Oktoberfest by the Lake

(By Celine Morger - Bond University Journalism Student)

The annual Oktoberfest Varsity-style took place at Lake Cafe & Bar on October 3 to celebrate the centuries-old tradition from Germany.

Mathew Breuss, son of café owner Gerhard, said the Lake-Cafe crew prepared authentic food and served a range of European brews for the event.

“It was a whole lot of fun and we had a great turnout,” he said.

“We were happy with the increase in numbers on last year and I think everyone had a lot of fun.“

The “Oktoberfest Specials” on the menu included Bauernschmaus, a plate of roast pork, german sausages and Sauerkraut.

They also served the famous Brezel and Schwarzwälder Kirsch Torte, known as Black Forest Cake.

European ingredients for the meals are easy to get from the local delis in the area, said family member Luke Breuss.

“It’s not the food you get, it’s how you prepare it,“ he said.

Another tradition of Oktoberfest is to dress up in traditional clothing – the Lederhosen (men) and Dirndl (women) - which the Breuss family had sent over from Germany for the occasion.

There was also an authentic German band who provided traditional music.

Gerhard Breuss, who took over the management of the lake Cafe with his sons, migrated from Austria to Australia in 1971 and has worked in the restaurant and hospitality business for more than 40 years.


“Sometimes he misses it...,“ said his son Lukas who has been to Austria several times. The Oktoberfest is a way to “make it feel like he was back home”.