Christina Beekhof celebrates 100th birthday and reflects on the ups and downs of her life

A Geelong centenarian who experienced the Second World War first-hand and moved across the world with six children has no regrets.

Christina Beekhof celebrated her 100th birthday on Friday. Picture: Alan Barber.

A Geelong centenarian who moved half way across the world with six children lives her life with no regrets.

Christina Beekhof celebrated her 100th birthday on Friday and, in the process, reminisced about all that she had experienced.

Born in Holland, she was working in a dry cleaning factory by the age of 14.

She also worked in a chocolate factory and as a cleaner before the Second World War broke out.

Mrs Beekhof recalled how bombs destroyed family members’ homes and described the experience as extremely unsettling.

It was at that time she met an army worker – John – who would later become her husband.

After the war, Mr Beekhof sent to Australia as part of his job.

He enjoyed it so much he asked his wife and their six children at the time – Tina, Heather, Janny, John, Wim and Coby – to join him.

In 1953, they did.

Mrs Beekhof said she was homesick and wanted to return to Holland.

But the Amiet family, who lived on a farm nearby, sponsored the Beekhofs and helped them settle in to their new home in Murgheboluc.

Christina Beekhof shares some laughs and stories with her son Bob on her 100th birthday. Picture: Alan Barber

“A couple of times Mrs Amiet came to the house to talk to me to help me learn English,” Mrs Beekhof said.

“I knew no English when I came across and the children didn’t either, but they learnt it very quick.

“We had no running water and no electricity in the house in the beginning.

“We were in an old house on a hill and to go shopping in the city I would have to walk all the way down the hill and wait for the bus.”

By 1962, the couple had welcomed three more children to their family – Lillian, Bob and Joanne.

After more than seven years in Murgheboluc the family moved to Bell Post Hill.

Then in 1964, Mrs Beekhof’s husband died in a work accident.

“I got involved in the Dutch clog dancers and that was good, we danced for a lot of people,” she said.

“Now I go to the Dutch club on Mondays and play bingo and go out for lunch sometimes.”

Mrs Beekhof attributes her longevity, in part, to being surrounded by a good family.

The centenarian has 29 grandchildren, 57 great-grandchildren and 17 great-great-grandchildren.

“I don’t want to go back to Holland anymore because I am very happy here,” she said.

“I have no regrets.”

She celebrated the milestone with 120 friends and family in Geelong.

Originally published as Christina Beekhof celebrates 100th birthday and reflects on the ups and downs of her life