Hetty Verolme

Hetty Esther Verolme (24 February 1930 – 9 July 2024) was an Australian writer, educator, and Holocaust survivor. She wrote about her experiences as a child in Bergen-Belsen, and was a founding trustee of Children of Belsen and the Holocaust Trust.

Early life and family Hetty Esther Verolme

In 1931 the Werkendam family moved to Amsterdam from Antwerp. Eight years later, World War II broke out and in May 1940 the Germans occupied the Netherlands.

World War II In 1943, when Verolme was 12 years old, the Werkendam family was transported first to the Westerbork camp for a short stay, then to the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp. At Bergen-Belsen, Verolme and her brothers, Max and Jack, were sent to Barrack 211, also known as the Children's House.

She became the first female president of the Netherlands Society of South Australia in Adelaide, and was on charity committees such as the Lady Mayoress's Committees, and later worked with the Ethnic Affairs Council.

Later life and death In 2014, aged 84, Verolme was one of only eight Holocaust survivors living in Western Australia.

Verolme died on 9 July 2024, aged 94.

Recognition and awards Verolme is listed in the Who's Who of Australian Women. by the Department of Immigration 1977 - Appointed to the inaugural Australian Ethnic Affairs Council 2000 - FAW Christina Stead Award - Fellowship of Australian Writers

Published works Verolme's two books have been published in Australia, The Netherlands, Germany, Italy, Spain, France, and the UK.