Geertje & Gerrit Bleumink

Story

The migration of Gerrit (Gerry), Geertje (Gay), with son Marinus (Rien) 5 1/2 years & daughter Aleida (Ada) 3 1/2 years Bleumink. Migration had been on our mind since Gerry & I met, it took 6 years before we could realize our dream. In an overcrowded country like Holland, there were few opportunities for advancement & so many regulations & rules, we felt quite claustrophobic. We dreamed of a better future for our children & ourselves. After a lot of investigation & careful thought we felt that Australia would give us the best chance to follow our dream, as it had a good immigration policy & help lines. Australia had a great climate & plenty of work opportunities for people with a trade. While we waited for approval, Gerry took a trades test for the Aust Trade Commission & received his Trade Ticket. On the 3rd of Dec 1959 we flew from Amsterdam to Sydney & arrived on the 6th of Dec. We stayed 1 night at hostel Villawood & the next day caught the train to Albury & from there to Bonegilla. Our contact person sent a message for Gerry to meet him in Melbourne to find a job. I stayed in Bonegilla with the children & assisted with all the paperwork necessary. Bonegilla was a godsend to people like us who had no family or friends here, we were given accommodation, food & whatever help we needed. Gerry started work in Highett & boarded with one of the other workers & organized to hire a caravan for us to move in after Xmas. Rien started school early February & it was such a hard time for him, not speaking much English. It was 4-6 months before he was a bit happier. I felt so cruel sending him every day. Late January the crate with our belongings arrived & we started looking for a flat, which we found in March. The rent was £8 & Gerry was only earning £20. In our quest for cheaper rental we moved 4 times until we found a flat above a butcher shop for £3. We saved to buy a block of land in Seaford and built a modest 3 bedroom home. In 1962 our son Lucas was born, a beautiful healthy little boy. On the 11th of February 1965, we were proud to become Australian citizens. Without an extended family we needed love & support from each other. A very strong bond developed & has stayed with us always. We bought an old 1940 Vauxhall & it was so exciting exploring the hills, rivers, bush and animals in the wild, what a beautiful country we had chosen. In 1970 we started our Hardware store in Seaford & without the help of our children it would never have been as successful. We sold the business in 1975 & bought a caravan park in Toora, Sth. Gippsland. Rien bought & lived in a caravan in Seaford during his apprenticeship in Fitting & Turning, Ada studied Occupational Therapy & boarded with friends & Luke came with us & went to Leongatha Tech. School. We loved running the park & made lifelong friends in Toora. After 5 years we sold up & bought a home in Somerville, the house was not quite finished & nothing had been done to the 1_ acre garden. After a busy year, Gerry started his Engineering business & I opened a Giftware and Toyshop in Somerville. Rien married Jan Hough in 1980 & they are so happy together. Ada finished her studies & worked in Moe Hospital. Luke got an apprenticeship with the S.E.C. at Yallourn & boarded there. In 1982 Ada married Michael Mason & we have another happy couple. Not long after that they bought a cafŽ in Omeo & after lots of hard work they turned this into a Gourmet Restaurant. In 1984 Rien & Jan presented us with our first Grandson, John followed by Robert in 1986. Amazing the feelings of joy to us. Not wanting to be left behind, Ada & Mick presented Trent in 1987. We felt so happy with our grandchildren. In 1988 we lost our son Luke to a dependency of prescription drugs. It is the worst that can happen to parents. Our children & grandchildren helped us through many bad moments & in 1990 Ada & Mick presented Joel. Rien & Jan started their business, which has been going for 20 years & John has recently joined them. Rob is studying to be a primary school teacher, Ada & Mick have moved to Wodonga & now both work for the government. Trent is studying to be a commercial pilot and Joel hopes to start Uni next year. It is very sad that Gerry, the driving force behind all we have achieved, passed away in March 07. I am glad to say many of his dreams came true & I am proud that we are successful migrants who belong & are very happy to call Australia home.

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