HASTINGS A man of family and faith, Martin van den Berk, a parishioner of Sacred Heart Parish, Hastings, celebrated his 83rd birthday in November with the publication of his memoirs, Circle of Stones. A frank, funny and sometimes extraordinary account of his life begins in Holland and includes conscription to carry out post-war reconstruction in Indonesia and finding himself in the middle of a deadly guerilla war.
Martin also worked with wife Jane for Catholic Overseas Volunteer service (COVS) in Vanuatu. It was here during the demolition of a church which fell on him that he had one of the many life-threatening moments he has experienced in an eventful life. He and Jane raised seven children in New Zealand.
The title refers to Mr van den Berks many years as a Scout leader, which took him to chief scout award level, and the book cover, illustrated by his daughter Mary, features a stone circle, the street where he grew up in Holland, with trees from both New Zealand and Australia a reflection on life lived on each side of the Tasman.
His life of baker, soldier, mechanic, farmer and back to baker was also a circle. He is a multi talented man who, throughout his life, has been challenged to mend and make-do.
One of his final building projects has been the construction of his coffin. This has been decorated by family and friends and, like Mr van den Berk, is ready for the final journey when, he says, I will be going home.