PRESIDENT’S REPORT TO THE AGM

Here are the highlights of our year.

Kaffee und Kuchen – Our monthly gatherings were well attended, with two luncheons and a varied programme of guest speakers. Thanks to Peter for organizing our guest speakers for the year.

History Day in May – Held at Langmeil Church, with lunch catered by Malcolm Filsell. Our partners, the German Heritage Research Group in Adelaide, organised topics and speakers. Thanks to Chris Leske for organizing registrations and catering.

Lantern Walk – On 25 July at Nuriootpa Football Clubrooms, families made lanterns, enjoyed German food and fellowship, and enjoyed the walk before the rain, followed by Elke’s Gluehwein and Gummi Bears. Thanks to John and Kathleen, Juliane and Doreen, Haylie Cooke and helpers, Dieter, Michael, Gudrun, Chris Malone and Chris Leske for bookings, photos, decorations, lantern-making, catering and payments.

Adelaide German Week – Our Barossa Konzert on 20 September at Nuriootpa Soldiers Memorial Hall featured the Barossa Trio and KaDenCe Choir, followed by local wine and cheese. It attracted locals and visitors. Thanks to Lorna Schiller, Chris Malone and Liz Henderson for preparing the platters and serving wine, and Bobb Traeger and Greg Edwards for sound.

Stammtisch – Meets on the last Wednesday each month at the Mecure Hotel, Tanunda. Thank you to manager Michael Kruger for his support.

Barossa History & Heritage Network – Gerlinde represents BGLA, ensuring German language and culture are represented alongside built heritage.

German language tuition – Birgit’s classes ran in terms 3 and 4, following her absence earlier in the year. Five people attend regularly, on Saturdays from 2–5 pm at Lyndoch library.

Singkreis – Meets monthly in members’ homes for coffee, cake and German folk songs, often accompanied by Rita Koehler’s accordion.

Communication & Publicity – Thanks to John in Lyndoch and Sarah in Denmark for Das Blatt, and to everyone contributing articles. John also supplies articles and photos to local papers.

Steffi promotes our activities on local radio and 5EBI FM, where Dieter Farbig’s “Die Deutsche Stimme” regularly advertises our events. Anne manages our website, Facebook, member emails and event posters through Ausdruck Digital. Thank you, Anne. 

Fundraising & Grants – Barossa Council’s Event Sponsorship Programme provided $1,000 for the Konzert. Steffi also secured support from Langmeil Wines, Gully Gardens Dried Fruit and Barossa Valley Cheese Company.

School Contact – We strengthened links with Nuriootpa High, Angaston Primary and Good Shepherd Lutheran School, Angaston. The BGLA are particularly pleased to have Mr David Marino, Principal of Nuriootpa High, reach out to us; they have a great German programme at Nuriootpa High, facilitated by Mrs Haylie Cooke. Haylie  welcomed our support for German Week when Steffi and Chris Leske spoke to Year 9 students and the BGLA supported the school with German items for display. Recently Peter Mickan and Steffi shared migrant and family stories with Years 8–10 for their Barossa German Heritage project. Steffi also visited both primary schools and joined Barossa Library’s holiday programme, with Christmas participation planned. Last year we sponsored a $50 book voucher for an outstanding Angaston Primary German student and Steffi was invited to the end of year assembly for the presentation.

Sponsors –  Thank you to our supporters:

Ashton Hurn, Member for Schubert and Leader of the Opposition, and her office for printing and support;

Langmeil Centre for affordable facilities;

Barossa Council for the grant and free hall use;

  Langmeil Wines for speaker gifts and discounted event wines;

  Ausdruck Digital for media and publishing;

  Nuriootpa Rovers Football Club for Lantern Walk facilities;

  Gully Gardens Dried Fruit for donations and discounts;

  Barossa Valley Cheese Co for discounted cheeses.

Finally, thank you to our committee for organising activities, managing funds, publicity and practical support. Thanks to Ev, Bobb and Joerg for room and audio setup and pack-up, and our catering team: Elke, Steffi Goers, Gudrun, Chris M., Rosanne, Chris L. and Liz Henderson. To all our event volunteers, and everyone attending Kaffee und Kuchen and our special events: your support makes this possible. Danke.

Steffi Traeger