Summary

This is an Australian 1938 penny, converted into a medal memento of Tatura internment camp, and inscribed: 'Tatura Meister 1942' ('meister' the German term for 'master' as in master craftsman'.) It belonged to Karl Muffler from his time in Tatura during the War and was awarded to him by fellow internees in recognition of his confectionery services provided in Tatura camp. Karl Muffler was interned as a German enemy alien at Tatura Internment Camp from 1939 to 1944, and was then released to the Civil Aliens Corp Melbourne on 27th June 1944. He was then transferred to Broadford until his release in 1945.

This item relates to Karl Friedrich Muffler, qualified pastry chef and confectioner, born in 1900, who migrated to Melbourne from Germany in 1930, aboard the passenger liner 'Balranald'. Muffler quickly established himself in Melbourne, commencing employment with Bill Ikinger (who had recruited and sponsored him) at his cake shop in Brunswick, as well as joining the long-running German establishment 'Club Tivoli'. Muffler went on to establish his own business, 'The Embassy' in Malvern, and in 1939 married fellow German migrant Mathilde 'Hilde' Mayer. At this time they were members of the 'German Labour Front' of which Adolf Mayer (Hilde's father) was president. On 4th September, 1939 Karl Muffler, along with dozens of other German residents (including his father-in-law), was placed into police custody as an enemy alien. He was transferred to Tatura internment camp and while there undertook woodcarving and drafting classes and worked as a cake decorator. He was transferred to a Forestry Commission camp in Broadford, and finally released in 1945. With no family left in Germany he decided to stay in Australia and became naturalised in 1947. After the war, Muffler accepted a position at William Angliss Food Trades School in Melbourne teaching ex-servicemen new skills in cake decoration. He maintained a connection to the German community though Club Tivoli and died in 1996.

Physical Description

1938 Australian penny that has been reinscribed on reverse 'Tatura Meister 1942'. A bronze coin (30.8 mm diameter with plain edge) The reverse features a kangaroo leaping to the left; around above AUSTRALIA, around below, PENNY; the Federation star is in the field to the left of the kangaroo and the date, 1938 is in the field below its tail. The artist's initials KG are above the tip of the tail.

Obverse Description

In centre, 1942. Around, TATURA MEISTER

Reverse Description

The reverse features a kangaroo leaping to the left; around above AUSTRALIA, around below, PENNY; the Federation star is in the field to the left of the kangaroo and the date, 1938 is in the field below its tail. The artist's initials KG are above the tip of the tail.

Significance

This rich and diverse collection enables the exploration of a number of important historical themes, relating to migration as well as broader work and wartime narratives. Of key interest is the theme of working life and the proactive transporting of commercial and culinary traditions to Australia via the immigration process. Represented are the operational activities of pastry businesses around Melbourne in the 1930s, brought to life through tools and business records. The theme of internment and restriction of 'enemy aliens' during World War II can be explored through documents, mementoes, drawings, tokens and internment craft, and this collection is complemented by a large number of documents relating to Muffler held by the National Archives of Australia.The collection also provides a comprehensive overview of a migrant's experience: from garnering qualifications in country of origin to migrating; establishing a working life as practitioner and teacher; community connections and the subsequent consequences of those activities; the establishment of a domestic and social life, through marriage and ongoing cultural links; and the experiences of loss through separation through relocation, and loss of family due to war.

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