Marilyn Koolstra

And it was not a happy one. It was alcoholism and family violence.

And it was not a happy one. It was alcoholism and family violence.

and they emigrated as what we call in Australia 10-pound POMs.

and they emigrated as what we call in Australia 10-pound POMs.

So they were offered assisted passage to Australia to join the growing needed workforce here, you know, as skilled professionals.

So they were offered assisted passage to Australia to join the growing needed workforce here, you know, as skilled professionals.

And I think probably because of watching his mum and the challenges that she had faced, you know, he was a very strong advocate for women's equal rights, independence, respect.

And I think probably because of watching his mum and the challenges that she had faced, you know, he was a very strong advocate for women's equal rights, independence, respect.

He was a mad keen surfer, so his first car was a little Volkswagen Beetle, and he'd put the surfboard on the car and sleep in the car down the surf coast each weekend and back again.

He was a mad keen surfer, so his first car was a little Volkswagen Beetle, and he'd put the surfboard on the car and sleep in the car down the surf coast each weekend and back again.

So he was an anti-conscription campaigner, protester, a hider of people who would not join up.

So he was an anti-conscription campaigner, protester, a hider of people who would not join up.

Cup weekend. It's the only place in the world, I think, where the whole nation stops for a horse race.

Cup weekend. It's the only place in the world, I think, where the whole nation stops for a horse race.

They had trips across Australia, through the Simpson and the Tanami Desert, up into central Australia. All kinds of off-road experiences.

They had trips across Australia, through the Simpson and the Tanami Desert, up into central Australia. All kinds of off-road experiences.

And he became a protester. He tied himself to a tree, got arrested.

And he became a protester. He tied himself to a tree, got arrested.

After he built the house, then he worked on the garden. That's always good therapy. And the back living area overlooks the garden, which seemingly goes on forever because it has a chain mesh fence that allows the outside natural bush in.

After he built the house, then he worked on the garden. That's always good therapy. And the back living area overlooks the garden, which seemingly goes on forever because it has a chain mesh fence that allows the outside natural bush in.