Lost in Sydney .... looking for Wolfgang Müller
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| Wolfgang Kurt Walter Müller (1937-1996) circa 1957. |
Contents
- Wolfgang Müller
- Early life in Germany
- Artist
- The Yellow House
- The Black Cafe
- Possibilities
- Going missing
- Dead-ends & discoveries
- The NAA file 1972
- A new biography
- Final thoughts
- Acknowledgements
- References
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1. The case of Wolfgang Müller
Q: Who was Wolfgang Walter Kurt Müller (born 1 August 1937 - died 29 July 1996), the handsome young German man who in 1958, at the age of twenty and immediately upon release from compulsory military service, disappeared, never again to be seen by his family in Germany?
Was he an aimless drifter, the victim of the trauma of a war which had devastated his nation during his childhood; an artist adventurer, keen to see the world and experience things anew; or a refugee, escaping some threat which he felt he could never reveal to his family, for fear that they would become embroiled; or a spy, with a job to do on behalf of his country of birth, or his adopted country? And what were the circumstances leading up to his death on a street in the seediest section of Sydney, Australia, during 1996?
I was so young .... I remember that young man had to go to [join the] military when 18 years age, and had to do military service for 3 years. Wolfgang' s service was in Göttingen, Germany. It ended in the summer of 1958. He visited us - his family in Braunschweig - the last time on Good Friday, Easter in 1958.
A contemporary photograph of Wolfgang in military garb is illustrated at the head of this article. In it we see a confident, smiling young man, seemingly rushing off to something important. Shortly thereafter he disappeared, without a trace. The family subsequently had no news of his whereabouts until 2000 when they were informed of Wolfgang's death four years earlier by an Australian lawyer. The latter provided a copy of a death certificate and an undated photograph sourced from the German Consulate in Sydney (both illustrated below) .
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| Wolfgang Walter Müller's Australian death certificate (extract). |
The certificate noted that Wolfgang was also known locally as Walter Kurt Müller. Anglicization of an original German name was common in countries where Germany had been the enemy during World War I and World War II and where many of the former Australian soldiers and expatriate refugees held, and expressed, negative and discriminatory views towards Germans. The Japanese also faced similar disdain after World War II. This name may also have been one he used as an artist, which appears to have been either a hobby or profession by the 1990s.
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| Wolfgang Müller / Walter Kurt (Müller). Source: General Konsulat, Sydney. |
The photograph of Wolfgang received in 2000 was undated and bore the annotation: General Konsulat Sydney. It may have been from a passport acquired by the Consulate upon Wolfgang's initial arrival in Australia. In the photograph he looks to be in his forties, which could suggest arrival in the late seventies or early eighties. It may also have been a non-passport photograph, taken after Wolfgang had arrived in the country prior to this and part of a file on Wolfgang held by the Consulate. Upon his death in 1996 and shortly thereafter, the Australian law firm dealing with Wolfgang's estate had received information regarding his sister back in Germany, either through the Consulate, personal papers, or from a friend. Wolfgang had obviously listed her as his next of kin, and there may even have been a Will.
For some unknown reason Wolfgang never made contact with his sister, or with other members of the family, and apparently never returned to Germany. This may have been due to strained financial circumstances whilst in Australia, the circumstances of his identity, or meaningfully in association with some post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) related to the War years and his subsequent military service. Perhaps we will never know. Whatever the case, a search for details of his life began following his disappearance, and continues through to the present day.
Wolfgang's niece Nicole had visited Australia in March 2024 hoping to find some information on her uncle's life there. She was not successful in adding anything to what was already known from the death certificate, apart from verifying a link to the building listed therein as his last place of residence, and getting a feel for the area. Located at 57 Macleay Street, Surrey Hills, this building had achieved fame during the early 1970s as the Yellow House multimedia artist collective set up by Martin Sharp. It was situated in the heart of the Sydney metropolis and close to the red light district known as Kings Cross. It was also stated in the certificate that Wolfgang's death occurred "Outside 48 Kellett St, Kings Cross." As the main entrance to that building was in the lane behind, this may have referred to either the front or back.
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| Rear entrance to 48 Kellett St, Kings Cross |
As of May 2024 that location is listed as a legal brothel - the Cross Club or 48 Angels City Brothel. It may have illegally operated in a similar manner during Wolfgang's lifetime. That specific birth certificate notation was intriguing. It suggested that Wolfgang either passed away there, on the street (front or rear), due to natural causes, or was perhaps involved in something darker, such as being hit by a vehicle, or even being murdered. The reference to "outside" also pointedly suggests that he did not die inside the building. If one were to die inside a Sydney brothel, it is possible that a body would be taken outside and those who witnessed the death would disappear, or would not want to have any contact with police investigating the death. The operators may also have not wanted to deal with a death on the premises. Of course this is mere conjecture, but the seedy and criminal nature of this area of Sydney over a long period of time raises such possibilities.
For example, during 2023 it was revealed that police had been involved in a number of hate-crime murders of gay men in the Kings Cross and Bondi areas during the 1980s and 1990s, and the cases were never investigated as they should have been. This is not to suggest that Wolfgang was gay, but merely to indicate the state of underground lawlessness and police and judicial corruption present in that area of Sydney, supporting criminal and illegal activities. This was often referred to by the media as the criminal underbelly. A dramatic representation can be seen in the Australian true-crime television series Underbelly which ran for seven seasons during 2008-13 and 2022, and dealt with crime in both Sydney and Melbourne from the 1920s through to the 2010s.
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2. Early life in Germany
In regard to Wolfgang's early life prior to disappearing from Germany in 1958, and the subsequent family search, the following was noted by his niece when initially contacting the present writer:
[Wolfgang] was born on 1 August 1937 in Braunschweig in Germany. The attached photo [from the Sydney German Consulate] we received from Australia after his death, and the photo [illustrated at the head of this article] comes from the time he left Germany. He had worked in Germany as a kind of mechanic at the Volkswagen company in Wolfsburg. As long as he had contact to his family in Germany it was known that he loved to travel to Spain, and he loved Geneva in Switzerland. Then suddenly the contact was broken. My mom's family contacted the Red Cross for an international search – no one could find him. Then suddenly in the year 2000, almost 2 years after his death, a lawyer in Australia found the connection to my mom and she received the information about his death. You can´t imagine – she was happy to finally have found out a little, but also she was incredibly sad she had not seen him anymore… I promised her to find out more about my uncle / her brother.
Braunschweig is located in north central Germany, near Hanover. During World War II it was heavily involved in industrial and military support activities, plus also contained a concentration camp. The town was subject to heavy Allied bombing during the period 1944-45. This would obviously have had a traumatic impact upon the local German families, and especially children such as Wolfgang, who was 7-8 at the time. The trauma of the war, and things seen, may have been one of the reasons Wolfgang left his home country and journeyed to Australia.
The author is aware of the impact of the war on European children, and how it can result in severe changes to their personal makeup, and even give rise to illnesses. To abandon one's family as a result is therefore within the realm of possible explanations for Wolfgang's own behaviour. In the author's case, his uncle returned from serving in the war and also in Japan during the subsequent occupation, with an alcohol addiction which substantially severed his connection with family for the remainder of his life, even though he never left the region in which they lived. The mystery as to why Wolfgang never contacted his family after leaving Germany nevertheless remains.
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3. The Artist
Prior to leaving Germany in 1958 Wolfgang developed his artistic abilities. Evidence of this can be seen from the following works in the family collection. Though naive, they nevertheless indicate a burgeoning talent and interest. Of the six works presented, five are portraits or figures, whilst a sixth is an abstract.
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| Male portrait, watercolour. |
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| ?Self portrait, watercolour. |
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| Nude, pen sketch. |
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| Abstract, watercolour. |
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| Female portrait, watercolour. |
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| Couple, watercolour. |
The works have been dated at 1958 by a family member, who also mentioned that a signature Martin was observed. Perhaps this was an artist pseudonym Wolfgang considered adopting.
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4. The Yellow House
Wolfgang's death certificate noted that at the time of passing he was living in apartment number 8 of the building which had become known during the early 1970s as the Yellow House. Whether he was renting, or as an owner, is unknown, though the former seems likely as the family in Germany does not appear to have had to deal with any significant estate issues following his death.
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| The Yellow House, 57-59 Potts Point, Sydney, September 1971. Photograph: Greg Weight. |
The Yellow House had served as an art gallery known as the Clune Gallery from the late 1950s through to the 1960s. However, by the end of that decade it was abandoned awaiting redevelopment and possible demolition. In 1970 the famous Australian artist Martin Sharp stepped in and for the next three years it operated as a multimedia art space. The building was subsequently upgraded in the 1980s and converted into a series of apartments, wherein Wolfgang eventually came to reside. During her visit to the Yellow House in 2024, Nicole noted the following of the area around Potts Point:
My uncle had a good talent of painting as well. You know, when I walked there in Sydney I felt him so close.
Whether Wolfgang continued to practice his art whilst in Australia, or had any association with the early years of the Yellow House, is not known at this stage. Also, if he went about under the name Walter Kurt (Muller), as suggested by the death certificate, remains the subject of further investigation. There is one possible instance which reveals that Wolfgang may have been going by his original name as well, apart from what is stated in the death certificate.
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5. The Black Cafe encounter
During the early 1990s Sydney street-poster artist Toby Zoates,
then resident in Surrey Hills, a central Sydney suburb not far from
Potts Point, had a meeting with a friend at the Black Cafe, located on
the corner of Bourke and Liverpool Street, Darlinghurst. Whilst there he
was introduced to a fellow artist by the name of Wolfgang. Whether this
was Wolfgang Müller remains unclear. Memories of the event were hazy,
with some thirty years having past at the time of recalling the incident
in May 2024. However, Zoates was able to recount how Wolfgang's art
appeared to him in the abstract style of Kandinsky, to which the artist
took exception. He further noted that his friend knew the artist well
and had purchased a small painting from him, others of which was retailing
for hundreds of dollars. This seemed like a lot of money to Zoates at
the time.
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| The Mayflower (former Black Cafe), cnr. Bourke & Liverpool St., Darlinghurst, 2024. |
He mentioned that his friend, at some stage, stated that Wolfgang was a refugee from Europe. Of his personality at the time of the brief encounter, Zoates recalled that the artist spoke fast and, as a result, he had difficulty getting a word in edgeways - which was very unusual for Zoates who is a similar frenetic speaker at times. He also noted that this Wolfgang was dressed rather scruffily - "like an artist" - and spoke about matters of a scientific nature during the conversation. Not being able to recall the name of the friend who introduced them, Zoates could not provide any further information at that stage but promised to pursue the matter.
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6. Possibilities
From the scant information presented above, we can state the following in regard to the life and times of Wolfgang Walter Müller:
* 1937, 1 August - born in Braunschweig in Germany.
* 1949 - Wolfgang's sister is born.
* ? - Wolfgang works as a mechanic at the Volkswagen factory in Wolfsburg.
* 1955 - Turns 18 and begins three years of compulsory military service, based in Göttingen.
* ? - During this period Wolfgang likes travelling to Spain and Geneva in Switzerland.
* 1958, Easter (April) - Wolfgang visits his family and thereafter leaves Germany. This is the last time his sister saw him or had any contact with him.
* 1980s+? - Lives in apartment no.8, 57 Macleay Street, Potts Point. This building was previously known as the Yellow House.
* 1990s - Surrey Hills artist Toby Zoates recalls meeting a Wolfgang at the Black Cafe, Darlinghurst. He was said to be an artist working in the style of Kandinsky.
* 1996, 29 July - Wolfgang Müller dies at 48 Kellett Street, Kings Cross, close to his residence in Potts Point.
* 2000 - Wolfgang's sister in Germany is informed of her brother's death by an Australian lawyer. She begins a search for more information.
* 2024, March - Wolfgang's neice visits Sydney, and the Yellow House, seeking information on her late uncle's activities whilst resident there.
As it stands, there is a significant gap in detail surrounding Wolfgang's life after leaving Germany. Some of the possible reasons for leaving and secreting himself in Australia have been outlined above. They are mere conjecture at this stage. It is hoped that some of these gaps can eventually be filled, and this article will assist in achieving that.
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7. Going missing
Why did Wolfgang Müller seemingly abandon his family in 1958? There is a suggestion by the family that he was disenchanted with poverty sought a better life where he could engage in sports such as tennis and perhaps develop a career in which his financial status was improved. After working in a factory and then spending three years in the military he was undoubtedly keen to escape from the drudgery and regimentation therein, and follow another path. This may explain his ultimate arrival in Sydney, Australia. However, it does not explain a disconnect from family for the remainder of his life. Was there some conflict with his parents?
The author is aware of a modern phenomena, present since the mid' 2010s, whereby young people are disowning their parents and immediate family, severing all ties - physical and emotional - and 'disappearing' from their lives (Pinkus 2023). In such instances those who have been cast aside may know where they are; in others, the disappearance is total, and sometimes permanent. In all such cases the severing can be heartbreaking, like being cut off from one's soul mate, or daemon as in the fictional trilogy His Dark Materials (Pullman 1995-2000). Why is this happening? There are many reasons, and not being a psychologist, the present writer can only offer a superficial outline of possible causes. However, it seems that the young generation are reacting to the trauma present in their lives. In many instances it could be said they are over-reacting, but reacting nevertheless. Social media, and the modern medical profession, is affirming these feelings and perceptions at the outset, leaving them with the view that "I need to look after myself" even if that means abandoning family and intimate friends.
The aforementioned phenomena is different in many ways from a behaviour that has been present throughout time, namely, the moving away from place of birth and parents, and starting a new life somewhere else. This is quite common, and in fact natural for those who do not do so because of trauma, or some other dramatic reason. However, for those who do, the leaving can take many forms and be due to numerous triggers. Diaspora are evidence of that, especially where individuals seek to escape from war and persecution, or have been deeply traumatised in some way both within and without the family home and seek to escape from both the reality and the memory. It is often the result of what is now referred to as PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder). In many instances family are not abandoned, and may even be taken with the escapee on the journey to so-called freedom. Refugees are a case in point. In our present discussion this may lie at the core of why Wolfgang Walter Müller at some point in the past arrived in Sydney, Australia, and lived out the last part of his life there, without informing his sister or other members of his family of his whereabouts. His childhood experiences in the war, and subsequent service in the German military forces, may have led him to seek to flee and start that new life overseas. There are many possible scenarios that come to mind as to why Wolfgang would abandon his family. The story above outlines what we know so far. It is presented as part of the family's efforts to eventually find out what happened to their beloved brother and uncle.
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8. Dead-ends & discoveries
In seeking to uncover details of the life and times of Wolfgang Muller, the present author, as a long-time researcher and family historian, set about doing the usual things, i.e., scanning Google and any online resources which may have been of assistance. Unfortunately they initially turned up nothing. This could have been due to a number of different reasons:
- The commonality of the German name Wolfgang Muller / Müller
- The fact that apart from his death in Sydney, Australia, in 1996, there is no other information regarding his whereabouts prior to that date. He may not have even been in the country until the late 1980s.
- Wolfgang may have used an alias.
- If Wolfgang was associated with organisations which maintained a low profile, such as government security and spy networks, his whereabouts may have officially been hidden.
- He may simply have not wanted to be found, and therefore kept a low profile.
The author therefore contacted the German Embassy, Sydney, during late May 2024, seeking information on Wolfgang. No response had been received as of 4 July 2024. He also wrote to the National Archives of Australia (NAA), Canberra, around the same time, on the hope that there may have been official records noting Wolfgang's immigration to Australia at some point. On 28 June 2024 the writer received notification from the Canberra office of the National Archives of Australia that there were records in the collection relating to a Muller, Albert Walter Wolfgang who had arrived in Adelaide, South Australia, as an assisted immigrant at the end of November 1958 aboard the ocean liner Castel Felice, after leaving Bremehaven 5 weeks and 1 day previous. A section (4 pages) of the file was not released for public access due to Section 33(4A) of the Archives Act 1983 which pertains to individuals who were ASIO (Australian Security Intelligence Organisation) employees or sources, or had a relationship with the organisation in some way which would necessitate a limited on access. Unfortunately, upon inspecting the file, it was found that this was not our Wolfgang, but another German, born in 1932. A further search of the National Archives of Australia RecordSearch database for a Wolfgang Muller born on 1 August 1937 uncovered the following:
- [Name ] [Details] [Series / ID] [NAA location] [Classification]
- 1972: Wolfgang Muller, born 1 August 1937, travelled per flight QF 174 departing (?Wellington to Sydney?) 29 May 1972. Series A2562/1972/3578, ID 7743337, Canberra.
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9. The NAA file 1972
On 23 July 2024 the present author received from the National Archives of Australia a digital copy of a 17 page document being the Department of Immigration file for Wolfgang Muller, dated 22 June 1972. The following outlines relevant information contained within that file.
On 29 March 1972 Wolfgang undertook a medical examination in England, prior to acceptance of his application for immigration to Australia (page 1). At the time his address was given as St. George's Hotel, Langham Place, London, W.I. His passport number was C7297055. He was given a clean bill of health by a Dr. J. Gough. Height: 5 feet 9 1/2 inches; weight 11 stone 1 pound (page 2). The previous day (28th) he had been given a chest x-ray, with the results received at Australia House on the 30th (page 4). On 13 April he received a copy of a letter from L.W. Nelson, Chief Migration Officer, outlining the details regarding his visa, application for permanent residence status, and the terms of his assisted passage, costing £11.67 (pages 5-6). At the time he was occupationally classified as a Clerk. On 17 April Wolfgang signed his Special Passage Assistance Program Undertaking (page 7). This was followed by filling in a multi-paged form seeking information on a variety of subjects (pages 8-13):
#21 - Prior criminal convictions (none)
#22 - Private accommodation in Australia - No.
#23 - Particulars of parents (page 8):
- Father - K. Muller. Born - 26 October 1910. Place of birth - East Germany. Possibly now in Poland.
- Mother - M. Muller. Maiden name - M. Arndt. Born - 1 March 1915. Place of birth - Brunswig, Germany.
#11 - Previous residences:
- From birth to 1956 - Brunswig, Germany
- 1956 to 1961- West Berlin
- 1961 to 1966 - Geneva, Switzerland
- 1967 to 1971 - 8 Stafford Terrace, London W.8. Date of arrival in U.K. - 4 May 1967.
#14 - Education: Graduation from High School.
#15 - Languages: English, French, German (written & spoken).
#17 - Employment details
- 19 July 1962 to 5 December 1966 - Hotel Du Rhone, Geneva. Precise occupation - Secretary.
- 4 May 1967 to 22 June 1968 - Europa Hotel, London. Receptionist.
- 1 July 1968 to 27 September 1968 - Royal Lancaster Hotel. Head Receptionist.
- 23 November 1968 to 18 March 1971 - St. George Hotel, London. Head Cashier.
- 4 May 1971 to 30 October 1971 - Grosvenor House, London W.1. Hotel. Head Auditor.
#18 - Proposed employment in Australia: In hotel business as Controller - Auditor - Cashier.
#19 - Amount of money available to transfer to Australia: £100.
#1 - Name: Muller, Wolfgang Kurt Walter.
#3 - Address: c/o St. George Hotel, Langham Place, London, W.1. Telephone: 580 0111.
#4 - Nationality: German. Male.
#6 - Marital status: Single.
#7 - Date of birth: 1 August 1937
#8 - Country of birth: Germany, Brunswig.
#9 - Height: 5-10, 178cm; Colour of eyes: Grey; Colour of hair: Brown.
Continuation sheet (handwritten manuscript in black ink, most likely recorded as part of an interview to assess his suitability as an immigrant)
9/65 - 11/65 Holidaying in Germany & Switzerland
3/71 - 7/71 Holidaying in Britain
2 Nov 71 - 27 Nov 71 Holidaying in Bermuda
Dec 71 - present - St George's Hotel: Cashier.
The applicant was a neatly, finely dressed young man. Her is very keen to settle in Australia which he regards as having considerable potential. Muller has made such preparations and understands Australian conditions. He speaks excellent English. His is ..... with plenty of drive and ambition. He is engaged to a New Zealand girl whom he met in Britain in 1969. She has returned to New Zealand (1 February 1972) to see her family before settling in Sydney. The couple plan to marry at the end of 1973 in Sydney. They plan to settle in Sydney. Muller said he can see little hope for a man of his experience and cosmopolitan tastes in New Zealand. His fiance is similarly persuaded. It would appear that Muller has a definite determination to make Australia his home. He has all the self reliance and resilience to settle without difficulty ..... APS/$PAP (pages 14-15).
Assisted Passage Scheme Interview - Nomination $PAP
1. Name: Wolfgang K.W. Muller
4. Reason for short term and/or miscellaneous employment - where applicable.
Sept 56 - April 58 - University of Art, Munich (Fine Arts Studies)
(Couldn't finish the three years course because of lack of finance)
April 58 - Oct 58 - Holidaying in Spain, Italy after 2 months as "stand in" in TV series for 2 months.
5. Relationship and disposition of close relatives:
Parents & Sisters (W. Germany)
Fiance - Parents, 5 Bros 5 Sisters (New Zealand)
7. Comment on any convictions - None stated.
9. Interview remarks (pages 16-17):
Oct 56 - Oct 59 - Military service - Air Force of West Germany
Oct 59 - Oct 60 - ? Design Centre, Munich - Graphics
Oct 60 - June 62 - International School of Geneva - Language Studies
1/67 - 5/67 : Hotel Schweizerhof, West Berlin, Clerk / Cashier
Recommendation: A
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10. A new biography
In light of the information revealed in the 1972 NAA file, a new biographical outline of the life and times of Wolfgang Muller, up to that date, can be constructed.
1910
* 26 October 1910 - Wolfgang's father K. Muller is born in East Germany, "Possibly now in Poland."
1915
* 1 March 1915 - Wolfgang's mother M. Arndt is born in Braunschweig, Germany.
1937
* 1 August - Wolfgang Kurt Walter Muller born at Braunschweig, Germany. He remains there until 1956.
1949
* Wolfgang's sister is born in Braunschweig, Germany.
1956
* September 1956 - 19 year old Wolfgang commences part-time Fine Arts Studies at the University of Art, Munich.
* October 1956 - Wolfgang commences military service with the Air Force of West Germany. He remains resident in West Berlin through to 1961.
1958
* February to March 1958 - works as a "stand in" in a TV series for 2 months.
* April 1958 - Wolfgang withdraws from his 3 year part-time Fine Arts Studies at the University of Art, Munich, due to financial constraints.
* Easter, April 1958 - Wolfgang visits his family and thereafter
leaves Germany. This is the last time his sister saw him or had any
contact with him.
* April to Oct 1958 - Wolfgang holidays in Spain, Italy.
1959
* October 1959 - Wolfgang completes his military service with the Air Force of West Germany.
* October 1959 - Wolfgang works at / enrolls in / participates in the Design Centre, Munich.
1960
* October 1960 - - Wolfgang completes his work at / enrollment in / participation in the Design Centre, Munich.
* October 1960 - Wolfgang moves from West Berlin to Geneva, Switzerland.
* October 1960 - Wolfgang enrolls in Language Studies at the International School of Geneva, Switzerland.
1962
* June 1962 - Wolfgang completes his enrollment in Language Studies at the International School of Geneva, Switzerland.
* 19 July 1962 to 5 December 1966 - Wolfgang commences working at the Hotel Du Rhone, Geneva, as a Secretary.1965
* September to November 1965 - Wolfgang holidays in Germany & Switzerland.
1966
* Wolfgang leaves Geneva at the end of the year and returns to West Berlin.
1967
* January to May 1967 - Wolfgang works at the Hotel Schweizerhof, West Berlin, as a Clerk and Cashier.
* 4 May 1967 - Wolfgang travels to England and commences working at the Europa Hotel, London, as a Receptionist. He resides at 8 Stafford Terrace, London W.8.
1968
* 22 June 1968 - Wolfgang leaves his employment at the Europa Hotel, London.
* 1 July to 27 September 1968 - Wolfgang works at the Royal Lancaster Hotel, London, as Head Receptionist.
* 23 November 1968 to 18 March 1971 - St. George Hotel, London. Head Cashier.
4 May 1971 to 30 October 1971 - Grosvenor House, London W.1. Hotel. Head Auditor.
1969
* Wolfgang meets a New Zealand woman in England and by the end of 1971 they have become engaged, with the intention of marrying.
1971
* 18 March 1971 - Wolfgang ceases working at the St. George Hotel, London as Head Cashier.
* March to July 1971 - Wolfgang holidays in Britain.
* 2 - 27 November 1971 - Wolfgang holidays in Bermuda.
* December 1971 - Wolfgang returns to working at the St George's Hotel, London, as a Cashier. Stays there until his departure for Australia in June 1972.
1972
* 1 February 1972 - Wolfgang's New Zealand fiancee journey's home from London. She has a large family of five brothers and five sisters. The couple plan to reunite there and then travel on the Sydney, Australia, where they will settle.
* 28 March 1972 - Wolfgang is given an X-ray as part of his immigration application medical examination.
* 29 March 1972 - Wolfgang undertakes a medical examination by Dr. Gough. It is approved on 6 April.
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| Medical Examination report, 29 March 1972. |
* 27 June 1972 - Wolfgang's application for assisted migration to Australia from England is approved.
* 13 April 1972 - Wolfgang receives a copy of a letter from L. W. Nelson, Chief Migration Officer, outlining the details regarding his visa, application for permanent residence status, and the terms of his assisted passage, costing £11.67. At the time he was occupationally classified as a Clerk.
* 17 April 1972 - Wolfgang signs his Special Passage Assistance Program Undertaking.
* 29 May 1972 - Wolfgang departs London aboard Qantas flight QF174. It is likely he first flew to New Zealand to meet up with his fiancee, and then on to Sydney.
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| QF174, Stockholm, Sweden, 26 June 1972. |
1973
* Wolfgang and his fiancee plan to marry at the end of 1973.
1980s
* Wolfgang lives in apartment no.8, 57 Macleay Street, Potts Point. This building was previously known as the Yellow House.
1990s
* Surrey Hills artist Toby Zoates recalls meeting a Wolfgang at the Black Cafe, Darlinghurst. He was said to be an artist working in the style of Kandinsky.
1996
* 29 July 1996 - Wolfgang Müller dies at 48 Kellett Street, Kings Cross, close to his residence in Potts Point.
2000
* Wolfgang's sister in Germany is informed of her brother's death by an Australian lawyer. She begins a search for more information.
2024
* March 2024 - Wolfgang's neice visits Sydney, and the Yellow House, seeking information on her late uncle's activities whilst resident there.
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11. Final thoughts.....
Mystery remains in the mind of the present writer as to why Wolfgang Muller never contacted his sister and family after leaving home in 1958, or, at the latest, upon leaving Genera, Switzerland, and travelling to England in 1967. This will perhaps ever remain an unanswered question, barring first hand testimony from Wolfgang himself to friends over the intervening years. The search for more information will continue. From what is presented above, it appears that Wolfgang lived an active life during the years leading up to his death in 1996. The silence is therefore tragic for the surviving family members. My thoughts go out to them .....
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12. Acknowledgements
In the compilation of this article I would like to thank Wolfgang's sister, and his neice Nicole for providing specific biographical information on Wolfgang Müller and ensuring the accuracy of the article.
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13. References
Muller, Wolfgang, born 1 August 1937, travelled per flight QF 174 departing 29 May 1972, Series A2562 / 1972 / 3578,
ID 7743337, 17p [digital copy], Record Search [database], National Archives of Australia, Canberra. File released 23 July 2024.
Organ, Michael, Martin Sharp's phantasmagorical terrace: the Yellow House [blog], 12 June 2016.
-----, The Martin Sharp Archive [blog], 14 June 2023.
-----, Lost in Sydney .... looking for Wolfgang Muller [blog], 14 May 2024.
Pinkus, Debbie, Estranged from your adult child? 5 things you can do, Empowering Parents.com, 2023.
Pullman, Philip, His Dark Materials [3 volumes], Scholastic, London, 1995-2000.
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Last updated: 24 July 2024
Michael Organ, Australia (Home)
email: hokusai22@outlook.com
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