Bund der Bayern - Adelaide German Dancers

The 'Bund der Bayern' was established in August 1959 by Mr Heinz Brueckner. He and several other Bavarians formed the 'Edelweiss Schuhplattler' group. After only two short months of relentless practice the group made its first public appearance.

Popularity of the 'Edelweiss' group increased with appearances at the Tanunda Weinfest, the Festival of Arts and also through the television media. The first 'Bayern Abend' in 1960 was held in the old club house of SAADV.

During the construction of the new premises, the group held practices in a hall hired from G.T.V. 9. New costumes and necessary mending to old ones were paid with money earned at monthly dance evenings organised by the group at Henley Beach.

Upon completion of the new club premises in 1963, the group then moved back to the SAADV and adopted the new name of 'Heimat- und Volkstrachten Verein, Bund der Bayern'. The original name of 'Edelweiss' was retained by the Schuhplattlers of the Bund der Bayern.

In 1964, together with the SAADV the first 'Schützenfest' after World War II was held at the Gorge Picnic ground. As the Schützenfest grew in popularity, the SAADV took over the organisation and transferred this ever popular social activity to the Hahndorf Oval.

In 1966 the Youth group of the 'Edelweiss' was formed, under the leadership of Mr Otto Vogl. In 1972, the Youth group received it's own flag. The flag was beautifully hand painted by Mr Paul Wegener and was donated to the group by Hans and Anni Knoll. The president of teh SAADV, Mr Hein Diestel-Feddersen, unveiled the flag in the presence of many guests including the well known Pastor Zinnbauer. The flag was blessed by Father J. A. Baron from the German Catholic Centre St. Bonifatius, Collinswood.

In 1977, the very first 'Tanzfest' was held in the clubrooms of the SAADV. It was a modest beginning for the new traditional 'Volksfest'. Mr Dieter Fabig, President, and Mr Walter Tietjens, Secretary, together encouraged the 'Brücke' to sponsor the Festival. Other members who contributed to the success of the Volkstanzfest were Hans Knoll, Christel Kranich, Bruno Kranich, from the 'Bund der Bayern', and Mary Feddersen from the 'Deutscher Volkstanzkreis'.

For many years the 'Bund der Bayern' was a member of the 'Good Neighbour Council'. After this council dissolved the group joined the 'Folkloric Society'. As a result of this many new friendships were kindled. Some of the highlights were participating in a 'Preisplattln' with the 'Austrian National Dancers' and becoming honorary lifetime members of the 'South Coast Scottish Club'.

Throughout the years a bell ringers group under the name of 'Alpen Echo' has formed, their instruments being finely tuned cowbells.

Due to lack of actively recruiting new members, the group was on the brinck of collapse in 2011. But due to the relentless efforts of a small number of members the group managed to considerably increase in size again over a short period and is currently one of the biggest and most proactive groups of its kind in Australia.