Ruth Scheuer OAM

Ruth Scheuer was born in Lodz, Poland in 1934 and came to Australia as a 15 year old in 1949. She had attended state school in Poland and on her arrival in Melbourne, attended MacRobertson's Girls High School and then Stotts Business College. Ruth also Studied at the Berlitz School of Languages in Paris and the Nova School of Languages - "Leonardo Da Vinci" in Florence, Italy. As a result, Ruth speaks fluently in English, Polish, French, Italian, Russian and Yiddish. She married in 1953. She is computer literate, enjoys playing bridge and loves her dog Hascal.

Ruth joined WIZO Nirim in 1958 and has been an active member ever since, and its President from 1991 until today. As President she organised glamorous fashion parades, launched art shows and book launches, produced brochures, organized WIZO parties and raised a lot of money in donations for the people in WIZO's care in Israel. Ruth has always managed to organise a WIZO party on board cruises, raising many dollars for WIZO.

Ruth held the portfolio of Wills and Bequests on WIZO Victoria Executive for many years and is a currently a member of the WIZO Australia Federal Executive. She has also received many volunteer awards from Glen Eira Council, NCJW and many other organisations.

Ruth was very involved in the Pop Up Opportunity shops, which raised a great deal of money for WIZO Victoria. She has been a volunteer at Regis Armadale Aged Care facility, Emmy Monash Home and Arcare Caulfield, in each one inaugurating a WIZO group, WIZO Chavera at Regis and WIZO Forever at Arcare. Ruth maintains that as she was welcomed to Australia with open arms, being very grateful for that, she must give something back. That she has definitely done in her volunteering work.

In 2019, Ruth received an OAM in the Queen's Birthday Honour's List for her service to the Jewish Community of Victoria. Ruth says it is lovely to receive awards, but even more rewarding knowing the good work that she has done. Her involvement with WIZO has been a very important part of her life. She consistently raises large amount of money for all kinds of celebrations and did so again on her 85th birthday last year. She is currently "Walking for WIZO" in order to overcome the after effects of a recent stroke. Donations to this project can be made on the WIZO Victoria website.