Motto
Suche mit forschendem Geiste,
finden wirst du sogleich
zu aller Bildung den Schlüssel
(J.W. von Goethe)
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, 1749-1832
Introduction
Volkhard Wehner is a historian, linguist and horticulturist. After university studies in Germany and Australia and a career as a librarian at the National Library of Australia and at Monash University and a stint as a lecturer at RMIT, horticultural studies at Burnley College and work as a part-time horticulturist in the Dandenongs he is now a freelance writer specializing in biography and local, gardening and art history.
Mission
To bring back from virtual oblivion the story of the achievements of some notable Australians whose contributions to civilization and human society—often quite significant—have largely been belittled, ignored or forgotten. This is to counter the present trend to make heroes of individuals whose claim to ‘fame’ appears to be largely prompted by ambition, greed or bad behaviour and whose delusions of self-importance have in no way contributed to the betterment of mankind.
Main Interests
The essays, magazine articles, pamphlets and books already published or proposed generally focus on ‘micro events’ in Australian and especially Victorian history, touching on exploration, early settlement, Australian art and the lives of artists, and of the history of gardens, gardening and gardeners. Volkhard has a special interest in the people of Melbourne and of the Dandenong Ranges (a hilly region to the east of Melbourne) and in early (19th century) German immigrants to Victoria.