Lobethal, South Australia
Encyclopedia
Lobethal is a town in the Adelaide Hills
area of South Australia
. It is located in the Adelaide Hills Council
local government area, and is nestled on the banks of a creek between the hills and up the sides of the valley. It was once the centre of the Adelaide Hills wool processing industry, which continued until around 1950. The mill buildings are now used by a number of cottage industry and handcraft businesses. At the 2006 census
, Lobethal had a population of 1,836.
's translation
, means Lobethal or 'Valley of praise'.
Due to the Great War in Europe, in 1917 the Federal Government changed many German place names
. The name Lobethal was changed to Tweedvale (honouring the town's major industry), but reverted back in 1935.
aboard the sailing vessel Skjold
, who initially went to Hahndorf
but were alerted to good land in the upper Onkaparinga
. Many of their traditions remain to this day, although the town is not as overtly Germanic as Hahndorf or Tanunda
. In 1845, St John's Lutheran Church was built; it is now the oldest Lutheran
church building in Australia. A new church has been built alongside.
The town, as with many German towns in South Australia, was built in typical Silesia
n Hufendorf style, with the cottages arranged in a line along the main street, and each family having a long, narrow strip of land (used for growing crops) stretching from the main street back to the village common, where all families could allow their animals to graze. The advantages of this layout were that everyone had access to both fresh water and the main road, and a relatively even distribution of fertile and infertile land. While the town developed out of recognition (the main street was Mill Road, now the western boundary of the town), elements of the hufendorf layout remain.
In 1850, F.W. Kleinschmidt set up a brewery. It closed after about two decades when Kleinschmidt turned his attention to hop-growing - which subsequently became a focus for Lobethal's agriculture. The brewery itself was turned into the Lobethal Tweed Factory, which became the Onkaparinga Woollen Company and operated until 1992. A cricket bat
factory utilising locally grown willow also operated from 1894 until 1950.
Lobethal is located between Gumeracha
and Woodside
along the north-south road, and east of Adelaide via Magill
and Norton Summit
.
At the ABS
2001 census, Lobethal had a population of 1,653 people living in 707 dwellings, making it the largest town in the northern Adelaide Hills
region. There are over 450 Lutherans
in Lobethal, making it the dominant affiliation.
station.
The Lutheran Church complex and the Archives and Historical Museum nearby, which contains a great deal of information about the lives of the German settlers, are tourist attractions.
Fairyland Village and Fauna Park tries to provide a visual interpretation of some of Grimm's
fairy tales, complete with native animals and light lunches.
for its display of Christmas lights along its main streets in December each year; many residents also adorn their front gardens and verandah
s with elaborate displays. The tradition began in the 1950s and is the largest Christmas display in South Australia.
In 2003 parts of Lobethal were transformed by the production of the movie The Honourable Wally Norman
. Lobethal formed one third of the town used in the movie; Mount Barker
and Nairne
provided other parts as well.
CBD via the South Eastern Freeway and Onkaparinga Valley Road. There are also buses from Lobethal to Verdun Junction and Mount Barker
. A coach is operated from Tea Tree Plaza Interchange
to Gumeracha
and Mount Pleasant
by Affordable Coachlines.
, Australia's premier motor race of that year. It was won by A.G. Tomlinson driving an MG TA. Adelaide had to wait until 1985 to host the event
.
Adelaide Hills
The Adelaide Hills are part of the Mount Lofty Ranges, east of the city of Adelaide in the state of South Australia. It is unofficially centred on the largest town in the area, Mount Barker, which has a population of around 29,000 and is also one of Australia's fastest growing towns.- History :The...
area of South Australia
South Australia
South Australia is a state of Australia in the southern central part of the country. It covers some of the most arid parts of the continent; with a total land area of , it is the fourth largest of Australia's six states and two territories.South Australia shares borders with all of the mainland...
. It is located in the Adelaide Hills Council
Adelaide Hills Council
Adelaide Hills Council was established in 1997 by the amalgamation of four smaller district councils...
local government area, and is nestled on the banks of a creek between the hills and up the sides of the valley. It was once the centre of the Adelaide Hills wool processing industry, which continued until around 1950. The mill buildings are now used by a number of cottage industry and handcraft businesses. At the 2006 census
Census in Australia
The Australian census is administered once every five years by the Australian Bureau of Statistics. The most recent census was conducted on 9 August 2011; the next will be conducted in 2016. Prior to the introduction of regular censuses in 1961, they had also been run in 1901, 1911, 1921, 1933,...
, Lobethal had a population of 1,836.
Origin of the name
Lobethal is German for "valley of praise". On the day of the division of the land, according to Reverend I. Ey's account, 'it received the name Lobethal, taken from the II Book of Chronicles, chapter 20, verse 26 (EN) (DE), which, according to LutherMartin Luther
Martin Luther was a German priest, professor of theology and iconic figure of the Protestant Reformation. He strongly disputed the claim that freedom from God's punishment for sin could be purchased with money. He confronted indulgence salesman Johann Tetzel with his Ninety-Five Theses in 1517...
's translation
Luther Bible
The Luther Bible is a German Bible translation by Martin Luther, first printed with both testaments in 1534. This translation became a force in shaping the Modern High German language. The project absorbed Luther's later years. The new translation was very widely disseminated thanks to the printing...
, means Lobethal or 'Valley of praise'.
Due to the Great War in Europe, in 1917 the Federal Government changed many German place names
Australian place names changed from German names
During World War I, many German-sounding place names in Australia were changed because of Anti-German sentiment. The new names were often Anglicized , given Aboriginal names , names of famous people , or battlefields . This was done through an Act of Parliament, as well as by petition...
. The name Lobethal was changed to Tweedvale (honouring the town's major industry), but reverted back in 1935.
European settlement
Lobethal was settled in 1842 by Prussian immigrants, who came out with Pastor Gotthard FritzscheGotthard Fritzsche
Gotthard Daniel Fritzsche[p] was one of the first founding pastors of Lutheranism to emigrate to Australia. He was born in Liebenwerda, Germany, and migrated to Australia in 1841. From 1842-1863, he was pastor of the Evangelical Lutheran Church...
aboard the sailing vessel Skjold
Skjold (ship)
The Skjold was a Danish three mast Barque, built in Sundeborg 1839, and weighing 460 tons. It was owned by C. Petersen, Sundeborg.-Voyages:...
, who initially went to Hahndorf
Hahndorf, South Australia
Hahndorf is a small town about 30 minutes drive out of Adelaide, South Australia along the South Eastern Freeway . The town was settled by Lutheran migrants largely from in and around a small village then named "Kay" in Prussia, many of whom were aboard the Zebra...
but were alerted to good land in the upper Onkaparinga
Onkaparinga River
The Onkaparinga River runs from its source between Mount Torrens and Charleston in the Mount Lofty Ranges, and flows south westerly to an estuary at Port Noarlunga. The catchment is over 500 km² in area, and is in part located in the Onkaparinga River National Park.The Onkaparinga River is the...
. Many of their traditions remain to this day, although the town is not as overtly Germanic as Hahndorf or Tanunda
Tanunda, South Australia
Tanunda is a town situated in the Barossa Valley region of South Australia, 70 kilometres north east of the state capital, Adelaide. The town derives its name from an Aboriginal word meaning water hole. Town population is approximately 3500.-Settlement:...
. In 1845, St John's Lutheran Church was built; it is now the oldest Lutheran
Lutheran Church of Australia
The Lutheran Church of Australia is the major Lutheran denomination in Australia, it also has a presence in New Zealand. It has 320 parishes, 540 congregations, 70,000 baptized members in Australia, 1,130 baptized members in New Zealand, 52,463 communicant members and 450 active pastors. Its...
church building in Australia. A new church has been built alongside.
The town, as with many German towns in South Australia, was built in typical Silesia
Silesia
Silesia is a historical region of Central Europe located mostly in Poland, with smaller parts also in the Czech Republic, and Germany.Silesia is rich in mineral and natural resources, and includes several important industrial areas. Silesia's largest city and historical capital is Wrocław...
n Hufendorf style, with the cottages arranged in a line along the main street, and each family having a long, narrow strip of land (used for growing crops) stretching from the main street back to the village common, where all families could allow their animals to graze. The advantages of this layout were that everyone had access to both fresh water and the main road, and a relatively even distribution of fertile and infertile land. While the town developed out of recognition (the main street was Mill Road, now the western boundary of the town), elements of the hufendorf layout remain.
In 1850, F.W. Kleinschmidt set up a brewery. It closed after about two decades when Kleinschmidt turned his attention to hop-growing - which subsequently became a focus for Lobethal's agriculture. The brewery itself was turned into the Lobethal Tweed Factory, which became the Onkaparinga Woollen Company and operated until 1992. A cricket bat
Cricket bat
A cricket bat is a specialised piece of equipment used by batsmen in the sport of cricket to hit the ball. It is usually made of willow wood. Its use is first mentioned in 1624....
factory utilising locally grown willow also operated from 1894 until 1950.
Geography
Gumeracha, South Australia
Gumeracha is a town near Adelaide, South Australia, located on the Adelaide-Mannum Road. It is located in the Adelaide Hills Council local government area. At the 2006 census, Gumeracha had a population of 731.-History:...
and Woodside
Woodside, South Australia
Woodside is a town in the Adelaide Hills region of South Australia. The town is between Balhannah and Lobethal, from the state capital, Adelaide. Amenities include a swimming pool, , second hand store, grocery store, tennis club, bowls club and playing fields. The Johnston family of Oakbank...
along the north-south road, and east of Adelaide via Magill
Magill, South Australia
Magill is a suburb of Adelaide in the City of Burnside and the City of Campbelltown.-History:Magill is a suburb located approximately 7 km from the Adelaide CBD in the eastern suburbs. Magill was first established as the Makgill Estate, owned by two Scots, Robert Cock and William Ferguson,...
and Norton Summit
Norton Summit, South Australia
Norton Summit is a town in the Adelaide Hills, South Australia, located approximately 12km east of the city of Adelaide...
.
At the ABS
Australian Bureau of Statistics
The Australian Bureau of Statistics is Australia's national statistical agency. It was created as the Commonwealth Bureau of Census and Statistics on 8 December 1905, when the Census and Statistics Act 1905 was given Royal assent. It had its beginnings in section 51 of the Constitution of Australia...
2001 census, Lobethal had a population of 1,653 people living in 707 dwellings, making it the largest town in the northern Adelaide Hills
Adelaide Hills
The Adelaide Hills are part of the Mount Lofty Ranges, east of the city of Adelaide in the state of South Australia. It is unofficially centred on the largest town in the area, Mount Barker, which has a population of around 29,000 and is also one of Australia's fastest growing towns.- History :The...
region. There are over 450 Lutherans
Lutheranism
Lutheranism is a major branch of Western Christianity that identifies with the theology of Martin Luther, a German reformer. Luther's efforts to reform the theology and practice of the church launched the Protestant Reformation...
in Lobethal, making it the dominant affiliation.
Facilities
Lobethal contains two hotels, two primary schools and a Country Fire ServiceCountry Fire Service
The SA Country Fire Service is a volunteer based fire service in the state of South Australia in Australia. Many parts of Australia are sparsely populated whilst at the same time they are under significant risk of bushfire. Due to economics, it is prohibitively expensive for each Australian town...
station.
The Lutheran Church complex and the Archives and Historical Museum nearby, which contains a great deal of information about the lives of the German settlers, are tourist attractions.
Fairyland Village and Fauna Park tries to provide a visual interpretation of some of Grimm's
Brothers Grimm
The Brothers Grimm , Jacob Grimm and Wilhelm Grimm , were German academics, linguists, cultural researchers, and authors who collected folklore and published several collections of it as Grimm's Fairy Tales, which became very popular...
fairy tales, complete with native animals and light lunches.
Culture
The town is famous around AdelaideAdelaide
Adelaide is the capital city of South Australia and the fifth-largest city in Australia. Adelaide has an estimated population of more than 1.2 million...
for its display of Christmas lights along its main streets in December each year; many residents also adorn their front gardens and verandah
Verandah
A veranda or verandah is a roofed opened gallery or porch. It is also described as an open pillared gallery, generally roofed, built around a central structure...
s with elaborate displays. The tradition began in the 1950s and is the largest Christmas display in South Australia.
In 2003 parts of Lobethal were transformed by the production of the movie The Honourable Wally Norman
The Honourable Wally Norman
The Honourable Wally Norman is a 2003 Australian comedy film directed by Ted Emery. It stars Kevin Harrington, Shaun Micallef, and Greig Pickhaver.It was filmed primarily in South Australia and was nominated for two AFI awards.-Plot:...
. Lobethal formed one third of the town used in the movie; Mount Barker
Mount Barker, South Australia
Mount Barker is an expanding city, home to 10 258 residents that is 33 kilometres up the South Eastern Freeway, east of Adelaide, in South Australia. It is the seat of the District Council of Mount Barker, is the largest town in the Adelaide Hills, and is one of the fastest growing areas in the...
and Nairne
Nairne, South Australia
Nairne is a small township in South Australia and was founded by Matthew Smillie in 1839. Nairne is about 7 km from Mount Barker, in the federal Division of Mayo and in the state electoral district of Kavel...
provided other parts as well.
Transport
The area is serviced by Adelaide public transport. Buses run from Lobethal to the AdelaideAdelaide
Adelaide is the capital city of South Australia and the fifth-largest city in Australia. Adelaide has an estimated population of more than 1.2 million...
CBD via the South Eastern Freeway and Onkaparinga Valley Road. There are also buses from Lobethal to Verdun Junction and Mount Barker
Mount Barker
Mount Barker may refer to one of two towns in Australia:* Mount Barker, South Australia* Mount Barker, Western AustraliaMount Barker may also refer to one of the following:...
. A coach is operated from Tea Tree Plaza Interchange
Tea Tree Plaza Interchange
Tea Tree Plaza Interchange is an interchange belonging to the Adelaide Metro. It is the terminating station of the O-Bahn Busway, and is a central public transport hub for the north eastern suburbs of Adelaide, South Australia.The interchange is also a popular hangout for students from the nearby...
to Gumeracha
Gumeracha, South Australia
Gumeracha is a town near Adelaide, South Australia, located on the Adelaide-Mannum Road. It is located in the Adelaide Hills Council local government area. At the 2006 census, Gumeracha had a population of 731.-History:...
and Mount Pleasant
Mount Pleasant, South Australia
Mount Pleasant is a town situated at the northern end of the Adelaide Hills region of South Australia, 55 kilometres east-north-east of the state capital, Adelaide . It is located in the Barossa Council and Mid Murray Council local government areas, and is at an altitude of 440 metres above sea level...
by Affordable Coachlines.
Motorsport
Lobethal was the host town for the 1939 Australian Grand Prix1939 Australian Grand Prix
The 1939 Australian Grand Prix was a motor race held on a street circuit centred on the South Australian town of Lobethal on 2 January 1939. The race had 17 starters...
, Australia's premier motor race of that year. It was won by A.G. Tomlinson driving an MG TA. Adelaide had to wait until 1985 to host the event
Adelaide Street Circuit
The Adelaide Street Circuit is a temporary street circuit in the East Parklands adjacent to the central business district of the city of Adelaide in South Australia....
.
External links
- The Lights of Lobethal - Web site of the (Christmas) Lights of Lobethal Committee
- Tourist Information on Lobethal