Templer Record - temple society australia

Templer Record 

Published monthly in AUSTRALIA since 1946 

(originally “CIRCULAR of the TEMPLE SOCIETY in AUSTRALIA”) 

Happy Fathers’ Day! 

Thank You to all our Dads and Opas 

REFLECTIONS ................................. 2 

Thank you to our fathers.............. 2 

The K-not Prayer .......................... 3 

Ditch ‘Kingdom of God’? .............. 3 

To be the best we can be............... 5 

REGIONAL MATTERS.................... 6 

Notes from RC Meeting................ 6 

Next TSA Membership Directory. 6 

Social Care .................................... 7 

Blood 4 Harmony .........................8 

Annual Reports.............................8 

- Elders, Religious, Spiritual FG ..8 

- TSAL......................................... 10 

- Welfare & Distant FG................11 

- Heritage & Culture FG ............. 13 

MEMBERS AND FRIENDS...........17 

Birthdays .....................................17 

New Member ...............................17 

Bereavements ............................. 18 

Women’s Retreat........................ 19 

Congratulations .......................... 21 

SYDNEY .......................................... 22 

50 th Anniversary 27.11. .............. 22 

YOUTH............................................24 

Youth Calendar...........................24 

Good Health Expo ......................24 

Summer Camp 2012...................24 

KIDS’ CLUB ................................... 25 

Upcoming Events ....................... 25 

Family Games Afternoon ........... 25 

CONTENTS September 2011 

Tennis Morning/Health Expo ... 26 

Glenk Farm Visit ........................ 28 

TTHA .............................................. 29 

Dear Friends............................... 29 

NOTICES .........................................31 

Coming Services..........................31 

Flower Roster ..............................31 

Presentation Service ...................31 

CV Tynong...................................31 

Deutsche Schule Oktober Fete....31 

Multifaith Youth Retreat............ 32 

Fashion Parade & Lunch............ 32 

Ecumenical Lunch...................... 33 

Craft Sessions............................. 33 

Yarra Bend Walk ........................ 33 

Playgroup Leader wanted .......... 34 

Summer Camp 2012................... 34 

Family Camp 2012/2013............ 34 

THE HERITAGE PAGES.............. 35 

Wilhelma .................................... 35 

LAWNMOWING ROSTERS.......... 42 

Sausage Machine available ........ 42 

CALENDAR SEPTEMBER ............ 43 

In deutscher Sprache 

Frühling ............................................ 2 

TTHA – Liebe Freunde................... 29 

Das Leben ist... ............................... 30

Page 2 Templer Record 742 – September 2011 

FRÜHLING 

REFLECTIONS 

Butterblumengelbe Wiesen, 

sauerampferrot getönt – 

o du überreiches Sprießen, 

wie das Aug dich nie gewöhnt! 

Wohlgesangdurchschwellte Bäume, 

wunderblütenschneebereift – 

ja, fürwahr, ihr zeigt uns Träume, 

wie die Brust sie kaum begreift. 

Christian Morgenstern 

With its birdsong and wonderful blossoms, 

Spring opens our hearts and senses… 

THANK YOU TO OUR FATHERS 

We appreciate your hard work and protection 

Father: Someone we can look up to no matter how tall we get. 

‘By the time a man realises that his father was usually right, he has a child 

who thinks he’s usually wrong.’ L.J. Peter 

Any man can become a father. It takes love to become a dad. M.C. Garretty 

‘Since I have been a father, the pendulum of my life swings through a wider 

arc. Before J and R, I rarely whispered and I rarely yelled. Now I do both all 

the time. Before J and R, I merely strode through the world like a man. Now 

I crawl, lumber, scramble, hop on one foot, often see the world from my 

hands and knees. Before J and R, I knew nothing about waterslides. Now I 

hold several records in the over-35 division. Before J and R, I heard only the 

sound of my own voice. Now I sometimes hear the principal, asking to see 

me at my “earliest possible convenience”. Now I always carry two small 

voices in my soul. Before J and R, the world was plain. Now it’s fancy, full of 

portents and omens, comic books and ant farms, solemnity and awe. 

From ‘A Man called Daddy’ by Hugh O’Neill

Templer Record 742 – September 2011 Page 3 

THE K-NOT PRAYER 

Dear God, 

Please untie my knots 

that are in my mind, my heart and my life. 

Remove the have nots, the cannots and the do nots. 

Erase the will nots, may nots and might nots 

that may find a home in my heart. 

Release me from the could nots, 

would nots and should nots that obstruct my life. 

And most of all, dear God, 

help me to remove from my mind, 

my heart and my life 

all of the ‘am nots’ 

that I have allowed to hold me back, 

especially the thought that I am not good enough. 

Amen. 

Used in Renate Weber’s beautiful Reflection on Sunday morning at the 

Women’s Retreat. 

TIME TO THROW OUT ‘KINGDOM OF GOD’ ? 

Scholars researching what the historical Jesus actually said agree that his 

statements in the Gospels about ‘the Kingdom of God’ (or ‘Kingdom of 

Heaven’ in Matthew) are very likely to be authentic. There is also widespread 

agreement that this concept was of central significance to him, and probably 

the core of his message (as Templers have been saying for 150 years). 

But what did Jesus mean by this ‘Kingdom of God’, which we, too, have 

trouble explaining? It is instructive to consider the language, the words used 

in the various translations. 

In English, kingdom is masculine. The gospels written in Greek use basileia, 

feminine (Jesus probably spoke Greek in debate with the scribes). In his 

home language Aramaic (which he would have spoken with his followers), 

kingdom translates as malkuta, feminine. In the corresponding version 

written in Hebrew, it is rendered as mamlaka, also feminine. 

In our Western understanding, kingdom ‘denotes royal power and 

domination, privilege, exclusion and hierarchical control’. The feminine 

versions Jesus used mean ‘something more egalitarian, liberating and 

empowering, a quality of leadership that enables and empowers others to 

take the next step(s)…’


For much of its history, Christianity colluded with imperial or ‘kingly power 

and fortune, often modelling its rules and norms on those of patriarchal 

kingship’. Jesus had offered instead ‘a radical alternative characterised by 

empowerment from the bottom up, rather than power from the top down…’ 

Within a few centuries, the process of organising Christianity ‘produced the 

equation: the Kingdom = the Church’. [It also gradually shifted the Kingdom 

of Heaven to a future afterlife.] There were, however, periods in Christian 

history when the alternate vision of God’s reign blossomed. In the 12 th and 

13 th centuries, for instance, several feminist and ecologically-based 

movements (like that of St Francis of Assisi) flourished; ‘interestingly, many 

Church historians describe that period as a dark age of the Church’. In the 

19 th century, some liberal German and British theologians tried to focus once 

more on the Kingdom of God, ‘with limited success’. 

There seems no doubt that Jesus envisioned faith communities to embody 

his vision – but basic Christian communities rather than an institutional 

Church. God’s Kingdom continues to be studied intensely amongst scholars, 

yet not in the theological colleges or seminaries. Could part of the reason be 

that humans are reluctant to follow a vision that could lead to places we 

would rather not go? 

As a number of philosophers have indicated, language dictates and limits 

consciousness and controls our lives more than we realise. New expressions 

are often necessary to move us towards new possibilities. So, time to throw 

out the term Kingdom of God? 

Templers have debated this over the years (it’s archaic, irrelevant, 

meaningless to many, has to be explained…) but have stuck with the term 

because we did not have a better one to express this central concept of our 

faith. 

John Dominic Crossan suggests a companionship of empowerment, something 

all the parables point to; this also honours the feminine Aramaic 

malkuta, the right to rule, but as ‘the power of vision and leadership that 

empowers others towards a more empowering future’. This also transcends 

the current paradigm of competitive individualism, so alien to the time and 

culture of Jesus. 

Jesus envisaged setting relationships right, co-creating communities and 

networks through which are embodied transformative justice, healing and 

forgiveness, empowering love and enduring liberation. We do not look to 

others to do it for us (as in the kingly, hierarchical model) – we empower 

each other to do it together, for each other and for the earth we inhabit. The 

Beatitudes also speak of this vision, the radical option for which Jesus lived 

and died.


The Rev. Dr Lorraine Parkinson’s new book The World According to Jesus… 

(Spectrum Melbourne, 2011) suggests the best possible world for kingdom of 

God on earth. Speaking with our Confirmands recently, I said that 

Templers strive to be the best they can be and so help create the 

best possible world. These were words they could relate to; this was a goal 

they were happy to make their own, and even talk to their friends about. For 

us, these words acknowledge our responsibility before God. 

We probably cannot do without the old term altogether, but we should keep 

looking for relevant, meaningful words that express Jesus’ insights better for 

us today. Let us know if you come up with good ones. 

Based largely on Rev. Dr David Merritt’s article (in the PCNV August 

Newsletter) about a piece on Diarmuid O’Murchu’s website entitled 

provocatively ‘Let’s get rid of The Kingdom of God’ at 

www.diarmuid13.com/christian-life-essay-2 More in O’Murchu’s new book 

‘Christianity’s Dangerous Memory’, Crossroads (NY) September 2011. 

TO BE THE BEST WE CAN BE 

Herta Uhlherr 

It is harder to work on ourselves to be the best we can be if the people 

around us lie, cheat, steal, bully and ‘don’t give a stuff’. What kine of people 

surround you – not that we should judge carelessly. 

Looking at the largely superficial and sensationalist reporting in the media, 

sensible people ask: where is reasoned argument and balanced analysis? 

What has happened to values like decency, moderation, empathy, selfcontrol, 

clear thinking and ‘emotional intelligence’? Current business 

practices do not model these; they urge us to indulge ourselves to consume 

ever more (often useless) stuff, which does not really satisfy our hunger for 

the real and the true and is not sustainable. 

Wisdom and experience teach us that we are more fulfilled and at peace 

when we behave ethically and contribute to the greater good. Many religions 

advocate the Golden Rule: some say ‘don’t do to others what you wouldn’t 

want done to you’. Others leave more scope for greater kindness and 

compassion: ‘treat others as you would like to be treated.’ 

Our materialistic, secular Western world needs to refocus on teaching and 

modelling responsible and ethical behaviour, and to mature beyond ego 

gratification: gimme, gimme, me first! That is a normal stage in young 

children, but a civil society requires us to grow up, even though that takes 

effort, self-discipline, integrity and learning to deal with the setbacks life will 

inevitably throw at us. Continued on page 28


REGIONAL MATTERS 

NOTES from the RC meeting of 5 th August 

Firstly, I would like to remind everyone of the availability of the internet 

kiosks located at Bentleigh and Bayswater – it is a shame to note they are 

not being used more often. The kiosk at Bayswater means that a ‘WiFi’ 

connection is available to members for their laptops or smart phones in the 

general area of the Hall and Chapel – contact me at the Office if this is 

something you could utilise. 

It’s that time of year again to issue invoices to everyone for their 2011–2012 

financial year Membership Contributions. The (blue) pro forma invoice 

for this year is enclosed with this TR. I trust everybody is now familiar with 

the self-determining method of contribution and donations, but if you have 

any queries in relation to the invoice, please contact me. 

Two items from the minutes of the August RC meeting may be of general 

interest. You may be aware that our Member Loans and Deposits Scheme 

has been under some doubt over the past few months as we attempt to get 

both ASIC* and APRA** exemptions to be able to continue. It is starting to 

look like we may be OK with the ASIC (loans) side, but that is subject to 

APRA approval on the deposits and other detail they have not shown us yet. I 

will keep you informed, but in the interim the whole scheme is ‘on hold’. 

The ‘Think Tank’ has now been running successfully for a few months and is 

zeroing in on various elements for more detailed discussion and assessment. 

New participants would still be welcome – contact Mark Herrmann for 

further information. 

John Maddock, Administration Manager 

* ASIC – Australian Securities and Investments Commission (credit licencing) 

** APRA – Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (banking) 

NEXT TSA MEMBERSHIP DIRECTORY 

The next Directory will be made available to Members soon. Have you 

notified the Office of any of your details, including phone numbers and email 

addresses, that still need to be updated? It will be important for us all to 

dispose of our superseded copies in an appropriate manner. The Directories 

contain personal details for all TSA Members and so, when no longer 

needed, should be shredded and not just thrown into the rubbish or recycling 

bin. Please be mindful of Members’ privacy in this regard. 

Mark Herrmann, Regional Head

SOCIAL CARE 

Dear Friends, 


The second half of this year is shaping up to be a very busy one in the TSA 

calendar, particularly for me as Care Worker. Having just returned from the 

Women’s Retreat on Phillip Island (see report on page 19), I am now gearing 

up for the Good Health for Life Expo and family fun day coming up 

on Sunday 11 th September in Bayswater (see flyer insert). This is going 

to be a fantastic day with lots of free workshops, seminars and exercise 

classes you can participate in! Make sure you wear comfortable clothes if a 

free Zumba class or mini-boot-camp interests you! The activities begin at 

11:00am. 

There are lots of people to thank for making our Women’s Retreat run so 

smoothly. They are, in no particular order: Ingrid Turner, Marianne 

Herrmann, Anne Wied, Christine Ruff, Tony Beilharz, Renate Beilharz, Deb 

Symes, Amanda Seward, Renate Weber, Caroline Lloyd, Island Healing, Pan 

McMillan books, T2, Tanya Lewis, Emmy Hoffmann, Annette Wagner- 

Hesse, Phillip Island Adventure Resort and all the women for coming along 

and making it such an awesome weekend! Special thanks to the family who 

looked after our son on the weekend so I could be away. 

Coming up on 3 rd to 5 th February 2012 after some suggestions from the 

women at this year’s retreat is an Omas’ Retreat. So, if you are an Oma and 

want to be pampered and have a lovely weekend away with other 

Omas/Omis, Nannas or Grandmas, please contact me or Ingrid Turner. This 

will be held at the same venue we go to for the Women’s Retreat. 

NB: Age is NOT a barrier to this weekend. 

I will be heading up to Sydney in November for the celebration of their 50 th 

birthday. I look forward to seeing lots of Sydney folk whilst I am up there. 

Keep smiling and I look forward to seeing you at the Good Health for Life 

Expo! 

Martina Eaton, Community Care Worker 

COLLECTION 

At the hymn service on 7 th August, $82.20 was raised for the Olivia Newton- 

John Cancer and Wellness Centre, in memory of Marianne Haering. Thank 

you to all donours. 

Ed.


BLOOD 4 HARMONY – Knox Inter-faith Network 

New and current blood donors are invited to support an initiative of David 

Cohan – Blood 4 Harmony – which he recently presented to the Knox Interfaith 

Network for their backing and promotion. David has booked places for 

donations at the Seventh Day Adventist Community Centre (119 Mountain 

Highway, Wantirna – Melway map 63, E7) for Thursday 6 th October 

from 7:00pm. 

David sees donating as part of a multi-faith/inter-faith activity as a very 

important and worthwhile project. 

• A simple and rewarding way to contribute to the community. 

• Feel good about yourself and those you’re with. We’ll be helping save 

lives! 

• Foster harmony and goodwill between people of different faith 

positions. 

• A powerful symbol of our common humanity. 

• A public opportunity for faiths and the inter-faith movement. 

• The scope to start small, then expand. 

• The need for blood never ceases, so Blood 4 Harmony can continue, 

and hopefully grow. 

New donors will have to complete an enrolment form to help determine their 

eligibility to donate. Do you have an hour to spare? To book your seat please 

contact David Cohan at Blood4Harmony@live.com 

ANNUAL REPORTS 

Mark Herrmann, Treasurer, Knox Inter-faith Network Inc. 

Please read these reports carefully so that they can be taken as 

read at the Annual General Meeting on 23 rd October. 

ELDERS, RELIGIOUS AND SPIRITUAL FG 

The Elders are responsible for the religious and spiritual wellbeing of the 

community and continue to tackle this task with enthusiasm, creativity, 

wisdom and much hard work. About 60 Services are conducted over a year 

and include all the main celebrations surrounding Easter, Christmas, New 

Year and family events such as Fathers’ and Mothers’ Days and 

Presentations.


Services are generally conducted in English, but the monthly service for 

TTHA residents continues to be held in German. The needs of country 

Victorians and those interstate (Sydney and Tanunda) are also addressed. 

Elders contribute regularly to the Templer Record. 

The highlight of the Elders’ activities this year has been the organisation and 

presentation of a number of events to celebrate the 150 th birthday of the TS. 

In April, technology was used to connect three major groups of Templers in 

Germany, Melbourne and Sydney in a combined Service. With the theme of 

Facing the Future – Reflecting the Past a number of speakers, young and 

older, shared their thoughts with the extended community. It was a 

momentous occasion in the history of our Society, to be connected in real 

time with so many people! 

In June, the Australian Templers in Melbourne joined with their Sydney 

counterparts to commemorate our Founding Day. We shared the singing, the 

readings and the musical interludes. We thank all those people who worked 

hard to make both occasions as successful as technologically possible. Rolf 

and Vyrna Beilharz, along with Winfried and Carol Beilharz, ably represented 

us in Germany at the TGD’s TS150 celebrations in June. 

Ten children were presented at two ceremonies, and the families were 

promised love and support by the Templer community. Our registered 

marriage celebrants officiated at five weddings and Elders contributed to or 

conducted fourteen funerals. 

Six young people, all from Melbourne, are attending the 10-session confirmation 

course and will be confirmed in September. 

Elders’ meetings and discussion groups were held throughout the year and a 

number of pamphlets, booklets and brochures providing information about 

the TSA have been reviewed and revised, ready for publication and 

redistribution. 

In keeping with the TSA goal of reaching out to the wider community, Elders 

and community members participated in the Welcoming Bayswater Street 

Party, as well as at the Knox Festival and Glen Eira Party in the Park. 

Some of our Elders attend the meetings of the Progressive Christian Network 

of Victoria; Mark Herrmann and Rolf Beilharz represent us at the Knox 

Inter-faith Network. 

As with all community work, it is the efforts of many that produce a 

successful outcome. The Elders wish to express their gratitude to those who 

complement their work. So, thank you to the Sunday School teachers, the 

coffee makers, the flower arrangers, the cleaners, the support people who 

work quietly in the background and a BIG vote of thanks to our marvellous


musicians (pianists, choir and brass band), who add such beauty and joy to 

our services. 

We are always open to ideas and suggestions on how things can be done 

better, so please let us know your thoughts and ideas. We also appreciate 

positive feedback if we have done something well. 

TSAL 

Renate Weber, for the Elders’ FG 

The Directors of the Temple Society Australia (Limited) – TSAL – met 

at five Board meetings during this financial year. For most meetings our 

interstate director Peter Leszinsky (Sydney) was linked by conference 

telephone or Skype, although he was also able to be present in person on 

occasion. The Focus Group Leader/Chairman position was filled by Dietmar 

Jürgensen, and Wolfgang Frank held the Vice-Chairman position. The other 

Directors were Mark Herrmann, Paul English, Dieter Glenk, Herbert 

Hoffmann and Helmut Eppinger. John Maddock had the role of Company 

Secretary. 

At the last AGM of the Temple Society Central Fund (in October 2010), the 

membership agreed to adopt our new constitution, and also agreed to a 

name change of the company to ‘Temple Society Australia (Limited)’. The 

new constitution changed the membership base from individual TSA 

members to the members of the TSA Regional Council only, these 

individuals being the elected representatives of the greater TSA membership. 

This will enable the TSAL AGM to be held prior to the TSA AGM, and any 

significant matters from the company AGM will then be presented at the TSA 

AGM (on 23 rd October 2011). 

The names on the relevant bank accounts have been changed, and the 

complex process of amalgamating the accounts of the TSAL with those of the 

TSA was carried out with assistance from our auditor in the first half of 2011. 

A document proposing Limits of Authority and an investment policy for the 

TSAL Board has also been drafted and will shortly be ratified by the Regional 

Council. 

Major matters dealt with in the past year by the Directors included: 

Property Issues – A replacement commercial property (e.g. factory or 

warehouse) is still being sought, and auctions attended, however a suitable 

property has not yet been identified. 

The residential units in Bayswater and Bentleigh, together with the factory in 

Moorabbin owned by the TSAL, continue to be fully tenanted. 

There were further discussions held with the TTHA Committee of


Management on the proposed sale to TTHA of the land on which the Aged 

Care complex is built. The TSAL contributed financially to an accounting 

review of the TTHA financial documentation by a third party accountant, to 

assist TTHA in developing a financial plan and potentially a strategy for 

financing the purchase. Negotiations on the sale are continuing. 

The TSAL has also been involved in the review of proposed changes to the 

TTHA constitution, as landowner (which implies certain responsibilities) 

and also on behalf of the interests of the TSA. 

Financials and Investments – There has been some encouraging 

improvement in capital values of our equity investments, however volatility 

of the markets is continually affecting values, so we continue to maintain a 

conservative approach to investing. 

TTHA has repaid the remaining $200k of the $600k loan principal from the 

TSAL (on behalf of the TSA) in advance of the due date, and this loan is now 

acquitted. 

The ability to earn sufficient income for the TSA from investments made by 

the TSAL remains a challenge as the recent below-average income and 

growing expenses of the Templer Community are not in balance. 

Expenditure by the Focus Groups has been below plan for 2010/2011, and 

our investment returns have been somewhat better than forecast, so the final 

account figures have not been as high in deficit as budgeted, however future 

expenditure will still need to be carefully regulated. We are continuing to 

explore strategies to maintain positive cash flow in the future. 

My sincere thanks to my fellow honorary Directors and Secretary for their 

professionalism, dedication and continuing support in our efforts to manage 

the TSA's financial matters responsibly and for the best outcome for the TSA 

and its members. 

Dietmar Jürgensen, Chairman TSAL 

WELFARE & DISTANT FG 

The Welfare & Distant Focus Group met on average every six weeks. Due to 

the distances involved, we attempted various forms of technology in order to 

facilitate our meetings. As there is a mixture of working and non-working 

members it is not always easy for all of us to meet at the same time; we have 

still had very productive and interesting meetings. Both Community 

Workers, Martina Eaton and Ingrid Turner, attend our meetings and/or 

report to us. We find this invaluable as it alerts us to the needs and issues 

within the community.


With the assistance of Martina Eaton, we ran two successful Seminars: 

Raising Boys on 9.10.2010, and Raising Girls on 21.5.2011, both presented 

by Rod Dungan, the Chaplain at Brentwood Secondary College. Rod looked 

at the positive development of girls and boys between the ages of 10 and 18. 

He looked at support, empowerment, boundaries, expectations and positive 

use of time and how these work in building resilient young men and women 

with a commitment to learning and positive values, who are socially 

connected and possess a positive sense of self. 

It is our intent to attempt to run two welfare-related seminars each year and 

we always welcome input from you. It is also our intention that the wider 

community be invited to all seminars. We feel that we have much to offer, 

not only to Templers but to everyone. 

As Martina is running a Good Health for Life Expo in September, for which 

we have offered to be of assistance, and the TSA Calendar is very full, we will 

not be running another seminar this year. 

Country Victoria Services 

In cooperation with the Elders, we liaise with community members in 

Central and Western Victoria and Gippsland to set dates and venues for 

services in country areas in an effort to give our members further afield a 

chance to have a community experience in their own area. Over the past 

year, Erika Christian has been a support in this role but has now resigned. 

This year we have had a service in Bendigo, Tynong, Phillip Island and 

Tatura. These Services would not occur were it not for the support of 

members in those areas. We appreciate the help received from Lilli Kuhnle in 

finding a venue in Tatura. Thank you all. The Elders are prepared to travel 

quite some distance for these Services, which is much appreciated. To the 

bus drivers, life is much easier for all through your assistance, you make it 

possible for some to attend who might otherwise not be able to. Thank you. 

Telelink 

This has been ongoing on every second Friday. Martina coordinates this, 

while Erika Christian leads it. Ladies, thank you for your efforts. Telelink is a 

Victoria-based, Home and Community Care funded phone link-up for people 

who are older or who have disabilities and for whom social isolation could 

become an issue. If interested, please let Martina know. This service is 

especially valuable for members who cannot always go out or who live at a 

great distance from Melbourne. 

In conclusion, I would like to thank all members of the Focus Group and 

Martina for their support and efforts this year. 

Dot Ware, for the Welfare & Distant FG

HERITAGE & CULTURE FG 


Current Focus Group members: Monika Strasser and Resi Schwarzbauer. 

At the coming AGM, Resi will retire and we will then require two new 

members for the focus group. We have been one member short since the last 

AGM and, due to family and other commitments of the existing focus group 

members, our activities for the year have been minimal. 

We were partially successful in being the recipients of a Community 

Development Fund Grant of $5,000 (we requested $12,000) provided by the 

Knox City Council to assist us with producing a documentary based on 

interviews with older Templers. As this project overlapped with a similar 

idea proposed for the TS150 celebrations, this grant money has not been 

utilised as yet. Additional grant applications have been submitted by the 

anniversary organising committee to meet the shortfall in the required 

funding and the results of these applications are not known yet. 

We have held a few additional one-on-one training sessions to show 

members the facilities available in the Bayswater Heritage Room, but there 

has not been a great deal of interest shown. Future training sessions can still 

be scheduled on request and I encourage you to contact me if you are 

interested. The Heritage Room was also the venue for our 2011 Sommerfest 

presentation of updates of the heritage work underway in the ‘Sarona colony’ 

in Israel. 

Resi has been working on updating and adding to the TSA Christmas 

songbook in conjunction with members of the Social & Recreation Focus 

Group. This book is used every year at the Bayswater and Bentleigh Advent 

celebrations. 

There has been continuing interest in the Temple Society and its history 

from external parties, largely through email enquiries. We thank Erika 

English for her continuing assistance in answering these queries and also 

thank Horst Blaich for his continued efforts in creating interesting historical 

exhibitions for the Templer Gallery in TTHA. Thanks also go to Horst and 

Helmut Glenk for their contributions to the Heritage Pages of the Templer 

Record and to Peter Hornung for editing them. 

Monika Strasser, for the Heritage & Culture FG


Templer German Schools 

Bentleigh 

We currently have an enrolment of 80 students, of which five are from 

Templer families. We run four classes on both Monday and Wednesday 

evenings at the Bentleigh Hall. 

We have a dedicated team of teachers: Josefine Hennel, Sigrid Schweiger, 

Monika Hendrix, Arev Fava, Katrin Schneider and Maria Hohlweg. Our 

emergency teachers are Annette Wagner-Hesse and Agata Rome (both have 

children attending). 

We are very grateful for the involvement of Annette Wagner-Hesse as a 

teacher adviser. In 2011 Annette provided a great deal of support when we 

were doing our TS150 project. 

Dot Ware continues to support our school by organising our reading books. 

She also assists by showing all parents what is expected when reading with 

our students. 

Highlights 

• We had three students represent our school at the Regional Association 

of German Teachers of Victoria (AGTV) Poetry Competition on 4th August 2010. Two of our students were invited to attend the AGTV 

Poetry Final on Saturday 28th August 2010. One of our Grade 6 students 

was awarded second prize. 

• Our Winter Concert was held on Sunday 29th August 2010 with the 

theme of Cultural Diversity – Kulturelle Vielfalt. We were pleased to 

welcome representatives of the German Consulate, the AGTV and the 

Goethe Institut. Most students attended. 

• We held our German school Adventsfeier in December to finish the 

2010 school year. 

• Our school began its study of 150 years of the Temple Society on 

Monday 21st and Wednesday 23rd March, with Annette Wagner-Hesse 

introducing a Temple Society Timeline. 

• On Monday 28th and Wednesday 30th March our school invited ‘our 

Templer living treasures’ to come and talk to each class about their 

experiences on an aspect of Templer life. We had thought that each 

speaker would spend about 20-30 minutes with his or her class. Most of 

our speakers spent the whole lesson relating their stories. Students were 

very interested in ‘our Templer history’. 

• Instead of a Winter Concert in 2011, our school held a presentation of 

150 Jahre Tempelgesellschaft on Sunday 29 th May. Each class did a 

short play and displayed their project work on aspects of Templer life.


Non-Templer families were interested in hearing our Templer history 

and supper was enjoyed by all. 

• On Sunday 3rd July Arev Fava and I represented the Bentleigh German 

School at the Ethnic Schools Association of Victoria (ESAV) Annual 

Conference together with teachers from the Bayswater German School 

and the Sonnabend Schule in Clifton Hill. 

Our funding sources (apart from student fees) have been: 

• $600 from the Victorian Multicultural Commission (VMC) towards our 

Adventsfeier in 2010. 

• $300 from the VMC towards our TS150 project. 

• $1000 from the VMC for Teacher Professional Development (PD) for 

the 2010-2011 year. 

• For 2011 we will be receiving $15066 from the DEECD Per Capita Grant 

for 81 students enrolled in Term 1. The State Liberal Government 

increased our funding and we are now entitled to $186 per student 

enrolled. 

We now have a reading program happening on Monday and Wednesday 

evenings. Agata Rome, a parent, and Dot Ware are happy to assist with 

reading with all students attending on Wednesday evenings. On Mondays we 

have parents Gerd Diegelmann, Werner Hennecke, Ralph Stoeckl and Ulrike 

Springler doing reading with their children’s classes when they can. 

Our teachers continue to upgrade their First Aid qualifications. Katrin 

Schneider completed a Methodology course conducted by the Ethnic Schools 

Association of Victoria (ESAV). All teachers attend Professional Developments 

(PDs) conducted by the Goethe Institut, the ESAV, Modern Languages 

Association Victoria and the Education Department (DEECD) as they are 

able to. Our German School will always pay the associated costs of the PD for 

teachers to attend and we are grateful that they do this in their own time. 

We continue to share ideas and PDs with the Bayswater German School. 

Thanks to Ursula Fisher and the AGTV for providing up-to-date teaching 

material via email. We are also grateful for the support of the TSA Office in 

Bentleigh, particularly Mark Herrmann and John Maddock for putting up 

with the constant interruptions on Monday and Wednesday evenings. 

Marianne Herrmann, Bentleigh German School Coordinator 

Bayswater 

The Bayswater-Boronia Templer School continues to be a small, but dynamic 

Community Languages School. Currently we have an enrolment of 24


students, four of which are from Templer families. Nine students attend a 

tutorial session on Monday evenings with Brigitte Ankenbrand, and fifteen 

attend classes on Tuesday evenings at the Bayswater Hall from 5:00-7:30pm 

with Marie Ankenbrand. We are extremely grateful to Marie, who began the 

year as a Language Assistant and has progressed to very successfully taking 

the Tuesday evening class solo. 

Doris and Irene continue to deal with the administration. Thanks again to 

Erika English who coordinates the Reading Program with a number of 

parent volunteers, ensuring that the children regularly have an audience to 

read to in German. 

We hold a Parents Consultative Council meeting each year and we thank the 

parents for their participation. We appreciate John Maddock’s (TSA) 

assistance in purchasing a new printer and organising broadband access 

from the hall. We are extremely grateful to the Bentleigh School for not only 

administrative, but also financial support in the past twelve months. 

Victorian government funding increases ensure the financial viability of our 

school. Student fees are supplemented by: 

$1000 Victorian Multicultural Commission (VMC) grant for Professional 

Development of Teachers 

$1000 VMC grant for a school project: Tell us about your German 

background 

$2025 from the Education Department (DEECD) Per Capita Grant 

On Sunday 3 July, Brigitte and Marie Ankenbrand, Ruth Stuettgen and Irene 

Bouzo represented the Bayswater-Boronia German School at the Ethnic 

Schools Association of Victoria (ESAV) Annual Conference together with 

teachers from the Bentleigh German School and the Sonnabendschule in 

Clifton Hill. This is always a great opportunity to network with other 

Community Language teachers. 

We had one student represent our school at the Regional AGTV Poetry 

Competition on 10 August 2011 and she was awarded third prize. 

We collaborate as much as possible with the Bentleigh German School and 

maintain strong links with the Association of German Teachers of Victoria 

(AGTV) as part of the Knox Area Network. Professional Development 

sessions have been conducted by the AGTV, the Community Language 

Schools Association and DEECD. 

Irene Bouzo and Doris Frank for the Bayswater/Boronia Templer School

GEBURTSTAGE – BIRTHDAYS 


MEMBERS AND FRIENDS 

Wir gratulieren herzlich zum Geburtstag unserer Mitglieder: 

und wünschen auch allen hier nicht angeführten Geburtstagskindern alles 

Gute und Schöne zum neuen Lebensjahr – Happy Birthday! 

NEW MEMBER 

Klaus Hoffmann Manfred Mischker 

Sigrid Katz Manfred Frank 

Lilli Waechter Hildegard Hoffmann 

Elfriede Weller Charlotte Dravenieks 

Liselotte Faig Gerhard Breisch 

Emma Polacsek Ernst Ruff 

Erika Schulz Uta Faig 

Heinz Margate Erika Beilharz 

Anneliese Herrmann Gertrud Frank 

Olga Kroh 

We welcome 

Anna Waechter and hope she feels at home among us.


BEREAVEMENTS 

From Munich we hear that Isolde Weller died suddenly on 

20.7.2011, aged almost 78. She and her husband Heinz were in 

Melbourne for a Jugendgruppe reunion in March. 

Missing her terribly are: 

Heinz Weller 

and their children, Karen and Jochen and families. 

They say thank you for your kind calls and cards. 

Du bist nicht tot, 

Du wechselst nur die Räume. 

Du lebst in uns und gehst 

durch unsere Träume. 

� � � 

Lothar Böhmer passed away peacefully at TTHA on 4.8.2011, 

aged 90 years. Many thanks to Mark Herrmann for the beautiful 

service and the staff at the Tabulam & Templer Homes for the Aged 

for their care over the last few weeks. 

In loving memory: 

Inge and Kurt Imberger with Krista and Hayley 

Doris and Erich Frank with Tony, Veronika 

and Murray, Belinda and Tanya 

Karin and Ross Walduck with Thomas and Kristin 

Gary Böhmer and Rita Filonjuk with Morgan, 

Emma, Douglas, Esther and Joshua. 

� � � 

Helmut Katz (born 1935 in Haifa) passed away in the early hours 

of 4.8.2011 at the Dandenong Hospital, with his family at his side. 

He was 76. 

Our loving brother, brother-in-law, uncle and great-uncle will be 

sadly missed. 

Kurt Katz and family 

Waltraud Christoph and family. 

Our sincere condolences to all these families

WOMEN’S RETREAT – Report 


The best-kept secret of the Temple Society is out! The Women’s Retreat is a 

fabulous weekend of fun, laughter and relaxation and if you want to go next 

year, you better book early. 

I’m fairly sure that the 42 women who went this year would like me to tell 

you that it was terrible so we can all go again next year without competition, 

but that would be unfair to those who have not yet experienced this 

wonderful weekend. 

On Friday 12 th August we all met up at 

Phillip Island Resort to begin our 

fantastic time together. We had 

women from all over Victoria and 

New South Wales, some even brought 

their mothers along. 

There were many activities to choose 

Making new friends at the retreat 

from: walks to the beach, spa, 

massage, flying fox, a ‘Declutter your 

life’ workshop, psychic readings, a 

healing circle, singing, women’s trivia and foot spas and, if that didn’t 

interest you, there was always plenty of conversation and laughter. Plus lots 

(and I mean lots) of yummy food! You really couldn’t ask for a better 

weekend. 

A huge thankyou to Martina Eaton and Ingrid Turner for organising this 

weekend, for without all their hard work these weekends would not be 

possible. 

Blissed-out, Anne Wied 

It was obviously awful! ☺ – fun with the Trivia Quiz photo Martina Eaton

Phillip Island, August 2011 Photo Martina Eaton 

Page 20 Templer Record 742 – September 2011


At the Women’s Retreat 

Photo Martina Eaton 

CONGRATULATIONS 

to Bendigo polar adventurer and community health 

worker, Linda Beilharz, who recently received a prestigious La Trobe 

University Alumni Award. Only 35 of these have been given out over the 

University’s history. 

As executive officer of Women’s Health Loddon Mallee, founder of nonprofit 

Journeys for Learning and president of Alpine Search and Rescue, Ms 

Beilharz could have won the award for any number of reasons. But she 

admits it’s probably her ‘polar plodding’ to both the North and South Poles – 

which earned her the 2010 Australian Geographic Adventurer of the Year 

Award – that got her over the line. 

‘I’m a little bit amused that I can win an award for going to the North and 

South Poles because, for me, that was a privilege in itself.’ Ms Beilharz added 

that her adventures helped strengthen her work at Women’s Health. ‘It’s 

about trying to change the expectations of what women can do; you don’t 

have to be limited by traditional expectations of gender and age.’ 

‘That can be quite a powerful message; I do a lot of guest speaking and I 

know that can inspire people to do what they want to do. The trips are quite 

selfish, but when you can share them with others, it gives them some social 

value.’ 

Ms Beilharz completed a Graduate Diploma of Community Development at 

La Trobe University in 1993 and obtained her Master of Health Sciences in 

1999. She said she enjoyed her time as a student and has also taught at and 

worked with the University: ‘I love learning, having something stimulating in 

your life to make you think.’ 

Based on an article by Elise Snashall-Woodhams in ‘The Bendigo 

Advertiser’ of 12 th August 2011.


SYDNEY 

Refreshed and revitalised, I and my seven Sydney lady mates have returned 

from the Women’s Retreat. Martina’s careful planning led to a great 

weekend. We loved being part of the special close gathering of women at 

Phillip Island. It was terrific to see the slightly older Sydney girls, Jo Steller 

and Nella Kruck, enjoy the weekend so much. Thank you to our Melbourne 

friends for welcoming us and sharing with us so lovingly. And now back to 

reality… 

At our 5 th August Seniors’ Group outing, we all once again consumed 

large amounts of delightful food from the smorgasbord bistro at St Mary’s 

Bank Club. None of us went home hungry, neither physically nor socially, as 

the jolly mood amongst the group reflected the abundance of good food on 

offer. It was a joy to see some members who have not been able to come for a 

while, and some new faces, too. 

Hartmut Beck’s August service was about the life and contribution of our 

Society’s co-founder Georg David Hardegg. This clear and fascinating exposé 

on his life and achievements was appropriate in this our 150 th anniversary 

year. I valued Hartmut’s insightful description of this complex man’s 

passion, drive, commitment, organisational abilities and struggle, without 

which the Templers would never have gone to Palestine. 

I must end on a sad note. My colleague and co-worker of 6 months, Julie 

Drinkwater, has resigned from her position. She contributed an energy and 

vitality to her work that was appreciated. She has moved on for a variety of 

reasons and we wish her well in her future life steps and thank her for the 

contribution that she made to our Sydney Community. 

Coming events 

Sydney’s 50 th Anniversary – Sunday 27 th November 

The Sydney Focus Group extends a warm welcome to all members, active or 

less active, to join in our 50 th Anniversary celebrations. Please pen this into 

your diaries now, as that time of year can get a little hectic. There will be a 

strong heritage focus on the day, with talks, exhibits, documentaries, talking 

books and significant items being brought up from the Melbourne Templer 

archives. There will also be a formal component and some fun for little kids 

and big kids. Please let all your relatives know, as there will be much on offer 

regarding family history. As details become clearer, I will report them, but at 

this stage just save the 27 th November and if you are interested in 

participating, please contact me. For those in Melbourne or from other cities 

who want to travel up especially for this event, please contact Nanne in the


Office, as she will help coordinate the arrangements. It will be a very special 

day. 

We want to display photos of special celebrations that happened in our 

Meadowbank community centre – did you get married, confirmed or 

presented there? Please send me a copy of your photos (with names, event 

and date – they will be returned) or scan and email them to me (with names, 

etc.). 

Family trees on a sheet of cardboard, a project for the kids to do with their 

grandparents – perhaps in the holidays? There will be prizes. Use your 

imagination. 

September 

Seniors’ Group: 11:30am on Friday 9 th September, we will be going to 

the Café at Dural’s Flower Power Nursery for lunch. It is a most beautiful 

venue and the food is excellent, however a tad expensive. So I have talked to 

the chef and arranged a less expensive set menu option of either Caesar salad 

or quiche, with coffee or tea and a large biscuit or scones and cream for $23. 

If you know you are coming, please contact me a few days before the date 

and let me know if you would rather order your own meal or the set menu 

and whether Caesar salad or quiche. That being said, numbers and orders 

are flexible and if you don’t or can’t book beforehand, please do come 

anyway. A few extras can easily be catered for. 

Service: I am excited to announce that Renate Beilharz will be coming from 

Melbourne to conduct our Service on Sunday 25 th September at 

10:30am. I encourage you all to come and hear her, as her services are 

always engaging and uplifting. 

October 

Seniors’ Social Group: Friday 14 th October 

Service: Sunday 23 rd October 10:30am (Duty: Renate Herrmann) 

Ingrid Turner, Community Development Worker


YOUTH CALENDAR 

YOUTH 

Sunday 11th September Good Health for Life Expo 

Bayswater 

11:00am 

Sunday 2nd October Dark Zone or Go-Karting TBA 

Sunday 6th November Family Service & Community Picnic Bayswater 

11:00am 

Sunday 13th November TG Breakup and planning day TBA 

GOOD HEALTH FOR LIFE EXPO – Sunday 11 th September 

This is a great day full of activities and discoveries for ALL AGES! So come 

along to the Bayswater Hall and check out what’s happening anytime 

between 11:00am and 3:00pm. For more details see flyer in this TR. 

DARK ZONE or GO-KARTING? 

TG will be going to one of these on Sunday 2 nd October and YOU get to vote 

on which! So contact me soon to let me know what your preference is. 

SUMMER CAMP – Sunday 8 th to Saturday 14 th January 2012 

Bookings are now being taken for Summer Camp 2012. Please contact me or 

the TSA Office for all enquiries and to obtain the relevant booking forms. 

Invitations to Summer Camp will be sent or emailed to all children aged 11 to 

15 and, as always, your friends are most welcome to come along! 

Susi Richter, Community Youth Coordinator 

email: susi@templesociety.org.au 

The dolphins were really smart. 

They’d trained people to throw them fish five times a day. 

Which animals get up first? 

Ducks – at the quack of dawn. 

What word is wrong when it’s pronounced right, but can be 

right when it’s pronounced wrong? – Wrong!

There will also be…… 

…… a day of FREE activities, seminars, 

demonstrations, workshops and stalls 

with a focus on healthy eating and lifestyle! 

Sunday 

11th September 

2011 

Program includes: 

Templer Kids’ Club Tennis Activity 

White Owl Wellbeing Kinesiology 

Chinese Medicine 

Essential Oil workshop 

Mandala Magic Healing through Art 

Walk the Labyrinth 

… and much more! 

Where... 

Temple Society 

Community Hall 

and tennis club 

51 Elizabeth St 

Bayswater 

Free Zumba classes for all ages with Zumba Love 

Free Asthma education seminar with Asthma Victoria 

Free Mini boot camp with Contours Bayswater 

Free Art workshops with Art Therapists 

Free Senior Education Sessions with COTA 

Free teenage workshops by the Remedy Group 

Free workshop with Curves Wantirna 

Free kids’ activities including dress-ups and 

dolly hospital 

And LOTS of information stalls 

Hosted and organised by …... 

11 am 

to 

3 pm 

Melway Map 64, F7 

For more 

information - 

please contact 

Martina on 

0433 335 815 

...… and proudly supported by 

Come along for 

a great day out 

with the whole 

family! 

Food available for 

purchase includes: 

sushi, fruit skewers, 

muffins & slices, 

hot drinks & soup, 

cold drinks, 

etc ...

UPCOMING EVENTS 


KIDS’ CLUB 

Sunday 4th September 

Fathers’ Day Service 

& Sunday School 

Bentleigh 10:15am 

Sunday 11th September KC Tennis morning Bayswater 10:00am 

Sunday 11th September Good Health for Life Expo Bayswater 11:00am 

Sunday 18th September 

Confirmation Service 


Bayswater 10:15am 

Saturday 8th & 

Sunday 9th October 

Glenk Farm Visit weekend Caveat (near Yea) 

Sunday 16th October Presentation Service & SS Bayswater 10:15am 

Sunday 30th October Service & Sunday School Bentleigh 10:15am 

Sunday 6th November 

Family Service 

& Community Picnic 

Bayswater 11:00am 

Sunday 20th November 

Service, Sunday School 

& Community Afternoon 

Bentleigh 3:15pm 

Saturday 17th December 

Weihnachtsfeier Community 

Christmas Pageant 

Bayswater 

Saturday 24th December 

Christmas Eve Service 


Bayswater 4:00pm 

Sunday 25th December 

Christmas Day Service 


Bentleigh 10:15am 

KIDS’ CLUB FAMILY GAMES AFTERNOON – Report 

How much fun can you have 

with a newspaper? Heaps! We 

started by dressing up as ‘the 

emperor’s new clothes’ and had 

an array of kings, queens, 

pirates and princesses all 

created with newspaper! Then 

we hop-scotched, searched for 

clues, pinned tails, blew 

balloons, walked the plank and 

bowled our way into the record 

books becoming legends in our 

own minds right until snack 

time, where some more scrummy 

creations were discovered.


Thanks to Prue for organising, Susi for 

ideas and of course all the families who 

helped and joined in on the day! Beate K 

Also a huge thankyou to Beate for 

coordinating this activity and pulling 

everything together! 

Fun at the Kids’ Club family games afternoon 

Photos Beate Kuerschner 

TENNIS MORNING & GOOD HEALTH FOR LIFE EXPO 

When: Sunday 11th September 2011 

Where: Templer Tennis Club, 51 Elizabeth St, Bayswater 

Time: 

10:00am to 11:00am and then stay on 

for more great Good Health for Life Expo activities! 

What to bring: 

Sunscreen, drink bottle, your own racquet if you 

have one 

What to wear: Hat, comfortable clothing and runners!


All racquets, balls and other equipment supplied. 

Lots of fun, exercise and fitness, games, prizes and 

giveaways! 

Bookings for the tennis are essential! 

To reserve your place or for further inquiries, please ring Diana or Stuart 

Sutterby. 

Family Games Afternoon, 7.8.2011 Photos Beate Kuerschner


GLENK FARM VISIT – Saturday 8 th and Sunday 9 th October 

Make sure you mark these dates in your diaries so you don’t miss out on a 

great weekend of fun and frolicking at the Glenk Farm! You can come for a 

day or camp over the whole weekend. Full details will be sent out to all 

interested families – young and old – and will also be appearing in the 

October TR. For all enquiries or to book your spot, contact Susi or Rolf. 

Continued from page 5 

A Happy Birthday to: 

Jessica Weller Lachlan Glenk 

Brendan Wied Nathan Le Maitre 

Kelilah Breisch Alexander O'Brien 

Charlotte Breisch Cooper Knaub 

Nicholas Franz 

As ‘temples’ infused with the divine, we have the task – and want – to set 

excellent standards and act as good citizens and conscientious workers or 

employers, parents, teachers, sports people… And we want our politicians, 

bankers and businessmen to be good citizens, too, working not just for 

greedy profit, but also with integrity for the common good, for social justice. 

We Templers are fortunate to have the support of our Community. For the 

TS to be an effective example, each one of us must do our bit to be the best 

we can be. 

Herta Uhlherr

Dear Friends, 


TTHA 

Our chairman, Hardy Weller, is spending his well-earned holidays in sunny 

Queensland and sends his best wishes to us all. 

He will be back in early October. In the meantime I will try to inform you 

about the latest developments at TTHA. 

Currently 113 of 118 beds are occupied. The resident ratio is 72 (64%) AGWS 

and 41 (36%) TSA. Furthermore, unit 13/30 Elizabeth Street has been sold. 

Settlement date is the 26 th September. Independent Living Units 11 and 19 

on site are vacant and will be renovated. Apartment 434 is currently vacant 

and has to be renovated before it becomes available for occupation. The costs 

for these renovations will be considerable. At this time, only one of the 

CACPs (Community Aged Care Packages) is still available. 

Como Parade, a consulting company, has started work with the management 

of TTHA. Their first job, the proper classification of our residents according 

to the rules and guidelines of ACFI, has been done. This should enable TTHA 

to receive all the government funding it is entitled to. 

We are always on the lookout for volunteers to help our residents. Anyone 

who thinks that he or she can spare some time for lonely people and 

enlighten their days would be welcome. Please contact Natasha Wilkinson, 

our CEO, for further information. 

The Annual General Meeting of TTHA will take place on 15 th October 

at 11:00am at the Templer Bayswater Hall. All members of the Parent 

Societies are invited to participate. 

Best wishes, 

Liebe Freunde, 

Hubert Kirchmann 

Unser Vorsitzender, Hardy Weller, hat seinen wohlverdienten Urlaub 

angetreten und schickt seine Grüße an alle aus dem sonnigen Queensland. 

Somit fiel mir die Aufgabe zu, Sie für diesen und den nächsten Monat zu 

informieren. 

Z.Zt. sind 113 von 118 Betten belegt, davon 72 von Mitgliedern der AGWS 

(64%) und 41 von Mitgliedern der TSA (36%). Weiterhin kann ich berichten, 

dass Unit 13/30 Elizabeth Street verkauft wurde. Der Übergabetermin ist der 

26.9. Die Heim-Units 11 und 19 sind frei und müssen renoviert werden.


Apartment 434 steht auch leer und muss mit einem erheblichen Aufwand 

renoviert werden. Von den CACPs steht zum Zeitpunkt dieses Schreibens 

noch eines zur Verfügung. 

Como Parade, die von TTHA beauftragte Beratungsfirma, hat ihre Tätigkeit 

aufgenommen. Die ersten Neu-Einstufungen entsprechend den Richtlinien 

der ACFI wurden bereits durchgeführt. Dies sollte uns helfen, die uns 

zustehende staatliche Unterstützung in vollem Umfang zu erhalten. 

Wie immer möchten wir uns an Sie, liebe Leser, wenden um für freiwillige 

Helfer zu werben. Wir suchen Menschen, die glauben, ab und zu ein paar 

Stunden erübrigen zu können, um den Heimbewohnern das Leben zu 

erleichtern. Falls Sie interesiert sind, melden Sie sich bitte bei Fr. Natasha 

Wilkinson, CEO. 

Am Samstag, den 15. Oktober um 11:00 Uhr findet unsere diesjährige 

Hauptversammlung in der Templer Bayswater Halle statt. Das 

Committee of Management (CoM) lädt alle Mitglieder der Trägergesellschaften 

herzlichst dazu ein. 

Viele Grüße, 

LIEDERTAFEL CONCERT 

The Liedertafel Arion choir (German Tivoli Club) is 

performing at Luther College (Croydon) 

on Sunday 18 th September from 2:00pm. 

Das Leben ist Schönheit, bewundere sie. 

Das Leben ist ein Spiel, spiele es. 

Das Leben ist eine Pflicht, erfülle sie. 

Das Leben ist eine Hymne, singe sie. 

Das Leben ist Liebe, erfreue dich an ihr. 

Das Leben ist ein Versprechen, erfülle es. 

Das Leben ist kostbar, geh sorgfältig damit um. 

Hubert Kirchmann 

Tickets can be bought at the door for $25 each. A concert 

DVD of the singing of old German songs is to be produced. 

Net proceeds from the DVD will be donated 50:50 to 

Martin Luther Homes (Boronia) and TTHA (Bayswater). 

Contact Bill Verran for more information.

COMING SERVICES 


NOTICES – BEKANNTMACHUNGEN 

Sun 4.9. Be 10:15 Fathers’ Day Service Christa Lingham 

Sun 11.9. TTHA 10:30 Service Herta Uhlherr 

Sun 18.9. Ba 10:15 Confirmation Service Renate Weber 

Sun 25.9. Sy 10:30 Service Renate Beilharz 

Sun 2.10. CV 11:00 Tynong – Service Herta Uhlherr 

FLOWER ROSTER 

Be 4.9. Fathers’ Day – Regina Imberger 

Ba 18.9. Confirmation – Ingrid and Lisa Beilharz 

PRESENTATION SERVICE – 16 th October Bayswater 10:15am 

Parents wishing to have their children presented at this service in the 

Community Chapel are asked to contact the Office to register. 

COUNTRY VICTORIA – Tynong 2 nd October 

The next Country Templer Service will be at the home of Heinz Bulach, 

starting at 11:00am, followed by communal lunch. Please BYO plates, 

cutlery, some savoury and sweet food to share, and a friend or two. 

The Rosa bus is unavailable (it’s taking choir members to the Sängerfest in 

S.A.). Could those drivers able to take passengers and those wanting a lift, 

please advise the TSA Office so that car pooling can be arranged. 

Dot Ware 

We hope our choir has a wonderful time at the Sängerfest! 

DEUTSCHE SCHULE MELBOURNE – Oktober Fete 

On Saturday 10 th September from 11:00am to 4:00pm the parents and 

friends of the Deutsche Schule Melbourne (www.dsm.org.au) invite you to 

join them at the 4 th annual Oktober Fete. 

Everyone is welcome and the ‘Silver Echoes’ band, folk dancers and the new 

DSM Children's Choir will provide the fitting atmosphere for visitors to 

Ed.


sample traditional German Bratwurst, soup, pretzels, coffee and cake and, of 

course, German beer! The animal farm, treasure hunt, fairy floss, a box maze 

and bouncing castle will keep the kids in action. The ‘Lucky Dip bottle’ stall, 

the Silent Auction and Raffle promise great prizes. For children and adults 

alike, the plate-smashing stall will give an unusual opportunity to practise 

their throwing skills: in German tradition, shards are thought to bring good 

luck! 

Please join us for a day of family fun at 96 Barkly Street, Fitzroy North. 

Bernd Kalinna, for DSM 

MULTIFAITH YOUTH RETREAT – 10 th and 11 th September 

Shiva Yoga (www.shivayoga.org) in association with Interaction Multifaith 

Youth Network (www.interaction.org.au) present a free weekend (Saturday 

10:00am to Sunday 2:00pm) residential retreat open to young people (18-26 

years old) from diverse faith backgrounds. 

Food, accommodation, workshops and activities all provided. The retreat 

includes an Interfaith Awards Ceremony. There are limited places available 

and bookings are essential. 

Learn about shared values of diverse faith traditions; exchange ideas with 

people from other faiths and work towards common action; develop skills to 

become a future leader in your own faith community; get your hands dirty 

helping build a Multifaith Garden. 

Where: Shiva Yoga at 27 Tower Road, Mt Eliza 

To apply: Ring Amba at Shiva Yoga on by 3 rd September 

Cost: Free 

FASHION PARADE AND LUNCHEON 

Amba for Shiva Yoga, via Knox Inter-faith 

St. John's Orana Fellowship and The Ladies' Guild invite you to 

a Fashion Parade by Blumes, to be followed by a light luncheon 

on Wednesday 14 th September at 10:30am 

at St John's Anglican Church 

Cnr Centre and Tucker Roads, Bentleigh 

Donation $10 includes door prize. 

RSVP: by 5 th September to Enid McGrail, Secretary 

or Helga Anderson


ECUMENICAL LUNCHEON – 23 rd September 

You are cordially invited. It begins at 12:00 noon at St Paul’s Church, 122 

Jasper Road, Bentleigh, in the new Parish Hall. Donation $15. 

We hope you will be free to come and enjoy fellowship with your fellow 

Christians on that day. The speaker will be Sister Rita Malavisi, RSJ, 

Vocations Director, Sisters of St Joseph. We trust that we will see you there. 

There will be raffles and a stall. 

CRAFT SESSIONS 

Patricia Baxter and Aileen Gallagher 

The next sessions in Bayswater will be held on Tuesday 13 th and 27 th 

September from 10:00am till approximately 12:30pm in the Activity Room 

at TTHA. Please advise Helga Kuerschner if you will be attending on the 27 th , 

as this is during the school holidays and Helga needs to know who will come, 

to ensure it is worthwhile. 

In order to finalise a few things, sessions in Bentleigh will be held on Friday 

2 nd September and Friday 7 th October at 25 Catherine Road East 

Bentleigh from 7:00pm. We will also meet as per usual on Saturday 24 th 

September and Saturday 15 th October at the back of the Bentleigh Hall 

– if not being used – from 2:00-4:00pm. Some new faces would be very 

welcome. I have a few things organised for others to do, but am happy for 

people to come along with their own ideas as to what we can make for the 

Adventsfeier craft stalls. Ring me if you intend to come along. 

Marianne Herrmann, for the Craft Groups 

YARRA BEND WALK – Saturday 3 rd September 

10:30am at Studley Park Boathouse car park, Melways 2D, F8 

We did not go last month, so we’ll try again. We will start at the Studley Park 

boathouse and walk along the Yarra River and Merri Creek, following the 

various loops and turns of both. We will be passing Fairfield boathouse, 

where we could stop for coffee before returning to the Studley Park boathouse. 

Please ring me or email me at murray58@optusnet.com.au if you plan to 

come. On the day I will have my mobile. I hope to see new participants – 

many of the regular walkers are away on holidays. 

Trudi Murray


ART EXHIBITION – 21 st September to 9 th October 

Erica Wagner is having an exhibition called Dark Horse at the Cambridge 

Studio Gallery, 52 Cambridge Street, Collingwood VIC. Melways Ref: 2C E12. 

Open: Wednesday to Sunday 11:00am to 5:00pm 

Websites: www.cambridgestudiogallery.com.au 

www.ericawagner.com.au Ed. 

POSITION BECOMING VACANT – Playgroup Coordinator 

The TSA is looking for a new Playgroup Coordinator from Term 4 (October) 

or Term 1 (February) onwards. 

A full Position Description is available from the TSA Office and the job would 

involve approximately 4 to 6 hours of work per week. 

Please direct all enquiries and applications to Susi Richter, Community 

Youth Coordinator: email: susi@templesociety.org.au 

post: 152 Tucker Rd Bentleigh 3204 

SUMMER CAMP 2012 – Leaders needed! 

Summer Camp 2012 will take place from Sunday 8 th to Saturday 14 th 

January and leaders are now being sought. No previous experience is 

needed to be a Summer Camp Leader, but you do need to be over 18 years 

and will need a current Working With Children Check. If you are interested 

in helping out, please contact me as soon as possible (see above). 

Susi Richter, Community Youth Coordinator 

FAMILY CAMP 2012/2013 

Thursday 27 th December 2012 to Wednesday 2 nd January 2013 

This family camp in 14 months’ time is again being held in Sydney at the 

Lands Edge Chowder Bay campsite right on the harbour in the heart of 

Sydney! 

ALL families of ALL ages are invited to come and enjoy this spectacular 

location! We are taking bookings now, since we have to pay a large deposit, 

so contact me (see above) to find out more and please book early. 

Susi Richter, Community Youth Coordinator


THE HERITAGE PAGES 

Wilhelma presented by Horst Blaich 

Wilhelma 1949 

Image from The 

changing Land 

between the Jordan 

and the Sea 

by Benjamin Z. Kedar 

After the Kaiser’s visit in 1898, the ‘Society for the Advancement of the 

German Settlements in Palestine’ was founded in Stuttgart. The purpose of 

the society was the active support of the German colonists in Palestine, above 

all by the granting of loans for buying land or for setting up businesses. 

The financial support by this association enabled the Templers, after 

protracted negotiations with the Arab landowners, to buy eight square 

kilometres of land not far from Lydda to establish an agricultural colony in 

1902 (today Bnei Atarot). A number of the Templers of Jaffa and Sarona 

moved to the new location, whose original name – Hamidiyeh-Wilhelma – 

was to express the colonists’ thanks to the three persons without whose 

support the fifth Templer settlement in the Holy Land would not have been 

thinkable: the Turkish Sultan Abdul Hamid II, King Wilhelm of 

Württemberg and the German Kaiser, Wilhelm II, Protector of the German


Protestant Christians in the Holy Land and their keenest advocate at the 

Sublime Porte. 

Featuring a main road 1400m in length and 18m in width, plus a 520m 

central crossroad of 12m width, the colony, designed by Theodor Sandel, was 

very generously planned – especially since, to begin with, only two dozen 

main buildings and as many outbuildings were erected. By 1903, about 100 

settlers populated the settlement, which soon was simply called Wilhelma, 

and 30 children attended school in the community house. The agriculturally 

productive land was laid out and planted to olive trees, grain fields, 

grapevines and a small almond plantation, as well as to artificially irrigated 

orange groves. 

In addition, an agricultural school with new methods was brought into being 

a short time later (1909). Possibilities were targeted to increase crop yields 

by the application of chemical fertilisers with surprising success. The 

German agricultural production surpassed that of the Fellahs in a ratio of 

25:7. The farmers also worked towards upgrading the cattle breeds in the 

Holy Land. Feeding practices and regular vaccinations contributed to the fact 

that the dairy cows of the German settlers were not only considerably bigger 

and more robust than the local cattle, but also yielded substantially more 

milk. 

from Cultural Change in Palestine… by Jakob Eisler 

Wilhelma in the early days Image Matson Collection Library of Congress USA


Wilhelma Sunday outing from Templer Community Collection in Albert Blaich Family Archive (ABFA) 

Threshing time in Wilhelma Image from Templer Community Collection in ABFA


LIFE IN WILHELMA 

The first nine years of my life were spent living with my parents, aunts and 

uncles in the Templer settlement of Wilhelma, one of six in Palestine. 

What was it like living in Wilhelma? About 50 families, or 200 inhabitants, 

lived along its 1.5km long main street and its 0.5km long cross road. Our 

school, community hall, hotel and football ground filled the corner sites at 

the intersection. We had a blacksmith, a wheelwright, a saddler, a joiner, two 

teachers, a school, a kindergarten, a business manager, a shopkeeper, a 

Bürgermeister (mayor), but no policeman, no radio, no telephone, no newspapers, 

no TV, no gas, no electricity, no sewer, no sealed roads or footpaths. 

Gum trees providing shade lined the streets, while peppercorn trees were 

common in front yards. Most houses where double-storied with gable-ended 

terracotta roofs and with a cellar in the time-honoured German tradition. 

Wilhelma main street Image from Hans Richter Collection in ABFA 

Most homes had Arab domestic helpers coming to work in the house and 

several farmhands to help with the animals. Others worked irrigating or 

harvesting crops or delivering produce to the markets. Wilhelma had 

extensive orange and mandarin groves, vineyards, maize, watermelon and 

rock melon fields, all grown on land about ten or twelve times the size of the 

Wilhelma settlement itself. Some of this land could be irrigated with bore 

water raised by diesel-powered pumps from bores 30 or more metres deep.


The sense of community in Wilhelma was palpable, especially on weekends 

and feast days; weddings and funerals were always communal affairs. We 

kids were treated as if we were part of a very large extended family. One 

family’s grief or good fortune was shared by all as if it were their own. The 

bell was rung for weddings and, of course, as a call to Sunday divine service. 

Funeral processions to the nearby cemetery were accompanied by the slow 

and muffled tolling of our bell. 

Each family owned a 40x250 metre block of land (1ha), on which they had 

their own house built. Each family looked after its own finances, but they 

knew that in hard times the whole community would come to their aid. In 

fact, during the early years, the Templer farmers were obliged to hand 10% of 

their produce to a community warehouse for hardship relief. It was a matter 

of pride among Templers not to become a burden to others. 

There also was a Templer Bank, held in high regard in Palestine, to the point 

where even Baron Rothschild channelled his funds for Jewish settlements 

through it. 

Manfred Löbert 

Wedding of Eugen Kazenwadel and Erna Richter, 1932 Hans Richter Collection in ABFA


Confirmation in Wilhelma 1936 – l. to r. Frieder Vollmer, Ella Dreher, Willi Reichert, Erika 

Frank, Alfred Hönig (teacher), Heinrich Sawatzky (Elder), Alma Imberger, Peter Decker, 

Hans Richter, Walter Hahn, Otto Sawatzky 

Wilhelma 1990 Image from The changing Land between the Jordan and the Sea 

by Benjamin Z. Kedar


Early Wilhelma Image from Christian Imberger Collection in ABFA 

WILHELMA EXHIBITION 

at the 

TTHA TEMPLER GALLERY 

August to November 2011 

All welcome


COMMUNITY LAWNMOWING ROSTERS 

SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 

BAYSWATER BENTLEIGH 

11 th September 

9 th October 

23 rd October 

Rolf Glenk 

Manfred Haering 

Heinz-D.Herrmann 

Richard Herrmann 

Uli Hoefer 

Thomas Knaub 

Keys to lawn mowers etc. can be 

collected from Tony. 

If working on Sunday, try to avoid 

starting machinery before 10:00am to 

comply with Noise Restrictions in the 

City of Knox. 

Tony Beilharz 

To arrange an alternate date or a 

swap, please contact your partner 

and/or the appropriate member and 

arrange the swap directly. 

SAUSAGE MACHINE 

Seeking a good home for this sausage 

machine, which was initially used in 

Palestine. The machine was brought to 

Australia in the 1950s. 

For further details contact Peter Ware 

17 th September 

8 th October 

Bernie Weberruss 

Roland Leschinski 

Dieter Kazenwadel 

Peter Ware 

Normal start time is 9:00am. Both 

lawn mowers can be operated 

without a catcher (the preferred 

method). If the grass is too long, 

then one of the mowers can have a 

catcher installed. 

Lawnmowing should include the 

Secret Garden area (at back of 

Office). Please don’t put lawn 

clippings in Secret Garden area 

(green waste bin is now available 

for lawn clippings). 

Peter Ware 

Paul Weberruss


SEPTEMBER 2011 CALENDAR OF EVENTS 

1 Thur 

2 Fri Craft Be 19:00; Telelink 

3 Sat Yarra Bend Walk 10:30 

4 SUN Fathers’ Day Service + SS Be 10:15 

5 Mon 

6 Tue 

7 Wed 

8 Thur 

9 Fri Seniors’ Group Sy 11:30 RC Ba 19:30 

10 Sat Deutsche Schule Melbourne Oktober Fete from 11:00; Multifaith Youth Retreat 

11 SUN Service TTHA 10:30; KC Tennis 10:00; Good Health For Life Ba 11:00-15:00 

12 Mon � 

13 Tue Craft Ba 10:00; Ladies’ Afternoon Be 12:00 

14 Wed Fashion Parade and Lunch at St John’s 10:30 

15 Thur 

16 Fri Telelink 

17 Sat 

18 SUN Confirmation Service Ba 10:15; Liedertafel Arion Concert 14:00 

19 Mon 

20 Tue 

21 Wed 

22 Thur 

23 Fri Ecumenical Lunch at St Paul’s Bentleigh 12:00 

24 Sat Craft Be 14:00 

25 SUN Service Sy 10:30 

26 Mon 

27 Tue Craft Ba 10:00 � 

28 Wed 

29 Thur 

30 Fri Sängerfest Tanunda; Telelink 

OCTOBER 2011 

1 Sat Sängerfest Tanunda 

2 SUN Sängerfest Tanunda; CV Service Tynong 11:00; Youth Activity 

New Moon � Full Moon �

Templer Record - temple society australia

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