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A Story Dreamt Long Ago
All mothers have their secrets ...
When Bettina Mendl arrived in Sydney in 1939 from Vienna she was on the run. Born into a wealthy Austrian family, she was an orphaned heiress, a social darling, and an ambitious equestrian.
In 1936 she refused to compete at the Berlin Olympic Games in protest at Hilter's warmongering; a snub for which she would pay dearly.
During Anschluss, the annexation of Austria, SS Commander Otto Wachter confiscated her extensive estate of vineyards, stables, and castles, and moved into her mansion; the Villa Mendl. With a five pound note in her pocket, Bettina fled to Australia and out into the bush, seeking refuge and anonymity to work as a land girl.
Joe McDuff, a station manager, won her heart and soothed her soul, asking no questions and together they forged a new life; a homestead and two daughters.
Ten years later, into this precious refuge a letter arrived ... a summons to return.
The glittering world of opulence and violence from which she had fled now lured Bettina back with promises of restoring her birthright. And so, two young bush princesses find themselves in a whirling fairy-tale world of taffeta, silk, rules and hidden protocols.
Who is Bettina? An heiress? A Viennese socialite? Or a spy who helped dozens of Jews flee Hitler?
When Bettina Mendl arrived in Sydney in 1939 from Vienna she was on the run. Born into a wealthy Austrian family, she was an orphaned heiress, a social darling, and an ambitious equestrian.
In 1936 she refused to compete at the Berlin Olympic Games in protest at Hilter's warmongering; a snub for which she would pay dearly.
During Anschluss, the annexation of Austria, SS Commander Otto Wachter confiscated her extensive estate of vineyards, stables, and castles, and moved into her mansion; the Villa Mendl. With a five pound note in her pocket, Bettina fled to Australia and out into the bush, seeking refuge and anonymity to work as a land girl.
Joe McDuff, a station manager, won her heart and soothed her soul, asking no questions and together they forged a new life; a homestead and two daughters.
Ten years later, into this precious refuge a letter arrived ... a summons to return.
The glittering world of opulence and violence from which she had fled now lured Bettina back with promises of restoring her birthright. And so, two young bush princesses find themselves in a whirling fairy-tale world of taffeta, silk, rules and hidden protocols.
Who is Bettina? An heiress? A Viennese socialite? Or a spy who helped dozens of Jews flee Hitler?
255 pages, Paperback
Published January 1, 2003
4 people are currently reading
58 people want to read
About the author
Phyllis McDuff
4 books1 followerPhyllis McDuff was born in the outback, in Hillston, western New South Wales. Her early years included extensive family travel through Europe, Africa and Asia. She was educated at; Brigidine College in Randwick, Sydney University, the University of New England and the University of Queensland.
Her career training horses was based on instruction received at the famed Spanish Riding School of Vienna.
Phyllis has lived on the outskirts of Brisbane, Queensland since 1965.
Phyllis has recently been awarded the Austria Prize for Services to German Literature; jointly awarded by the Austrian Consulate, University of Sydney and Macquarie University.
Her career training horses was based on instruction received at the famed Spanish Riding School of Vienna.
Phyllis has lived on the outskirts of Brisbane, Queensland since 1965.
Phyllis has recently been awarded the Austria Prize for Services to German Literature; jointly awarded by the Austrian Consulate, University of Sydney and Macquarie University.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
October 13, 2017
A Story Dreamt Long Ago by Phyllis McDuff is a memoir providing a historical account of her own life but more specifically of her endeavours to uncover some of the mysteries surrounding her mothers life. It's unlikely I'd have elected to read this had it not been the chosen title for October in my in-person book club where it seems some of the other bookclub members are friendly with the author, a local Brisbane lady. The book was first published in 2003 and when it concluded Phyllis McDuff had a number of unanswered questions but she had resolved to leave the past alone and to stop researching her family history. I would dearly love the opportunity of chatting with her now to see if these convictions had remained strong or if, as I half suspect, she had uncovered other pieces of the puzzle in the subsequent decade and a half.
Phyllis was born in outback Australia and was raised in what could only be described as primitive conditions. Her home may have been isolated, and rugged by our standards but she had loving parents and she lead a country lifestyle she loved - playing outdoors, tending the animals and riding horses. I was intrigued by many aspects of her lifestyle including her adhoc schooling and the way her parents relinquished her into the care of relatives in Sydney when her mother travelled back to Europe. Her mother had escaped Austria prior to the second world war, and now some years after the war had ended she was doing all possible to reclaim the property that had been wrongfully taken from her by the Nazis. In a complete contrast to their early lifestyle, Phyllis describes how their lives changed. Beginning with their voyage back to Europe, the palatial family villa with 45 acres of manicured gardens, weekend getaways and skiing trips, the elegant ballgowns and various social events attended, receiving a scholarship to the elite Spanish Riding School of Vienna.
Her return as a teen to complete the Debutante season in Vienna, jaunts to Paris & London to buy lace, to Italy for shoes. I was intrigued by the authors recent endeavours to have the family Picasso's authenticated, to understand her mother's true history, how and why she ended up in outback Australia.
Footnote.....My wish came true. During our bookclub meeting on Thursday evening we discussed A Story Dreamt Long Ago and we had a surprise guest visit from Pyllis herself. It was wonderful and incredibly interesting discussing her life, asking our questions and hearing her answers. She also told of the background to her novel Bequest, a story she advised was promoted as historical fiction but is based on fact. About a bracelet that once belonged to Queen Victoria but which she inherited from her mother (and which is now in safe keeping somewhere in Brisbane). Looks like another for the TBR.
3.5 stars rounded up
Phyllis was born in outback Australia and was raised in what could only be described as primitive conditions. Her home may have been isolated, and rugged by our standards but she had loving parents and she lead a country lifestyle she loved - playing outdoors, tending the animals and riding horses. I was intrigued by many aspects of her lifestyle including her adhoc schooling and the way her parents relinquished her into the care of relatives in Sydney when her mother travelled back to Europe. Her mother had escaped Austria prior to the second world war, and now some years after the war had ended she was doing all possible to reclaim the property that had been wrongfully taken from her by the Nazis. In a complete contrast to their early lifestyle, Phyllis describes how their lives changed. Beginning with their voyage back to Europe, the palatial family villa with 45 acres of manicured gardens, weekend getaways and skiing trips, the elegant ballgowns and various social events attended, receiving a scholarship to the elite Spanish Riding School of Vienna.
Her return as a teen to complete the Debutante season in Vienna, jaunts to Paris & London to buy lace, to Italy for shoes. I was intrigued by the authors recent endeavours to have the family Picasso's authenticated, to understand her mother's true history, how and why she ended up in outback Australia.
Footnote.....My wish came true. During our bookclub meeting on Thursday evening we discussed A Story Dreamt Long Ago and we had a surprise guest visit from Pyllis herself. It was wonderful and incredibly interesting discussing her life, asking our questions and hearing her answers. She also told of the background to her novel Bequest, a story she advised was promoted as historical fiction but is based on fact. About a bracelet that once belonged to Queen Victoria but which she inherited from her mother (and which is now in safe keeping somewhere in Brisbane). Looks like another for the TBR.
3.5 stars rounded up
September 21, 2022
I enjoyed this memoir. It was an absolute delight to read. It takes one through times of war, life in European high society, intriguing secrets of the past, strange comings and goings, and a life in the Australian outback. I couldn’t put it down. Highly recommended!
May 9, 2012
This is a beautiful account of a daughter searching for answers to questions unasked, or cleverly diverted by her mother during her childhood. Phyllis is an eloquent story teller in the vein of old fashioned orators. This book is emotionally woven with the imprint of her life experiences with her mother.
Bettina Mendal arrived in Australia in 1939 from Vienna fearful and mistrusting. She left the city for the outback and comparative safety. Her wealthy and privileged upbringing did not prepare her for manual labour required in order to survive in the bush. Joe McDuff met her during a dark period in her struggle to live and took pity on the small feisty European woman. Bettina soon realised Joe was someone she could trust. They married and lived on a small property where they raised two daughters Phyllis and Dawn while war raged overseas.
At the end of the war their idyllic family life changed forever, Bettina was recalled to Austria to reclaim her inheritance. The separation for many months was for Phyllis, unnecessary and intolerable. When Bettina returns she takes her family back to Europe. In this book Phyllis recalls her turbulent youth and hasty departure from one place to another about Europe, with half-uttered conversations and a veil of secrecy that surrounded her mothers past life. The journey seemed haphazard and yet, a wonderful family adventure amongst a rich and pampered life they had not known in Australia.
Years later when her mother moves to a smaller home Bettina, presents Phyllis with two drawings signed by Picasso, that she insists are authentic. This is the catalyst to the research taken to complete this tome. When, some time later, Phyllis sets out to answer the mystery of where the paintings came from and how they came to be in her mother’s possession.
Bettina, her daughter discovered, was multi-lingual and a shrewd business woman who fought her terror of the Nazi’s seizing all her assets during the War. This was totally at odds with the explosively emotional woman they knew.
I was enthralled with the journey and how much, or how little, Bettina continued to impart. Bettina was clearly in control to the end, this remarkable woman allowed only some of the mystery of her life to be revealed.
See more about it on http://www.phyllismcduff.com/
This is a book any reader would savour as a delight.
Bettina Mendal arrived in Australia in 1939 from Vienna fearful and mistrusting. She left the city for the outback and comparative safety. Her wealthy and privileged upbringing did not prepare her for manual labour required in order to survive in the bush. Joe McDuff met her during a dark period in her struggle to live and took pity on the small feisty European woman. Bettina soon realised Joe was someone she could trust. They married and lived on a small property where they raised two daughters Phyllis and Dawn while war raged overseas.
At the end of the war their idyllic family life changed forever, Bettina was recalled to Austria to reclaim her inheritance. The separation for many months was for Phyllis, unnecessary and intolerable. When Bettina returns she takes her family back to Europe. In this book Phyllis recalls her turbulent youth and hasty departure from one place to another about Europe, with half-uttered conversations and a veil of secrecy that surrounded her mothers past life. The journey seemed haphazard and yet, a wonderful family adventure amongst a rich and pampered life they had not known in Australia.
Years later when her mother moves to a smaller home Bettina, presents Phyllis with two drawings signed by Picasso, that she insists are authentic. This is the catalyst to the research taken to complete this tome. When, some time later, Phyllis sets out to answer the mystery of where the paintings came from and how they came to be in her mother’s possession.
Bettina, her daughter discovered, was multi-lingual and a shrewd business woman who fought her terror of the Nazi’s seizing all her assets during the War. This was totally at odds with the explosively emotional woman they knew.
I was enthralled with the journey and how much, or how little, Bettina continued to impart. Bettina was clearly in control to the end, this remarkable woman allowed only some of the mystery of her life to be revealed.
See more about it on http://www.phyllismcduff.com/
This is a book any reader would savour as a delight.
May 26, 2012
Phyllis's memoir is a gripping and captivating read. From remote outback Australia to high society in Vienna, her memoir reads more like a novel. Intrigue and wartime politics and a great mystery are all intertwined within her story. It was a very hard book to put down!
October 20, 2009
The effect of World War II on Bettina Mendl, her life in rural NSW in 1940's and Bettina's subsequent search during the rest of her life for her inheritance. Book written by her daughter, Phyllis McDuff.
March 27, 2019
Written as a memoir from the perspective of the daughter of post war migrant in Australia. Phyllis attemps to unravel the pre war early life of her Austrian born mother Bettina. It discloses a life of privilege and wealth post war and escaping from the Nazi invasion. However life post war is not one of financial struggle and it seems there is still much wealth that Bettina is able to draw upon. Phyllis attempts to find out the early hsitory of her mother is not well resolved, and the memoir is mainly a telling of the life of the family as it was lived in Australia.
July 22, 2016
I have just finished reading Phyllis McDuff's memoir. I didn't want the reading to finish, I read it slowly so as not to miss a detail. I loved the way Phyllis' words built pictures, of life spent in the Australian outback, of life spent in the society of Vienna pre WWII. She allowed me to sense and imagine the complex relationships that existed in her family through the generations. Her mother, a survivor, a woman who through her life experienced many diverse hardships, all of them helping to create the layers of mystery that intrigued her daughter. Intrigue strong enough to encouraged Phyllis to explore her mother's life and their mother/daugher relationship. Thank you for sharing your journey of discovery. You have made me reflect on my own mother's early life in war torn London, loss of her parents and subsequent 10 pound passage to Australia at 20 years of age, and how much I miss her.
June 22, 2014
What an amazing recount of a person and the situations which surround them. A twist, and a mystery which may or may not unfold. I loved this story, the passion and confusion which enveloped the author.
November 25, 2016
Brilliant and intriguing book, about the mysterious life of Bettina McDuff born in Austria but escaped to Australia during the war and met her soul mate Joe McDuff an Aussie bushie. The story is told by her daughter Phyllis McDuff..
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews