A lot preceded Willem’s appointment as a member of the Order of Orange-Nassau. Last February, his sister Hanneriek and daughters Natascha and Lisenka started working.
Appreciation from colleagues and family
That was a bigger job than expected: all kinds of forms and evidence had to be provided. For example, they were asked whether Willem had a criminal record. Several colleagues wrote letters of recommendation.
This also applies to the director of the Pieterburen Seal Center. After the presentation of the ribbon, Willem was given the letters to read: “That does something to you, it’s a kind of appreciation that you can get along with people. And I succeed quite well,” says the modest beach explorer.
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