Oscar Wanke was born in Harkaway on 18 July 1887. His parents, Immanuel and Bertha nee Aurisch owned Hillcroft on Hessel Road. Oscar was the 7th child of 15. Four of the children died in childhood. Oscar married Minna Ida Weist on 13 February 1913 in Dandenong. Her parents were Charles and Ida Weist and lived on a property in Police Paddocks on Gladstone Road. Minna’s father gave the couple land on the corner of Gladstone & Heatherton Roads as a wedding present and Oscar built their house, which is still standing, now heritage listed. They had enough land to keep a horse and cow, have a large workshop, garden, greenhouse and grew vegetables and fruit. Two children were born, Ronald Leslie in 1915 and Evelyn Adelaide in 1919. Oscar Wanke and Walter Brown became partners as builders around the area. The built many houses, the Noble Park Hall and a church in Bangholme. Oscar also designed the plans and working drawings. He also built beautiful furniture. We have his diaries from 1907 to 1926.Saddle stitched (4 staples) paperboard covers, one week to a page with pink blotting papers.oscar wanke, harkaway (vic.)