Biography
Dr Nonja Yvonne Huberta Maria Peters is a Dutch-born Australian historian, anthropologist, museum curator and social researcher whose work has made a significant contribution to the understanding and preservation of Dutch-Australian history. Her research encompasses migration and settlement, cultural identity, migrant entrepreneurship, maritime history, the Netherlands East Indies, and the preservation of migrant cultural heritage.
Early life and migration to Australia
Nonja Peters was born on 27 February 1944 in Tilburg, the Netherlands, during the final years of the Second World War. Her family’s experiences were shaped by the hardships of wartime Europe, including the forced labour experienced by her parents under the Nazi regime.
In 1949, when Nonja was five years old, her family emigrated to Western Australia. They initially settled in Subiaco before moving to Toodyay and subsequently Northam.
Growing up as a Dutch migrant child in post-war Australia gave her first-hand experience of the challenges of migration, cultural adjustment and belonging. These experiences would later become central themes in her academic research.
Education and academic career
Peters left school at the age of 15 and returned to formal education later in life. She completed a PhD in anthropology at the University of Western Australia in 2000.
Her doctoral research examined immigrant entrepreneurship among Dutch, Greek, Italian and Vietnamese communities in Western Australia. It explored the relationships between migration, ethnicity, employment, economic opportunity and the establishment of migrant-owned businesses.
She subsequently developed an academic career combining anthropology, history, ethnography and oral history. She has been affiliated with Edith Cowan University and Curtin University, including as Adjunct Professor at Edith Cowan University and University Associate at Curtin University’s John Curtin Institute of Public Policy.
Her work has been characterised by an interdisciplinary approach that combines archival research with the experiences and recollections of migrants themselves.
Research into migration and cultural identity
A central focus of Peters’ research has been the experiences of migrants arriving in Australia following the Second World War.
Her work examines the relationship between government migration policies and the realities encountered by migrants, including employment, housing, language barriers, assimilation pressures and the formation of new communities.
She has paid particular attention to Dutch migrants in Western Australia, documenting their family lives, occupations, social organisations, cultural traditions and relationships with Australian society.
Her research has also explored the experiences of migrant women, the development of migrant-owned businesses and the changing identities of second-generation Dutch Australians.
Through extensive oral history interviews, Peters has helped preserve personal accounts that might otherwise have been lost.
Museum exhibitions and public history
Alongside her academic publications, Peters has made an extensive contribution to museums, exhibitions and public heritage projects. Her DACC biographical record credits her with involvement in approximately 25 museum exhibitions.
Her projects have included A New Australia: Postwar Migration to Western Australia, A Sense of Place: Postwar Migration to Northam, and exhibitions documenting Dutch maritime connections and migrant cultural identity.
In 2002, she initiated Transpositions: Contextualising Recent Dutch Australian Art, curated by Rinske Car, bringing together work by artists of Dutch descent in Western Australia.
In 2017, Peters curated Descendants of the VOC: Portraits and Histories at the Museum of Geraldton. The exhibition brought together photographic portraits and oral histories exploring the historical connections between VOC voyages and communities in Western Australia, Indonesia and southern Africa.
Her work has also contributed to the interpretation of migration history at the Western Australian Maritime Museum.
These projects reflect her commitment to making historical research accessible beyond universities and academic publications.
The Netherlands East Indies and wartime history
Another significant area of Peters’ research concerns the Netherlands East Indies during and after the Second World War.
Her investigations have addressed the experiences of Dutch, Eurasian and Indonesian communities affected by the Japanese occupation, wartime evacuation, Indonesian independence and post-war displacement.
She has also researched the experiences of Dutch children evacuated from the Netherlands East Indies to Fairbridge Farm School in Western Australia during 1945–1946.
This work forms an important part of the historical documentation of Dutch-Australian wartime connections and the wider consequences of decolonisation.
Maritime history and shared heritage
Peters’ research extends to the earlier history of Dutch maritime exploration and the relationship between the Netherlands and Western Australia.
She has been involved in research concerning the Dutch ship Leeuwin, which charted part of the Western Australian coastline in 1622. In 2022, she reported identifying the previously unknown skipper of the vessel through historical documentary research.
Her broader interest in shared maritime, military, migration and mercantile history is reflected in A Touch of Dutch, a collaborative publication covering four centuries of Dutch connections with Western Australia.
Conferences and international research collaboration
Peters has played an important role in initiating and organising international research collaborations concerned with migration history and the preservation of cultural heritage.
In 2015, she organised a digital humanities workshop at the University of Western Sydney in collaboration with Professor Paul Arthur, with support from the Dutch Embassy in Canberra.
In August 2016, she helped initiate and organise the NIAS-Lorentz international workshop Migrant (R)e-collections in Leiden. The workshop brought together historians, migration researchers, heritage specialists and digital humanities experts to explore sustainable approaches to preserving migrant cultural heritage.
She has also presented research at conferences organised by the Association of European Migration Institutions and other academic organisations in Australia, Europe and North America.
These activities have contributed to the development of international networks connecting researchers and heritage institutions concerned with migration history.
Digital heritage and international exhibitions
Peters has been closely involved in initiatives aimed at preserving migrant cultural heritage through digital technologies.
These include Dutch Australians at a Glance (DAAAG), a project documenting personal migration experiences and making historical material accessible online.
She also participated in the international Migrant, Mobilities and Connection collaboration, which brought together researchers from the Netherlands and Australia to investigate the digitisation and interpretation of migration records.
As chief investigator and project manager of the Australia and the Netherlands: Moving People Stories exhibition project, Peters worked with researchers including Marijke van Faassen and Rik Hoekstra to connect historical migration records with personal experiences.
The exhibition was presented at the National Archives in The Hague during 2023–2024 and formed part of wider efforts to promote the preservation and accessibility of Dutch-Australian migration records.
In March 2024, Peters delivered a public lecture in Brisbane on four centuries of shared Dutch-Australian heritage, accompanied by a migration exhibition presented with the DACC and Dutch Club NAQ.
Recognition and honours
Nonja Peters’ contributions to historical research, migration studies and the preservation of cultural heritage have received recognition in both Australia and the Netherlands.
She was awarded a Dutch knighthood in recognition of her contributions to Dutch-Australian cultural heritage and the strengthening of historical and cultural connections between the two countries.
In 2022, Peters was inducted into the Western Australian Women’s Hall of Fame. The honour recognised her extensive work documenting migrant experiences, preserving oral histories and developing museum exhibitions and heritage projects that have contributed to a greater understanding of Australia’s multicultural history.
Her work has been particularly important in ensuring that the personal experiences of migrants and their descendants are preserved alongside official historical records.
Further information about her recognition and personal experiences is available through the Western Australian Women’s Hall of Fame and the Western Australian Museum.
The information below is from Nonja’s biography at her induction into the WA Women’s Hall of Fame in 2022.
It is her own personal story.
Research and publications
The following overview brings together books, research papers, exhibitions, conference contributions, heritage projects and archival resources associated with Nonja Peters.
It is intended as a central reference point for her work represented in the DACC’s digital archive. Publications are grouped thematically, with links to existing DACC articles and downloadable material where available.
Books and major publications
Milk and Honey – But No Gold: Postwar Migration to Western Australia, 1945–1964 (2001)
A study of post-war migration to Western Australia, examining migrant expectations, settlement experiences, employment, assimilation and cultural identity.
The Dutch Down Under, 1606–2006 (2006)
A collaborative historical publication examining four centuries of Dutch connections with Australia, encompassing maritime exploration, migration and cultural heritage.
From Tyranny to Freedom: Dutch Children from the Netherlands East Indies to Fairbridge Farm School, 1945–1946 (2008)
Research into the experiences of children evacuated from the Netherlands East Indies and accommodated at Fairbridge Farm School in Western Australia.
A Touch of Dutch – Maritime, Military, Migration and Mercantile Connections on the Western Third, 1616–2016 (2016)
A collaborative publication coordinated by Peters, bringing together historical research on four centuries of Dutch connections with Western Australia.
Access the book and chapter index
The Christian Slaves of Depok: A Colonial Tale Unravels (2021)
An investigation into the history of the Depok community in Indonesia, exploring its colonial origins, religious identity and historical development.
Publication and archival information
We Came by Sea: Celebrating Western Australia’s Migrant Welcome Walls (2010)
A publication documenting migrant experiences and the commemorative significance of Western Australia’s migrant welcome walls.
Dutch migration, settlement and identity
The Enterprising Dutch
Research into occupational adjustment, economic activities and entrepreneurship among Dutch migrants and their descendants in Western Australia.
Selling a Dream: Expectation Versus Reality
A conference paper examining the expectations created by migration campaigns and the experiences encountered by migrants after arriving in Australia.
Dutch Women in Australia
Research into migration, gender, identity and belonging.
The History of Dutch Clubs in Perth, 1950s–2016
Documents the development and social significance of Dutch community organisations in Western Australia.
The Second World War and the Netherlands East Indies
Dutch and Indonesian Refugees in Australia from the Netherlands East Indies, 1942–1946
Research into the evacuation and reception of refugees from the Netherlands East Indies during the Pacific War.
These Were Wild Times: The Evacuation of Dutch Nationals to Western Australia, 1945–1946
Examines the experiences of evacuees arriving in Western Australia during the immediate post-war period.
Dutch Evacuations from Indonesia to Australia
A study of evacuations associated with the Japanese occupation and subsequent Indonesian struggle for independence.
Maritime history and Dutch-Australian connections
Dutch Maritime History in Australia
Historical material examining Dutch maritime exploration and its connections with Western Australia.
The Leeuwin and the Western Australian coastline
Peters’ historical investigations into the Dutch vessel Leeuwin, which charted part of the Western Australian coast in 1622.
Research and documents on the Leeuwin
Museum exhibitions and public history projects
A New Australia: Postwar Migration to Western Australia
An exhibition exploring the experiences of post-war migrants and their contribution to Western Australian society.
A Sense of Place: Postwar Migration to Northam
An exhibition documenting migrant experiences and community development in the Northam region.
Transpositions: Contextualising Recent Dutch Australian Art (2002)
An exhibition initiated by Nonja Peters and curated by Rinske Car, presenting the work of artists of Dutch descent in Western Australia.
Descendants of the VOC: Portraits and Histories (2017)
Curated by Peters at the Museum of Geraldton, this exhibition used portraits and oral histories to explore possible historical connections between VOC voyages and communities in Western Australia, Indonesia and southern Africa.
Read the DACC exhibition article
Australia and the Netherlands: Moving People Stories (2023–2024)
An international exhibition and digital heritage initiative linking migration records and personal stories. Peters was chief investigator and project manager, collaborating with Dutch and Australian researchers and institutions.
Exhibition and project presentation (PDF)
The Heritage Shared Between the Netherlands and Australia, 1606–2016 (2024)
A lecture and exhibition in Brisbane on the maritime, military, migration and mercantile connections between the two countries.
Floating: An Exhibition of Artworks at the Fremantle Arts Centre by Dutch Australians
A chapter of A Touch of Dutch documenting a Dutch-Australian art exhibition.
Read the DACC article and chapter
Conferences, workshops and presentations
Digital Humanities Workshop – University of Western Sydney (2015)
Organised by Peters in collaboration with Professor Paul Arthur, with support from the Dutch Embassy in Canberra. The workshop examined approaches to preserving migrant cultural heritage digitally.
NIAS-Lorentz International Workshop – Migrant (R)e-collections, Leiden (2016)
An international workshop initiated and co-organised by Peters, bringing together historians, heritage professionals and digital humanities specialists.
Sydney–Canberra Digital Heritage Workshop (2018)
A continuation of international collaboration on the digitisation and preservation of migrant heritage records.
Background on the international digitisation collaboration
Brisbane at War Symposium (2025)
Peters contributed a paper examining the experiences of Dutch children evacuated from the Netherlands East Indies to Fairbridge Farm School in Western Australia.
Symposium abstracts and biographies
Conference papers and keynote addresses
The DACC maintains a chronological record of Peters’ academic presentations, including contributions to conferences organised by the Association of European Migration Institutions and other international organisations.
Conference papers and keynote addresses compiled by Nonja Peters
Digital heritage research and international collaborations
Dutch Australians at a Glance (DAAAG)
A digital heritage initiative documenting Dutch migration experiences through personal stories and historical records.
Explore the DACC’s DAAAG collection
Migrant, Mobilities and Connection
A collaborative research project involving Dutch and Australian researchers, concerned with the digitisation, preservation and interpretation of migration records.
Read about the digitisation of Dutch-Australian migrant registration cards
Digital Preservation of Ethnic Cultural Heritage (2015)
A collaborative publication with D. Marinova, M. van Faassen and G. Stasiuk.
Migrating People, Migrating Data: Digital Approaches to Migrant Heritage (2018)
A collaborative academic publication examining digital humanities approaches to migration history.
Migration Experiences: Acknowledging the Past, and Sustaining the Present and Future (2018)
A collaborative publication addressing the documentation and preservation of migration experiences.
Archival collections and oral histories
An important part of Peters’ work has involved collecting and preserving historical records, interviews, photographs and documents relating to migrant communities.
The State Library of Western Australia holds an extensive collection of material associated with her research, including oral histories and documentation relating to Dutch migration and settlement.
The catalogue includes studies of Graylands and Swanbourne migrant reception centres, Point Walter Migrant Reception Centre and the Holden Immigration Camp at Northam, as well as published books and research papers.
Nonja Peters – State Library of Western Australia archival catalogue
Nonja Peters and the DACC
As a member of the DACC Board, Nonja Peters contributes to the Centre’s work in documenting and preserving Dutch-Australian historical and cultural heritage.
Her publications, research projects, exhibitions, conference activities and archival collections form an important part of the wider body of Dutch-Australian historical scholarship represented on the DACC website.
This page brings together her biography and a selection of her research and publications, providing a central reference point for researchers, families and others interested in Dutch-Australian history.
The overview may be expanded as additional research material and archival resources become available.
