Chance to engage with church history

by Rachel Kuchel

Have you ever heard of Friends of Lutheran Archives (FoLA)? If not, or even if you know the name, did you know that FoLA is a community of people from around Australia, New Zealand and the world that is interested in preserving, hearing and sharing the stories of our church and its history?

FoLA was established in 1990 to support the work and mission of Lutheran Archives. We are proud to have maintained that community for more than 30 years with nearly 300 members – some of whom are from as far afield as Germany. FoLA branches exist in Victoria, South Australia and Queensland.

TECHNOLOGY OPENS MEETING DOORS

A FoLA journal containing historical articles, research, book reviews and newly translated documents from the Archives’ collection is published each year. But another much-loved feature of FoLA has, until now, been available mainly only to members in or near Adelaide – regular meetings with guest speakers. A dedicated volunteer committee curates an annual program each month from February to October, with meetings held at an Adelaide church. Now, thanks to the wonders of livestreaming, ‘attending’ these events will be open to people from anywhere.

Expert speakers come from a wide range of fields, and while many have undertaken research at Lutheran Archives, they may not otherwise be connected with the LCANZ – which helps bring a diversity of perspectives. Topics vary from the experience of migration to individual members, pastors, congregations, synods, institutions and practices of the church.

Livestreaming details will be published in the days before each meeting at www.lca.org.au/archives

WHAT’S COMING UP?

19 May, 7:30pm (CST)

Topic: German Internees at Loveday internment camp

Speaker: Peter Monteath

Loveday internment camp in South Australia’s Riverland was the largest Australian internment camp. At its peak in World War II, it held more than 5000 civilians from all over the world. A professor of history at Flinders University, Peter will speak about the German internees in the camp, with a particular focus on several hundred German men who had been arrested and detained in Persia before being deported to the Antipodes.

23 June, 7:30 pm (CST)

Topic: Researching Native Title

Speakers: Tom Gara, Skye Krichauff, Clara Stockigt

Within the legal setting of native title, historians, anthropologists and linguists are engaged by the Federal Court to provide expert and non-advocatory opinions about Aboriginal societies that have maintained traditional and customary rights and interests in country since their earliest contact with Europeans. Lutheran missionaries recorded languages, births, deaths and marriages, the movement of Aboriginal people and their relationships with Europeans and neighbouring and distant Aboriginal groups. Their diaries, correspondence and vocabularies are crucial primary documents that deepen current understanding of Aboriginal culture and society. In this presentation, three experts who have drawn heavily on records held by Lutheran Archives demonstrate how access to this material has enriched their findings.

For more information or to join FoLA, go to www.lca.org.au/fola or email fola@lca.org.au

Rachel Kuchel is Director of Lutheran Archives.