Minutes from the Old Days 

1859

Note: Johann Friedrich Martin Armbrüster is variously referred to in the minutes with the initial F or A. Apparently his nickname was Fritz, and this is what he preferred.

Adelaide 4th October 1859 Hamburg Hotel.

The meeting was recorded on the 4^th October 1859 at the Hamburg Hotel.

At the AGM on the 28^th September it was decided that written minutes be recorded for all discussions and proceedings. The following points were accepted:

 At present time the Liedertafel has the following members:

C. Braun was nominated and unanimously accepted as temporary secretary (prior to this Th. Niehuus had performed the duties of secretary, but when it was decided to begin recording minutes Mijnheer Niehuus handed over his secretarial duties to Herr Braun).

A suggestion was made to practice some hymns for special occasions. The following hymns were suggested and accepted by all present:

1. Ein feste Burg ist unser Gott (A strong fortress is our God)
2. Jesus meine Zuversicht (Jesus my confidence)

Also the song “Was ist des Deutschen Vaterland?“ (What is the German’s Fatherland?) was suggested and accepted.

After choir practice a letter from O. Ziegler to W. Bartels was read out. The letter stated that because of the forthcoming summer the meetings from his premises will be shifted to the Hamburg Hotel. Also a big thank you to him for the generosity he extended to the Liedertafel during the last winter, and that we hope to have him as a member for a long time in the future. All present signed the letter and delivered it to the Restaurant “King of Hannover“ to present W. Bartels with it. He then thanked everyone in an emotional speech and afterwards the beer flowed freely for some hours. A suggestion to pay for 12 bottles from the Liedertafel’s petty cash was  accepted by all.

It appears that W. Bartels was the proprietor of a restaurant, "King of Hannover" in Adelaide at this time (probably at the Hotel Europe). The ALT used his premises for practices prior to 1859. A separate choir (the Deutscher Liedertafel) practiced at the Hotel Hamburg, and this venue became the headquarters of the combined choir which was formed on the 1st of September, the proceedings of which are the subject of the entry above.

The minutes were read and signed.
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Adelaide 11th October 1859

H. Rüthning declared his retirement from the Liedertafel.

Present were 16 members.
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 Adelaide 18th October 1859

H. Oehlmann put his apology in for his absence from choir practice, due to ill health.
H. Bartsch moved from Adelaide into the country and is therefore no longer a member.
A. Armbrüster has resigned from the Liedertafel forthwith.

Present were 19 members.
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Adelaide 25th October

F. Alerding resigned from the Liedertafel due to work commitment, in the Black Forest, in a caretaker position (Black Forest is a suburb just out of the city - less than 2km from today's CBD)

Present were 17 members.
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Adelaide 1st November 1859

Present 14 members and no other business was recorded.
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Adelaide 8th November 1859

An invitation to the Liedertafel was tabled. Mr. H. Kay, from the South Australian Institute, asked for the Liedertafel's support to perform at the beginning of December this year, at a special function. This was discussed and Mr. Carl Linger proposed that the acceptance of the Adelaider Liedertafel be given to the president of the Institute.

The song “Grossmutter will tanzen“ (Grandmother will dance) was suggested and  adopted.

Present were 18 members.

The South Australian Institute was one of the antecedent (fore-runner) organisations that eventually evolved into the SA Museum and SA Library. It was headquartered at the corner of North Terrace and Kintore Avenue.
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Adelaide 15th November 1859

H. Oehlmann resumed singing with the Liedertafel.
No further business was recorded.
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Adelaide 22nd November 1859

Present were 17 members and no other business was recorded.
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Adelaide 29th November 1859

Present were 17 members and no other business was recorded.
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Adelaide 6th December 1859

H. Bartels was required to pay 2s 6d fine for missing three choir practices without apology.

Present were 17 members.
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Adelaide 13th December 1859

It was [previously] agreed that the choir would perform at the “Soireé“ at the South Australian Institute tomorrow evening at 8pm. After much discussion it was agreed that the following songs would be performed:
1. Marschlied (marching song)
2. Vaterlandslied (Fatherland song)
3. Kriegerlied (Warrior song)
4. Song of Australia.

If there is to be an encore the following two songs were chosen:
1. Grossmutter will tanzen (Grandma will dance)
2. Cosi fan Tutti (a light opera)

Mr. C. Linger presented singers with a ticket for them and their ladies for this special occasion.
Present were 19 members.
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Adelaide 14th December 1859 at the SA Institute

The evening commenced at 8pm. All singers of the Liedertafel assembled at the Restaurant "Waites Room.“

After some opening addresses the Liedertafel presented the “Marschlied“ followed by some solo performances. Mrs. Rowe, assisted by Carola on the piano and Chapman on the violin sang a solo, followed by the Liedertafel with the song “Vaterlandslied“, and after continuous applause “Cosi fan Tutti“. The applause didn’t end, and so followed the “Kriegerlied“ and a second encore.

After this there was another piano solo by Carola, followed by a duet by Mrs. Rowe and member H. Oehlmann.

After the concert all participants were thanked, including the ALT. Then the relaxing part of the evening began. Everyone enjoyed plenty of food and drinks. The evening ended at 11pm.
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Adelaide 20th December 1859

H. Oehlmann suggested the song “Es ist bestimmt in Gottes Rat“ (It is God's Positive Advice - loosely translated as "It is God's Will") and from C. Braun “Der Speisezettel“ (The menu). Both songs were accepted. L. Maraun moved that A. Armbrüster, who has indicated he wishes to rejoin, will become a new member. It was decided to put it to a referendum at the next meeting. H. Uhlmann requested that all members will be a part of the German Club picnic on Christmas day.

Present were 20 members.
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Adelaide 27th December 1859

A. Armbrüster was re-accepted as a member of the ALT.

O. Ziegler proposed to celebrate the “New years evening“ the same way as last year and Mr. Wedemeyer (proprietor of the Hamburg Hotel, where the choir practiced) offered his Restaurant for the occasion. He also announced that Schrader and Heidecke would be participating. However, it was pointed out that ladies from the outside can’t [enter the premises], whereas men can be accepted even [though they may be] non-members (this must have been due to the restrictive licensing laws applicable at the time). For the next meeting a General Meeting was set at 8pm because it was the last evening of the quarter.

Present were 18 members.
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Adelaide 28th December 1859 General Meeting

Chairman Mr. F. Schierenbeck. Mr. C. Braun read the Treasurer's report. It was as follows:

Income ₤28. 8.1
Expenditure ₤23. 3. 0
Total profit ₤5. 5.1

There had been a misunderstanding about the New Years Eve party which was supposed to be celebrated at Mr. Wedemeyer’s premises (the Hamburg Hotel). This was an error on Mr. Ziegler’s behalf. Mr. Ziegler proposed an alternative outing, in about 6 – 8 weeks. Members voted on this and it was unanimously accepted. Furthermore, he made another proposal - that the choir should obtain its own flag. G. Reinhardt seconded this and the proposal was accepted. G. Reinhardt moved that 3 members should be elected to look into this proposal and get some ideas, as to what the flag should look like.

In a ballot for committee elections the results were as follows:

Maraun 8 votes
Ziegler 4 votes (declined)
Mühr 5 votes
Nitzschke 3 votes (declined)
Eitzen 5 votes
Reinhardt 3 votes
Schierenbeck 4 votes
Braun 1 vote.

Maraun, Mühr and Eitzen were elected to the committee. After this the following amendments were made to the constitution:

*At any voting at least two thirds of all members must be present.

*The treasurer and the minute taker must be the same person (the reason for this mysterious rule has been lost in the mists of time).

Present were 14 members.
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