History of Anthroposophic Medicine in Australia

The Anthroposophical medical movement was introduced to Australia with the arrival Dr Joachim Pohl after WWII. He was registered with the Australian Medical Association and worked in and around Sydney. He and his wife, Kyra Pohl, started a day school for intellectually disadvantaged children. Anthroposophical Medicine became connected with the impulse of “curative education”.

In the late 1970s Erwin Berney established Helios and was instrumental in supporting access to Anthroposophic Medicine. He also offered training.

In 1979 Ulrike Faeste, worked with Dr Pohl at Inala as a nurse and developed special massage techniques in Australia.

In Melbourne in 1975, Joan Salter (1912 – 2004), an Australian nurse, established the Gabriel Baby Centre and commenced public training courses in Anthroposophy and the care of ‘the incarnating child’ – the title of her published book. She was instrumental in establishing the of community project of Melbourne Therapy Centre. The MTC continues to this day with a team of doctors, holistic medical practitioners, therapists, nurses and supporting staff. Brazilian trained doctor, Paulo Moraes, has been the carrying doctor for this anthroposophic medical centre since 1993.