CHAPTER 19

SYDNEY Wool trade

Circular Quay on 16 May 1954 was freezing. I had not expected such a cold welcome to Sydney, but the sun was shining and it promised to be a fine day. Our hold luggage had already been unloaded and was lined up in the shed. This must have seen many new arrivals anxiously collecting their few belongings, wondering what the new country would bring. Customs and immigration formalities were kept to a minimum. Was that because it was Sunday, or was it always that way? What a difference to the customs in Germany, I thought. A taxi-truck took all my luggage and myself along Pitt Street to the Central Railway station, where I left it till I found a place to stay. Frau Gudden had given me the address of the YMCA in Pitt Street, where I could stay if I didn't find anything. I also had the address of Michael Jantzen, a young German in the wool trade. I would give him a phone call. I hoped he would be able to see me.

I was lucky, Michael was at home and he asked me to come and see him that afternoon. I had some lunch for five shillings and went by tram for 6d to Edgecliffe. From there I walked all along Darlingpoint Road to where Michael lived. He seemed a friendly chap. He worked for a German wool firm and offered to keep an eye open for a job for me.

"Now about your name, Dieter, we will have to do something about that."

"What do you mean?" "Nobody here knows the name Dieter and you will always have a problem with that. Why don't you change it to Peter. Sounds like Dieter, but people know it here. I know, others have done it."

"Oh, really? But I rather like Dieter, I'll try and see how I am going with that."

"Just as you think, it was only a suggestion." "Thanks anyhow, I'll remember it."

"And where are you staying?" "I don't know yet. I have left my luggage at Central Station for the time being."

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