Johanna Bernadette (nee VanAalst) Hoitink, born 2nd April 1945, passed away surrounded by family, on 15 March 2024 at 78 years. Born in Rotterdam, youngest of six with siblings Mieta, Friedus, Pieter, Toos, and Gonnie.

Migrated to Australia on 29 November 1952, aged 7 years. Going directly to the suburb of Reid in Canberra, later moving to Caladenia Street in O’Connor.
Mum attended St Patrick’s Primary School and later attended Catholic Girls High school in Braddon. After high school, mum attended a business college which provided her with invaluable skills for the rest of her life.
Mum has always been a highly capable person. When she went for her driver’s licence, the policeman looked at her and said, “what are you doing here, you’ve had your licence for years”. That is because mum had been driving Opa’s car around for years doing errands.
Mum and dad were married on 28 August 1965, at 20 years old. Initially living in the flat at 8 Hawdon street, Ainslie and then moving to 8 Brady Place, Garran which become the family home. Mum knew how to make a house a home and lots of good times were had there.
Mum was a proud mother to Ben, Greg and Joanne, mother-in-law to Karen and Tracey. Oma to Damon, Nathan, Tara, Amy, Chloe, Sam, Max and Jay and Big Oma to Cohen, Logan, Charlie, Tommy and Luca.
Looking through old photos there were lots of parties and entertaining whether it was the Aunties from Holland or Mum and Dad’s brothers, our home was always very busy with people coming to gather and mum and dad catering without anyone ever going hungry.
Mum’s memory of things was always spot on. We were sitting with Gerry and Ipke and the conversation was around a Dutch guy they all knew back in Canberra. Pap, Gerry and Ipke were all trying to remember where he used to live going back and forwards in their Dutch accents saying, “it was Reid, it was O’Connor, no it was Turner. Back and forwards it went, with mum talking softly saying “no, it was Ainslie”. The others continued on going back and forwards, eventually exclaiming – “no it was Ainslie!” Mum then says – “what are they going to do without me!”
Gonnie would take Frank to work then come over and have a cuppa with mum, she would always have a cup of tea in the morning and we remember well the teapot with the cosy on it and the endless collecting of coupons with the Lan-Choo tea for prizes. When this stopped she stopped drinking the Lan-Choo tea, replacing her preference with the Nescafe Caramel coffee sachets.
We look back and realise she was so patient with us. We had our dog Blackie and she had 8 puppies that commandeered the laundry but she never complained about anything and just got on with it. She was a straightforward but generous person.
Mum along with Pap were a great couple who created a loving family along with a successful business in Canberra and here on Tamborine Mountain. Mum was also a committee member and the President of the Tambourine Mountain AH&I Society for a total of over 30 years, being the president for 22 years, right till the end.
Mum really was magical. If anyone came over unexpectedly or dropped by at Happy Hour she always made them welcome, being the perfect host, feeding them and there was always enough for everybody.
My mum was mum to a lot of people, and throughout her life in Canberra and Mt Tambourine mum cared for and treated as family many of our friends who also called her mum, sending us all of too school together.
Mum could easily have been a travel agent for all of the holidays that she organised with no hiccups ever. Trips to Fiji over Easter being a family favourite, trips back to Holland to see her brother Om Friedus and Dads family in Holland as well as Wimbledon. Mum and Pap were very fortunate to have travelled extensively and seen lots of the world on tours, cruises and self-planned holidays, together and with friends and family. Some of the places include Bali, China, Thailand, Philippines, Malaysia, Europe, South America, and North America.
A funny incident occurred a few nights before mum passed which showed the help that us boys could manage compared to the wonderful help Jo provided mum. It was roughly midnight and Pap called out, Ben and I raced down the stairs to her room. Picture this, three strapping men in their undies standing at the foot of her bed trying to interpret what she needed. We finally worked out she wanted some moisturiser. Three males searching for cream was a bit of a circus but we finally found the moisturiser. Pap squirted a heap in his palm and started to rub it on her face ever so awkwardly. She finds her voice and says not my face you idiots, my feet! It was foot cream for her bed sores.
Over the past 2 years mum has had one constant in her life, our sister Joanne. Jo was with mum in the morning and at night every day looking after her. Best friends who shared lots of laughs together. The first person mum asked for was Joanne, “is Joanne here when is she coming?” Us boys, Leo, Greg and I truly appreciate the love and dedication towards mum that she showed. We will forever be grateful.
We would also like to thank Karen, Tracey, Amy, Chloe and Gonnie for all of their help and assistance getting today organised, all the while thinking what would Oma want and how would she do it. A special thanks to the show society for organising the wake for mum happening after the funeral. Thank you to all those that have travelled here today, it means so much to us, we really appreciate the efforts of so many.
Ben Hoitink
Anne and Leo moved to the Mountain in 1991, they purchased their house in Kidd Street, and the North Tamborine Bakery. The Bakery was sold at the end of last year (2023).
ANNE’S SERVICE RECOGNISED
A fitting send-off was held on Thursday 21st for well known, long term local resident Anne Hoitink. The service at the Catholic Church on Beacon Road was followed by the wake at the Tamborine Mountain Show Grounds, Anne’s second home.
Anne was a member of the Tamborine Mountain A.H. & I. Society (Show Society) for 32 years. During that time, she was the Treasurer for 10 years then President for 12 years; more than 1/3 of her life was given over to the Show Committee. She led the organisation through good times and bad. The COVID period was an especially challenging time, with no income but expenses still occurring regularly, Anne's great ability to prioritise and budget was the Society’s saving grace. Anne will be sorely missed, not only by the Show Society but by all who had the pleasure of knowing her.
The committee would like to name the Showground's Memorial Hall, the Anne Hoitink Memorial Hall in her honour as recognition for her many years of dedicated service.
Vanessa Bull