Historical information

Stefanie and William Rietman were the children of August and Frieda Rietmann. Stefanie became a school teacher and designed and made resin jewellery, Later she established a Native grass garden in Joyce park, Ormond, William joined August's business and after his death continued the development of Rietman's Landscaping and pottery firm . His son Ray also continued the family business in Bay Road Highett and the Carrum.
August Rietman 1877-1951 and his wife Frieda 1878-1942 leased the Cottage in 1917 and raised 2 children Stefanie 1918-2006, and William 1920– 1997. August was a Monumental Mason / Potter / Sculptor and he was employed at Corbens Ltd Clifton Hill, to make the War Memorials for many towns post WW1. August purchased the property 1935,and established a pressed concrete business using the cottage as a workshop and storeroom After August died in 1951, William, his son, continued to work in the business from the site until the land was sold to Lewis Co. Ltd Timber Merchants in 1970. Rietman's Landscaping Ltd moved to Bay Road Highett 1953 and later to Carrum.

Significance

The Rietman family is an example of the diverse nationalities that lived and worked productively in Moorabbin Shire 1871–1933 , the City of Moorabbin 1934-1994 and continues today in the Cities of Glen Eira, Kingston, Bayside, and Monash. August, a sculptor and stone mason, was employed by Corben Pty Ltd Clifton Hill to carve WW1 Memorials before establishing his own successful masonry business in the Box Cottage during the latter 1920s. After becoming interested in pressed cement casting, he took on apprentices (1930s Depression) and among his products were garden furniture, pots and also street lamp standards, some of which were installed in St Kilda Road. After August’s death in 1951, his family continued the business ‘Rietman’s Landscaping Ltd.’, at Highett and Carrum.

Physical description

Photographs x 2 Black & White, of Stefanie Amilie Rietman, and William Henry Rietman c 1920 at Ormond Australia

Inscriptions & markings

Hand written names