Roelf and Geertje de Boer
| Town/City | Turners Beach, Tas |
|---|---|
| First name | Roelf and Geertje |
| Last name | de Boer |
| Country of Origin | Netherlands |
| Year of Arrival in Australia | Jun-52 |
| Submitted by | Roelof de Boer |
Story
Because of the great upheaval caused by the events of WW2, my mum and dad, Geertje and Roelf de Boer along with their four children, Roelof 9/8/1939, Anna 13/2/1943, Max 9/10/1947 and Roelf Jnr 29/7/1951 decided to migrate to Australia in order to obtain a much brighter future for themselves and us their children.
We embarked on MS Fairsea and after a six weeks journey arrived in Melbourne. From there we were taken to the migrant reception centre at Bonegilla in Northern Victoria, and were fed and housed in WW2 army barracks.
As a lad of 13, I was in paradise as I could roam the hills for and wide, catching rabbits, fishing for redfin on Lake Hume – I picked my first orange on a nearby farm. The trees, the landscape, flora and fauna was so different – especially the poisonous snakes.
There was at the time a downturn in the economy, and my father trudged all over Victoria to find work as a farm labourer as both my parents were from peasant farming stock and hard workers and their dream was to one day own their own farm.
After about 6 months my dad found a passage aboard MS Taroona and arrived in Devonport, Tas one morning, where he happened to meet another Dutch migrant who took him to see an Australian farmer who needed a labourer, so for 8 pounds a week , plus free milk, spuds and firewood we were hired to live in a roomed shack with an open fire place where my mother would produce simple but filling fare.
Eventually they purchased their own dairy farm and with hard work made a great living in this country of great freedom. I as the eldest as required to assist of course and eventually I became a Warrant Officer in the Aust. Army, seeing Vietnam service. I served for 36 years.
My siblings all did well in their chosen fields. I am married to a local Tassie lass and we have seven children, grandchildren, and 4 great grandkids all living in Northern Tasmania. My parents returned to Holland where my mum is buried. My dad came back here and is buried here.
Three of our sons have and are still serving in the defence forces in conflicts such as Aghanistan, Iraq, etc.
I thank my parents for changing our circumstances – it was a great sacrifice for them, and I thank Australia for welcoming us and giving us a wonderful way of life.
61310 W.O.2 R.”Dutchy” de Boer