Geert & Froukje Topma
| Town/City | Bendigo Victoria |
|---|---|
| First name | Geert & Froukje |
| Last name | Topma |
| Country of Origin | Holland |
| Date of Birth | 12/10/14 & 08/05/16 |
| Year of Arrival in Australia | 1953 |
| Submitted by | Jan Douwe Topma |
Story
After WW2 my parents wanted something better for their children as far as living conditions and quality of life was concerned. They decided to migrate to Australia to fulfil their dreams. Their dreams were realised and were not sorry that they came to Australia to live.
We came to Australia by boat arriving at Station Pier Port Melbourne on the first Tuesday in November you guessed it Melbourne Cup Day. Every Melbourne Cup Day we now celebrate our arrival in Australia with a B-B-Q. We had a sea voyage of approximately 5 weeks and came via the Suez Canal. The weather was rather warm and there was nowhere to go except round and round the boat. But finally did make it all in one piece.
Our first impressions were that we were’nt allowed off the boat because it was a public holiday, why we asked because they said it was Melbourne Cup Day and the stevedores didn’t work on public holidays. When we were finally allowed off the boat we were sent to the migrant accommodation centre at Bonegilla near Wodonga in Victoria. Coming from the winter in Europe to the summer of Australia was quite a change and hard to accept. We were there about 5 weeks then we were reallocated to the Holmesglen Migrant Centre for a period of time whilst my parents earned enough to fulfil there dreams and built there own home.
They both have passed on but would be proud of the legacy they left behind for there four children and subsequent granchildren and great grand children. I am putting this in on the behalf of my parents and the four children that came out with them, the names are below.
Aaltje Topma, Johan Topma, Jan Douwe Topma and Jacob Topma.
Thanking you for consideration in this matter.
Jan Douwe Topma.