Interview with Alfred Ruskin (When the war came to Australia)

Alfred Ruskin was a German Jew who arrived in Australia shortly before the war. His first impression was that Australians were friendly although work was difficult find. Alfred was not able to take his final exams in medicine in 1935 because a Jew was not allowed to examine Gentiles. Alfred moved to Melbourne and worked in a hat factory. He stated there was no discrimination until after the news of the war. He then needed a permit to travel. Alfred mentions that in 1937 Jewish factories were becoming Aryanised, but it was much later when he learnt of the concentration camps. Alfred joined the army to become Australian. His first assignment was to unload cement bags. He noticed those already assigned had eye trouble and intervened. After the incident Alfred was moved to the Medical Corps and was assigned to a unit called the 124 Special. This unit dealt with venereal disease and other associated illnesses. The unit also started prophylactic depots, known as PACs. Alfred believes it was this special unit that first used penicillin before the benefits were fully understood. Alfred also became involved with theatre and produced plays that were later known as anti-war plays. He had been placed in charge of three hundred people mainly from middle European backgrounds. Their work ethics allowed them to want to use their free time in learning and forming a theatre company. Alfred valued the multiculturalism of Australia and the importance of new arrivals to learn English.