1872 - GRAND GERMAN SOIREE.
This elegant affair came off on Thursday evening, the 18th instant, at the spacious hall of Mr. Binder's Star Hotel, Queen-street, Gulgong, under the supervision of the officers of the German Association. There were about sixty couples present. The beauty and fashion assembled excited the admiration of the spectators as they gracefully whirled through the choice waltzes and cotillons of German origin, to the exquisite strains of music of a band, under the direction of Mr. Charles Bedo. During the night two galops, composed expressly for the occasion by Mr. Bedo, and danced to the music of the national anthems of Germany—'The Watch on the Rhine' and 'German Faderland'—created a great degree of enthusiasm. The refreshments were excellent and abundant. The hall was decorated with wreaths of evergreens studded with rosettes, and hung with gaudy flags. Music and dancing, surrounded by a hearty jollity seldom witnessed, was prolonged throughout the night, and the festivities did not cease until 6 o'clock on Friday morning. Not a circumstance transpired to mar the pleasure of the party assembled.
The German Association here consists of between forty and fifty members. The meetings are regularly held, and conducted with ernestness and decorum, but everything is uttered in the German vernacular. Mr. Zimmerman, a lineal descendant of the author of the celebrated treatise upon 'Solitude,' is president. The meeting on Sunday evening last was numerously attended, and so far as we were able to judge, afforded much gratification to those who took a part in the proceedings.
1875 - [GERMAN TRAVELLER]
Herr Schaefer this celebrated German traveller has arrived in Gulgong and is at present located at Selff Hotel. It may not be generally known that he has devoted himself to the task of performing a tour round the globe and has already nearly accomplished his mission. We believe it is now fifteen years since the gentleman ‘set out on his travels’ during which time the principal countries of the world have been visited by him, having ‘done the block’ of Europe, a large portion of Asia, and the entire continent of America. Australia is now receiving his attention and no doubt the ‘premier goldfield’ will form a page in his book of incidents and travel.
Source: GULGONG EVENING ARGUS, November 24, 1875
See also, notable German immigrant, Bernardt Otto Holtermann
