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Book Review: So This was Katyil 1876-1982This 130-page book by R.T. Schuller is about the settlement of Katyil in Victoria's Wimmera region. It includes chapters on Katyil's selectors and settlers, churches and cemeteries, schools and social life, wheat farming, and some amusing anecdotes. By 1874 the parish of Katyil was thrown open to selection. The name Katyil means water or water-hole. Settlers of germanic and wendish origin include Bretag, F; Burger, J; Drabsch, D; Gaulke, F. & O; Harders, J & H; Hermann, J; Hoffmann, C. & G; Johns, T.& J; Janetzki, J & P; Koop, Peter; Krause, M; Krieg, C; Kruger, M. & O; Lange, J & C; Lehmann, F; Mibus, E, C. & M; Muller,F; Nuske, C, J. & F; Petschel, Gustav; Pietsch, H; Polack, Adolph & H; Pumpa, C. & M; Reichan, G; Ronning, C; Sallmann, F; Schilling, A; Schmidt, C; Schorbach, M; Schwarz, F. &T; Tepper, W; Tischler, F; Wagenknecht, J; Zanker, C. Early settlers erected slab huts and bake ovens, cleared and fenced the land, dug dams, and planted wheat. They grew fruit and vegetables and kept cows and poultry. Common problems included severe droughts in 1890, 1892, 1902 and 1914, and plagues of rabbits, mice and sparrows. In regard to church life, from 1875 members held services in their homes, attended communion services at Kornheim and sometimes used the Ebenezer Mission church for baptisms. In 1882, two Lutheran congregations were established, Trinity and St Martins (E.L.S.A.) The ladies sat on the right hand side and the men on the left. Most services lasted for two hours, with sermons almost an hour long. Katyil North State School 2793 was set up in about 1887. Its 50th anniversary was celebrated in the mid 1930s when Mr J. B. White was the teacher. Elsa Aumann nee Petschel attended this school and remembered an amusing incident when Mr White asked the students to close their eyes as they prayed. After the prayer, he reprimanded a student for having his or her eyes open. His son who was in his class then cheekily told him that he must have had his own eyes open if he could see the student with eyes open. In 1891, St Martins school was opened. Games such as hop-scotch, hide and seek and marbles were popular and annual picnics provided running and bicycle races. Very naughty pupils were "put into a large dark cupboard under the pulpit" (p.74) and wagging school was rather common in the 1920s. (p.76) Marriages usually involved many guests, including most of the congregation plus relatives. The wedding ceremony in the church at about 2.30pm was followed by photos, the wedding feast in a large Marquee and finally the Tin Kettling and departure of the couple on their honeymoon. On their return, house warming and gift evenings were arranged. (p.93) Some amusing fox stories end this useful book about Katyil.
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