Dutch dredging companies, engineers and workers have made an important contribution to Australia’s maritime and industrial development. This history encompasses the supply of Dutch-built machinery, the establishment of Australian subsidiaries, major port and reclamation projects, and the organised migration of skilled workers and their families.
This portal brings together the DACC’s articles about the companies, projects, archival sources and people associated with Dutch dredging in Australia. It will be expanded as further information and personal stories become available.
General history and migration
- From Sliedrecht to Williamstown: Dutch dredging workers in post-war Australia
The central migration story of the Dutch workers and families brought to Australia in 1950. The article includes the surviving seating plans for the two organised KLM flights of 22 June and 22 July. - Contemporary newspaper reports on the Sliedrecht–Williamstown dredging migration, 1950–1954
A collection of Australian and Dutch newspaper clippings documenting the company, workers, dredging equipment, KLM flights, accommodation and expanding Australian operations.
Companies, projects and engineering
- Australian Dredging and General Works (1950–2011): Dutch engineering in post-war Australia
The history of the Williamstown-based company established to bring Dutch dredging equipment, expertise and skilled workers to Australia. - From Sliedrecht to VolkerWessels: the Dutch companies behind Australian Dredging and General Works
The corporate history of Adriaan Volker, Van Hattum en Blankevoort, Stevin, Volker Stevin and VolkerWessels. - HAM and the creation of Kwinana: Dutch dredging expertise in Western Australia
The story of the major dredging works undertaken by the Hollandsche Aanneming Maatschappij to provide deep-water access to Kwinana and Cockburn Sound. - Van Oord’s Dutch engineering legacy in Australia
Van Oord’s Australian history, from the earlier activities of predecessor company HAM to modern projects at Brisbane Airport, Gladstone and elsewhere. - A.F. Smulders: Dutch industrial innovation and its legacy in Australia
The construction of the bucket dredge South Australian in Schiedam in 1894 and its shipment and reassembly at Port Adelaide. - Kasper Kuiper: a Dutch mariner and community leader in Australia
A maritime career connecting HAM, Ballast Nedam, Van Oord and dredging and port-development projects across Australia and internationally.
Personal stories
- Dick van Teulingen (1925–2026): war, dredging and a new life in Australia
Dick’s experiences of wartime detention and forced labour, naval service, dredging work and permanent settlement in Australia. - Govert Veth: from wartime imprisonment to a new life in Australia
The story of a Sliedrecht skipper and former Merwede hostage who travelled to Melbourne in 1950 and later settled in Perth. - Joost and Teunis de Jong: their journey to Australia
Two brothers who travelled together in June 1950, followed one month later by Joost’s wife, Geertrui. - Arie van Kekeren and Maria Blokland: a Sliedrecht couple in the international dredging industry
The working life of an experienced dredging skipper and his wife, whose international assignments included South Africa and Australia. - Dirk van Kekeren: his journey to Australia
Dirk’s journey to Australia in July 1950, his employment in the dredging industry and his eventual return to Sliedrecht. - Kuindert “Kuin” Ruis: from Sliedrecht to Australia
The story of a Sliedrecht stoker who travelled to Australia on the first KLM flight and was later joined by members of his family. - Jan Willem van Zon: from Sliedrecht to Australia
Jan Willem’s journey in July 1950, followed by the arrival of his wife Adriana and the birth of their daughter in Geelong. - Cornelis Jan van Noordennen: from Dutch dredging worker to Melbourne shopkeeper
Cornelis Jan travelled to Australia in 1950, married in Melbourne and remained there after leaving the dredging industry. - Cornelis Adrianus Verhoef and Marinus Verhoef: relatives travelling together to Australia
Two members of the extended Verhoef family who occupied adjoining seats on the first KLM flight. - Gerrit van der Meulen: from Rotterdam to Australia
Gerrit’s initial journey to Melbourne in 1950, his temporary return to the Netherlands and his second migration with his family in 1960. - Arie de Bruin: a Dutch marine who began a new life in Australia
A former member of the Netherlands Marine Corps who travelled on the July 1950 KLM flight, although his precise connection with the dredging company remains under investigation.
Family reflection
- Glenda Korporaal – “Reflections of a migrant’s daughter”
A personal reflection on Glenda’s father, Henk Korporaal, Dick van Teulingen and the experience of growing up as the daughter of a Dutch migrant.
