I was born in Franeker, Friesland, in the north of the Netherlands, at the very moment the Second World War came to an end. Franeker, or Frjentsjer in the local Frisian language, is an interesting old town that used to boast its own University until about 200 years ago. There are many historic buildings dating back to those times. I lived there until I was five year old.....

The Town Hall of Franeker, flying the Frisian flag =>

My father's job took us to many places in the Netherlands and we never lived more than a few years in any one place: something I have continued to do since age 5. We always loved to travel and used to go camping around Europe almost every year. We had some marvellous trips; one of our favourite places was picturesque Lake Orta, in northern Italy.

<= The island of San Giulio from the town of Orta

My main ambition was to travel and as soon as I finished my University studies I was sent by UNESCO to Swaziland, Africa, where I worked in Science Education. I also taught in a High School there. This was a marvellous place to live and I stayed for almost five years in which I also traveled extensively in the region.

Traditional Swazi homestead near the capital Mbabane =>

In 1975 I moved to Australia for further studies but soon found myself in Lajamanu, an Aboriginal community in the Northern Territory, where I worked as "Adult Educator", although it was I who got an education there: I learned a lot about traditional Aboriginal culture, rituals and language. I have been involved in indigenous education ever since.

<= "Ngajakula" ceremony performed by the Warlpiri people of Lajamanu