Jozef Sikora
| First name | Jozef |
|---|---|
| Last name | Sikora |
| Country of Origin | Poland |
| Date of Birth | 18.4.1918 |
| Year of Arrival in Australia | 1948 |
| Submitted by | Rosemarie Deren |
Story
Jozef Sikora was born on 18.4.1918 to Polish parents Jozef Sikora and Anastasia Kaul. Jozef was born in Coln (Cologne) Germany and moved with his parents back to Poland soon after he was born. Jozef grew up on a farm near Warsaw where he attended school and obtained his engineers degree. W.W 2 arrived and Jozef was captured and sent to work as forced labour on a German farm. After the war ended he was released and he married Erna Reinking. They immigrated to Australia in 1948 on the vessel SS Protea which sailed from Genoa and landed in Melbourne. Joseph worked in Bonegilla while his wife Erna was sent to Windsor Hospital in NSW
Upon arrival in Australia Jozef and Erna were faced with many challenges, the food was different, the language hard to learn, the currency and the clothing fashions were different, the hot climate was draining and the flies were bothersome. Also shopping was difficult as many things were not available. The language was the biggest problem as there were often funny or embarrasing siuations. Also learning to drive a car was difficult then, even to afford to buy one. They moved to Canberra and had two children, Joseph John and Rosemarie. For the first few years they went everywhere by bicycle, Jozef with son on the front and Erna with daughter on the back. Later they bought a car. In 1953 they bought a home in O’Connor Canberra where they lived until Jozef retired. They moved to Dalmeny on the far South Coast in 1987 where he lived for his last 12 years.
Jozef and his wife Erna were naturalised in as Australian citizens on 14th June 1961.
Jozef was a hard worker. He made his own bricks from concrete with a pattern on the face. He built the foundations of a house on the coast with these bricks which he transported from Canberra to Dalmeny in the back of his station wagon. The house was finally finished and after spending many happy holidays there over the years they moved there to retire. They appreciated the fertile soil and had lovely gardens including fruit and vegetables which they shared with many. Joseph died in Dalmeny Nursing Home on 1.4.99 at age 81