Victor Eugene Cromer, A Man with a Mission

This gentleman, featured in the photo below, was involved with the WEA of South Australia from 1917 for approximately five years. Cromer’s position at the WEA was as acting Secretary, until he won the role of Position of Generals. His involvement with the WEA was immense as he was a part of the organisation from the earliest beginnings.

Victor Eugene Cromer - WEA visionary

 

He had strong opinions and beliefs that were often challenged. For example, Cromer was very supportive of the introduction of ‘un-scientific’ courses at the WEA, a subject that was rather controversial in the early 1900’s. Cromer stood by his beliefs and this is considered an integral reason for the successful progression of the WEA ever since.

 
He married his wife in Paris and had three children when working at the WEA, and his son was a shop keeper in the Barossa.

Cromer was known as a ‘Christian Mystic’, with beliefs that WWII was caused by the astronomic movements of the planets that ultimately affected ‘Kiser’. His strong conviction took him to attend the Second International Communist Conferences where he announced that the ‘World Revolution’ would begin in Adelaide.

His work with the WEA is regarded as extremely progressive for the beginning of the organisation. Cromer spent five years in influential roles until he retired from the WEA and moved on to Sydney where he became a ‘Spiritual Healer’. His time in Sydney also saw his collaboration with Walter Burley Griffin, the landscape architect and designer of Canberra.

Victor Eugene Cromer has been described as a tremendously dedicated individual, a socialist and an overall very memorable person.

 

From the WEA archives:

Document 1 Reference written for Victor Cromer from the Director of Tutorial Classes, University of Adelaide

 

 

 

Document 2 Victor Cromer's Graduation Programme - University of Adelaide 1923