Weindorfer Memorial Service at Cradle Mt. New

[tas-man]

Just a belated reminder that tomorrow is the annual Weindorfer Memorial Service, held at Gustav Weindorfer's memorial adjacent to the Waldheim Chalet. This year is the 100th anniversary of Gustav's first ascent of Cradle Mountain, and I believe that there have been special events planed to compliment the traditional memorial service. The service starts at 1.30pm, but that other activities may be happening before. Some information from the Tasmanian Archives website about the history of the memorial service is quoted below. I plan to attend, so if any other BWT forum members will be attending, please let me know.

WEINDORFER MEMORIAL SERVICE COMMITTEE

This Committee was formed to commemorate the life of Austrian-born Gustav Weindorfer (1874 - 1932) the naturalist, mountaineer and conservationist of Waldheim Chalet, Cradle Mountain and perpetuate his memory by organising the Weindorfer Memorial Service each New Year's day at his gravesite. Since the 1980's it has also screened a film and slide show for people attending the memorial service on that day. These depict the life style and activities of visitors to Cradle mountain during Weindorfer's time.

When he died at Waldheim of coronary vascalur disease on 5 May 1932 it was Weindorfer's wish to be buried there and this was arranged by his friends from Launceston Messrs. Charles Monds, Frederick Smithies, George Perrin and John Branagan and Major R. E. Smith of Ulverstone. A granite cairn over his grave was unveiled in 1938.

The area had already been proclaimed a reserve in 1922 due largely to his efforts. He and his wife Kate (nee Cowle, who died in 1916) first visited the Cradle Valley in January 1909 and both soon had a vision to protect the area and have people know about it and enjoy it. They settled in the area in 1912 and built Waldheim Chalet to encourage visitors and spread appreciation for the magnificent scenic area. From Christmas 1912 Waldheim was open to visitors and by 1914 had grown to eight rooms and a small hut nearby. Regular motorised transport started in 1921.

After his death Austrian relatives from his birthplace at Spittal an der Drau, Karten, an alpine province of Austria sent candles and Eidelweiss flowers each New Year's day to Waldheim. The tradition began in Novemner 1932 when Gustav's sister sent a bunch of everlasting flowers and four candles, asking that they be placed on his grave on New Year's day, as was the custom in their Austrian province of Carinthia.

This simple ceremony was continued until the outbreak of World War 11 and subsequently revived in 1954. The current format of a memorial servive on New Year's day, along with placing the flowers and lighting the candles, was instituted by the North West Walking Club in the early 1970's. Although local flowers are now used, candles are still sent from Austria to this day.

To ensure the tradition of a New Year's day service did not lapse the Weindorfer Memorial Service Committee was formed by a small dedicated group of about ten from the North West Walking Club. Minutes of meetings are kept and the late Dr John Pickford, who died in 2005, was a very devoted member. Other prominent members of the committee have been the late Mr Alan Richmond (Devonport), Miss Ann Stocks (Devonport), Mr Merv Summers (Burnie), and Mr Arnold Rowlands (Burnie). Some archives and copies of photographs are kept by Mrs Jenny Pearce (Leith).

[Taurë-rana]

I'm thinking about going if I can persuade my boys that it's a good idea. Unfortunately the youngest is injured at the moment so we won't be able to walk very far at all - do you know what happens with car parking?

[tas-man]

I'm thinking about going if I can persuade my boys that it's a good idea. Unfortunately the youngest is injured at the moment so we won't be able to walk very far at all - do you know what happens with car parking?

There has generally been enough parking in the Waldheim carpark and the road in for past years. Probably worth getting there by 12pm ish and have lunch before the event. I will have a BWT sticker on the back window of my silver Nimbus if you get there. Photos of last year's gathering are posted in the Gallery here - viewtopic.php?f=9&t=1645

NOTE to ALL: There is no entry fee or park pass required for visitors attending the memorial service - just need to advise your intentions if the boom gate is manned by Parks staff.

[corvus]

Would love to go again Ian however just returned from a food drop to Pelion 89kg total for three of us so I think my old body needs a rest by the way it was 38degrees on the track on the way out today ,dehydration was the order of the day despite a minimum of 600ml water intake between water sources
corvus

[Taurë-rana]

I don't think I'm going to get there, very unenthusiastic children. Maybe if the youngest could walk I might insist but it's probably easiest not to go. Have a good day

[GerryDuke]

I was thinking of doing Waterfall Valley in the morning depending on the weather. Probably won't be back in time.

Gerry