The Twelve Apostles

One hundred years ago the first class of theological students graduated from Concordia College. This took place on 12 December 1912 – the twelfth day of the twelfth month – and the twelve graduates became known as the ‘Twelve Apostles.’ The occasion was momentous for these young men, a culmination of many years of intensive study.
It was the custom for each class to adopt a Latin motto, and it was certainly fitting that this group chose a quote from the ancient Roman writer Horace: Nil nisi magno labore vita dedit mortalibus which can be translated as Life grants nothing to us mortals without hard work.
These words would have also have resonated with Director Graebner whose health was suffering from the strain of 8 years of overwork.[1]  There is little doubt that this milestone occasion brought him great relief and joy. Because his substantial valedictory address at the graduation ceremony was delivered in Latin,[2] it is highly probable that many of Graebner’s sentiments were not fully understood by most of those attending!

 

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[1] In the following April, Graebner was granted rest and recreation leave to return to America until the end of 1913.

[2]  Graebner’s handwritten address, as yet only partially translated, is in our archives

 

 

Dr C.F. Graebner

On Sunday morning, June 5 1949, the Concordia community learnt of the death of Dr C.F. Graebner, the first principal of  Concordia in Adelaide, at the age of 86.
Dr Graebner, who was born in Missouri, U.S.A. in 1862, was called to Australia in 1903.  He first worked at Concordia in Murtoa, and from 1905 served at Concordia College, Highgate.  He resigned as principal in 1939 at the age 76, but chose to continue as a lecturer and president of the seminary.

The funeral took place on Tuesday June 7. Lessons ended at the College at 10am. Dr Graebner’s body lay in state before the altar in the chapel, with seminary students standing guard.  During the morning students filed past the coffin to pay their last respects.

There were over 30 cars in the procession to West Terrace cemetery, and students were transported in two special trams. A guard of honour was then formed at the cemetery as Dr Graebner’s remains were carried to their final resting place.

Mathematics Centre

 It was not until 1979 that mathematics at Concordia had a permanent home. For many years the subject was taught either in spare rooms or in a ‘temporary’ building.
The much-awaited opening of a new Mathematics Centre took place on July 22. But it was such a bleak and rainy day, that all ceremonies took place inside the new building itself.
The architect, Mr. N. Drogemuller, formally presented the key to the principal, Rev. T. Reuther. After the principal had opened the doors, Senator Jessop unveiled a plaque with the inscription: Great is our Lord, and abundant in power; his understanding is beyond measure (Psalm 147:5).
However, the interior was not quite finished, so eager staff and students had to wait three weeks before they could finally occupy the building.

College Badge

The College badge was designed and became official in 1907. The symbolism is straightforward. In brief, the golden rising sun points to Jesus Christ; the central position of the cross makes clear the Christian foundations of the College; and the open book or Bible, together with the lamp indicate that true wisdom and knowledge are found only in God’s word and with his enlightenment.

The reproduction of the badge on blazer pockets, as well as on badges for hats and other parts of the school uniform, has altered slightly over the years. Examples of these variations are on display in the main reception area, together with a unique example of pride in the College badge.

During World War II firms stopped producing monograms for blazer pockets.  Students were free to embroider one for themselves, and this is just what Valda Payne (now Kretschmer) of the class of 1943 decided to do. See the photo!

Godspell

In 1975, almost a third of the school was involved in some aspect of the production of Godspell.  With school chaplain Geoff Burger in the role of Jesus, it was produced by Peter Schmidt and Peter Westhorp.
The performances were a measurable success with full houses and good profits. More importantly, the whole experience was an intangible success in terms of school spirit, fellowship, sharing and spiritual insights.
Student comments about their involvement were overwhelmingly positive.

‘For me the Bible has come alive…. I began to appreciate my faith in a new way… I learned how to be more happy and joyful in my faith.’

‘Two friends of mine who had seen the London and Sydney productions said that ours had something which the others didn’t have, a different feeling.’

The second Concordia production of Godspell, 26 years later in 2001, was also memorable.

In Review for that year Rod Kirk writes, ‘Whether it was the story being told, the fabulous music, the 1970s setting or the energy from everyone, Godspell certainly cast its own spell over all of us!’

Returning to College

Returning to school at the start of a new year was be difficult for some students, particularly boarders.
The cartoon from the 1927 Brown and Gold shows a student packing his bag as his mother calls out that the train is leaving in half an hour. The other bubble shows Concordia.

Here are some memorable experiences of brand new students.
‘During the first week, pillow and towel fights were frequent, and some of the new boys were sent down to the shop to get a tin of striped paint or some waterproof wire netting. One night as I was getting to bed I found my pyjamas tied up in a neat little bundle. When I had untied them, I got ready for bed, but I could not stretch out my legs because my bed had been short-sheeted. The prefect, however, put a stop to our many pranks.’ (Boy boarder, 1935)

‘I felt like a nurse with these big shoes I had on. When we arrived my knees were shaking as though I was cold… I said to Mum. ‘I don’t want to do this.’ The introductory sessions we had with our new class teachers …turned out really well….. Concordia was no longer so strange and scary.’ (Year 8 student on Orientation Night, 1987)

The Crafty 1970s

The Art and Craft Exhibition evening was an annual event at Concordia in the 1970s. A great deal of effort went into impressing visiting relatives and friends, and many of the items displayed have come to represent that particular decade.
In 1970 some of the crafts were copper enamelling (together with jewellery making, this was the most popular) and rya (shag) rug knotting. We are told that students produced ‘copper chains, enamelled cuff links, ash trays (!), cheese hats, woollen rugs and table mats.’

At the 1972 exhibition visitors were invited to enter a blacked-out chamber of horrors with skeleton mobiles swaying under ultraviolet lights, together with piggy banks in weird animal shapes.
The following year those attending were treated to a display of wood and metalwork projects ‘subtly lit by macramé lampshades.’
The 1974 Brown and Gold reports that 1000 people attended that year’s display of student work in leather, macramé and rug knotting, to name just a few.

Photo: Macrame lampshade making (1970)

Mighty Metwurst Marathon

On Wednesday 27 February 1974 an unusual ceremony took place at Wintulich’s Smallgoods factory in Gawler. A giant metwurst, made especially for the Concordia Carnival, was presented to College representatives.
The metwurst was 2 metres long and 50 mm in diameter. At the handing-over ceremony it was strapped to a pole, and pairs of students took turns in running with the metwurst on a journey of more than 40 kilometres to Concordia.
It was probably just as well that a vehicle, with eye-catching signs explaining the nature of the marathon, preceded the runners!

This linocut to mark the unique occasion appeared in the 1974 Brown and Gold.

Cricket in 1940

 
In December 1940 Concordia defeated Scotch in the final of the Students Cricket Association. A triumphant and detailed resume of the match stretched over four pages in the The Brown and Gold the following year. We are told that ‘the weather was hot, with a north wind blowing, and the wicket was fast and good when the Scotch captain won the toss and decided to bat.’ Finally, ‘when stumps were drawn at the end of the match, Scotch had last nine wickets for 169, leaving Concordia winners …by the fine margin of 129 runs.’
During this year a batting record was made by Ron Schmaal in a match against Kings College. He scored 210 of Concordia’s score of 8/325 declared.
The 1940s also saw the beginning of the house system, with Brown and Gold houses formed to stimulate sporting activity. Cricket was included in the programme and  the cricket score book for 1940-1942 is in our Heritage Centre collection.

Photo : L-R: C.V. Eckermann (Captain), G. Fischer (Vice-Captain), N. Jaensch, T. Lutze, K. Twartz, C.E. Eckermann, L. Ziersch, R. Schmaal, L. Altus, I.Kleinig.
Absent: C. Hempel, H. Hermann.

A Tall Tale

This photo of two Concordia students dates from 100 years ago.
It was taken in 1913 soon after Harold D. Koehne enrolled to follow a course of training for the ministry. Because of his short stature, it seems he had difficulty convincing both students and faculty members that his intentions were serious.
Also at that time Walter Paech was the tallest student at Concordia, so it is no surprise that this was a great photo opportunity. Both young men were born in Lobethal and both had attended the same Lutheran Day School.

Memories

Students who attended the 1993 Valedictory Dinner were treated to a very amusing speech by teacher Jeff Sawade. Jeff had been a student at Concordia from 1971-1975, and his memories from those years remained quite vivid. This extract from his speech shows not only that times have changed, but also that some things remain the same.

 

Photo: 1995 Matriculation class

I remember my first day at Concordia, my new grey suit, my grandmother crying,
I remember incredibly short dresses on the girls,
I remember arguing with teachers about hair length,
I remember falling in love and out again in 3 days at the Year 10 camp,
I remember doing gymnastics on the parallel bars in the quadrangle on Open Day,
I remember the smell when we had to dissect rats in biology.

Special Event

Celebrations and special occasions have always been important in the life of the Concordia community. There was a time when Martin Luther’s birthday on 10 November 1483 was always remembered and his work and achievements gratefully acknowledged.
So the Dunmunkle Standard newspaper for November 16^th 1893 gives us a detailed and rather quaintly worded description of an occasion unlike one any of us today have ever experienced.

Last Friday evening the German-English Private School was well filled by Murtoa and District residents, they having assembled to listen to addresses bearing up in the life and the life-work of the great German reformer. In the intervals between the addresses a variety of musical pieces were performed. The event being essentially Teutonic, and the greater part of the audience being Germans, it was quite in keeping that the national tongue of Faderland (sic) should be the most in evidence .

However, fortunately for non-German speakers present, some of the other addresses were in English, French and even Latin. The newspaper then gave a summary of the speeches - which were by no means short - and the evening eventually drew to a close with the singing of ‘A mighty fortress is our God.’

Ninety years later, on October 30 1983, the 500^th anniversary of Martin Luther’s birth was celebrated in a special way. Concordia students joined with a large choir conducted by Mr Peter Schmidt in singing for a special telecast service in the Festival Hall.

Open Day

Concordia’s very first Open Day was held on 24 September 1970. Similar to Gift and Visiting Day, it was designed to show parents, particularly those of prospective students, aspects of life and work at the College, both inside and outside the classroom.
During the afternoon gym squads from the first three forms (Years 8-10) competed with each other in the courtyard. In the chapel (now the Suaviter), Peter Schmidt directed the mixed choir which sang a selection of hymns and psalms as well as one folk song.
There were also exhibitions in the Craft Centre, art rooms and science laboratories, together with student demonstrations. It was a warm day, so drink stalls conducted a brisk business, and the Home Science area attracted many visitors by offering ‘succulent examples of their wares’.

Hobbies

'Recreation plays an important part in the life of a student. A student’s lot is not an easy one, and to relieve the strain, recreation of some kind is desirable.' (The Brown and Gold, 1954)

Over the years these leisure pursuits, particularly important for boarders, have changed dramatically. Even hobbies were often justified as being ‘useful’ and ‘instructive’ in the pages of The Brown and Gold.

1927 : Bookbinding was popular, especially on rainy days.

1956: The study of crystal sets and wireless gave many boys a thrill.
During the warmer months it has been no uncommon sight to see boys flying model planes made from balsa wood. Some who can afford it have fitted their planes with engines. But we are told that the roar of these engines is not welcome in the back yard.
Stamp collecting is very popular. One pupil has almost 7000 stamps in his collection.

An unusual hobby is the growing of rare plants and cereals.

1998 : Concordia had a Chess Club, Radio Communication Club, Electronics Club, Card Club, Science Fiction Club and a Drama Club.

 

Photo: Playing pool in 1940.

First Swimming Carnival

Concordia’s first annual swimming carnival took place at the City Baths on Monday 14 March 1960.
Apart from the individual and house competition, there was the added thrill of watching a competitor in the Rome Olympics, Miss Dale Krieg, as she swam a demonstration lap or two. She was accompanied by the college champion boy swimmer, Peter Sander.

In 1961 the carnival included novelty events such as clown-diving by the boys, a water ballet with specially trained girls and an exhibition swim by a Dutch Olympian.

Photo: scene from the 2004 carnival

New Library in 1927

On the evening of October 3 1927 a new library was formally opened. After the singing of a hymn, Professor Koch pointed out the great value of books as companions and teachers. He also showed that the possession of such a fine new library entailed certain duties and obligations, and urged strict observance of the rules and friendly co-operation.

‘The library is the most pleasant and best-equipped room in the College. An attractive feature is the collection of pictures adorning the walls.
A beautiful painting of our Saviour and a picture of Luther help to remind us that although secular knowledge is very useful, spiritual knowledge is far more important.
Among the books are found some good reference works and several fine collections of the best English and German authors, and also other reading matter to suit various tastes and ages.’ (The Brown and Gold, 1928)

Music Master

On November 18^th 1929 the Concordia choral class and the orchestra staged a concert in the Adelaide Town Hall. The opening item was the orchestral selection entitled ‘Concordia’. This was conducted by the composer and singing master Hugh King who also played a group of three piano solos which were ‘appreciatively received.’

‘Captain King’, as he was known, became the college singing master in 1927. He built up a number of choirs, conducted the orchestra, and was a popular teacher known for his enthusiasm, energy and good humour.
As a result of injuries suffered in the army during World War I, Captain King has lost three fingers. (This statistic is from the Brown and Gold magazine, while the history of Bethlehem Lutheran Church states that only one finger was missing!) His wrist was also partly disabled. Yet in spite of these handicaps, Captain King was a skilled pianist, having devised a completely new system of fingering. What is more, the loss of a leg and adapting to a wooden replacement did not prevent him from playing the organ.
In January 1933, while on holidays in Brisbane, he died after a short illness at the age of 39.

Cold Comfort

For many months during 1931 and 1932, Concordia boy boarders had little choice but to take cold or luke-warm showers. Desperate attempts to coax and repair the worn-out bath heater were of no use.
Not surprisingly, ‘with the approach of winter, the number of hardy students who claimed that they enjoyed their cold shower every morning rapidly diminished.’ (Brown and Gold 1932.)
As a result of a generous donation, the College Board decided to upgrade to a very welcome hot water system. However, this ran on burning wood, so stoking of the system was added to the list of regular student duties.
It was not until 1948 that this was replaced by an electric system, thanks to the generosity of the SA Women’s League. The boys soon realised that only two showers could run at the same time and that short showers were essential if all were to enjoy warm water.

Dancing

In 1969 compulsory dancing lessons for the first three forms took place in the gym during three lunchtimes each week.  Senior students were catered for with voluntary Tuesday evening classes, and dances ranged from the Queen’s Waltz and the Tango to the Madison and the Cha Cha.
A student wrote that ‘many of the students at Concordia are endeavouring to be transformed from elephants to a lighter-footed species… Maybe we’ll all appear on Showcase in a few years!’

The lessons bore fruit on May 3 at the Girls Hostel with ‘a bunch of about 90 swinging young people from the Leaving and Matric classes dancing their way through from 8 to 11 pm at the end of term social. After invigorating dances such as Queens Waltz, Military 2’s and 3’s and modern dancing there were drinks and sweets on sale for all those in need of a revitalizer and able to  afford it.

The first Year 12 Formal was held at the German Club on July 29^th 1989.
A student describes her experiences of this major social occasion in 1992.
‘The Terrace Hotel was decked out with groovy gold and silver balloons ready for an onslaught of disco dancing babes and daddies…. The chicken wings were the ideal mass and size to be suspended from helium balloons…. The disco-inferno pumped all night (until 10.30 pm) interrupted only by all too familiar speeches commending us on our fine conduct.’

In 1999 a student wrote that ‘everyone under twenty-one looked absolutely gorgeous and some oldies managed to look alright as well. I can personally say I have never boogied with so many people over the age of forty to songs that were produced before I was born.’

Note: All quotations are taken from The Brown and Gold magazines. The photo shows a junior social in 1966.

Concordia vs Immanuel

Students who attended Concordia or Immanuel in years between 1955 and 1971 will remember the annual athletics competition between the two colleges held in Term 1.
The battle for the Kumnick Shield was taken very seriously, and Concordia’s war cry in the 1971 Brown and Gold magazine is certainly an indication of this.

Rumba rumba small in number,

We are still the best around!

Tumba tumba never slumber,

We will drive them to the ground!

But that year, we are told, ‘Immanuel was again superior in athletics. This was not due to any lack of fitness in our team; on the contrary, they were fighting fit.’ The trouble was we were just too small.  Immanuel must breed giants down at their school – but with continuous effort David will defeat Goliath yet……Lunchtime was a splendid success. Here the real ‘warfare’ took place, as hoses were used to quell the enthusiasm of competing cheer squads.’
However, relations between the two colleges were not always marked by such friendly rivalry. The late 1950s gave rise to tension and unpleasantness in the sporting arena. This was seen as a spill-over from strong feelings in current theological discussions between the two Lutheran synods in preparation for their eventual merger in 1966.
Letters between the headmasters of Immanuel and Concordia in 1959 refer to incidents of booing and even more unacceptable behaviour at sporting events.
Immanuel staff could not agree with the Concordia stance ‘that the animosity results chiefly from football matches, and that tennis, cricket and athletics contests were free from such manifestations of feeling.’ They decided to suspend the intercollegiate athletics events for the time being, believing that ‘the two schools should not develop as institutions that hate and belittle one the other.’
After a cooling off period of two years, the event was restored to its place as an annual fixture in 1961.  It was also decided to allow girls to compete for the first time. No doubt this was seen as a possible civilising influence!

The photo shows a scene from the 1964 athletics.

 

New to Australia

During the years following World War II Concordia’s staff and student population was enriched by refugees and migrants from many European countries such as Latvia, Estonia, Poland and the Ukraine.
In the late 1940s it was very difficult to find domestic staff for the girls hostel.
A 1949 report somewhat ungraciously states that ‘we have forced to employ two Baltic migrants, despite the fact that this meant accommodating three children of tender age. We shall probably be obliged to engage another such migrant.’ Nevertheless, when a new cook from Latvia introduced the girls to her home cuisine the tasty results led to requests for plenty of second helpings.
A full page article in which a refugee Latvian student describes the conditions in Europe he left behind appears in the 1950 Brown and Gold magazine, and draws attention to a unique group of ‘new Australians’ at Concordia. The 1961 magazine features an article entitled ‘A Memorable Sea Trip’ in which a student reflects on the adventure of migrating to from the Netherlands to Australia by ship.
By 1960 students from overseas were leaving their home countries in order to attend Concordia for their secondary education. In 1962 Anna Tan from Malaysia was the first Asian student to enrol as a boarding student at Concordia; and the following year saw another first when two students from Papua New Guinea attended the college.
By 1964 overseas students formed a significant ‘minority group’ at Concordia. There were representatives from Papua New Guinea, Malaysia, New Zealand and the United States, as well as sons and daughters of Australian missionaries serving in PNG.
It was estimated that at that time 7% of students either held foreign citizenship or came from overseas to study at the College.

 

Peace Memorial Wing

When Concordia’s enrolment reached 200 in the early 1950s, it became clear that an upgrade of key classrooms and facilities was urgent. The rather makeshift science rooms and laboratory were well past their ‘use-by date’ and were described in the 1952 Brown and Gold as ‘dismal and dungeon-like’ and ‘poorly equipped.’
As a result, plans were drawn up for an extension of the old chapel building. They included a large science lecture theatre, a laboratory and storerooms on the ground floor, and classrooms and a theological library upstairs.
A public meeting convened at Concordia in July 1952 resolved that this wing should be erected as a public war memorial and be known as the Concordia College Peace Memorial Wing.
The new building costing £22 000 was dedicated on the first day of the school year on February 11 1953. The Premier of South Australia, the Hon. Thomas Playford unveiled an Honour Roll bearing the names of 117 old collegians who served their country in World War II. 

Rowing

In 1986 rowing became available to students at Concordia under the guidance of Pastor Geoff Burger, himself a former rower. However, this initiative soon faded, and it was not until 1996 that the sport was re-introduced with Mr Bill Donaldson as staff coach. Interest was keen, with four crews of four rowers and a number of students enthusiastic to compete in pairs events.
Negotiations enabled Concordia to join the Torrens Rowing Club which gave the squads access to all necessary equipment. Each of the crews trained twice a week after school on the River Torrens and rowed at regattas on the Port River, the Murray River and at West Lakes under the banner of Concordia College.
After five successful seasons it was decided to cease offering the sport. The 1999 Brown and Gold magazine cites that ‘high costs, whole day regattas, and a lack of access to the latest rowing equipment for training purposes all contributed to a decline of student interest in rowing.’

The photo shows the 1996 rowing squad

 

 

 

Football

 

 

Football has been an important feature of life at Concordia for well over 100 years.
In 1924 the very first issue of the annual school magazine (The Brown and Gold) devotes two pages to lively and detailed descriptions of every match for the very successful season. The writing style is rather different from modern commentators.

‘An important feature of the Australian game is that it is forbidden to touch a man below the knees; it is forbidden to touch his arms; it is forbidden to touch his back. These drastic rules leave little opportunity for players to be rough….Football! There is a charm in the very word. Just hear it breathed and you immediately picture to yourself a green oval with four uprights at each end, and on it thirty six athletic figures… You immediately see that tense struggle, feel the excitement, hear the roar of delight when the ball skims gracefully between the goal posts.
In 1939 another contributor  eloquently writes that ‘ the strenuous game of football leaves us rather tired and bruised, but we learn the meaning of obedience to rules, self-confidence, self-control, the two pleasures of play (winning and losing), and a lot  more. Those are lessons you learn when you are prepared to strip and get out into the cold and wet and chase that football with a will. Certainly you feel more comfortable in your overcoat, and it requires very little effort to lean against the fence and howl at the players. But who prefers to be a spectator when he can sit down after that strenuous third-quarter and wipe his wet brow while he sucks his orange? And there’s more than an orange to be gained from it!’

 

 

 

Clubs

In 1964 clubs were a very important part of life at Concordia. Lessons were interrupted every Wednesday afternoon, and apart from girls competing in basketball and hockey teams, all 300 students participated in clubs of their choosing.
Students were encouraged to ‘broaden their horizons’ and gain a deeper knowledge of an extra-curricular topic which interested them. The ten clubs were Handwork, Stamps and Coins, Drama, Current Affairs, Chess, Music, International Topics, Public Speaking, Boys’ Hobbies and Light Opera.

 

Mrs Champion supervised the junior girls in the Handwork Club. Their activities included cane-work, especially basket-making, as well as knitting for charity. The girls also sewed evening bags. Junior boys were keen members of the hobbies group where they learnt the art of model-making and practised with cars, plans and boats.

 The photos show Ingrid Kaulins (Handwork Club) and Jonathon Ruwoldt (Stamps and Coins Club).

Tennis Success

'Success in sport seems to be the normal thing at Concordia. We can boast of premiership teams in most of the games played at C.C, and tennis is one of these.’ These were the opening sentences of the tennis report in the 1944 Brown and Gold.

However, tennis balls were scarce during World War II, and those available were of a very inferior quality. This led to a waning interest in tennis among the younger boys. Another problem was the sad state of disrepair of the courts which could not be asphalted for the duration of the war. (The photo clearly shows the badly cracked court surface.)
In spite of this, the committed members of the A team achieved an undefeated premiership during the 1943-1944 season, winning all matches against seven other schools – PAC, St Peters, Immanuel, Kings, Adelaide HS and Sacred Heart.

The photo shows Keith Nagel who had a ‘powerful service and served many aces’; Elmore Leske who was a left-hander marked by ‘dogged tenacity’; Robert Paech  whose ’cross-court drives were a delight to watch, and are often quite unplayable’; and Everard Leske who kept a ‘cool head’ but was soon ‘wet with perspiration’.

1938

The 1938 first year class, known in those times as ‘sexta,’ had a unique claim.  Both the tallest boy (Clemens Koch) and the shortest boy (Ernest Kriewaldt) in the college were members of this class of 10 boys and 10 girls. Some of the students came from as far away as Western Australia and Queensland.
This year had other special features, and the diary in the 1938 Brown and Gold provides details of these along with some memorable events for the boy boarders.

Feb 5: Owing to the infantile paralysis epidemic[1] the commencement of the school year has been postponed for three weeks

March 10: No small stir is caused by a breakdown of the electric light system. For once it is not some inquisitive spirit wondering what happens when the metre is switched off.
March 27: We take part in the celebrations in the Adelaide Town Hall commemorating the 100^th anniversary of Lutheranism in Australia
April 15: We experience something extraordinary in the way of thunderstorms and hail. A blocked gutter turns the stairs into a miniature Niagara
June 8: We listen to a short wave programme [2] from Klemzig, Germany, in commemoration of the centenary of the first Lutheran emigrants to Australia
July 13: Dinner unusually fowl [3]
July 14: Another poultry dinner. Many thanks to the Brinkworth Ladies Guild
July 19: And yet another. This time it is the Meribah [4] fowl-houses which have suffered
July 28: 'Carlos' [5] clipped two seconds off the time given as a slice of bread consuming record. It now stands at 33 seconds.

 Notes

1. Outbreaks of poliomyelitis were responsible for many school closures before the introduction of a vaccine in the 1950s

2. Listening to the radio was a much enjoyed pastime
3. Chicken dinners provided by country Lutherans for boarders were always a special treat
4. Small town 176 km from Adelaide in the Loxton Waikerie area
5. Most students were known by nicknames, many of them far from complimentary!

Smoking Rules

During the 1890s when Concordia was still at Murtoa in Victoria, school rules were clearly defined for both mature age theological students as well as much younger boys beginning their secondary education. 
One particular rule stands out: Students shall not at any times smoke in the classrooms or dormitories. No student under the age of 18 years shall be permitted to smoke.

In fact the smoking habit became a preoccupation for several generations of writers for the Brown and Gold magazine.
In a full page article in 1927 Elmore Zweck meditates on a momentous event in his life. He had turned 20, the then legal age at the college to indulge in smoking, and he felt that his ‘health warranted a pipe.’ He chose a beautifully polished stringy bark model costing one shilling which he came to regard as ‘a good companion and an excellent friend’.  He believed that ‘tobacco, in moderation, has added much to the pleasure of human existence. If you find that tobacco weakens your nerves, gives you palpitation of the heart, or debilitates the stomach, well – give it up.’
It appears that pipes were seen as status-boosting coming-of-age accessories. Several formal photos from the first decades of the 20^th century show senior students clasping their prized possessions in their hands or between their teeth!

Students were not the only ones with the habit. The 1938 Brown & Gold has the following notes: ‘Smoke issuing from every crevice of the library – the college board is meeting…..Acrid smoke billowing into classrooms – the gardener is at work.’
In 1944 a full page article entitled What a fag! discusses the merits of pipes, cigars and cigarettes before advising the reader not to smoke; while the 1957 Brown & Gold reveals a healthy changed attitude to smoking. ‘Far from the healing powers once attributed to it, tobacco is today being earmarked as the cause of one of the deadliest diseases of mankind…. Perhaps in smoking, or rather in the giving up of smoking, is revealed the amount of will power most of us have or have not.’

Teachers

The 1954 Brown and Gold magazine featured a full page article on teachers at Concordia. These are just a few extracts.

‘Perhaps teachers receive more criticism than people in other professions, because they have the difficult task of trying to impart some knowledge to students who often seem to be most unwilling to learn. Unfortunately they are criticized behind their backs. Students are quick to see a particular characteristic in a teacher, and before long that teacher is familiarly known among the students by a name describing that peculiarity. For this reason, teachers should be careful what they do or say because students often seem to be more attentive to these things than to class work.

At Concordia we have teachers with a wide variety of methods and mannerisms. We students notice particularly the pet sayings and mannerisms of our teachers. Although Mr Georg is a very good teacher, he frequently says ‘I mean’ in an attempt to make clearer what he has already said. Mr Robertson, our science teacher, is noted for his humour and his old school tie which he always wears. Mr Krieg, when in a meditative attitude, makes a practice of slowly rubbing his chin or elbow.
I hope I have not been too critical and given anyone the wrong impression of any of our teachers. We are fortunate to have such very good teachers, but they are unfortunate, because the shortage of teachers means they have more work to do than they should have.’

The photo shows Concordia's teachers in 1964.

One Hundred Years Ago

In 1911 61 students were enrolled at Concordia, all boys and young men. It was not until 1927 that Concordia opened its doors to girls.
In the early years the college consisted of two departments. The Classical Department was the equivalent of the secondary school section and stretched over 6 years. The curriculum was described as ‘a course of mathematics and kindred sciences, which sharpen the intellect and encourage studious habits, as well as a study of the languages necessary to furnish a more complete understanding of the Bible.’
Subjects taught included Catechism, Bible History, Elocution, Algebra, Arithmetic and Penmanship, all designed to prepare young men to study theology or to follow some other vocation such as teaching.
The different year levels were known by Latin names, and to us today, seem to progress backwards. The junior years began with Sexta (Latin for ‘sixth';) through Quinta (‘fifth') into Quarta (‘fourth’). After the third year it became a senior class, progressing from Tertia (‘third’) into Secunda (‘second’) and finally Prima (‘first’). Once the final examinations at the end of Prima were passed, students were eligible to enter the seminary or Theological Department for a further 3 years of study.
The Quinta students in the photo were in the second year of their studies at the college. In 1910 they made up Sexta, the largest class ever to be admitted.

Ash Wednesday

 
 

In 1983 Ash Wednesday fell on February 16. As temperatures soared towards 43 degrees many students were looking forward to cooling off at the annual swimming carnival that afternoon in the Adelaide Aquatic Centre.
Weather conditions worsened as the day wore on, with extreme dryness and gale force northerly winds laced with dust from the dry inland. This combined to provide perfect conditions for the spread of devastating fires in the Mt Lofty Ranges.

Mrs Chris James remembers watching the smoke haze and maintaining radio contact during the swimming carnival. She recalls that there were a number of staff with homes in the hills, including Pastor Geoff Burger, the college chaplain whose house on the side of Mount Osmond was visible from the oval. Pastor Geoff led prayer sessions as the fires continued to spread. His home was spared.
Many roads were closed, so students living in the hills were unable to go home that afternoon. Arrangements were made for them to spend the night with friends or relatives.

During the week following the fires, Forum organized voluntary offerings and collected a total of $1004.67. After widespread discussion and consultation this was donated to be equally shared between five Country Fire Service brigades.

The photo was taken from the Suaviter, formerly the chapel.
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