Balwyn High School 1957 to 1962 Reunion
  • Welcome
  • About our 50 year reunion
  • FEEDBACK on Get-together 27 October 2012
  • Photos from 2012 Reunion Dinner
  • Lost and Found
  • Vale
  • Students' Stories: What have you been doing for the past 50 years?"
    • Andy Blunden
    • Anne Hawker (Jubb)
    • Brian Stagoll
    • Diane Kerr (Davidson)
    • David Slater and Dorothy Fergusson
    • Carol Poon
    • Dorothy Vietz (Gibson)
    • Gerd Kratzer
    • Gisela Olbrich
    • Greer Larsson (Allica)
    • Ian Priestly
    • Ian Stavely
    • John Sinclair
    • John Willis
    • Kath Semmel (McKay)
    • Lindsay Cook
    • Michael Alston
    • Otto Rehak
    • Pam Heath
    • Paul Barnard
    • Peter Barter
    • Peter Thomas
    • Peter Winford
    • Phyl Coath
    • Ray Walker
    • Robyn Dalziel
    • Roger Schnagl
    • Sue Foster (Jones)
    • Sylvia Garnham (Geddes)
    • Tim Green
    • Val Brooks (Bennett)
    • Warren Pill
  • A 1962 Teacher's Story
  • Photos and Memories of our time at BHS 1957 to 1962
    • Personal reminiscences >
      • Brian Stagoll Memories
      • Gerd Kratzer
      • Kath Semmel (McKay)
      • Lindsay Cook Memories
      • Michael Alston
      • Paul Barnard
      • Peter Barter - Nostalgic Memories
      • Peter Thomas reflections on BHS
      • Sylvia Garnham (Geddes)
      • Val Brooks (Bennett)
    • 1957 Group photos
    • 1958 Group Photos
    • 1959 Group photos
    • 1960 Group Photos
    • 1961 Group Photos
    • 1962 Group photos
    • 1963 Group Photo
    • 'Feeder' Primary Schools
    • Biology Field Trip
    • Broken Hill and Canberra Excursions 1961 and 1962
    • School Social May 1962
    • 1962 teachers
    • The Voice of the Three Per Cent
    • A student debate
    • Speech Night 1962 program
  • 1962 School Statistics
  • 'Organising mob' Contacts
  • Share your thoughts and comments Blog
  • Forum
  • 14 July 2013 gathering
  • 16 August 2014 Gathering
  • 11 November 2017 Gathering
  • 10 November 2018 Gathering
Picture
Gisela, Germany, 2012

Gisela Olbrich

After BHS, I went on to Burwood T.C. (2 yr. course) teaching the obligatory 3 years of primary school and saving for "The Big Trip to Europe", leaving on the P&O liner "Oriana", 1968. During my year's stay, I worked at two Scottish school camps (as one of the many Aussie & Kiwi "Colonials"...) . After a short return to Melbourne, I obtained a studentship for the Waldorf School Seminar in Stuttgart Germany (1969). This was a one-year course, followed by teaching at the Frankfurt W.S.. As I was given a 4th. grade class teacher slot (teaching all subjects in German: the school was desperate) instead of the position for which I had applied as an English (subject) teacher, the strain of teaching German to German children, especially at that level, was too great and I searched for work as a teacher where I could teach in English. This I found at the US Army elementary school in Hanau (up to 1800 pupils in the late '70's & '80's) near Frankfurt, in 1972 as a "Host Nation Tr.". All I wanted was to be able to earn my return flight to Aussie. (the meagre pay at the W.S. had forced me to use up my savings).

However, I enjoyed this job; teaching German culture and some language to about 400 pupils each year, taking the classes (Grades 1 -6) on study trips, arranging Youth Hostel trips etc. so much, that I stayed on.... and on.... I married a German (1977) and after my divorce (1988) I found that my prospects in Aussie with the Education Dept. no longer matched this job. I took up painting as a hobby (sanity therapy?) as well as drawing some local sights (at first only on the chalkboard for my lessons) which my American colleagues later bought as  souvenir cards & pictures, when they moved on... As I was employed as a "Local National" with the US government, I was the only staff member to stay put for 34 years. With talk of this US Base being closed down, I was offered a separation which I accepted and took early retirement in 2006. By now the European lifestyle had grown on me to the point that, with both my parents having died in Aussie, I have chosen to stay on in Germany. Its proximity to France & Italy may also have influenced this decision... In my little village a small number of us have formed an art group which has motivated me to paint more seriously. We have had some successes at local art shows and various little markets but I really just enjoy dabbling in oils, pastels or water colours.... and Life.            
 
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