Heinrich Hilda
| Type of person | Individual |
|---|---|
| Principal occupation | Librarian of Gawler Institute |
Mrs Hilda Florence Heinrich O.A.M. (Nee Lutzow)
Born in 1899 at Springton, the daughter of Mr and Mrs G. A. Lutzow who ran a general store there. She was one of 10 children, 5 boys and 5 girls. Hilda attended the local school and was taught by Mr Duldig, father of George Duldig, who later became a local Gawler business identity.
Hilda met Hermann (“Dolf”) Heinrich when she was 14 years old and they became penfriends. Hermann became a schoolteacher and during WW1 as Lutheran schools were closed down, he received a call to travel to Hermannsburg Mission to work.
Hilda and Hermann married in 1924 and their honeymoon consisted of raising funds for a school primmer and a New Testament printed in Arunta language for the Mission, then a four day trip on the Ghan to Oodnadatta en route to Hermannsburg Mission which entailed another 19 day buckboard drive ( a young Albert Namatjira and Stanley were driving the buckboard for this part of the trip ). The Ghan only travelled by daylight in those days and parked for the night with passengers sleeping on the seats. Hilda recalled helping to clear sand off the tracks to keep the train moving north of Marree.
They stayed and worked for 8 years at the Mission, Hermann was the teacher, ably assisted by Hilda, and he was also the local Justice of the Peace, Coroner, and occasional Lay Preacher. The Heinrich household became a popular place to visit as evidenced by Hilda’s visitors’ book containing names and comments by some of Australia’s best known and colourful people.
Another fascinating event that occurred while the Heinrich’s were at Hermannsburg was the saga of “Harold” Lasetter ( Lasseter’s Gold Reef ). Lasseter led an expedition into the region in 1930 and it ultimately ended in his death by starvation on January 30 1931. Hermann Heinrich, in his role as local Coroner, issued Lasseter’s death certificate, the original of which was retained in Hilda’s possession, since only the carbon copy was sent to Alice Springs. Hilda always believed that the “reef” was only a fantasy in Lasseter’s mind and grew out of reading “Golden Buckles” by Conrad Sayce. ( See related articles below for more on Lasseter’s story )
The Heinrich’s left Hermannsburg in 1932 largely for the sake of their children’s education and arrived in Gawler during the depression when 800 families in and around Gawler were on “relief”, and they set up a dairy farm. They had two children by then, Dennis and Max ( at that point Max could only speak Arunta language ). They also brought a part aboriginal child ( Norman ) with them to foster. This was a strong trait that the Heinrich’s possessed, to care for others in need or supply temporary accommodation in their home for newly arrived migrants etc.
In addition to the hard work on the farm, the Heinrich’s became involved in the Gawler Institute. A highlight of this involvement was when they cleared the debt of £ 1,100 and were able to collect the Deeds from the bank. They had two more children born in Gawler, Harold and Ilona.
They retired in 1955 and sold the farm and immediately became involved in rebuilding the Gawler Library. Hermann eventually became the secretary and librarian. Hermann died in 1959 aged 64 and Hilda continued their work with the Institute and library and was elected secretary in 1960. Hilda held the position as Gawler Institute Head Librarian for 30 years and was paid an honorarium of $ 24 per week missing only one week of work in that period. Hilda also found time to be involved with the Gawler Civilian Widows Club, the Gawler Primary School Welfare Club, the Institute Ladies Committee and National Trust
Such was her modesty that when asked one day about Gawler’s History, a subject she knew much about she deferred the enquiry to others stating that she was a “newcomer” to Gawler and wasn’t qualified to answer !!
Hilda was honoured with the Order of Australia Medal in 1982 for her years of dedication to the Gawler Institute and the Lending Library. She was modestly proud of the award insisting that it was really a recognition for Gawler
Hilda passed away at Trevu nursing home on the 5th June 1990 aged 91 years and is buried with her husband Hermann at Willaston Cemetery. At that time she was survived by her children Harold and Ilona and another “special” family member Deanna who was raised as her own. Her funeral was conducted at Zion Lutheran Church and to comply with her wishes, the former committee members of the Gawler Institute were her pallbearers viz: Messrs Laurie Ronan, Alf Dawe, John Clift, Mick Prike, George Rau and Mark Boon.
She was a true Gawler identity during her life in the town and a vast number of Gawler residents can recall their relationship and dealings with her. One such recollection from Mr Brian Thom is detailed below :
“Hilda and her husband lived in 7th Street where I believe they had enough land to have a cow or two. Mr Heinrich had a milk run which included our family at 13 Gawler Terrace. My mother used to put a shilling in the billy out by the back door, almost daily, and we would get a pint of fresh unpasteurised milk. To get from 7th Street to Gawler Terrace there is the slope of First Street and from memory it was an unsealed road back in the 1950’s. Mr Heinrich had the milk in a large milk-can having its handle strung over the handlebars of his bike. On one occasion, he came off his bike when riding down from 7th Street and his daily milk supply was spread across the road. Hilda would not have been impressed.
As Gawler Institute Head Librarian, Hilda used to sit in an elevated office position on the northern wall of the Institute and she cast a critical eye over those using the Reading Room. In the late 40’s to mid 1950’s, Hilda supported Harold Raymond [the blind violinist] performing annually in the Institute with his concert raising money for the Brighton School for Blind and Deaf children. Somehow, as a 9 year old, I got roped in by her to sell concert tickets. I can recall that in May 1955 the Institute organised a picture evening to aid Library funds and at the age of 10, I sold about 20 shillings worth of tickets by door-knocking residents. Mrs Heinrich was very pleased and for that I was presented with the book “We of the Never Never” by Mrs Aeneas Gunn, beautifully inscribed by Mrs Heinrich on behalf of the Gawler Institute Committee. Hilda had a stern disposition and was generally feared by those “getting on her wrong side”. Once her trust was attained, she was most accommodating and helpful. If one were to be organising a Friday night annual Ball in the Institute, having an excellent relationship with her was very beneficial. Heaven help those organisers who allowed beer to be spilt on the Institute floor without mopping it up effectively. She enjoyed the control and responsibility associated with her position as Librarian. “
Article compiled by: Geoff Watson
Acknowledged Sources: Bunyip articles November 1983, June 1990 and The Canberra Times October 1983
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