Hans was, as his name suggests, born in Holland, not far from Amsterdam, in 1946, the fourth of six children.In 1953, the family moved to Melbourne and were deposited at the Homesglen Migrant Camp, before moving to Clayton. In 1955, they moved to North Dandenong , where Hans went to school at St Mary’s before ending up at Dandy Tech. He developed a love of cycling, walking and photography.
At 15, Hans left school and got a job at Dandenong Industrial Engravers. There, he gained skills in all types of equipment and actually made the Premiership Cup won by Collingwood. (Most would claim this to be a doubtful honour! Ed.)
At the age of 18, after living at 8 different addresses and attending 6 different schools, Hans moved into his first “real” home in Heatherton Road, North Dandenong. He joined the Survey Corps of the CMF (remember them?! Ed.). He also bought a 1948 FX Holden, which he modified and raced at Fishermans Bend. (For the benefit of the younger Members, Fishermens Bend was an old airfield, used during WWII, and, in the 1960s, lads could relieve their frustrations by thrashing their cars down the runway on the weekend. Now they just use Thompsons Road instead! Ed.)
At age 23, Hans went to Europe, LA and all over the States, drove at the iconic Daytona Beach, and attended the Indi 500 and F1 races. After more roaming, at age 31, he married Judy. In 1981 they bought their first home in Churchill Park Drive, near Colin and Marilyn Ferns. There they had three children.
Hans bought the engraving business from his father and, in 1986, joined the Endeavour Hills Rotary Club. Soon after, the family moved to Narre Warren. He then went on the first of many epic bike rides. He has done 23 Around the Bay rides! He noted that the Rotary Ride to Conference has raised over $1m. In 2002, Hans took part in a 3,600km ride across Australia.
At age 65, he sold the business to family members. He enjoys snow sports and he and Judy trekked Annapurna in Nepal for her 50th birthday! They have been to South America and seen the Northern Lights in Norway.
Hans has been heavily involved in Rotary Projects, including the All-Holden Car Shows, training for Shelter Boxes in the UK and delivering aid on the ground in a number of places. He is the proud recipient of a Paul Harris Fellow Award and Sapphire Pin. He is now a Member of the Men’s Shed.
Hans said that he was grateful for all the opportunities he has had since coming to Australia.