HENNE – Karl

Above all summits
it is calm.
In all the tree-tops
you feel
scarcely a breath;
the birds in the forest are silent.
Just wait, soon
you will rest as well.

One of DFAT’s great personalities, Karl had not a few successes against misconduct and corruption in the Department. He was an amusing workmate and did a lot of writing in his later years. His 75th birthday event at ANU University House, when many of us met Estela for the first time, was, for many of us, the last time we would see him.

MY husband give me this when we met:THE OTHERS
WERE ONLY MY WIVES.BUT YOU,MY DEAR WILL BE MY WIDOW CASANOVA KNEW IT GOD BLESS YOU! WIFE
ESTELITA

Querida Estela, desde Buenos Aires -Argentina- mi corazón abraza tu corazón.

I worked with Karl at DFAT in the Training Section with a host of other ‘misfits’. Karl was given full rein as Director of filming of Training Films, I was often his cameraman. Everyone referred to Karl as ‘Felini’, and one of my most vivid memories at the time was Karl striding down the corridor wearing his cream and black checked ‘Directors jacket’ smoking a cigar. I remember and respected Karl for his outspoken and honest comments which at times upset a few people.

Beloved husband, soul mate and best friend of Estela.
I first met Karl in the mid 70’s. Since this time, I have watched in amazement at the meandering path of his life’s journey.
RIP.

Tantos años querida Estela, tantos recuerdos imborrables, tanta vida transcurrida. Te dejo mi correo zongjing0@hotmail.com
Silvia Tajtelbaum

What a life my old mate Karl had! And what a wife too. 83 years old, perhaps, but Karl still had a string of projects in mind and was certainly not happy to leave them unfinished. We served together in the military reserve and he was responsible for introducing me to the World-Wide community of runners with a drinking problem – The Hash House Harriers – almost 50 years ago. On On, Karl, and thanks for your mateship over all those years, and for your carefully crafted letters. You were a master of languages and knew how to use them to their best effect. As for me, your loss has left me speechless. Vale, old friend

Karl is the reason many of us in Canberra get out of the house, running through streets and bushlands calling out ‘On On’! We would like to salute and bid farewell to our Founding Father. He will be missed, but will continue to live on through all he has touched throughout his life.

On On

I met Karl when he worked with me (he was my AFAR editor) in our Publications Section. He told me that one of his first jobs in Aus was as a lineman in the PMG’s department. He was based at Daly Waters (NT). Karl has a great sense of humour and he told me the following story, with huge amusement at his plight.
As a new arrival, and unfamiliar with both Aust language and customs, Karl was persuaded by locals that he should join the Daly Waters Galah Club. To do that, he was told, he had to get on the roof of the pub, flap his arms vigorously and jump off. That way, the locals giggled, he would become a fully fledged member of the Club.
And said Karl: ‘I did it’.

I heard ages later that Karl had passed, from Estela.. so this is written some 4 years after his passing.
I met Karl in Caracas Venezuela, when he was Deputy Consul if memory serves correctly.
We hit it off immediately and on a number of occasions caught up in that amazing place.
He had untold stories of his time in the NT after migrating. We relished our friendship in that place.
He also introduced me to Estela the year before they married.
Que hermosa era y es..

amazingly and by pure co-oincidence when Karl and Estela came to Australia some time early 90s i think, They decided to settle in Charters Towers NQ. My home town..
Once again we enjoyed our friendship..

I know you are up there my friend… I shall remain friends with Estela forever.

cheers mate..

I’d rather not identify myself publicly but I wanted to leave a message. I’ve just found out about Karl’s passing and if Estela comes across this message, know that I still have the drawings Karl gave me of Chairman Mao and Stalin. This couple were incredible in their hospitality and friendliness when I worked in Moe for 6 months. Though I did not keep in contact, they hold a place in my memories. My condolences to Estela.