Edvins Briedums
| Town/City | Kalamunda |
|---|---|
| First name | Edvins |
| Last name | Briedums |
| Country of Origin | Latvia |
| Date of Birth | 7/7/1935 |
| Year of Arrival in Australia | 1949 |
| Submitted by | Edvins Briedums |
Story
My Parents and I left Latvia due to the then Imminent Communist occupation. I travelled with my parents on the ship Olga Oldendorf from Riga to Danzig in 1943. We remained in Germany as refugees during the war and then in DP Camps including Spakenberg. In 1949 we travelled by train to Italy (Naples) and then by Ship General Langfitt, father, mother, sister and I left for Australia. We arrived at Port of Melbourne 26 June 1949. Cold, rainy, miserable. Not the “sunny” country we expected.
By train to Migrant Camps in Bonegilla, then Rushworth and then Sommers on the Mornington peninsular.
As a 14 year old life was beautiful. Beach 200 m from camp, by bus to Frankston High School, rest of time observing birds that made strange sounds, spiders that lived underground, dogs that did not bark, and plenty of holiday work with sheep farmers and orchardists on the Peninsula – all accessed by pushbike.
My Father bough 20 acres of virgin bushland at Main Ridge and hard “yakka” followed for my father and I clearing it by hand, planting an orchard and building a modest house. In 1955 to pursue further study I went to live in Melbourne and boarded with my aunt and uncle who by then had also emigrated to Australia.
My mother died 1985 and father 1995. Approximately 1988 my sister and family left Kempsey NSW and went to live in the USA. In 1961 I married a pretty Western Australian girl who has grown more beautiful each year. Our eldest Daughter is still unmarried. Youngest daughter is married with 3 children.
Our son, after graduating from UWA went to do social work in Southeast Asia. This being his 16th year there.
My wife and I live on the escarpment overlooking Perth and in the night-lights we reflect on how the world has changed, and how our beloved Australia has changed with it. To me it brings back memories of strife and friction in the Europe I left behind in 1949. So, now as Jehovah’s Witnesses we endeavor to highlight Bible principles and the promise of a Righteous World by God to all those who will listen.
Ed Briedums