Manfred Haarburger biography

Manfred Haarburger Award Presented at Changeover

The Manfred Haarburger Award is made on the advice of the Club Service Chairperson and is presented in recognition of a club member who has, through their efforts, made a significant contribution to the Pascoe Vale Rotary Club throughout the year.

Manfred Haarburger was born in Austria in 1920 and went to England as a talented soccer player in 1938. When war was declared in 1939 he was interned and eventually sent to Australia aboard the “Duneera”. A film called “The Duneera Boys” was later made about the harsh and uncaring treatment of the refugees on board the ship.

Manfred was sent to internment camps in Hay, New South Wales, and Tatura in the Goulburn Valley. He eventually settled in Melbourne.

Manfred and his wife Eva had 2 children and his daughter was a member of the first Pascoe Vale Rotaract Club. He worked for the Sacred Heart Hospital as a purchasing officer and storeman and actively supported and organised hospital fundraising efforts. He was also a passionate Melbourne Football Club supporter.

Manfred was introduced to the Pascoe Vale Rotary Club by Past President Peter Hadley and was a member for 10 years. Following his death in 1993, the club created the “Manfred Haarburger Award” for Club Service in his memory.