'Central Australia and its oldest mission, Hermannsburg, have long been a potent arena for the encounter between Australia's indigenous people and the European newcomers. The life of Hermannsburg's longest serving superintendent, F. W. Albrecht, vividly details much of that encounter, beginning in the 1920s when Aborigines were thought to be a dying race, with governments and public largely indifferent to their fate.
'Described by some as Australia's greatest missionary, Albrecht battled to gain secure reserves on traditional lands, and to foster Aboriginal education, employment and leadership. Prominent figures crossed his path: Flynn of the Inland,T. G. H. Strehlow—and Albert Namatjira, in whose life and painting Albrecht played a key role.
'Aboriginal recollections punctuate the story, providing a rare glimpse into Aboriginal thoughts and feelings for Albrecht himself and the events surrounding them. And at the centre is a man of great personal commitment, struggling with the painful unlearning of his own cultural certainties. This is subtle and compelling storytelling.' (Publication summary)
Barbara Henson's biography is aptly titled: Pastor Friedrich Wilhelm Albrecht undoubtedly was 'a straight-out man'. The author traces Albrecht's life from his birth to German parents in Planawice, Poland, in 1894 to his death in Adelaide, Australia, ninety years later. His parents' life as farmers, his lameness from the age of twelve which meant that he spent much time reading Lutheran tracts, and his war service as a stretcher-bearer, all undoubtedly influenced his life as a Lutheran pastor in Central Australia. He was a steadfast man, dependable, brave, a staunch Lutheran and also, as one of the Devil's own flock stated, a rarity amongst the Lutherans at Hermannsburg mission in that he could mix with anyone and had a sense of humour (pers. comm., the late Bryan Bowman ; also p p 119-20). Bryan considered that it was Albrecht's war service that had given him a strong sense of the strengths and weaknesses of human nature, and contributed to his tolerance and sense-of humour.' (Introduction)
Barbara Henson's biography is aptly titled: Pastor Friedrich Wilhelm Albrecht undoubtedly was 'a straight-out man'. The author traces Albrecht's life from his birth to German parents in Planawice, Poland, in 1894 to his death in Adelaide, Australia, ninety years later. His parents' life as farmers, his lameness from the age of twelve which meant that he spent much time reading Lutheran tracts, and his war service as a stretcher-bearer, all undoubtedly influenced his life as a Lutheran pastor in Central Australia. He was a steadfast man, dependable, brave, a staunch Lutheran and also, as one of the Devil's own flock stated, a rarity amongst the Lutherans at Hermannsburg mission in that he could mix with anyone and had a sense of humour (pers. comm., the late Bryan Bowman ; also p p 119-20). Bryan considered that it was Albrecht's war service that had given him a strong sense of the strengths and weaknesses of human nature, and contributed to his tolerance and sense-of humour.' (Introduction)
