De JvO: Migrantenverhalen

She was 21 years old and newly married when she boarded the Johan van Oldenbarnevelt on October 7, 1955. Riet Zuman (92) says she has sometimes regretted her emigration to Australia, because her children had to grow up without family. After one of her children died in a collision, she spoke with her husband about returning to the Netherlands. But that did not happen: "we had changed". Nevertheless...

On July 2, 1953, 24-year-old Jannetje Nieuwenhuis left the Netherlands behind to start a family with her husband Jan in Australia. Jannetje (97) shares many memories of her time on board the JvO. For example, she recounts that she had to keep an eye on her clean laundry while it was hanging to dry, otherwise it would be stolen. - Op 2 juli 1953, liet de 24-jarige Jannetje Nieuwenhuis Nederland ach...

In 1958, Henk Vrolijks worked as a seaman on the migrant ship 'Johan van Oldenbarnevelt' and travelled around the world in 81 days. Henk (86) reminisces about his work on board, his time on the ship, and his first impression of Australia. He also has a moving story about his friend and colleague who drowned in the swimming pool, and nearly got a burial at sea. - Henk Vrolijks was in 1958 werkzaam...

On August 14, 1952, 12-year-old Johannes van der Wielen set sail for Australia with his parents and brothers. The voyage on the Johan van Oldenbarnevelt was one big adventure for the teenager. Johannes, now 86, says he never had a dull moment on board and shares great anecdotes, including one about a "rocking" lifeboat. - Op 14 augustus 1952 vertrok de 12-jarige Johannes van der Wielen met zijn ou...

In the new SBS Dutch series 'The JvO: Migrant tales', Dutch Australians reminisce about their voyage with migrant ship Johan van Oldenbarnevelt. In this first episode, we'll dive into the construction period of 'de Johan', with Ruud van der Sluis from the NDSM-Herleeft Foundation. - In de nieuwe SBS Dutch serie 'De JvO: Migrantenverhalen' halen Nederlandse Australiërs herinneringen op aan hun reis...