Willem Kalf papers, 1930-1995

MLMSS 6108

fonds

1930-1995

Textual Records, Photographs, Clippings

117895

0.18 Meters of textual material, includes photographs (1 box)

Willem Simon Kalf was born in Alkmaar, The Netherlands, in 1918. He emigrated to Australia in 1950. His wife and three children joined him in 1951. He worked variously as a builder's labourer, salesman, cook, cleaner and accountant. In 1952 he began his own building contracting business at Miranda, Sydney. In 1954 he formed a company, Kalf & Van Etten Pty Ltd which quickly grew to be one of the biggest home-building concerns in the Sutherland Shire and eventually the largest company specialising in custom-built homes in Australia. In 1988 he was made a knight of the Order of Orange-Nassau.

A chronological series of files containing correspondence, certificates, newscuttings, photographs, invitations, brochures and other material providing a documentary account of Kalf's life and his role in the building industry. Also includes 'Militaire Indrukken, Army Impressions of Life in the Belgian Internment Camp at Zeist, Utrecht, the Netherlands, 1915-18', by Herman Johan Degens. Edited by Patricia Degens in 1993.

English, Dutch