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Please tell us why you decided to emigrate
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Please give us a brief description of your working life in Australia
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| I was called to be the minister of the Sydney Dutch Congregation of the Presbyterian Church |
My work as minister was 60% social and 40% religious. I worked among the whole Dutch community. |
| Wanted to be away from the Netherlands. Husband already in Australia. |
Housewife 9 years. School teacher 20 years. |
| Shortage of suitable housing in Holland |
I was a household help for several years and when the children left home I worked in a delicatessen shop. |
| I had no choice. My parents heard about Australia from an old couple who lived in Brisbane (He was English-born. She was Dutch-born.) |
First job in hardware store (2 years). Then carpentry (1 year). Then cabinet making in Brisbane. Then in Sydney 1972. Moved to Tamworth, in 1976. Started own kitchencupboard business, employing 12 people. Sold business early May, 2004. |
| Wanted to be away from the Netherlands. Parents were already in Australia. |
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| Better opportunities for us and better future for the children. |
I was a housewife. My husband did not want me to work. He worked at AWA as a toolmaker; then design draftsman. He worked there till retirement, at 65. |
| Came with parents. |
Spent 40 years working at BHP Port Kembla. |
| Better future for family |
I worked in coal mining all my life. From labourer to Eng. Manager |
| A better future for our children |
Looking after sick people |
| Sick of the war. Thought the Russians would come. Better life for the children. |
Farm labourer. Share farmer. Shire worker. Gang foreman on Shire. Retired. |
| The advance of Nazism. |
Importing seeds, plants etc., and some other merchandise. |
| There were not enough homes in Holland and we had religious differences with our families. |
I had a good office job in Holland had to work as a labourer in very bad conditions. |
| Parents choice |
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To get a better life.
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Both my husband and I worked at Nuffield in Zetland. I worked at Smith clocks in Granville. I worked at Carrier in Seven Hills. We had a cake shop in Turramurra. |
| Whilst serving in the Navy in East Java the Dutch government offered cost free migration to Australia. I had a very limited chance to get a good job in Holland so why not. |
See attached* |
| Parents brought me out in 1952. I was only 11 years. |
Please see separate piece of paper.* |
| The housing & climate. |
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| I came with the 'Jongeren Programma' (=cheap). After 2 years, we had to go back to Holland and I then migrated for the weather and I had met my future husband in Australia (? Austria?) too. |
I have always worked as a medical technologist in nearly all of Sydney's public hospitals and in many privatepronologies. First full ti,e. Then on a relieving basis. I got plenty of experience this way! |
| See attachment "A" |
Although a lot of wives of migrants worked, Han said no, he was the breadwinner and my task was being a housewife and mother to our children. When my youngest son was in Year 11, I started work as an Avon lady which I did for 25 years. |
| It was not my decision. I came with my parents. |
I worked at Guta Camp as administration and also on the switchboard. After settling in a home I did secreterial work till I was married and had my first child. I worked for 10 years. |
| After having lived for 9 years in various parts of Asia, I did not feel to return to the Netherlands and choose to go to Australia instead. |
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| It was my parents decision, who saw a better future for their nine children. |
1)Kitchen hand (Mater Hospital) Crows Nest for 4 months. 2)Machinist, Top Dog Men's wear production for 1.5 years. 3)Analysis Machine Operator at Metters Lmt. for 2 months. 4)Experienced nurse at St.Ronans Hospital and Manly Hospital 1953-1957(see on further paper). |
| I was dissatisfied about the chances made to my positionas tram conductor in Amsterdam and I had a school friend in Australia. |
See attached sheet |
| Met my second husband who was living in Australia, although he is British. |
See Attached |
| Climate, to get away from big family in the Netherlands, post war, better life. |
Comptometer Operator Costing Clerk Bank Customer Service |
| Had been living in the Dutch-East-Indies for 25 years. Holland was too cold for me, after arriving there after the war in '48 and working there for four years; accommodation and living conditions not to my liking. |
We started as cooks in a live-in job, just to get accommodation. Second job on a dairy farm, also for the accommodation. Then back to Sydney, living in rented rooms and working in the tea factory. After half a year, worked in a cardboard factory a short while. Then tried being a salesman, selling fridges. Then got a job at an Oil co.. Was trained as an oil blender. Left after about 7 months. Got a job then as storeman driver, delivering groceries in the city. Next job was at the Ford car factory on the assembly-line, which lasted about 6 months. During those last years picked up the language well enough to start my own trade, which was building. Started as carpenter for several companies, big and small, for many years before starting on my own after requiring licence. Last 10 years of my working life worked for the state government. Public Works, in building and mainrenance section. Then another 5 years on my own, retired at 70 years of age. |
| Migrated with my parents. |
Self-employed and welfare officer. |
| No work, and weather did not appeal to me in the Netherlands. |
My work was in the field of carpets measurements quoting and laying of same. I am a budget counselor and voluntary Saint Vincent De Paul worker. |
| My parents did not wish to remain in Neth. after experiencing World War II and were afraid the communist Bloc would overtake Europe. My mother was an Australian-my father, a Dutchman had met her in Australia in '92. |
I trained to be a shorthand/typist from 1954..aged 16. Then from 1958 trained to be a registered nurse and midwife. I moved to NZ in 1966.. and married a Kiwi. Returned here in 1988. |
| After my husband came back from military service in Indonesia, he found it hard to settle back in the Netherlands. |
Did some casual housework for Aust. friends for about 4 years. |
| Our parents decided for us. |
Back in the late 50's and60's it was easy to get a job. I must have changed at least 8 jobs. Because I hated going to school. I missed my friends. |
| We decided on the spot 3 months later we arrived in Australia. My brother came to say goodbye to leave for Australia, this was the deciding factor. |
We had another child 5 months after our arrival so I stayed home and looked after them. After 12 years we lived next to the land we bought and started growing strawberries. |
| Was transferred with Hilton in '94. Decided to stay. |
Senior executive with Hilton. 4.5 years here. 70-90 hours a week but good lifestyle. |
| Too cold. Taxes too high. No space. |
Always worked in the office. First as a clerk. Then assistant accountant and later as a paymaster. |
| After coming from Indonesia, I felt we were not welcome at home and since Australia was warmer that was my choice. |
Motor Mechanic |
| Looking for a better future.Australia because my mother worked for the head of Emmigration of Australia. |
3 weeks as a painter 1.5 years as a assembler 8 months as a spotwelder 2.5 years as a second class welder 8 years as a s/metal worker welder 7 years as a s/m woker/welder in 50% partnership 13 years as selfemployed, Engineering Co. 8 years as a estimator/purchasing officer Retired. |
| I feared a third world war in Europe.Not USA - I did not like..Time is money. |
3 months for papermerch in Clarence st.Sydney. 6 years manager grocery people 3 years manager shoe shop (Fays-Gardener) 4 years own shoe shop 6 years real estate (got my ticket ALS R.E.Agent&B.A.) |
| Vader is hier geboren. (Father was born here.) |
Working for the DACC,need to say more ;) ? |
| Parents wanted better future. |
Apprentice pastry cook, merchant sailor thnn steelworks career (supervisor). |
| 1961 - 4 growing up boys. |
Woolworth. |
| Housing shortage. |
Worked different jobs for first 4 years.Afterwards worked 29 years for same company - sales rep./manager. |
| I was the eldest of 4 children and came with my parents. |
I worked just under 2 years for the Standard Insurance,Pitt Street (now demolished). |
| No room,4 children. |
Started work in Hostel 2 days after arrival. Worked as a nurse after leaving Hostel.Did E.N.'s training for 1 year. |
| After Indonesia, could not settle down. Also had difficulty readjusting to the Dutch climate and was convinced that Russia and the U.S., would be at war with each other and Holland would be caught in the middle. |
Between 52 and 61, a variety of jobs. None very worthwhile. Then joined a large export meat processor, where I became a senior executive and after serving that company for 26 years, I retired. |
| I was a very young child. - came with parents. |
Last 10 year in Aged Care. |
| Spur-of-the-moment decision, when I turned 18. I wanted to see more of the world. Australia seemed O.K., to me. |
After my first six months I worked in a factory. Came to Sydney to study for priesthood ( with Pallotine Fathers). After leaving in 1959 and visiting Holland, had several jobs until I started our own hardware and garden centre, in 1970. Sold this in 1990 and we are now retired. |
| Lack of opportunities for our three small sons. |
First year as labourer to acclimatise. 2.5 years as cost clerk, at Clyde Engineering. 10 years as manager of clothing factory. 10 years as managing director of Arts Centre. |
| Long story |
Worked as project manager. |
| Husband is from here. Decided I'd rather live in Oz than in Holland. |
Only worked for 2 years as a Customer Service Officer for a Superannuation administrator. Then became a fulltime mum |
| 2 sons, 2 daughters-in-law and 4 grandchildren living in Australia (no more family in Holland). |
Came here as a retiree |
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Painter 4 years Rigger 12 years Miner 10 years |
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Reg. nurse 25 years Housewife 8 months |
| Because it was a land of opportunity but after a few months, a lot of Hollanders. If they have the money,would have gone back. Australia was very backwards. The people didn't like the newcomers. |
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| To improve lifestyle |
Concrete worker. Farmhand. Leading hand in Deep Freezer. |
| Parents migrated for economic reasons. |
1964-6: Laboratory assistant. 1967-72: Medical student. 1973 to present: Doctor. 1983-89: Law Student (P/T) 1990 to present: Barrister, as well as doctor. |
| Came with parents. |
Worked as sales assistant. Bonds clothing factory until married at 18. |
| For a better life. |
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| I came with my parents. |
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| Several reasons : see attachment. |
1)In Albury, part time job in office. 2)As a waitress and later chamber maid in hotel - The Chalet at Mount Buffalo. 3)In office of A.W.A, York St.Sydney - 8 yrs. Later, Import office then temporary jobs - secretarial - office at Film Tronics,Ryde - 4 yrs. |
| My father decided to migrate, as there was no work at the time for him in Holland. I had no choice as I was only 17. |
First worked in a big store; TC Byrne, Brisbane, as store clerk. Next Finney Isles (Brisbane) in bakehouse. C'wealth employment service Maitland and Sydney; clerk,telephonist. |
| I joined my husband who had migrated after being discharged from the Dutch Army .I came directly from Indonesia to Sydney. |
For about 4 years I Worked with young children .After that the children cacame along .Have continued to work when convenient ,with youngsters.Community work was very important. |
| Only answer I can give is, it just happened. Full explanation is in my autobiography. |
Carpenter, building and joinery works proprieter, Dry Cleaning business owner/operator, C.E.O.of 4 different Hospitals in N.S.W., Building Society Director, restaurant owner and operator, Bi-weekly country newspaper Editor/Managing Director, Shire Councillor, Rotarian, Buiding Restoration Contractor, Liquor Store owner/operator, Country Club Director, now retired |