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Account of the voyage of Heinz and Gisela Bernhard from Germany to Australia
Account of the voyage of Heinz and Gisela Bernhard from Germany to Australia

Account of the voyage of Heinz and Gisela Bernhard from Germany to Australia

Author (1903 - 1976)
Date1938
Object number00026882
NameDocument
MediumPaper
DimensionsOverall: 329 × 202 mm
Copyright© Gabrielle Bernhard
ClassificationsEphemera
Credit LineAustralian National Maritime Museum Collection Gift from Gabrielle Bernhard
DescriptionThese 15 typewritten pages in German outline the voyage of Heinz and Gisela Bernhard by ship and train from Berlin to Australia in 1938. Even though the Bernhards call their voyage “our honeymoon”, they are using this opportunity to flee from Nazi Germany and to permanently emigrate to Australia The Bernhards travel on the Empress from London to Canada, describing it as a luxury travel with all amenities and a rich cultural life on board, cross Canada by train, and then board the Niagara to Australia, describing this part as a disappointing, challenging journey that was only made bearable because of a strong community of travellers working together. The report also talks about searching for a home and for work in Sydney and is clearly meant to contain many suggestions for others who wanted to flee from Germany to Australia. HistoryWhile the account tries to keep up the pretence of a honeymoon, it is easy to identify that the Bernhards are emigrating permanently to Australia. Their journey took place at a crucial time, and most likely saved their lives. In 1938, about half of those Germans who self-identified or were identified as Jewish had left the German Reich because of the intensifying repressions and violence. After the Reichskristallnacht (09-10 November), public Jewish cultural life in the German Reich practically ceased to exist. The travellers get help on their journey from other emigres, for instance in London, and acquire the support of “the Committee”, most likely a group similar (or identical to) the JDC (American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee), committed to supporting emigrating Jews. The narrative also includes their reaction to life in Australia and a commentary on the less-than positive welcome for Jews in Australia in general. SignificanceThe diary’s great potential is that it tells several stories at once. The first is about normal tourists who react to visiting Honolulu and having to correct their expectations of mythical places like Fiji and Waikiki. This story represents a journey in a quickly shrinking world, where people are able to visit places they have only heard about and check reality against story.
The second story is about travel by ocean liners, where two very different liner travels are being retold: one of luxury, and one of hardship. The life on board of both ships is described in great detail, especially the social life and the position of the emigrants among the voyagers.
The third story is about travel by train through Canada, describing how the travellers react to the many cultural differences they experience.
The third story is one about arrival in Australia and the challenges to find a new home and build a new existence in this strange new country.
What weaves all these stories together is the story of fleeing from Nazi Germany to Australia, and the agenda of trying to make the journey easier for those who would (hopefully) also be able to flee. It is this rich tapestry of story that can be used effectively in exhibitions and also online presentations.