Dora TRUDINGER

TRUDINGER, DORA (b. Bradford, England 23 Oct 1876; d. Adelaide, SA, 18 March 1961). Missionary.

Dora Trudinger was the last of five sisters who with one brother served as missionaries m China, with CIM. She was accepted by CIM in May 1904 and sailed for China on 28 Sept 1904. Prior to leaving for China, she said: 'When fist a Christian I used to think that it was necessary to have some vision or some dream to tell me that I should go to be a missionary... but God showed me that that was not the call that was necessary: "Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature" was quite sufficient call for any one to go and offer for the field ... By His grace I am now about to go to China.' (China's Millions, Oct 1904)

Dora Trudinger was a keen missionary and one who longed for the salvation of the Chinese people. However she was fist sent to Chefoo to teach the children of missionaries, which she cheerfully accepted. However she assiduously studied the Chinese language in what spare time she had and passed all six language examinations. Later she was released to work inland. In Shansi and Honan she applied herself with great devotion to preaching and teaching the women. Failing sight caused by her loving care of refugee children during the Japanese war, made it imperative for her to retire in 1943. In Adelaide she gave herself wholeheartedly to teaching religious instruction in the state schools. She died aged 91 yeas.

R Becker, Geschichte der Familie Schammer (Herrnhut, 1922); China's Millions, Australasian Editions (OMF Archives, Melbourne) Oct 1904; May 1961; M Loane, The Story of the CIM in Australia and New Zealand 1890-1964 (Sydney, 1965)

C D TRUDINGER