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Group leader Mr Peter Reeh
Contact Ph. (08) 8264 7195
Web www.alt1858.org
Choir practice Tuesdays at 7.30pm
Location Please contact group leader.

The ‘Adelaider Liedertafel 1858’ (ALT1858) is a men’s choir singing mainly German songs at various community gatherings and festive days at our headquarters, the SAADV. Our conductor is Peter Ruys, and at full strength we number 44.

Apart from being the oldest German-singing choir, the ALT1858 is the oldest continuing male choir in Australia. Our origins date back to 1844, only eight years after the colony of South Australia was established by Governor Hindmarsh. But it was in 1858 that a committee established the choir which still exists today. We perform mainly German operatic works and folksongs, but also have Australian, English, Welsh and American choral works in our repertoire.

ALT1858 is always keen to recruit new (younger) male singers, particularly first and second tenors. Whilst proficiency in the German language is obviously an advantage, it is not a prerequisite. If necessary, we will teach you to pronounce (as distinct from speak) German. In fact, the only thing you must have is a love of singing! We practice every Tuesday evening (except for a short recess over Christmas and New Year) at 7.30pm at the SAADV clubrooms. If you can hold a tune and enjoy singing, contact us, or simply turn up on Tuesday evening.

The ‘Bund der Bayern’ was established in August 1959 by Mr Heinz Brueckner. He and several other Bavarians formed the ‘Edelweiss Schuhplattler’ group of the SAADV. After only two short months of relentless practice the group made its first public appearance. Popularity of the ‘Edelweiss’ group increased with appearances at the Tanunda Weinfest, the Festival of Arts and also through the television media. The first ‘Bayern Abend’ in 1960 was held in the old club house of SAADV, this was the start of the Bavarian ‘Gemütlichkeit’ we now know in Adelaide.

During the construction of the new premises, the group held practices in a hall hired from G.T.V. 9. New costumes and necessary mending to old ones were paid with money earned at monthly dance evenings organised by the group at Henley Beach.

Upon completion of the new club premises in 1963, the group then moved back to the SAADV and adopted the new name of ‘Heimat- und Volkstrachten Verein, Bund der Bayern’. The original name of ‘Edelweiss’ was retained by the Schuhplattlers of the Bund der Bayern.

In 1964, together with the SAADV the first ‘Schützenfest’ after World War II was held at the Gorge Picnic ground. As the Schützenfest grew in popularity, the SAADV took over the organisation and transferred this ever popular social activity to the Hahndorf Oval. In 1966 the Youth group of the ‘Edelweiss’ was formed, under the leadership of Mr Otto Vogl. In 1972, the Youth group received it’s own flag. The flag was beautifully hand painted by Mr Paul Wegener and was donated to the group by Hans and Anni Knoll. The president Mr Hein Diestel-Feddersen unveiled the flag in the presence of many guests including the well known Pastor Zinnbauer. The flag was blessed by Father J. A. Baron from the German Catholic Centre St. Bonifatius, Collinswood.

In 1977, the very first ‘Tanzfest’ was held in the clubrooms of the SAADV. It was a modest beginning for the new traditional ‘Volksfest’. Mr Dieter Fabig, President, and Mr Walter Tietjens, Secretary, together encouraged the ‘Brücke’ to sponsor the Festival. Other members who contributed to the success of the Volkstanzfest were Hans Knoll, Christel Kranich, Bruno Kranich, from the ‘Bund der Bayern’, and Mary Feddersen from the ‘Deutscher Volkstanzkreis’.

For many years the ‘Bund der Bayern’ was a member of the ‘Good Neighbour Council’. After this council dissolved the group joined the ‘Folkloric Society’. As a result of this many new friendships were kindled. Some of the highlights were participating in a ‘Preisplattln’ with the ‘Austrian National Dancers’ and becoming honorary lifetime members of the ‘South Coast Scottish Club’.

Over the years several group leaders have guided the progress of the dancers and the floorshows are still as popular as ever. More recently a bell ringers group under the name of ‘Alpen Echo’ has formed. Their instruments being finely tuned cowbells!

The ‘Bund der Bayern’ has been fortunate to have had some very experienced people to guide it. These are now honorary members such as Mr Heinz Bruckner, Otto Vogl, Hans and Anni Knoll, and Mrs Traudl Daniels. Over the years others have been very generous towards the group and received the certificate of ‘Ehrenbayer’. John Amer, Dieter Fabig, Werner Wagnitz, Werner Bromberger, and Norbert Kosiol have all been awarded this honour.

There have been many highlights over the years, and only some will be remembered by all. Such as performances at the Sydney Opera House, in Penang/Malaysia, Port Moresby/Papua New Guinea, Festival of Arts, Vintage Festivals, Schützenfest, Stanthorpe, Newcastle, Port Lincoln, Broken Hill, Whyalla, Mount Gambier, Brisbane, Melbourne, Alice Springs, Darwin, and Perth just to mention a few. Annually, members meet at a picnic where traditional games are played. Another yearly event occurs in December when Saint Nikolaus and Krampus visit the group. And in line with tradition there is a ‘Heimat Abend’ every two years.

Many years ago the dancers adopted the costumes from the area of Miesbach. Even today the boys are still proud to wear the Lederhosen and half socks (‘Wadlstrümpfe’). The girls look like a pretty picture in their black vests, swinging red or blue skirts with colourful aprons and shawls.

Every Saturday afternoon the group meets to practice in the clubrooms. It is a good opportunity for the ‘Bund der Bayern’ to preserve our traditions and to share our customs and culture with our many Australian friends.

Group Leader Steffi Gessner Ph. (04) 0630 2028
Vice Group Leader Hermann Schmidt Ph. (04) 3771 1198
Committee meetings Every 3rd Thursday of the month
Meetings Please see calendar or regular weekly events
Location Please contact group leader.

Our founder was Wilfried Rueweler and we were accepted as the Wandergruppe / Bushwalkers in the S.A.A.D.V. on the 7th. of November 1990. Our activity is walking. The first scheduled walk was on Sunday 20th. January 1991. On January 16 th 2011 we had our first anniversary walk in our 20th anniversary year. Today we are a group of almost 100 men and women, ranging in age from late 40 to 90. We are reasonably fit and enjoy walking through the countyside. We are all members of the South Australian German Association.

We meet on alternate Sundays for a 9 am start at a scheduled meeting point for a programmed walk.. We walk for approximately 3 hours, usually in Conservation-and Recreation Parks, on bush tracks and along beaches. There are three walks available for walkers which are graded to suit the level of fitness.

The A- Group tackles long, steep and often difficult walks between 11 and 15 km long. The B- Group walks between 8 and 12 km and the C- Group 6 km.in reasonable terrain. All walks are pre selected and led by competent, experienced Walk Leaders. It is essential for walkers to wear appropriate footwear on walks.

Walkers bring their own table, chair and lunch and a thermos full of tea or coffee to the meeting place. At the end of each walk everybody is looking forward to having a rest and all three groups usually sit together in a big circle to have lunch and to exchange the latest news.

Usually there are members who celebrate their birthday. It is tradition to bring a cake sharing it among those present. That is very much appreciated by all and adds to the attraction of our walks.

We try to have two Bushwalking Camps per year, lasting several days. They have taken us as far away as Apollo Bay, Healesville, Melrose, Bright, The Grampians, the Flinders Ranges and Yorke Peninsula, Victor Habor, Lake Bonney, Nelson just to mention a few. Once a year we have a “Family Picnic and Walking Day” where children have the opportunity to walk with us and can have fun together, after a short walk.

Our group also maintains an approximately 17 km long section of the Heysen Trail near Myponga. Our volunteers have built bridges across creeks, boardwalks across swamps, stiles across fences and they keep the walking track in good order. For twelve years our group has walked the Heysen Trail. We completed the 1200 km Trail End to End from Cape Jervis to Parachilna on 22nd. September 2010. The Wandergruppe received a Certificate of recognition for our effort from the Friends of the Heysen Trail.

We have already completed over 600 walks according to our current walk program. It is our experience that walking is a fun and healthy activity to stay fit.

Group leader Robert Lamb
Contact Ph. (08) 8262 4787
Meetings First Sunday of each month at 5pm for approx. one hour
Location Please contact group leader.

From 1838 large numbers of German speaking people settled in South Australia. These pioneer settlers and their descendants have made a significant contribution to the development of South Australia. As a result of two world wars and the feelings these generated, much of this important history has been blurred. A small group of German descendants met on 10th September 1980 to establish a German Descendants’ Group within the S.A. German Association. The objectives of the group are: to contribute to and foster the culture and traditions of our forebears who came from Germany and to be concerned with the preservation of the German heritage and history in South Australia. The group ensures that in displays, historical compilations and exhibitions the contribution of the Germans and their descendants since 1838 is not forgotten or overlooked.

Group leader Steffi Gessner 
Contact Ph. (04) 0630 2028
Practice Mondays at 7.30pm, Wednesdays at 11am
Location Please contact group leader.

It all started in 1965 with a few ladies getting together to keep fit. The group became so popular that it had seventy members in the 1980s who enjoyed healthy exercise and some aerobics all to stimulating music.

The first group leader was Mrs. Bihari, followed 1966 by Mrs. Selma Ebel who acted in her position with love and dedication until 1995 when Mrs. Christel Piep took over. Of course we must not forget to mention the instructors who keep everybody “on their toes”. They are Traudl Meinhardt for the Monday section and Hannelore Tebeck for the Wednesday section.

The group also enjoys social functions like birthday celebrations, luncheons and outings. Once a year the group stages the very successful “Bunter Nachmittag” ( The variety afternoon) with coffee and homemade cakes for everybody including the public to enjoy.

Group leader Mr Trevor Dennert
Contact Ph. (08) 8395 5378
Practice Tuesdays at 7.30pm
Location Please contact group leader.

Shooting is one of the few sports that has been represented at every modern Olympic Games. Air Rifle shooting had an enormous response at the first World Air Weapons Championships in Seoul, South Korea. Ten thousand spectators watched this event in the mid 1970s, and this has ensured that a separate Air Weapons competition is now a regular feature of the International Shooting Calendar. The Brisbane Commonwealth Games and the Los Angeles Olympics have established Air Rifle as a major World Sport.

Shooting clubs were established in Europe soon after the development of guns in the 14th Century. This long tradition was curtailed after World War II when the Allies prohibited the use of firearms in Germany.

Many Germans turned to air weapons in order to continue their centuries-old ‘King Shoot’ and hunting traditions, and this new form of shooting was quickly developed and taken up world-wide.

The first Air Rifle club was established in Australia in Adelaide in 1964 by German and Austrian immigrants. By 1969 there were at least eight German Clubs with groups of Air Rifle enthusiasts. The first Australian Air Rifle Championship was conducted in 1970, with about 70 shooters representing seven clubs.

From a general meeting, the first Committee was elected and the Air Rifle Association of Australia (ARAA) was born.

There are currently 29 clubs affiliated with the ARAA. Although many of these have connections with German or Austrian Clubs, membership is open to all and comprises more than half non-German shooters.

Fees vary from club to club, and most groups charge an annual fee for ammunition, targets etc. Club rifles are usually available for members’ use. ARAA membership and insurance is around AU$20. Basic membership and club equipment usage will cost less than AU$100 a year. As proficiency and interest increase, personal gear such as boots, gloves, jackets and rifles can usually be bought second-hand.

Group Leader Janina Russo  & Victoria Miegel
EMail ZwergenlandADL@gmail.com
Our Zwergenland playgroup is for German speaking parents and toddlers ages 0-4. This group is for active playgroup members only. We meet on Saturdays at the German Club. Please contact us for more info.