"A Dutch-Australian Connection - An Ozcloggie." JoMulholland's Profile

Well....It was October, 1943 and the war was on...

Born in Gouda, Zuid (South) Holland, in 1943. My mother's strengths and interests were reading and writing. My father's strengths were being practical, favouring mathematics, being a bit of a leader, a manager, but missing out on more than primary education. Father's side of the family can be traced back to Mul's living in Gouda in 1300. He is 88 and not well. His long-term memory still great and although he denies it (Far too often), his heart is in Gouda, where his father was known as Dikke Jan (Fat John) the Café-owner, at Lange Tiendeweg 4. My other grandfather was just as much a character, working as a bridge and or lock operator all his life. Many of his last years, on the Rode Brug (The Red Bridge), in Gouda.
We migrated to Sydney in 1956. I was 12. Love the beaches.
..
40 years after I was taken to see Gouda by candlelight, by my aunt, we repeated this. She was now taken there, by my cousin, her daughter, in a wheelchair. We still enjoyed the occasion. Some locals stay away. It's too crowded, they say. (That rhymes!) But I'd still recommend this event to those who have not been there before. A great way to appreciate the atmosphere, of Gouda celebrating the festive season, in December.

Life's a beach.

K.A.B. Clean Beach Challenge

Even when we first had to live in the migrant camps/hostels, in 1956, we found our way (walked) to the local beaches. Teachers from Villawood Hostel, took us migrant children, to Manly, in 1956. My first visit to a Sydney Beach. In 2003, I recommended Manly Beach for a number of awards, as judge in the Keep Australlia Beautiful, Clean Beach Challenge competition. After Villawood we moved to Matraville Migrant Hostel and first visited Malabar Beach, not aware, at the time, how close it then was to the sewerage outlet. Maroubra Beach soon became 'my beach'. I attended Maroubra Bay High School. The North End was where for a short time, schoolfriends used to frequently meet.
Three days from now, I shall be driving to the Mid-North Coast of New South Wales. This will be my fourth year of judging beaches and helping to find the beach that earns the title of Cleanest Beach, in NSW, for 2005.

Little children grow up; spread wings...

University of Amsterdam to study. That gave her a taste for Europe. Her mother is Australian-born, of Irish/English background. I was born, in Gouda, the Netherlands. Our daughter and son born in Sydney. My daughter quickly made many friends from a lot of different parts of Europe, who were studying in Amsterdam. She soon visited various beautiful parts of Europe. Came back to Sydney to graduate and found a job in paris and left again.
I visited her in June. Spent two weekends with her, in Paris. Spent 5 days in Cap d'Agde. Spent three days visiting friends in Tilehurst/Reading, U.K., and the last 9 days of my 3 week trip, in the Netherlands. I had been back to Holland three times before. This was my best trip so far.

Gouda by Candlelight.

My daughter & my cousin head towards the town hall

40 years after I was taken to see Gouda by candlelight, by my aunt, we repeated this. She was now taken there, by my cousin, her daughter, in a wheelchair. We still enjoyed the occasion. Some locals stay away. It's too crowded, they say. (That rhymes!) But I'd still recommend this event to those who have not been there before. A great way to appreciate the atmosphere, of Gouda celebrating the festive season, in December.

Intro Updated Apr 28, 2012
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Personal Pages (1)

Written Feb 28, 2013

1 photo

Bob Reed's Fairlight Gardens Homestay

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Comments (7)

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irishgalmtl Oct 8, 2006 at 1:40 AM

Greetings form Montreal, Im sending you Birthday wishes that is wonderful right from the start put a smile on your face and a song in your heart! Enjoy HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Donna;o)
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unravelau Jul 12, 2006 at 6:43 PM

I think that they are all clean beaches up this way Jo....pleased that you enjoyed hungry head. Don't forget the coffee as you come through Coffs. Carole.
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2Cities1Love Apr 1, 2006 at 10:18 PM

Hi Jo, Nice to see we like a few of the same things.Travel and the sun :-) cheers Sue.
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aussiedoug Oct 21, 2005 at 8:50 PM

G'Day Jo. I see from your comment on Nipper1's homepage you were married @ Oatlands House. We live just up the road from it & I grew up on the mid-north coast @ North Haven, I'd love to be doing the work you are. Cheers!
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kooka3 Oct 19, 2005 at 3:34 PM

nice start to the pages! When are we going to see some on Sydney? :) Welcome to VT
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sayedaburas Oct 7, 2005 at 9:21 PM

Happy birthday to you, Happy birthday to you , Happy birthday to Jo , Happy birthday to you. :) :)) :)) I wish you not only a happy new year, but also happier many maaany returns. What a lovley stuff you have. Congratulations.
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nipper1 Oct 7, 2005 at 5:58 PM

happy birthday Jo, very interesting page you have here.