Historical information
Thousands of German migrants started a new life at Bonegilla, Victoria in the 1950s. Among them were five men who met each other in Wodonga, became friends and decided to form a German Austrian Club, where they could enjoy the company of likeminded individuals. They were Kurt Mueller, Willi Klimt, Toni Krischa and Erwin Klein from Germany and Manfred Teissl from Austria.
On the 16th July 1960, after advertising in the Border Morning Mail the German Austrian Club in Wodonga was born. Office bearers were Paul Peters as President. Gerhard Ziermann as Secretary and Günter Schmehl as Treasurer. Their aim was "To promote the upkeep of the German language in written and spoken form and to promote good German fellowship, while enjoying functions of a cultural and entertaining nature".
By 1963 the Club boasted 40 members, holding meetings at the RSL Clubrooms and other suitable locations before they found a house in Hovell Street, Wodonga. It was used for meetings, Skat meetings, film nights and Sonnabendschule” or Saturday school where children of members could continue to learn German.
The Committee organised a wide range of activities and functions in their small rooms but dreamed of having a bigger home. This became reality in July 1979, when the Committee purchased land from the Albury Wodonga Development Corporation at 5 McFarland Road, Wodonga. The first brick was laid on the Club's land in May 1980, and the double-story brick building was completed within 12 months voluntarily by Club members.
At the same time members supported other organisations and charities in the Wodonga and wider community. The first Oktoberfest in Wodonga was held in 1975, drawing 4,000 attendees. The event was organized to promote German culture, and the profits from the first year were donated to the Wodonga District Hospital, raising $20,000. In 2001 the German Austrian Club was presented with the Certificate of Meritorious Service by the Government of Victoria for Community Works in Wodonga and district. The Club raised $23,000 for the Wodonga Hospital, had numerous fundraisers to assist in bushfires and drought situations and was involved in the Red Cross Calling campaign for many years.
After much fundraising, hard work and making their way through extensive government red tape, the Club moved to its new premises in McFarland Road on 1st August 1981. The members continued to make necessary internal adjustments and sought an alcohol licence. The building was officially opened in May 1983.
The Club prospered and had 300 members, making it necessary for new applicants to be put on a waiting list to be accepted as members.
Interest groups formed consisted of Competition Air Rifle Shooting Group, a Skat (German Card game) Group, Folk Dancing Group, Ladies Group, Table Tennis Group, Darts Group, Chess Group and the Billiard Group.
In later years, as so many Australians became members, the Club’s name was changed to the German Austrian Australian Club. Over recent years patronage and interest in the Club and its activities changed. Children of the original members had become “real Aussies” and did not always want to carry on traditions. Aging membership and lack of volunteers forced the Club to disband in 2025. The Club building has been gifted to the Albury Wodonga Theatre Company.
Significance
This item is significant because it is representative of an important cultural organisation which operated in Wodonga for over 60 years.
Physical description
A small metal plaque on a wooden backing with red text. It includes the insignia of the Austrian Cultural Society of Melbourne.
Inscriptions & markings
Presented To The
GERMAN-AUSTRIAN CLUB
Wodonga
Congratulations
On Your
40th ANNIVERSARY
From the
President & Committee
AUSTRIAN
CULTURAL SOCIETY
(AUSTRIAN CLUB) Melb Inc
