50 years of community service

“Shirkers” of yesteryear have long been indispensable

Max Aufischer (left) started his civilian service with the Red Cross in Graz on April 1, 1975. 50 years later, Luis Hollerer is waiting in the wings.(Bild: Krone KREATIV/Amsüss, Hollerer)

50 years ago, the first people to do community service appeared on the scene. The very first was Max Aufischer from Graz. He remembers hostility, while 17-year-old Luis Hollerer looks forward to his service with anticipation.

Prejudices were quickly encountered in 1975. Conscientious objector was still one of the harmless labels that the now 72-year-old Max Aufischer was labeled with in the 1970s. The labels ranged from "shirker" to "traitor to the fatherland".