Dutch treat: Family travels from Holland to celebrate Regents Garden resident’s 100th birthday

GERARDUS Woerlee has lived his life with hope.

That is how he survived being involved with the underground resistance in Holland during World War II but also how he excelled in life.

The Regents Garden Aged Care resident celebrated his 100th birthday on Wednesday with family from his native country coming to visit him.

Mr Woerlee was in the Dutch Artillery and his subsequent involvement in the resistance against the German Army saw him captured for spying but he was lucky to escape.

After moving to Perth with his wife Anna, they started Woerlee Constructions, which is now the Woerlee Group, and was responsible for building homes in Thornlie.

The family moved to Mt Pleasant in 1958 and one of Mr Woerlee’s daughters is current councillor and former City of Melville Mayor Katy Mair.

Mr Woerlee’s daughter Anna Ward said he always looked for opportunity, even in the darkest moments.