Shattered Dreams At Kilimanjaro

About the Book

Shattered Dreams at Kilimanjaro covers the period from the establishment of the former colony of German East Africa in the late 19th century until the formation of the independent State of Tanganyika in 1961. The book focuses on a small group of German settlers who ventured into a new world - German East Africa - to establish farms and businesses in the Mt Kilimanjaro region.

This venture was ultimately not successful due, in part, to the tropical diseases contracted by some of the settlers, whilst others were disillusioned with the poor economic returns. The main reason for its failure, however, was the outbreak of World War I and the devastating effects this had on the settlers, culminating in dispossession and deportation. Before the war the settlers had achieved a great deal by clearing virgin land and cultivating it with coffee and an array of vegetables and fruits. Others had started businesses such as building and flour milling.

After World War I the former German colony became the British Mandate Territory of Tanganyika. Some former settlers returned only to lose everything again when World War II broke out and all Germans were interned and their properties confiscated. Many of the settlers were deported to Germany in 1940; others were interned in Africa for the duration of the war before being repatriated to Germany.

It is fitting to record the history of these adventurous and hard working people. They overcame severe personal hardships and disappointments and, in the end, earned little reward for their toils. Nevertheless, they left a lasting legacy because agriculture was brought to a region in tropical East Africa from which crops are still grown and food produced. Similarly, their businesses gave rise to ongoing enterprises in that region.

The book is illustrated with many historical photographs.

About the Author

Helmut was born in 1943 at Tatura, Victoria, Australia where his parents were interned during World War II. He is a descendant of the Glenks who migrated to Palestine in 1876 and who settled in the German Templer settlement of Sarona as one of the pioneering families. His paternal grandfather and grandmother, Gottlieb and Paula (nee Knoll) were both born in Sarona, Palestine in the 1880s and migrated to German East Africa in 1909 for a short period of time. His father Ewald was born in Palestine in 1909. His mother Anne (nee Schurr), came from Geislingen, Germany and went to Palestine in the 1930s. Helmut's brother, Dieter, was also born in Palestine before World War II. The Glenks were part of the contingent of deportees who were brought to Australia in 1941.

After the War the Glenks settled in Bayswater, Victoria, Australia. They were the first Templers from Camp in Tatura to settle in Bayswater in November 1946. Helmut grew up there and finished his primary and secondary education in the local area.

On completion of secondary schooling he joined the Victorian Public Service and studied Public Administration at the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology graduating with a Diploma. After a career spanning nearly 40 years with the Victorian Public Service, during which he held a number of senior positions in several Departments as well as being Chief Executive Officer of a Statutory Authority, he left the service in 2000 to pursue other interests. On leaving the VPS he was awarded Life Membership of the Institute of Public Administration for "outstanding contribution to the achievement of the InstituteÕs objectives and for exemplary service to the Victorian Community".

In the period 2001 to 2005 he researched and wrote a book titled From Desert Sands to Golden Oranges. This book, which has received international recognition, is an historical account of the former German Templer settlement of Sarona and the achievements of the settlers and their contribution to the modernisation of Palestine.

He has co-authored a short history of the Glenk family in Bayswater (published in "The Fruits of Bayswater/Wantirna" as well as contributing other articles for Bayswater Inside Out (a local newsletter). He was contributor to "Ringwood Recalls" (a History of the first 50 years of Ringwood High School/ Ringwood Secondary College). He was interviewed on the local Community Radio on some of his childhood experiences in Bayswater. In 2005/06 he was a finalist in the "Exiles and Emigrants" short story writing competition conducted by the Leader Newspaper Group.

After extensive personal research, and in conjunction with input from Horst Blaich and Peer Gatter, he wrote the text for the illustrations of this publication.

Helmut lives in the Eastern suburbs of Melbourne with his wife Lorraine. They have three children and six grandchildren.

His interests are his family, history, travelling and reading. He is a keen vegetable gardener and likes the outdoors especially fishing and hunting.