| Jo M. (webmaster): My parents and I arrived in Australia, on the so-called "Wave of migration, from the Netherlands", in the mid-fifties. Our destination? Applecross, near Perth. Reason? The family whom we migrated with were related by marriage with someone, in Applecross. Calling down from the railing of the ship, to these friends, waiting on the dock, my father found out that accommodation might not be so difficult but there was no work.
So, we stayed on the ship. As a 12-year-old, I was not in on the quick decision, made in consultation with the Dutch migration official, on-board the ship but was standing at the railing as I saw the crate, with our belongings being lowered down to the shore. I ran to tell my parents and it was retrieved, as our destination was now changed to Bonegilla Migrant Centre, via Melbourne. Eventually, in Sydney we shared this house with our friends.
|
|
There are so many stories similar to ours.
Mr W.J. Fikkers, has recorded a number of them in a publication, called: "Dutchies in the Illawarra."
A chapter which particularly brought back memories for me, is about a somewhat similar shaped "crate" in which a lady, called, Donna, slept soundly, "for the first time, since coming to Australia." p. 29, Dutchies in the Illawarra, by Bill Fikkers. .......MORE HERE....(Bill Fikkers - well done!)
The book, "Dutchies in the Illawarra," by Bill Fikkers, here. inspired me to tell you about our story. There are so many, yet un-told
|
They decided to go back to the Netherlands (the first time) but came back. Once again with a crate holding all their belongings. My parents and I so pleased to have them back, sharing this old house and what we've often called "our best years in Australia".
Rene Michels schreef: " ....leuk om te lezen over de hollanders die in die jaren emigreerde naar Australie net zoals wij met `n gezin van maar liefst 12 personen zoals toen in de australise kranten beschreven werd cheaper bij the dozen .
Na `n zeer korte periode in Scheyville hebben wij onze vleugels uitgeslagen en via goede kennissen naar Miranda verhuisd en na enkele jaren, `n verhuis gedaan naar kurnell en daarop hebben we Cronulla verkozen met als huidige bestemming Sylvania alwaar ons Moeder nu nog woont en met kinderen en klein-plus vele achterkleinkinderen haar stekje heeft.
|
|
Nu inmiddels op hoge leeftijd ons allen nog in toom probeert te houden. Degene die dit schrijft is de oudste zoon die met zijn vrouw Ellen (ook in australie gewoond) toch gekozen heeft om zijn stek in België te vinden.
Mochten er mensen zijn die hierop willen reageren dan zouden wij het super vinden om n`s bij te praten over die mooie vervlogen tijden .(Op de Zuiderkruis zijn wij destijds vanuit Ned. vertrokken.)
Met vriendelijke groeten en wie weet........ Rene en Ellen Michels steenweg op Antwerpen 76a bus 1 2300 Turnhout 2300 Belgie jm-michels@hotmail.com Mocht er iemand willen reageren doe het zeker aan: Rene Michels: jm-michels@hotmail.com
Zeker de moeite waard om leike tijden uit te wisselen.
Tot dan, met vriendelijke groet, Rene Michels
|
