1. Brisbane German Club, 2 October 2019
3rd German History Day
Brisbane German Club, 2 October 2019

2. 40 Years of GDR-Australia
Michael Rosemann
40 Years of GDR-Australia

3. 30 Years Ago

5. Size Comparison (70 x)

6. Population Comparison (in mio) 1949-1989
Populate or perish
1949
1989

7. Australian Representation in Berlin
Nov ‘45: 16 UN countries (incl. AUS) granted accreditation to run a Military Mission in Berlin
Also responsible for the soviet zone/ GDR from ‘49

8. Berlin Blockade 1948 - Royal Australian Air Force -

9. 7 October 1949: The Establishment of the GDR
Bundesarchiv Bild 183-W

10. Hallstein-Doctrine (1955-1970)
The Federal German government regards it as an unfriendly act (acte peu amical) if third countries were to recognize the "German Democratic Republic" (East Germany) or to maintain diplomatic relations with it (exception: Soviet Union).

11. The 50s 1954 – GDR explored possibility of direct trade relationship
1958 – GDR representatives start conversations with relevant Australian Chambers of Commerce
Focus:
Coal, wool, grains
Lentil, glass (1961: Zeiss in Sydney)

12. Brisbane Planetarium Refractor (delivered in 1977)

13. Carl Zeiss Internationalisation (1970)

14. GDR Recognition (1970)

15. The 60s & 70s
1968 – Establishment of a trade office in Sydney (private company)
1971 – official GDR trade office (Kammer für Aussenhandel)
1974- Official trade agreement between GDR and Australia

16. Basic Treaty (21 December 1972)

17. Press Release - 22 December 1972
“Australian recognition of East Germany would […] make people in Europe more aware that there is a new government in Australia which is not concentrating on South East Asia and the Pacific to the exclusion of our highly important relations with Europe. I would also make the point that in opening discussions with the GDR I am seeking to avoid situations in which Australia takes general decisions in international affairs late.”
Prime Minister Edward Whitlam

18. Australian Embassy in East Berlin

20. Soccer World Cup (1974)

22. The Last Medal (1995)

23. Zuckersand (2017)