Summary

An easy walk that moves from Ruffey Lake Park to sites surrounding urban heritage. The focus is on the influence of German settlers who became orchard growers and created the Waldau Village legacy.

Description

1. Description
Four German Lutheran families arrived here in the 1850s and saw great potential for a spiritual community and a good life. They cleared the land and planted a network of orchards. As far as the eye could see there were pears, apples, cherries, peaches and lemons, all ripening for the prosperous Melbourne market.

They called their home 'Waldau', a German word for 'clearing in the forest'. Their families grew and the close knit community thrived for more than 100 years.

As you walk in their footsteps, you will see reminders of their heritage, learn stories of their lives and feel the strenght of their spirit.

2.Hazards
Use designated pedestrian crossings at all roads.

Your walk begins by taking the path downhill towards the edge of Ruffey Lake.
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There are 20 walks in the series to choose from. If you liked this walk, you might like to check out other walks listed on the Manningham Council's website (see link above).

6657 Views

Points of Interest

1. 2. Friedensruh, 10 Waldau Court

The Thiele family built 'Friedensruh' after they arrived here in 1853. The house is one of the 2 oldest buildings in Manningham. Originally a small 2 room cottage, it was expanded as the family grew.

2. From Berries to Pears

This very old Black Archan pear tree is a lasting reminder of the Waldau residents. Gottlieb Thiele planted it in 1853. Gottlieb tried growing berries but found the soils suited fruit trees better.

3. Orchard Workshop

This brick house tells the contemporary story of the Crouch orchard. Henry Crouch moved into the area in 1862 and planted orchards to the west of where you stand.

4. Old Cart Track

The Thiele family cut this small road in teh 1850s to haul quarried stone from Ruffey Creek to build the foundations of their home \'Friedensruh\'.

5. Schramms Cottage, Muriel Green Drive

The German families who settled here were strict Lutherans. They opened the doors of their wattle and daub church on Boxing Day, 1858. Almost two thirds of the 125 burials here were children.

6. Finger's Fruits: Rieschiecks Reserve, George Street

This well restored Victorian house was original built in 1890 for the district's most successful lemon grower, John Finger. The house, named 'Heimat' still has its original cellar.

7. The Uncrowned Pear King, 88 George Street

Reinhold Dehnert became so well known for his delicious pears that he was known as the 'Uncrowned Pear King'. His home was built in 1897 and remained in the family for the next 70 years.

8. Trinity Lutheran Church, 53 Victoria Street

By 1891 the cost of keeping the crumbling wattle and daub church was too much and a new church was commissioned. It opened in 1892 and its beautifully symmetrical proportions. Note the Gothic windows.

9. Fromhold's Home, 176 George Street

Built in 1897 for orchardist henry Fromhold, the Victorian Italianate home was set facing Victoria St, not George St. It would be many more years before George St was extended past Victoria St.

Features