Hendrika Besselink
| First name | Hendrika |
|---|---|
| Last name | Besselink |
| Country of Origin | Holland |
| Date of Birth | 1/3/2029 |
| Year of Arrival in Australia | May-50 |
| Submitted by | Hendrika Besselink |
Story
My boyfriend Cornelis Albert Besselink ( whom I knew since we were 12 years old) wanted to immigrate. We were engaged to be married and 20 years old but the future did not look good. We both worked and were well paid but housing was impossible to be had and moving in with family in those small unit s was not a good idea. We lived in Amsterdam.
Cornelis (calling name Cor) left as self paying migrant during December 1949 with the “Volendam” for Melbourne, arriving in January 1950. He went direct to Canberra working as painter and signwriter for AVJennings. He sent money over for me to follow and I arrived in May 1950 on the “Sibaijak” at Melbourne. But as my mother would not let me go unless we were married thus we married by proxy. Cor in Canberra and I in Amsterdam, Cor’s father was “stand in” We married 14 April 1950 and I left from Rotterdam the next day.
I started work at the home of the Ambassador of South Africa in Acton as housemaid. Living in a nice flat at the back of the house Cor was allowed to live with me so things worked out oke. Cor was building our house in West Ridge (Yarralumla)
There were many parties or cocktail parties at the ambassedor’s residence were I had to serve drinks and things to eat. I therefore met lots of VIP’s, like Ben Chifley, Bob Menzies and many other senators etc. They asked the usual questions to me, such as ” How do you like Australia”
Mr Chifley was a very nice person we had a nice talk on one of the visits. My husband was entertained by the car drivers and police officers outside drinking beer and learning English. We both came here not speaking English.
When I fell pregnant we had to leave and moved into our partly built house. Things were not easy for a long time but after our house was built and Cor started his Painting Contracting business things improved a lot. Our business grew rapidly and was well known as Besselink Bros in and around Canberra.
We have had a great life in Canberra. We have 5 daughters, 13 grandchildren and up to now (2006) 11 greatgrandchildren
Hendrika Besselink nee Brandt.