Peter Mickan introduces guest speaker Pauline Payne at Kaffee und Kuchen’s September meeting. PHOTO: John Clarke.
John Clarke
SEPTEMBER’S Kaffee und Kuchen featured a descendant of a German botanist as guest speaker.
Dr Pauline Payne spoke of the many notable achievements of Richard Schomburgk who arrived in South Australian from Freyburg, Saxony in 1849.
Along with his brother Otto, Richard settled at Buchsfelde (now Buchfelde) near Gawler.
Richard had studied botany in Berlin and worked as a gardener for Frederick the Great of Prussia.
In 1884 he accompanied another brother, Robert, on an expedition to South America where he acted as botanist and historian.
Richard travelled aboard the Princess Louise, fleeing Europe due to the political revolutions of 1848.
Financial assistance was provided to the brothers by German geologist Alexander von Buch. The area was named in his honour.
Other passengers on Princes Louise included musician Carl Linger, pastor Carl Muecke (who later married Richard’s sister Caroline), artist Alexander Schramm and early winemaker Hermann Buring.
The brothers planted crops and bred cattle and established an orchard and vineyard on the banks of the Gawler River.
Richard also imported the first sultana grapes to South Australia.
Community affairs were also an early point of interest for Richard and Otto.
Otto became a Justice of the Peace and one of the first Trustees of the Gawler Town and Investment Society, while Richard established a Meteorological Station on his property, took on the role of Chairman of the Mudla Wirra District Council and was appointed curator of the Gawler Museum.
Richard was appointed director of the Adelaide Botanic Garden in 1865 where he took residence and lived for the remainder of his life.
He laid out tree-lined paths and panoramic vistas which still remain a feature of the garden today.
Richard was also instrumental in helping the state become a major wheat producer by importing seed from countries with a similar climate to South Australia.
Scientific research facilities were also established by Richard which aided farmers across the state.
In 1873 the Sydney Empire newspaper said of him: “Among the most eminent of those who have advanced the work of science in Australia is Doctor Richard Schomburgk.”
He died in 1891, aged 79. Otto died in 1857, aged 48.
The next meeting of Kaffee und Kuchen will be held at the Langmeil Centre, 7 Maria Street, Tanunda on Monday, October 26 starting at 1pm.
