By Dr Nonja Peters
In Milk and Honey – But No Gold, Dr Nonja Peters provides one of the most comprehensive accounts of postwar migration to Western Australia, with a particular focus on the Dutch and other European migrant communities. Based on archival research, oral history interviews, and personal observation, Peters explores the myth versus reality of the migration journey, the promises made by governments, and the lived experiences of the migrants themselves.
Key Themes:
1. The Migration Dream vs Harsh Reality
Many Dutch and other European migrants were drawn to Australia by images of prosperity—open landscapes, employment, home ownership, and personal freedom. Government propaganda painted Australia as a land of “milk and honey.” However, what many migrants encountered were shortages, language barriers, poor housing conditions, and harsh physical labour, often in isolated or underdeveloped regions.
2. Assisted Passage and Government Objectives
The book analyses how the Australian government sought migrants not just to boost population but to fill labour shortages in essential industries. The Netherlands was considered an ideal source of migrants—white, Christian, disciplined, and relatively well-educated. Many Dutch migrants came under the Assisted Passage Scheme and were quickly absorbed into the workforce, but often at a personal and cultural cost.
3. Experiences of Dislocation and Cultural Adaptation
Peters highlights the psychological and emotional toll of migration: the dislocation of leaving extended family, feelings of cultural alienation, and the loss of social status. Dutch migrants, despite being linguistically close to English speakers, found Australian society disinterested in their culture. There was often pressure to assimilate quickly, reinforced by policies that discouraged ethnic enclaves or cultural expression.
4. Community Formation and Resistance to Assimilation
Despite assimilationist pressures, Dutch migrants established a variety of social clubs, sporting groups, churches, and language schools. These institutions became crucial for cultural maintenance and identity reinforcement. Peters gives special attention to the creation of Dutch-run businesses and cooperative societies, particularly in Perth and Fremantle.
5. Women’s Roles in Migration
A particularly valuable aspect of Peters’ work is the attention she gives to migrant women. She explores how women were expected to be homemakers, raise families, and support the migration effort, often with limited support networks and restricted economic participation. Many women experienced profound loneliness and isolation, yet also served as the bedrock of community cohesion.
6. Legacy and Intergenerational Identity
The final sections reflect on the outcomes of this migration wave. Many Dutch migrants successfully built new lives and contributed meaningfully to Australian society, but their culture was often under-recognised. Second-generation Dutch-Australians sometimes reclaimed their heritage later in life, though often without language proficiency. Peters argues that while assimilation succeeded materially, it came at a cultural cost.
To see the full copy of the book click here: University of Western Australian. or view online in pdf version
About the author
Dr Nonja Peters is a historian, anthropologist and museum curator whose research has made a significant contribution to Dutch-Australian migration history and cultural heritage.
For her full biography and an overview of her research, publications, exhibitions and international collaborations, see:
Dr Nonja Peters – Historian of Dutch-Australian migration, heritage and cultural identity
