the world has become a smaller place, but an even richer one.  We marvel at our history and wonder about our future. If it really is true to say that each generation is known by its fruits, we wonder how we shall be known one day? The legacy we have been left is certainly one to build on.

Christine Ruff

WOMEN’S RETREAT AT BELGRAVE, VICTORIA, 14^th–16^th August

At 6:30pm on a cold and windy August night a few ladies waited outside the Bayswater Hall for the Rosa bus. Christine Ruff, our driver, arrived punctually with a group of cheerful and enthusiastic ladies. Six were from our Sydney community and the remainder from Bentleigh. Our luggage was loaded into the trailer (yes, Christine could not only drive the bus but also drive it with a trailer in tow) and we headed up to Mt Morton camp in the Dandenong Ranges.

But what could we expect from this weekend?

Our two care workers, Martina Eaton and Ingrid Turner (from Sydney), provided the glue for a fantastic weekend of friendship, mutual respect, companionship and, best of all, fun. The best news came early: we didn’t have to cook or wash up, not once all weekend! We did have to sing for our supper though (Danket, danket dem Herrn, even in canon) bringing back fond memories of those (long since gone) youthful days at junior camp.

Some had made their own way up in their cars. Martina and her mother, Maria, greeted us and directed us to our rooms. It was dark and cold and the area not well lit, but we all found our way to our cabins. I shared a cabin with a long-time friend, Marie-Anne Beilharz, and two ladies I had never met before, from Sydney. Unpacking is strenuous work so we headed to the kitchen to satisfy our hunger. Good food and wine soon relaxed us. We got to know each other by playing some organised games which quickly loosened things up and created fun and laughter. The Melbournites outnumbered the Sydneyites 5 to 1 so we had fewer ladies to get to know. I’m sure I can speak for the whole group when I say there was an instant feeling of familiarity and belonging.

We were asked to bring along a baby photo of ourselves. Over the weekend we were to match as many current faces to baby photos as we could. This brought out the competitive spirit, and whenever there was a spare moment, the challenge continued. Melanie from Sydney who had known only Ingrid prior to the weekend, did a fantastic job in identifying many. The equal winners were Marie-Anne and Susi. Well done!

On Saturday morning we had an interactive workshop with Karen Scott on personal development, with a reflection on the two most important women in our lives – a good time for insight and appreciation.

Scrapbooking with Angela Sadler was on Saturday afternoon for those who wished, or a nice walk given the fine weather. Many had never tried scrapbooking before: papers, stickers and cutters were gathered and combined with the other photos we had been asked to bring. The project of making a personal album commenced and it certainly was serious stuff. Masterpieces were created.

In parallel to the scrapbooking, there were four marvellous masseuses in the next room; Dee, Ashleigh, Beate and Ingrid massaged our backs, necks and heads. It was heavenly and certainly a highlight!

After dinner we all received a bag of bath salts perfumed with essential oils to create a pleasurable foot bath. The evening was very casual as some soaked their feet, or had them massaged by Renate. Others joined in with theatre acting, mime games and celebrity heads. For some it was another late night. Yes guys, we can kick on too! Actually, fierce storms were raging outside and we were surrounded by huge gum trees so we probably wouldn’t have slept anyway, so why not have fun. In the end the relaxing therapy helped ease some of us into slumber despite the storm.

Sunday was our last day. Pity! Ingrid held Saal. She had earlier asked us to write about what it felt like to be a woman in the Temple Society. These words were incorporated into her service. Beate had written a poem and we sang two songs. One, called Inclusive Love was new; Ingrid had these beautiful lyrics which Chris Hoffmann (brother of Emmy and Beate) and Jemma Lewis (Brigitte’s daughter), both from Sydney, had put to music.

Saal was followed by a talk by Dr Caroline Lloyd on women’s health. Some of the statistics were surprising, but her general talk on maintenance of our bodies was a good reminder of what we must do to stay healthy. Tarot reading was available from Amanda, and Tania also had special cards.

Chocolate is one way to a woman’s heart and the little chocolate heart surprises on our pillow each night were just right. To top it off, a complimentary bag of cosmetics! The finale was a paper bag full of complimentary comments each person had written about each other lady. A very personal and satisfying way to record the advances we had all made in establishing or enhancing the relationships between the ladies of the group.

It was time to go home on Sunday afternoon and the Sydney ladies had to catch a flight back home. We had a wonderful weekend of friendship, indulgence, companionship and fun. It was great to reacquaint with Templer ladies, to get to know others and to share a few days together. It was great to retreat from the humdrum of everyday, even if for just two days. I can highly recommend we do it again.

Many, many thanks go to Ingrid and Martina for all their planning and hard work. Also thanks to Tony who drove the Sydney ladies safely from Bayswater to the airport. And most of all thanks to the thirty or so participants who made the weekend the success it was. See you next time.

Erika English

SYDNEY

The Sydney Community AGM was held on 23^rd August with only a small group able to make it – our thoughts were with those who were ill. But first, Ingrid Turner read out a reflection on Matt. 6:1–4 given by Dr Rolf Beilharz in August 2006. The theme was that we should not act, including praying and contributing to charities, just to show other people how good we are. Our faith must result in actions we do because we know they are right and good will result. We must be honest with ourselves. For instance, prayer should allow us to refocus and motivate ourselves to do right, not to impress others with our religious merit.

During the ensuing AGM we discussed the budgeted items for this year and plans to make our hall comply with safety standards. Our committee remains as Rolf Beck, Emmy Simmer, Peter Leszinsky and Ingrid Turner as Focus Group leader. Our Community also voted against renting out the hall to a local Korean Church group, but were interested in a few other proposals put forward.

After months in hospital, our friend and very active community member Manfred Schnerring passed quietly away, aged almost 93. He will be remembered for his generosity, his handyman abilities, his jokes and stories, as well as over 40 years of service on the Sydney Community Council. His masterful woodwork adorns most of our houses. Hartmut Beck held the funeral service at Castlebrook Lawn Cemetery. Hartmut and Manne’s close friends and relatives related the life story of this strong man who survived some of WW II’s worst horrors. Our thoughts are with his wife Gertrud and his sons Fred and Michael and his grandchildren Laura and Joshua.

Fifteen members of the Seniors’ Group met at our Meadowbank church hall on Friday 11^th September. First we sat around, caught up and ate our lunch and then the group really enjoyed watching the second Sissi movie from the series of three starring Romy Schneider. 

October

• Seniors’ Social Group – Friday 9^th October: We are trying something a little different for our next meeting. We will have lunch from 12:00 noon in the St Hedwig’s dining room and spend the afternoon together.

• Girls’ Night In – Saturday 10^th October – From 7:30pm we’re having a catch-up night for the women who attended the Women’s Retreat in Victoria and their friends at Emmy Simmer’s place. We will dine on Turkish pide, chat, play cards and some board games. BYO nibbles, dessert and wine if you so desire. We’ll try and raise a little money for cancer research, too.

• Next Saal – Sunday 25^th October at 10:30am – Ilse Birkner

• Family Service/Bushwalk – Sunday 1^st November – Combining two activities, we hope to do a little walk which involves a beach and a break for Saal. Look out for more details soon through your emails. Or contact Ingrid.

November

• Seniors’ Social Group: Friday 13^th November at 11:00 am

• Adventsfeier/Advent Celebration: Sunday 29^th November at 1:30 pm

Bereavement

Manfred (Manne) Theodor Schnerring, aged 92, passed away peacefully at 2:15am on 31^st August at the Royal North Shore Hospital. Manne was surrounded by his family: his wife Gertrud, sons Fred and Michael and two grandchildren, Laura and Joshua, who will miss him greatly.

Manne had many good friends who supported him, especially in his last years; these included Klaus Baldenhofer and Jost Steller and they will also miss their good mate.

Manne said many times that every day he had on this earth after surviving the war was a bonus, and he had more than 60 years of bonus days up his sleeve. Hartmut Beck held a lovely funeral at Castlebrook, with Manne’s close friends and family also contributing. His family is grateful for everyone's support, flowers and cards and the expressions of heartfelt sympathy.

Ingrid Turner, Community Development Worker

SOUTH AUSTRALIA

Unsere südaustralische Gruppe traf sich zum Saal am 9. August in der Halle der St John’s Kirche in Tanunda. Der Vortrag war über einen Text in der Bergpredigt und zwar Matthäus 5, 5-7 und 17-25 und auch Matthäus 12, 28-39. Jesus erinnert uns, dass er kam um das Gesetz zu erfüllen und nicht um es aufzuheben. Für das Verhältnis zu Gott kommt es auf unsere innere Einstellung an. Verlieren wir unsere innere Stimme – unser Gewissen – so verlieren wir unser Verhältnis zu Gott. Der Vortrag wurde von dem Lied Befiehl Du Deine Wege umrahmt. Wie üblich beendeten wir den Nachmittag mit gemütlichem Beisammensein und einer Tasse Kaffee.

Unser nächster Saal ist am 11. Oktober um 2:00 Uhr in St John’s in Tanunda.

Unsere Frauengruppe traf sich am 24. August bei Anne Stevens zum Handarbeiten. Wir sind nur noch fünf Frauen, und wenn mal eine nicht kommen kann, so fehlt halt gleich ein großer Prozentsatz.

Rose Asenstorfer

Return to the Top

YOUTH

YOUTH GROUP CALENDAR

ROCK CLIMBING – Saturday 17^th October

Our October activity was meant to be the Youth Laser Challenge, but we again need to reschedule this activity as we were not able to get a booking for the date and time we needed!

So another plan B: we will be going Rock Climbing instead at the Victorian Climbing Centre in Seaford. Invite all your friends and try out your rope skills, and if the weather is fine we may even have some time to go to the beach as well!

Activity details for Rock Climbing

Time:          2:00pm pick-up at Bayswater, 2:30pm pick-up at Bentleigh

                   returning around 6pm

Transport:   Rosa bus

Place:         Victorian Climbing Centre – 12 Hartnett Drive, Seaford

Cost:            $10

Bookings:   You must book with Moni no later than Monday 12^th October

Contact:     Moni Imberger, email: gmnski@optusnet.com.au

Return to the Top

CHILDREN'S SECTION

Hallo everyone!  

How many of you came to the Confirmation ceremony in the chapel last month? Although we had no formal lesson, I saw many kids in the Sunday School room and many adults outside it.

Confirmation is all about learning, growing and developing. The young adults who were confirmed within the Templer Community last month have been spending a lot of time this year learning about the Temple Society, themselves and their values. They have grown and developed in many ways whilst doing this, and the service on Sunday was the final official part of this process. 

The confirmands have not been the only ones learning, growing and developing though. Have you thought about the fact that all of us are growing, learning and developing all the time? This does not only mean we are growing taller, bigger or stronger. There are other ways of growing, too.  Have you considered that when you stop growing taller and your feet are as big as they’ll ever be and all your teeth have finally grown, you can still keep growing – smarter, wiser, kinder and more loving?

Humans aren’t the only things that grow, are they? Plants grow too. In order to grow, plants need soil, water, nutrients and sunshine and these things are often found in special plant gardens. Have you ever thought that humans can grow in gardens, too? I don’t mean that we have to stand out in the garden with our feet in soil, waiting to get watered, faces up to the sun. I mean that humans grow in their own special garden. It’s called the Garden of Life!

Each of us has our own Garden of Life. Think about your garden for a while. I wonder what you have planted and put in your Garden of Life? 

Is it full of weeds, or have you grown some beautiful flowers for everyone to share? Is your garden neglected and overgrown, or is it full neat rows of plants? Do you prune it regularly? Do you need to? Or is your garden better left to grow wild? Does your garden smell of perfumed flowers and do you need to fertilise it every now and then? Does your garden have vegetables or fruit trees in it? Maybe your garden has secret paths winding through it with little hideaway spots to sit quietly? Maybe your garden is full of places to play?

Your garden could be a brand new garden, where the plants are only just starting to grow. Or maybe there are grand, ancient trees in it. Do the plants in your garden grow well together, or are some of them strangling each other, trying to get all the water and light? Is your garden a nice place to be, for you and for others? I wonder what sort of a garden you are busy planting for yourself?

Here is something I found about gardening. As you think about your own Garden of Life, you may also like to think about including in it some of the things mentioned here.

For the Garden of Your Life…

Plant at least four rows of lettuce:

lettuce be kind, lettuce be patient, lettuce be faithful, lettuce love one another.

(You could also plant another type of your own lettuce – make one up!)

Plant at least four rows of squash:

squash criticism, squash grumbling, squash selfishness, squash gossip.

(There are many other types of ‘squash’ you could include too!)

Plant three rows of peas:

peace of mind, peace of heart, peace of soul.

And don’t forget to include some thyme:

time for each other, time for yourself, time for family, time for friends.

Water your garden freely with patience and cultivate it with love. You reap what you sow!! Have fun as you think about your garden this month.

Christine Ruff

We wish a garden full of beautiful flowers to these lucky birthday people:

Return to the Top

TABULAM & TEMPLER HOMES FOR THE AGED

Dear Friends,    

Spring is well and truly here, we have already experienced some quite un-seasonal weather, warmer than usual days contrasted with gale force winds and rain; at one stage our Home’s lawns were littered with tree debris.  Luckily no serious damage was sustained by our Home and ILUs.

Again it has been a busy month with numerous projects in progress. We have converted a seldom-used bathroom in Otto Löbert Lower into an office and have received council planning and building approval for the new staff room. We are currently sourcing building quotations for this construction.

I am pleased to report that we have gained approval in principle for thirteen sub-acute private hospital beds in our new Warrina lower floor. When the Home is in a position to activate these beds, we will need to apply for private hospital status.

The Home has made the first $200,000 repayment on our $600,000 loan from each of our parent societies. We sincerely thank the TSA and AGWS for having provided these loans.

A recent audit on pressure ulcers, which are the result of lying or sitting on the one spot for a prolonged time, was conducted on 115 of our residents with a result of 5.08% affected. The industry average is 26%. This is a very good result given the large number of our residents requiring high care. It also reflects the excellent nursing care received by our residents.

On 2^nd October our TTHA Oktoberfest will be celebrated in the Dr Schreiber Dining Room. Included in the celebration will be the Templer Brass Ensemble, and I thank them for this support. On 8^th October we will receive a visit from the German Friendly Society Bendigo for lunch celebrating Seniors’ Week. On 21^st October we will stage a Wedding Dresses through the Ages in the Tabulam Dining Room which will no doubt bring back memories for some of our older residents.

I remind all our Home’s friends and relatives that our TTHA Weihnachtsmarkt will be held on 25^th November with all those lovely handcraft gift ideas.

Our parent societies residents’ ratio currently stands at 78 AGWS and 40 Templers (66% - 34%).

A quick reminder that our TTHA AGM will be held on Saturday 10^th October at 10:30am in the Templer Hall, 51 Elizabeth Street, Bayswater.

Kind Regards,

Hartmut Weller

Return to the Top

NOTICES -- BEKANNTMACHUNGEN

COMING SERVICES 

FLOWER ROSTER