Pamela Ruskin

Born Pamela June Zimbler at Hampstead in London,[2] she was the only daughter of Dolly (née Goldhill) and Samuel. Her mother Dolly died 11 June 1979.[3] Her father was a furrier who had migrated with his family to Melbourne when she was a child of six, and conducted business until the mid-1950s in Flinders Lane, the centre of Melbourne's 'rag trade'.[4] Educated at the non-denominational St Catherine's School, Toorak, she completed an Arts degree at the University of Melbourne. During World War II and living at 45 Bruce Street, Toorak, she served in the Royal Australian Navy decoding section, and in 1940 met Jewish refugee from Berlin, Alfred Ruskin[5] who had been studying medicine at Berlin University, but was forced to leave during Nazi purges.[6] He had migrated in 1938 and joined the Army to become a naturalised Australian.[7] They were married in St Kilda at the Temple Beth Israel on 27 July 1944,[8][9] and Alfred went on to become a printer, publisher and patron of the arts for which he received the Order of Australia in 1986.[6][10]

The couple had four children, but motherhood did not prevent Pamela flourishing in journalism.[11] In 1946 her story The Man on the Mast was broadcast on radio by the Australian Broadcasting Commission.[12] In 1951 for The Argus she wrote an exposé of the state-run children's hostels.[13][14] From 1952 until 1984 she wrote on various subjects for Melbourne's The Age,[15][16] contributed a regular stamp column to The Argus newspaper,[17] and collaborated on radio plays with Morris West before he became a best-selling author.

During 1954 she and Caroline Isaacson partnered in a writers' agency 'Features,' from 11 Monomeath Ave., Toorak, advertising in The Journalist.[18] She was a freelance contributor to magazines including Walkabout,[19][20] for which she wrote over 30 articles between 1963 and 1978; Dance Australia Magazine;[21] Theatre Australia;[22] and 24 Hours.[23]

For 25 years she wrote a weekly column 'Roundabout' in The Australian Jewish News,[24] which was frequenly controversial,[25][26] and also a column 'Stairway To The Stars.' Her articles included frequent book reviews[27] including a series of them that were an advertising feature in The Age for Margareta Webber[28] Booksellers,[29] and for the same newspaper she penned a series of articles on South African authors, incorporating interviews.[30]

As a regular reviewer of ballet,[43] opera[55] and theatre[56] Ruskin consequently became a judge of the Green Room Awards that recognise and reward talent in the various sectors of the arts. She held that position well into her eighties and was made a Life Member in 1996. Ruskin continued to practise her profession into the new century.[57]

She died of heart failure on 20 May 2010, aged 89, at her home in Toorak, survived by her children, Sally, Jeremy, Richard and Nick, nine grandchildren and one great-granddaughter. She is buried at Melbourne Chevra Kadisha.

Pamela and her husband Alfred were supporters of the Melba Opera Trust where he served as Chairman of Council from 1972-1996, the perpetual Alfred Ruskin Memorial Award being established in his name.[58] He was also a member of the Australian Ballet Foundation Board.[10]

• Ruskin, Pamela; Duldig, Karl (1966). Sculpture; Vienna, Singapore, Melbourne. Melbourne: Cheshire. OCLC 9695188.
• Ruskin, Pamela (1973). Golden stamp book of Australian postage stamps. Golden Press. OCLC 223168149.
• Ruskin, Pamela (1989). Invitation to the dance: the story of the Australian Ballet School. Sydney: Collins. ISBN 9780732200794. OCLC 1190872721.
• Kees., De Hoog (2012). Investigating Arthur Upfield: A Centenary Collection of Critical Essays. Cambridge Scholars Publishing. OCLC 940890073.[31]

• 1968 Walkley Award (Print) - Best Story Published in an Australian Magazine, 'Baldwin Spencer: Arunta Tribesman', Walkabout[19][47]
• 1969 Walkley Award (Print) Best Story Published in an Australian Magazine, 'School for Ballet', Walkabout[20][49]