18th February, 2025.
Monday 16 December 2024 was the 100th birthday of Jan Westerhof, a resident of Bargo. Later that week, Jan and some of his family and friends came to my office in Tahmoor for a visit. We rarely get the chance to spend time with anyone who has had a life like Jan's. Jan was born in Zutphen, Netherlands, in December 1924 as the third of four children. Every day, he would walk up to five kilometers to and from school and he had an amazing teacher who read books about Australia, which sparked an interest in the country. After his experience in the underground resistance, losing contact with his family, and serving valiantly in the army during World War Two, Jan worked several jobs and came to Australia in 1966 with his wife and their two children. He has had an amazing and exciting life here and Jan says he is 'an Aussie with Dutch heritage'. After his wife's passing, he moved closer to his children and they are a huge and constant part of his life. Happy birthday to Jan and here's to many more.
