The Dutch Australian Association (DAA) was established in Launceston in 1956, at a time when Dutch migration to Tasmania was increasing significantly after the Second World War. The DAA served primarily as a social and cultural organisation, helping Dutch migrants settle into their new lives while maintaining connections to their heritage.
The association organised a wide range of activities, including social gatherings, cultural celebrations, and support for newly arrived Dutch families. The DAA played a vital role in fostering community spirit among Dutch migrants, offering them a sense of belonging during the challenging early years of settlement.
While the DAA did form a football team in the late 1950s, this was only a small part of the association’s broader activities. The team reflected the community’s enthusiasm for participating in local sports, but football was never a major focus of the association as a whole.
Over the years, as members of the Dutch community became more integrated into wider Tasmanian society, the need for such a dedicated cultural association declined. In 2015, after 58 years of service to the community, the DAA formally disbanded. This closure was marked by a farewell gathering attended by long-standing members including Jose Verhoeven (St Leonards), Thea Schouten (Riverside), and Antoinette Burke (Trevallyn), who came together to honour the association’s contributions to Dutch life in Launceston.
