Stephen Borgheiinck
| First name | Stephen |
|---|---|
| Last name | Borgheiinck |
| Country of Origin | U.S.A |
| Date of Birth | 28/02/46 |
| Year of Arrival in Australia | 1977 |
| Submitted by | Michelle Borgheiinck-Murphy |
Story
My Dad, Stephen John Borgheiinck II was born in Sioux City, Iowa USA on 28th February 1946. He was the eldest of eight children. Whilst Dad was very intelligent, his family circumstances as well as the University system in the States meant he would not have the opportunity to attend.
As an alternative, Dad decided to join the US Navy. When Dad was 20 years of age, he was based in Port of Spain, Trinidad. Within a six month timeframe Dad met, courted and married my Mum, Monica Alexandria Borgheiinck (nee Martin).
At the time my parents moved back to mainland USA, my Mum’s family were in the process of immigrating to Australia. Circa 1973, Dad, Mum and I came to visit Mum’s family in Australia.
Dad fell in love with Australia – the landscape, its people, the education system and the weather – he wanted to know, ‘what he had to do, so that he could come back to Australia for good – his children could go to University and he would never have to shovel snow again!’
Upon his arrival back in the States, Dad embarked upon the process of applying for and being granted Permanent Residency in Australia for himself and his family. Dad was granted residency based upon his Fitter/Welder trade which he acquired after his departure from the Navy.
We immigrated to Australia in May 1977 when my brother, Stephen was three months old. Given our journey was via plane, it was fairly uneventful. However, we arrived in Australia with little more than four trunks of clothing and each other. After three years of establishing themselves, Dad and Mum built their home in Shailer Park, Queensland where they still reside today – more than 30 years later.
My Dad left behind his entire family to make a new and better life for himself and his family in Australia. I’m sure I speak for Mum, Stephen and Shauna (my sister, born in Australia in 1982) when I say ‘Dad, I am very grateful you made what must have been a very difficult decision – to leave behind all that you know is familiar, safe and move to the other side of the world. Thank you for my life.’