Marinus Haartsen

Marinus Haartsen lived with his parents in the outer area of Arnemuiden, on a farm . He met Maria but was not well accepted by her father as they were strict church goers. Eventually he charmed her by converting to Christianity and they married still much to her fathers disapproval. He became a policeman and during world war 2 he rescued a jewish girl from the Nazi soldiers. They married 4-1-1933.they had 7 children and in 1952 immigrated to Australia to start a new life after the war years. They travelled on the ship The Fairsea. They were sponsored by the dutch community in Australia , living first in a little tiny house in Creswick, near Ballarat Victoria. He farmed the land and grew their own vegies. I remember my grandmother telling me the littlest babies slept in the cupboard drawers! 1953 saw another son born. Then in 1957 they moved to Sassafras to a larger house. Where I remember my grandfathers love of chickens and roosters. He won many first prizes for them in the Melbourne show. He also grew flowers for the market and vegies for them to eat.2 july 1959 he was naturalised as an Australian citizen. He worked along with his sons in the drainage business for many years.In 1990 they moved to Mt Evelyn in a house next door their son.He was a strong Christian and attended the Reformed church of Australia. Marinus died in hospital on 11-5-1999 from cancer. He is buried along with his wife in Lilydale cemetery. written by Vicky Merritt granddaughter.