Walda – 3.11.2008
The anglicised SCHOLLER name is written in German thus:
SCHÖLLER
The two dots over the Ö is called an umlaut. During the typewriter era in English speaking countries, and prior to computers, there was no way of typing the umlaut, so the family name was anglicised to Scholler. You may sometimes find it written as Schoeller. The “oe” is the pronunciation without the umlaut. Our family has never used the “oe”. To use the umlaut for the “O” on a computer, hold down Alt + 153. = Ö. The actual country name, Austria, is written thus, ÖSTERREICH which is pronounced as <oster-reich>.
A BIT OF AUSTRIAN HISTORY or SCROLL DOWN TO Page 4 to see FAMILY.
The Austrian language is German however, the country has its own dialects, which are simply based on altered German.
The following is an brief outline of Austrian History – anyone who wishes to read up on the subject may Google it through the Internet or get a book from the Library.
Austria was a wilderness around 749 A.D. The town of Pottendorf came into being around 1100 A.D with the construction of Schloss Pottendorf (Castle Pottendorf). It was built to house soldiers who governed the border with Hungry, to make sure the Hungarians did not trespass.
Over the centuries Austria was invaded by Romans, Turks and many other peoples who, each in their own way, left an indelible trace on the land. This is often seen in the “onion” shaped towers (or steeples), one of which is found in Pottendorf today.
Pottendorf became one of the largest Industrial towns in Europe through the endeavours of and Englishman - one John Thornton b. 1771.
In England, The Industrial Revolution had taken off and Thornton could not see why others should not benefit from his knowledge of ginning and cotton spinning. He arrived in Pottendorf in 1802 and by 1811 had built and established Spinning Mills in Pottendorf ; later, he became an honoured citizen of the town.. Back in England he was considered a “turncoat”.
The existence of the Mills ensured there were factory homes/flats in which the workers lived. One of which was 10 Henneberg Platz, Pottendorf. The Scholler home where Maria Scholler reared her family, and where she died in 1966.
(Note: Below is a picture from the very early days. The history of Pottendorf has been written – it is very interesting. Sadly, for English only readers, it is in German. Erich reads the book then tells me about it but I am not about to translate, herewith, what he tells me. Walda.)
The Royal House of Austria ( The Hapsburgs) ruled Austria for almost 650 years. Towards the end, it was held together by Emperor Franz Joseph who died on Nov. 21st 1916. His wife, Sissi (Elizabeth) was assassinated in 1889. His only son and Heir, Rudolf, apparently committed suicide in Mayerling, and the succession devolved to his great-nephew, Archduke Ferdinand. It has been recorded that the First World War was triggered by the assassination of Austrian Archduke Ferdinand at Sarajevo. Be that as it may, the demise of the Emperor’s son, Rudolf, and the death of Ferdinand, precipitated the fall of the Austrian Monarchy and Austria became a Republic.
This situation was precarious to say the least then, in 1938, Adolf Hitler used it as an excuse to incorporate Austria into Germany – this act of “War” on 14th March 1938 was called “The Anschluss”. Although many hailed Hitler’s triumphant march into Vienna – there were those who were defiant. Although a little “glorified” in the film, “The Sound of Music”, the defiance of many Austrians was not immediately evident – it did not pay to be “obvious”. The Von Trapp family were defiant.
Pottendorf Carpet Mill once made “Persian Carpets” which were sent all over the world. During Hitler’s War, the Cotton Mill and the Carpet Factory, which were side by side, were bombed - even the Castle was bombed. The mills/factories were restored but the Castle remains a ruin to this day.
About 30 kms from Vienna (written WIEN) , Pottendorf, together with the smaller hamlets which formed the district such as Landegg, Weigelsdorf, Wamperdorf, and Siegersdorf, were combined under Pottendorf Council and the area is now very large.
Austria is virtually ringed by Mountains/Alps with plentiful winter snow, great tourist skiing and tourist resorts aplenty. Ice and snow go hand in hand. For most, it was mandatory to learn how to ski. (Erich broke one leg twice and the other leg once in ski falls!). Reinhardt was and still is a skier, he can also ice-skate. Austria is a windy country, especially around Pottendorf where high winds sweep through the district for well over 250 days of the year.
In the summer, young folk took to their bikes and rode around the countryside for miles and miles. Erich did this too. He and his mates would carry small tents with them and camp out wherever it took their fancy.
Austria, was a country of intrigue after WW11 and during the Cold War: it seemed to become a “Spy” centre for Europe because of its Neutrality. This was aptly depicted in many movies one of which was “The Third Man”, where the “Third Man Theme” became popular the world over through zither player, Anton Karas.
Many older folk would remember the Royal House movies, each named “Sissi” and with a sub-title under Sissi to tell which part of her life was being filmed. Great Austrian Fun or as they would call it “theatre”. (see comments on Royal House above).
The Music World will never forget the great composers and masters of music
such as Beethoven, Brahms and Mozart – through to Strauss and The Vienna Boys Choir ( It was not until recently that I read “The Vienna Boys Choir” was stranded in Australia at the outbreak of World War 11) – nor the conductors of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra which can be watched on Australian SBS Television every New Years Eve.
Who can forget Mario Lanza’s voice in Romberg’s “The Student Prince” or Lehar’s “Merry Widow”. Austria is rich in Music History. What about Salzburg and the “The Sound of Music”! Little known is the fact that Austria had its own “German” version of the Von Trapp Family, and the American version, as we know it, is not shown in Austria. Yet…the country makes huge tourist dollars from exploiting the American Movie, the film sets and sights. This snippet of information from Andrew and Belinda who visited Salzburg in March 2007.
Erich returned to Austria in 1982. Belinda visited Austria in 2000 and again with her husband Andrew and daughter, Isabelle in 2007.
Many new photographs of Pottendorf, taken by Andrew and Belinda in 2007, are included in the Photo Folder, together with some older Pottendorf Photographs for comparison.
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THE SCHOLLER FAMILY
Cross-border marriages were not uncommon. Franz Scholler, an Austrian, married Maria Kiss from Hungary.
Erich Scholler Family
NAME BORN DIED PLACE OF BIRTH
FRANZ SNR. 18/5/1887 1945 Nechenmarkt
Ober Pullendorf –Burgenland.
Son of Michael Scholler – Rooftiler
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MARIA (Mutti) 8/9/1896 8/9/1966 HUNGARY
CHILDREN
ZOLTAN 4/1/1915 3/1/1973 BUDAPEST
Zoltan never married. He died in 1973 and is buried in the Family Grave in Pottendorf. At this time I can’t find a photograph of Zoltan.
GEZA 27/6/1918 29/6/1998 DEUTSCHKREUTZ
Geza married twice. Due to circumstances beyond his control during the War or whatever happened, he was free to re-marry. His second wife was Katharina Szoladitch b. 12.3.1927, from Wamperdorf.. They had a daughter, Sylvia b. 20.10.1958 (Sylvi). Who married Helmut (?) there was a daughter, Sandra – who was 17 years old in 2000.
There may have been an earlier daughter called Heidi.
Geza was buried in Wamperdorf
FRANZ 7/1/1920 1945 MIA DEUTSCHKREUTZ
Franz never married. A soldier, he was posted as missing in Action during the War
His death was traced by the Red Cross, to Sarajevo but no burial site. ca 1945
MATHIAS 8/2/1921 (1923?) 8/4/1990 DEUTSCHKREUTZ
Mathias married a girl from Leipzig in Germany. The War years intervened. He later re-married to Hedwig Schlegelhofer nee Menschik b. 28.2.1913 They had no children, There was a son from Hedwig’s first marriage, Johannes b. 27.2.1935 (or Hans) Schlegelhofer. Hans came to Australia and in 1980 married Barbra? He lives in Randwick, Sydney (2007)
Both Hedwig and Mathias died in 1990 Hedwig on 3/3/1990 Both are buried in the Family grave in Pottendorf.
ROSINA (Rosi) 6/2/1925 Alive in 2007 LANDEGG
Rosi as she is known, never married. She came to Australia several times on visits to Reinhadt and Erich. She now lives in Vienna (2007)
RUDOLF (RUDI) 23/1/1928 4/9//2001 POTTENDORF
Known as Rudi, - married Gisela Wappl b. 5.3.1934
There were three children, Kurt b. 30.12.1952 Helga b, 13.2.1957 and Ingrid b. 4.7.1959.
Grandchildren, Kurt, Beatrix, Michael and Alexander.
Ingrid m. (?) Djordjevic – she had a son, Andreas.
MARIA (MITZI) 3/5/1929 28/4/2003 POTTENDORF
Known as Mitzi. She married Friedrich (Fritz) Steurer b 20.4.1924. They had four children: Christa, Friedrich Jnr.(Fritz), Sissi ( the diminutive of Elizabeth) and Renate.
Fritz Snr died in Sept.2002. Mitzi died in 2003
Christa b. 9.8.48 m. Franz Christ – b. (?) d. 27.12.06 One son, David - b. (?0. Married in 2002.
Fritz Jnr. b.. ca 1949 Died in August 1995 aged 46 – in a train accident.
Renate b. 20.9.1952
Elizabeth b. 25.9.1956
Maria and Friedrich are buried in the Steurer Family Grave in Pottendorf.
WILLHELM (WILLI) 11/5/1931 11/1/1972 POTTENDORF
Known as Willi, he married Erika Doucha b. 18.3.1938 They had two children, Andreas b. 16.2.1961 and Thomas b. (?)
Willi contracted pneumonia and died in 1972.
Willi was buried in Inzersdorf Cemetery - Vienna.
REINHARDT 29/10/1932 Alive 2007 POTTENDORF
Known as Reini – he married Waltrude (Trudy)?, they have one daughter, Heidi –Marie b. 11.3.1967. Worongary, Queensland, Australia (2007) Heidi lives in Sydney
Trudy d. 8/5/2007.
MARTHA 27/7/1935 1989 POTTENDORF
Martha married Karl Neissel. b. 13/3/1934 She had two children.
Gerhard b. 21.3.1959 and Erika. b. 29.10.1962
The family name is written Neißel
Martha had a heart problem. She died in 1989. She is buried in the family grave in Pottendorf.
ERICH 22/4/1938 Alive 2007 POTTENDORF
Erich married Walda Fawcett in 1961. Two children, Adam and Belinda.
Adam married Kerryn Daley – two children, Deklan and Alexis
Belinda married Andrew Watson – a daughter, Isabelle.
Refer to Family details further down.
Erich and Walda are retired and live in Hervey Bay Queensland (2007)
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Readers, versed in the history of World War 2, should be aware that, it was a “crime” to have Jewish blood in Hitler’s Germany and subjugated countries – one of which was Austria. Those who could prove their lineage , were obliged to write down their ancestry in a book called an the Ahnenpass..
Much of the above family information was taken from an “Ahnenpass”.
The third son of the family, Franz Scholler, b. 1920 d. missing in action 1945,
compiled the family ancestry. It has been typed up, and added to, with some current information. Details can be found in the Scholler Folder.
Franz disappeared in 1945, somewhere near Sarajevo. Through the Red Cross, his mother, Maria, spent the rest of her life searching for him. Shortly after her death in 1966, a letter came from the Red Cross. It had more detail, but no burial site.
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Erich was the youngest child. After the death of his father, he was made a “ward” of the local judiciary. It was not in his make-up to do compulsory military service so he decided to go to Australia to join his brother, Reinhardt . Erich was 18 years old, and with defiance as his only argument to leave Austria , he departed Trieste on the “Aurelia” on 29th June 1956 and arrived in Australia on 5th August,1956 at Melbourne. He then travelled to Sydney to join his brother. Erich spoke no English.
Born in1938, he was a youngster during WW 11 . At the end of the War, the Major Powers of England, France, Russia and America, divided Austria into areas which they controlled. Pottendorf was under Russian jurisdiction which did not end until about 1955. Food was a major problem. The Russians loved children and would give them hand-outs of food. Begging was not unusual, nor was stealing food from the Russians or farms. For some children, the latter was something of a fun thing to do. Although life was not easy, the Scholler children made the most of what there was.
The family had pet dog named “Rolf” . It was a wolf-X which allowed people to enter the Scholler gardens but would not allow them to leave. Sadly, for Erich, the Russians shot the dog. He and that animal spent a lot of time together.
After the War – many children fell foul of weapons and munitions left behind.
Unexploded grenades were prevalent. Children lost a hand – sometimes a limb – even their lives, to un-detonated munitions found scattered in the forests where they played. (Not unlike today in war ravaged countries where land mines are left for the unwary foot to step upon).
Food was not plentiful during the War years. Erich’s mother, Maria (Mutti), grew her own vegetables. They made their own bread and took it to the bakehouse in Pottendorf to be baked. Meat was scarce, but the family kept goats, chickens and rabbits which were more like hares – rather large animals.
Franz Scholler died in 1945. He had gone out to attend to the animals and never returned. His body was found in a river many weeks later. He fought in the First World War and the upper part of his foot had been amputated. The prosthesis he wore, was used as identification. It was surmised that he had been killed by Russians. But for this story, how he died is now irrelevant.
A BRIEF OUTLINEOF THE FOLLOWING YEARS.
During the first few years after his arrival, Erich worked at his trade as a spray painter. Reinhardt and Trudy moved to Lae, New Guinea, to work.
In the meantime, Erich had met Walda and become engaged. Erich decided to follow his brother. He ended up in Rabaul, on the Island of New Britain, New Guinea. Walda soon followed.
Rabaul, today, is buried under volcanic ash. In another part of the Family photographic history, there are photographs and a story on this subject.
On their return to Australia, Erich and Walda were married in November 1961.
Erich was Naturalised as an Australian Citizen on 1962.
They opened their own Smash Repair business in Sydney in a rented building. Soon, they were able to buy their own business..
They bought their first home in 1966, right on the decimal currency changeover – at 28 Beaconsfield Street Auburn, Sydney - in NSW.
In 1968 they returned to New Guinea to travel the Mainland. This was achieved mainly by driving Reinhadt’s VW on many unmade roads; and in vehicles supplied to them at Goroka. Eventually, they ended up in a native village where a white woman was something of an oddity. Walda won’t forget that experience in a hurry.
It was almost ten years before the children arrived, first Adam then Belinda.
Soon, Erich figured he was spending too much time in the business and not enough time with the family. Also, the suburb of Auburn was taking a dramatic turn towards Middle Eastern settlers. It was now becoming difficult to find shops that actually had signs in English.
The City was a mad rush – no time for anything – not even holidays and, no future for the children if the family stayed in Auburn.
In 1974, the Scholler family sold the business; bought a caravan and a four wheel drive; rented out their house and set out on an adventure that lasted until 1979 when the family had to settle down and send the children to school.
They settled in Anakie, a sapphire mining area, west of Rockhampton, and 42 Kms west of Emerald in Queensland, on the Tropic of Capricorn. The Schollers built their own business known as “The Big Sapphire” and “Gemseeker Souvenirs”. They also built their own home.
The tourist business flourished. Erich became a gem cutter – he even taught gem cutting. Walda was a Post Mistress for ten years and also began to write history books on the “Anakie Gemfields” ; finally she published a novel called “Stone Courtry”.
Adam and Belinda were Educated at the Anakie State School. They continued their High School education in Emerald. This necessitated travelling 84 Kms a day by bus, to and from school. Both children did very well. On graduation from High School, they went on to the University of Central Queensland. Adam gained a Science degree and Belinda a Bachelor of Arts.
While all this was happening, Walda and Erich built another business in Emerald. Called “Emerald-Rent-a-Shed”, it was a series of 42 storage units.
The business in Anakie was sold, and the Schollers moved into 54 Park Avenue, Emerald. Erich took up driving School Buses – virtually for the fun of it as he was semi-retired by then.
Shortly after Adam’s wedding in 1998, Erich suffered several small strokes which led to major surgery. He recovered to return to his school bus driving, but, it was a
wake-up call. Full retirement beckoned.
Walda and Erich retired to Hervey Bay in Queensland in 2001. Erich plays golf and Walda is very attached to her computer and writing. Updated 2015
Erich Scholler married Walda Lillian Fawcett at Concord, Sydney NSW
Children:
Adam b.
Married : Rockhampton Qld
Kerryn Daley b.
Two children: Deklan b. – Rockhampton Qld.
Alexis b. – Rockhampton Qld
Belinda b.
Married: Brisbane Qld
Andrew Thomas Watson b.
One daughter: Isabelle Lily b. Brisbane Qld