''Gottscheerland", Graz
In Graz and Klagenfurt the clubs were called "Hilfsverein für die Gottscheer und Deutsch-Krainer" (Relief Association for the Gottscheers and German-Carniolians) after World War II. Thus their aim was made clear.
In 1919 Josef Ramor, born in the city of Gottschee, founded the club "Gottscheerland" in Graz and was its first chairman. Lieutenant-Colonel Paul Eppich writes about him on page 243 of the Jubiläumsbuch: "The efforts of the first chairman, who was guided by the noblest motivations, were exemplary. His work, today viewed with a critical eye, deserves the highest regard and thanks.
The club successfully carried out its aims to give spiritual and economic assistance to the Gottscheer people and to further the love of the homeland through social functions. According to its means, it also supported the efforts of the Gottscheer people to preserve their heritage."
The following were chairmen of the club during the first ten years of its existence: railroad official Josef Ramor, Dr. Hans Petsche, medical officer Dr. Walter Linhart, and Professor Othmar Herbst. Honorary members for special services were: medical officer Dr. Linhart and state official Michitsch. Railroad officer Ramor was elected honorary chairman.
Secondary school teacher Professor Othmar Herbst took over the chairmanship on May 18, 1929. His deputy was Lieutenant-Colonel Paul Eppich, a native of Ebental. It was not easy for the clubs to function during the thirties because there was internal unrest in Austria. During the war years from 1938 to 1945 no meetings were held and all activities ceased. However, the chairman and his deputy resumed them in 1945. They were strongly supported in this undertaking by Dr. Franz Perz of Mitterdorf and Dr. Plautz of Ljubljana. The latter were particularly
active in aiding the refugees.
Subsequently, the "Hilfsverein" was led by school principal Hans Eppich of Altlag in 1949, chief surgeon Dr. Walter Linhart in 1950, notary public Helmut Karnitschnig in 1958. Under the latter's chairmanship the club was given the name "Gottscheer Landsmannschaft Graz" in 1960. The "Arbeitsgemeinschaft der Gottscheer Landsmannschaften" (study group of the Gottscheer Landsmannschaften) passed a resolution and hence all official Gottscheer organizations in Austria and Germany today bear the name "Landsmannschaft" (compatriotic organization).
In 1963 Josef Petsche of Grafenfeld assumed the chairmanship and prudently led the organization until 1968. Helmut Bartelme was the next chairman until 1973 when his health forced him to give up this office. After him the present chairman Friedrich Petsche was elected unanimously. After the flight from the resettlement region, the club of the Gottscheers in Graz had the most members of any Gottscheer organization in Europe.
("Jahrhundertbuch der Gottscheer", Dr. Erich Petschauer, 1980)
www.gottschee.de
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