03-Australian Years - My Life's Journey

I started school immediately, joining grade three at Oxley Park Primary. The classroom size swelled from 37 to 43 pupils, likely due to the influx of migrants. Adjusting to the English language was challenging at first, but with the help of my school friends and two cousins, I quickly became fluent.

My parents soon set their eyes on a block halfway up the street from my aunt’s house. This location was ideal for Mum, who would have company while Dad was at work. The half-acre block was purchased, and before long, we had our own three-bedroom home with a large bathroom and an eat-in kitchen—luxuries we could only dream of back in The Hague. As kids, we were fascinated by the bathroom, which had both a bathtub and a separate shower recess. The outdoor toilet was a bit of a concern for Mum and Dad, but we all adapted.

Independence was in my blood from an early age. During school holidays, you could find me operating the elevators at Grace Bros in Parramatta—until I was told I was too young for such work. Later, I found a position at Kingswood Station, opening and closing the road gates and throwing switches when a train was due. Under the station master's supervision, I loved the responsibility and the camaraderie with the staff. This experience sparked a lifelong interest in trains. My duties were voluntary since I was still too young to earn money, but the satisfaction and knowledge gained were invaluable.

During this period, I developed an unusual interest in bookkeeping. At just 11 years old, I set up my own budget, complete with an office ledger book and numerous office stamps. This system tracked how my pocket money was earned and spent. Chores were a part of our daily life, and the more chores I did, the more pocket money Mum gave me. Recognising my interest in office work, Mum bought me a brand-new portable typewriter for my 12th birthday. Ecstatic, I spent countless hours typing everything from TV rosters to stories. I was likely the only kid in my class, perhaps the entire school, with a typewriter.

Mum also nominated me for a Sydney TV game show, and to my surprise, I was accepted. Dad drove us to North Sydney for the recording. Although I didn’t win a major prize, I returned home with some minor ones. This experience was a significant milestone—I had travelled halfway around the world and appeared on Australian television. My schoolmates were quite envious when I returned to school that Monday.

Dad’s work increasingly took him away from home. He ran a house-painting firm, employing several Dutch painters. This made it difficult for him to learn English and communicate with building supervisors, which was a source of great frustration. Eventually, he secured a contract to paint all the housing commission homes in Berkley near Wollongong. This job required him to stay away during the week, only coming home on weekends. The trip to Wollongong took about two and a half hours one way, making daily commutes impossible. Feeling isolated and homesick, Dad began contemplating a return to Holland.

After four and a half years in Australia, Dad decided it was time to go back to his beloved homeland. Our house in St Marys was sold, and we rented temporary accommodation in Kingswood until it was time to board the MS Auralia for our voyage back to Holland. We spent a couple of nights at my Aunt Toos’s place before heading to Circular Quay. All our furniture had already been packed into a large crate.

Personally, I longed to stay in Australia, but as a child, I had no say in the decision. However, I vowed that I would return as soon as I turned eighteen.