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Johann Graff and his family settled on 50 acres at Westgarthtown near Melbourne in March 1850. After living in two smaller houses, they built a larger home in 1873 which still survives, along with a similar styled barn. The year of construction is chiseled in the lintel over the front door. The house and barn have the same jerkin head roof style as the nearby Wuchatsch Farmhouse at Westgarthtown. This roof style is common in Lusatia in Saxony, where the Graff family emigrated from.

The 1992 Victorian Heritage Register’s Statement of Significance noted:

Graff’s Farm, comprising the main house, the barn, tank footings, the milking shed, the remnants of the freestanding wall and the well, is of outstanding historical significance to the State of Victoria as part of the Westgarthtown settlement, for its association with the State’s promotion of German settlement in Victoria.

Rob Wuchatsch
12 June 2026

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Westgarthtown

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Graff's barn at Westgarthtown

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Intangible cultural heritage is transmitted from generation to generation through intangible artefacts e.g. language, names, songs, stories, dances, cultural or religious practices, knowledge and skills.

Tangible artefacts are buildings, objects, artworks, recipes, books, clothing, diaries, documents etc.

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Version 1 April 2026

To download this PDF, please visit the WHSA website: A-Z of Wendish Immigrants to Australia

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Use the sidebar on the side of each column to slide down ↓ the column and use the bar at the bottom to slide across → for more columns.

Any text underlined means there is a live link to another site.

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1/3 - Johann Wuchatsch and his family settled on 78 acres at Westgarthtown near Melbourne in March 1850. Later in the 1850s, Johann erected the bluestone farmhouse, stables, milking shed and dairy which still survive. The farmhouse and outbuildings remained in the Wuchatsch family until 2016.

Wuchatsch’s farmhouse is similar, although smaller in scale, to the farmhouse Johann Wuchatsch owned at Särka in Lusatia, Saxony. The farmhouse and outbuildings at Westgarthtown were added to the Victorian Heritage Register in 1992, ensuring their survival, although extensive modifications have been made since its sale in 2016.

The 1992 Victorian Heritage Register’s Statement of Significance noted:

Wuchatsch’s Farm, comprising the main house, the stables, the milking shed, the dairies, the circular stone path and extensive drystone walls and stone paths, is of outstanding historical significance to the State of Victoria as part of the Westgarthtown settlement, for its association with the State’s promotion of German settlement in Victoria.

Submission: Robert Wuchatsch 31 May 2026

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Cannon Balls from the Battle of Bautzen on 20-21 May 1813

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Cannon Balls from the Battle of Bautzen on 20-21 May 1813

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Passed down in the family are three cannon balls brought to Australia by Robert Wuchatsch's Great Grandfather Johann Wuchatsch aboard the Pribislaw in 1849/50.

These three cannon balls are believed to have been gathered by Johann Wuchatsch at Kotitz and Särka after the Battle of Bautzen on 20-21 May 1813. Following this battle, known to the French as the Battle of Wurschen, 200,000 French troops pursued the 100,000 strong Allied army as it fled eastwards. Rearguard actions were fought at Kotitz and Särka.

Cannon balls are still ploughed up in the fields around Bautzen today.

Six cannon balls are believed to have been brought to Australia by Johann Wuchatsch but the others have been lost. The Zimmer family, which also arrived aboard the Pribislaw and settled at Westgarthtown, are also said to have brought cannon balls to Australia.

Submission: Rob Wuchatsch

31 May 2026

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Johann Wuchatsch's 1849 Kingdom of Saxony Passport 1/2

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Johann Wuchatsch's 1849 Kingdom of Saxony Passport 1/2

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1/3 - Passed down in the Wuchatsch family: An 1849 passport issued by the Kingdom of Saxony which was used by the Wends Johann Wuchatsch and his family to travel to Australia aboard the Pribislaw in 1849/50. Included with the passport is a Kotitz church document providing birth details of Johann Wuchatsch and his family.

The passport includes personal identifying details for Johann Wuchatsch of Särka; the names of the other members of his family travelling with him - his wife Magdalene and children Carl, Marie, Johann, Andreas and Johanna; and advice of dispensations from military service for sons Carl, Johan and Andreas.

The passport and attached Kotitz church document are in good condition for their age.

Submission: Robert Wuchatsch, May 2026

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Johann Wuchatsch's Prayer Book passed down through the Wuchatsch family 1/4

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Johann Wuchatsch's Prayer Book passed down through the Wuchatsch family 1/4

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Johann Wuchatsch, a Wend, was a member of the Kotitz congregation prior to emigrating to Australia in 1849/50 and settling at Westgarthtown. He was also a foundation member of the Evangelical Lutheran Synod of Victoria from 1855-84.
Information and photos supplied by Robert Wuchatsch, 31 May 2026

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An 1841 Wendish prayer book believed to have been brought to Australia by Robert's Great Grandfather Johann Wuchatsch aboard the Pribislaw in 1849/50.

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The prayer book is good condition for its age.

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Christian Nagorcka, born on 31 December 1826 in the small Lower Lusatian village of Radewiese, near Peitz in Brandenburg. He was baptised and confirmed in the church in Jänschwalde. He emigrated to Australia in 1857.

Information and photos about Christian Nagorcka submitted by St Michael’s Lutheran Archives, Tarrington, Victoria. May 2026

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Christian and Emilie (m.n. Zbierski) Nagorcka

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Christian and Emilie (m.n. Zbierski) Nagorcka

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Photo: NAGORCKA FAMILY HISTORY 1857 – 1977 P.13

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This Padlet board is managed by a subcommittee of the Wendish Heritage Society Australia Inc.* (WHSA). It is a place to collate cultural artefacts related to the lives of Wendish/Sorbian migrants to Australia.

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A cultural artefact is any tangible or intangible item created, used, or shared by humans that provides insight into the beliefs, values, norms, and technological advancements of a specific culture or period of time. Examples of tangible artefacts are buildings, objects, artworks, recipes, books, clothing, diaries, documents etc. Intangible cultural heritage is transmitted from generation to generation through e.g. language, names, songs, stories, dances, cultural or religious practices, knowledge and skills.

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Wuchatsch's farmhouse - elevations and plan 2/3

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Wuchatsch's farmhouse - elevations and plan 2/3

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2/3

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1/3

During the reign of King Frederick William 111 an army was formed in which national service was introduced, and all men were conscripted for three years.  Grandfather Nagorcka served eight years in the Prussian army, three compulsory and five voluntary.  The year 1848 was a very troubled one in Europe.  In February a revolution broke out in France; the country was declared a Republic and war followed.  In March civil war broke out in Berlin. In 1849 and 1850 there was war between Germany and Denmark and also a lot of unrest in neighbouring Poland.

Grandfather Nagorcka served in two of these wars and was awarded medals which he proudly displayed on his coat lapel. - Source: Nagorcka Family History p12

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2/3 - Christian received an 1848 medal from Friedrich Wilhelm IV, King of Prussia.

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Christian Nagorcka 1848-1849 Fried. Wilh. medal.JPG

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Translation: Whereas Lance-Corporal Christian Nagorcka served faithfully with the Royal 3rd Hussar Regiment in the period from March 1848 to October 1, 1849, and since then has maintained loyalty and a good disposition to the King, His Majesty the King has commanded that the same be invested with the commemorative medal of the very highest award of August 23, 1851, for effective combat service

Signed: Rathenow, March 18, 1852  and in

Inscribed Seal: Royal Prussian 3rd Hussar Regiment

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3/3 - Christian received another medal in 1849 Medal from Leopold Grossherzog von Baden

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Christian Nagorcka 1849 Baden medal (1).JPG

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This book belonged to Christian Nagorcka and is his Army Record from 1847 until 1852. It contains details of his Pay, and the Riding Equipment, uniform and weapons he was issued.  He served eight years in the Prussian Army as a Lance-Corporal with the 3rd Hussar Regiment, Brandenburg. Christian emigrated to Australia in 1857.

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A couple of pages from the inside.

The booklet includes details of his Payroll (or just 'pay'), and information about the Riding Equipment, Uniform and Weapons he was issued.

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Farewell Letter to Christian Nagorcka 1857

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Farewell Letter to Christian Nagorcka 1857

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(1/2) - This letter was a farewell message given to Christian Nagorcka prior to his departure to travel to Australia.  It was written by Martin Hühnchen of Heinersbrück on 7 March 1857. Martin Hühnchen is a German from the Wendish village of Heinersbrück.

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Farewell Letter to Christian Nagorcka 1857

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Farewell Letter to Christian Nagorcka 1857

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(2/2) - Christian Nagorcka wrote a ‘Tagebuch’ (diary) of his journey.  He notes that he and his friends (Martin Kotzur and wife Lisa [m.n. Towk] of Jänschwalde and Christian Nickel of Peitz) departed from the Guben railway station on 12 May 1857 for Bremen via Frankfurt and Berlin.  They boarded the Gottorp and left Bremen on 20 May arriving in Sydney on 15 September 1857.  Nagorcka, Kotzur and Nickel all travelled south to Melbourne before settling in the Hamilton district.

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Painting of Wuchatsch's farmhouse by John Borrack (2005) 3/3

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Painting of Wuchatsch's farmhouse by John Borrack (2005) 3/3

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3/3

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Do you have something to contribute?

For information about how to contribute your Wendish artefact, visit this page on the WHSA website under Cultural Artefacts or email the subcommittee at: whsapadlet@gmail.com

The email will be checked at least once a month.

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If you have further information about the artefacts on this Padlet, please use the 'Add comment' below the specific item.

Please note that comments are approved manually before they are made public.

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The title page of the prayer book was translated for Robert in 1999 by Alfons French as follows:

D. Johann Philipp Fresenius,
In those Days Clergyman and Senior official of the consistory
In Frankfurt on Main,

Books of the Confession
And holy communion
With an appendix
Of selected Prayers of the evangelical Church
Published in Sorbian
By
Jan Kilian
Clergyman in Kotitz

Then follows text from Old Testament: Jerem. 6, 16
'So is speaking the Lord…for your souls.'

Bautzen,
Printed at Monse Printingworks,
1841

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2/3

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Germany. W. Johann Wuchatsch's 1849 Kotitz church family document.

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Germany. W. Johann Wuchatsch's 1849 Kotitz church family document.

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3/3

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Germany. W. Johann Wuchatsch's 1849 Kotitz church family document. (1)

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Download this PDF from the WHSA website

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Augusta Lange [m.n. Klowss] crafted this bedspread using drawnthread embroidery, an intricate technique dating back to 12th-century Europe. This form of embroidery involves removing threads from the warp and weft of even-weave fabric, then grouping the remaining threads with decorative stitches and knots to create elaborate patterns. Augusta used fabric from Old Bleach, an Irish company renowned for sun-bleached linens. She spent six years completing the queen-sized bedspread, working on it daily except Sundays.

The bedspread remains well-preserved, wrapped in linen and stored in a moth-proof box.

Augusta was the daughter of Gottlieb and Augusta [m.n. Gladigau] Klowss. Gottlieb emigrated to Australia as a twelve-year-old with his parents in 1858 from the Wendish village of Drewitz.

For more information and photos, click on the orange link to read the article written by Betty Huf in the WHSA March 2025 Newsletter.

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About Burger Cottage

The following statement is from the Victorian Heritage Database: “The Burger Cottages are of architectural significance as possibly the only surviving example in Victoria of the rare lehmwickel (earth winding) technique, an unusual vernacular building method which probably originated in the medieval period in France and Germany…” In this building method, split stakes of the local timber were wrapped around with layers of mud and straw to form a cylinder. These cylinders were packed closely together in rows in the spaces between the framing timbers or ceiling joists.

Photo credit: A Frew

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WHSA Newsletter NUMBER 75 SEPTEMBER 2025

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Replica of the Pribislaw at Ziebell's Farmhouse in Westgarthtown

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Replica of the Pribislaw at Ziebell's Farmhouse in Westgarthtown

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"On 2 February 1850, 175 years and one month ago, the Pribislaw sailed into Hobson’s Bay and anchored off Williamstown."

Read more about the 175th Anniversary of the arrival of the Pribislaw in the WHSA Newsletter September 2025