The Grandpa Who Never Grew Old is an introspective exploration of Nienke’s quest to uncover the life of her grandfather, Jos Teunissen, who passed away long before she was born. Jos (24 years old ) and his wife Josee (19 years old) migrated to Australia on the Zuiderkruis in 1952. Jos ‘granddaughter Nienke, growing up in the Netherlands, had heard of Jos through family stories and seen photographs of him, yet his premature death and distant connection left him shrouded in legend.
Nienke’s research into his life delves into her family’s migration story from the Netherlands to Australia in the 1950s, and the series of tragic events that reshaped their lives. Through archival documents, photos, and interviews, she traces Jos’s dreams of a better life in Australia, the turning point of a devastating car accident, and the subsequent loss of his family. The interview as mentioned on the NAA website reflects on how this journey shaped Nienke’s understanding of her own identity, as well as her father’s longing to reconnect with a father he never knew. This reflection emphasises the power of uncovering one’s roots and how understanding the past helps define one’s present.
Source: National Archives Australia
