The Dutch Australian Cultural Centre (DACC) and Badan Pelestarian Pusaka Indonesia (BPPI) – the Indonesian Heritage Trust – have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) establishing a framework for cooperation focused on the shared heritage of Indonesia and the Netherlands in Australia.
The agreement recognises that the histories of Indonesia and the Netherlands intersect in important ways in Australia through maritime connections, wartime experiences, migration, and long-standing people-to-people relationships. From the early maritime networks operating from Batavia (now Jakarta) to the complex interactions of the twentieth century, these connections form an important part of Australia’s broader international heritage landscape.
A particularly significant chapter occurred during the Second World War, when Australia became a key location for the Netherlands East Indies Government-in-Exile. Dutch and Indonesian personnel operated from several locations in Australia, including Camp Columbia in Brisbane. Indonesians were present in Australia during this period as sailors, soldiers, workers and political actors, contributing to a shared wartime history that is still visible in a number of places across the country.
An early focus of cooperation under the MoU will be the research and documentation of Indonesian wartime graves in Australia, including the three Indonesian graves located at Toowong Cemetery in Brisbane. These graves provide a tangible reminder of the Indonesian presence in Australia during the war and form an important starting point for uncovering and documenting the personal stories connected to this shared history.
The MoU provides a structured basis for collaboration between the two organisations in areas such as historical research, documentation of heritage sites, archival cooperation, and public engagement. Through this partnership, DACC and BPPI aim to strengthen dialogue and collaborative initiatives that help preserve and interpret the shared heritage of Indonesia and the Netherlands in Australia.
