Dutch Odyssey is a collective history of Dutch migration, based on the experiences of families who settled in the South East of South Australia from the late 1940s onwards. The authors spent five years gathering stories from first and second generation migrants and expanded their research by consulting archives to complement the collection. The stories reflect examples of courage, hardship, humour, determination, and achievement. Community initiatives and cultural events that evolved to support the newcomers are also documented, providing a more complete picture of the Dutch migration experience.
The book serves as both a socio-economic and historical record of the trials, tribulations, and successes of a resilient community making a major life transition in pursuit of a prosperous and happy future in a distant land. It offers a rich collection of family memories intertwined with the cultural, economic, and social history of predominantly post-Second World War Dutch migrants to the South East of Australia. Across 40 chapters, the book covers diverse topics, not only family events, and keeps the reader engaged through shifting moods and themes. The accounts reveal the hardships and astonishing deprivations endured upon arrival, as well as stories of new friendships and the growing appreciation for the optimism, resilience, and resourcefulness of the community.
