In January 1961, 50 mothers marched through the Victorian town of Healesville demanding their doctor be reinstated to the local hospital. Their placards declared ‘1000 Babies Can’t Be Wrong’.

These mothers were supporting Dr Arthur Deery, a Hungarian Jewish doctor and a person of interest to Australia’s security services.

Dr Fallon Mody from Melbourne University will present Dr Arthur Deery’s migrant medical life which spanned 40 years.

Fallon’s research highlights how biographical explorations enable more nuanced understandings of being an ‘alien doctor’ in pre and post-war Australia.

This event is being held in conjunction with our touring exhibition Spy: espionage in Australia now on at the Victorian Archives Centre in Melbourne until 7 July 2023.

The event is a hybrid one – people can either attend in person or join remotely. For those who come in person, we are offering a tour of the Spy Exhibition too!

To book tickets click here: 1000 babies can’t be wrong! | naa.gov.au

Photo caption: Dr Arthur Deery and his family, 1940s. Courtesy of  Dr Deery’s grand-daughter, Ingrid Svendsen OAM, and Dr Fallon Mody.