Bill and Kyra Schuurmans
Related to India and Harley through their father Steve Schuurmans
Bill, born Wilhelmus but called Wim, grew up in Rotterdam, The Netherlands in the 1930’s and 1940’s. As a young child he would have witnessed the Rotterdam Blitz, a mistake which should never have occurred, but did happen on 14 May 1940. 900 people were killed that day and 85,000 left homeless. Wim was 8 years old. Krya was born in 1942.
They grew up in rubble left behind by the effects of Word War 2 in The Netherlands, particularly in the wrecked city of Rotterdam.
Early Years in the Netherlands
Bill trained as an electrical technician with????????? (Philips???) and built skills that allowed him to establish his own business in Australia. Kyra worked for the Rotterdam Council as a Librarian and gained her Diploma in 1961. They married on 21 November 1963.
Their eldest son Alex was born in Rotterdam in 1964 and younger brother Maarten in 1966.
Australia Calling
In 1968 Bill and Kyra decided to migrate to Australia due in part to dissatisfaction with work and the long cold wet winters in Holland. Not that they were prepared for the Australian climate. They left Holland in mid winter and snowing. They arrived in Adelaide during a heatwave, in fact Kyra walked across the melting tarmac of Adelaide Airport in a thick winter coat complete with fur collar. They arrived carrying a small suitcase in one hand and a small boy in the other. Alex 3 and Maarten 2, made the long trip with their parents.
On arrival in Adelaide Bill, Kyra and the boys moved in with Bill’s sister Connie and her family before buying a house in Westbourne Park.
Good Australian Citizens
Bill established his own TV repair business and later became an electrical technician for STC which became Alcatel. In 1970 a third son, Steve was born.
Kyra threw herself into the local community. Besides raising her four children she worked as a Librarian, Administration for Bill’s TV Repair business, a carer for a retired Judge and receptionist for a Podiatry Clinic. She also volunteered at the Monastry, was a Cub Scout Leader, Vice President at the Westbourne Park Ladies Probus Club and secretary at the Fullarton Patchwork and Quilting Group.
They became Australian citizens in 1975. In 1988 they were presented with their only daughter Krista.
Life in Westbourne Park
Kyra had a few artistic passions including quilting, sewing and knitting. She was a State Master Bridge player as well as a passionate dog owner winning prizes for her Schnauzer at the Royal Adelaide Show.
Bill Kyra and the kids loved camping and sailing on the Coorong and Murray River.
Kyra sadly passed away in Adelaide after a long illness on 1 Jan 2021 aged 78 years of age.
An Australian Legacy
Bill and Kyra’s legacy in Australia lives on with their four children providing them 7 grandchildren who live in Adelaide and Melbourne.
Alex and his wife Terri have two children, Nicholas and Timothy.
Maarten and his wife Angela have three children Phoebe, Ryan, and XXXXX
Steve and his wife Tara have India and Harley.
Krista and her Partner XXX .
