Karl Winkler
Channel: Museum Riverina
Date: 2016-12-06

Karl Winkler’s father, Max was held as a prisoner of war in Canada for several years, where he worked on farms.  After returning to a severely ‘bombed out’ Dresden after WWII, Max decided that there would be a ‘lack of opportunity in [the] foreseeable future’  and began plans to migrate to Australia. 

Max departed from Bremerhaven, Germany during September 1951.  He travelled on board the Skaubryn and according to Karl, the journey aboard the Skaubryn  was crowded.  Max Winkler arrived in Melbourne in 1951 and proceeded immediately to Cooma in New South Wales.  Max’s first impression of Cooma was of a ‘very barren and windy’  place.  Max first settled in a barracks camp for the Snowy Hydro Scheme and then later in a camping ground in Cooma.  Max worked as a builder and drainer for the Snowy Mountains Authority. 

Karl followed his father Max from Dresden in Germany and departed aboard the Anna Selene from Bremerhaven in February 1952.  According to Karl, the journey to Australia was ‘crowded [and] boring’ .  Karl arrived in Melbourne on 1 April 1952 and his first impressions of Melbourne were of a ‘busy and sprawling city’ .

Karl then joined his father, Max Winkler in Cooma, where they lived in a tent at the Cooma camping ground.  From Cooma, Karl moved to Yarrangobilly Village and Wantabadgery, where he worked in all aspects of the building industry.  

After settling in Wagga Wagga in 1956, Karl’s first job was building houses for farmers.  Karl has continued to work in the building industry.
 
This film was made as part of From All Four Corners, and exhibited at the Museum of the Riverina in partnership with the Migration Heritage Centre in 2007. 

Find out more at http://museumriverina.com.au/exhibitions/past-exhibitions/from-all-four-corners