Pauline Cockrill reported in The Islander, Kangaroo Island’s local newspaper, that a very successful Reunion was held for the descendants of German pioneers who arrived at Kangaroo Island, South Australia aboard the Solway, 175 years ago in October 1837.

The 70 passengers aboard the Solway were some of the first German settlers to arrive and remain in South Australia. Surnames included Bauer, Bremer, Christian, Debus, Diese, Drebing, Drese, Fleim, Fortsch, Gramp, Grunhagen, Hanson, Hauser, Hutsch, Kleeman, Koehler, Kramer, Lage, Milde, Neander, Oppel, Oelrich, Pfeiffer, Pipkorn, Prophet, Schaeffer, Schmidt, Sturn, Theilmann, Wallschlager and Zilm.

This very successful event was organized by Rev. David Christian and Jan Heppner. Jan reported that attendees came from all over S.A. and the eastern states. A commemorative plaque was unveiled at Reeves Point, Kingscote on Kangaroo Island.