This year the Kingdom of the Netherlands and Australia celebrate 80 years of diplomatic relations. Today we unveil our exclusive logo.
The Netherlands established formal diplomatic representation in Australia with the appointment of Envoy François Cornelius van Aerssen van Voshol on 16 April 1942.
“Throughout this year, the Dutch Diplomatic Mission in Australia will mark this historic diplomatic milestone. This milestone is built on a 400-year shared history dating back to 1606 when the seafarers from the Dutch East Indies Company trading ship The Duyfken became the first Europeans to make landfall on Australian soil, and the first Europeans to make contact with Australia’s Indigenous community,” said Ambassador Derckx.
This first Dutch encounter set the stage for wave upon wave of warm, strong and active bilateral relations across all our common goals from securing the international rules based order to promoting human rights, circular economy, energy transition, cybersecurity and disarmament.
“With themes of collaboration and innovation at the forefront, the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands launches our special and unique 80 years celebratory logo created by the premier design firm Hulsbosch. This collaboration with Hulsbosch gives our logo an extra dimension. The Executive Creative Director Hans Hulsbosch and Creative Director Marcel Wijnen are both Dutch born,” said Ambassador Marion Derckx. “As they celebrate their own 40 year story, Hulsbosch is considered one of Australia’s leading brand firms creating some of the country’s most iconic brands such a Qantas. Hulsbosch is just one of the many Dutch-Australian success stories.”
“Water has always been vital in the connection of both nations throughout history. The two brushstrokes, one in Dutch orange and one in Australian true blue, unite in a complementary gesture to create one wave representing the idea of connection and progress, harnessing energy, forward-movement and an always dynamic relationship between the two nations,” says Hans Hulsbosch.
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Sydney Morning 16 September 1941
AUSTRALIA AND NETHERLANDS
BATAVIA. Sept. 15.–Diplomatic relations will be established between Australia and the Netherlands shortly. The newspaper “Java-Bode” says it has learned that this is now definite.
The Australian minister will be as credited to the Netherlands Government in London and the Netherlands minister to the Australian Government in Canberra.
The “Java-Bode” publishes this story on its front page- It says: “Naturally, diplomatic representation will especially improve the cooperation between Australia and the Netherlands East Indies, the significance of which is mutually recognised.”
SYDNEY. Tuesday.-The Minister for External Affairs (Sir Frederick Stewart) said this morning that he could not confirm a cabled report that the Australis and Netherlands East Indies Governments intended to exchange ministers. He would make no statement.
Sydney Morning Herald 17 September 1941
AUSTRALIA AND NETHERLANDS DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS TO BE ESTABLISHED.
Diplomatic relations will be established between Australia and the Netherlands shortly. The Batavia
newspaper “Java-Bode” says it has learned that this is now definite.
The Australian minister will be accredited to the Netherlands Government in London and the Netherlands minister to the Australian Government in Canberra.
The “Java-Bode” publishes this story on its front page. It says: “Naturally, diplomatic representation will especially improve the co-operation between Australia and the Netherlands East Indies, the significance of which is mutually recognised.”
Sydney Morning Herald 2 February 1942
AUSTRALIA. NETHERLANDS
Exchange Of Representatives MELBOURNE, January 31.— An exchange of diplomatic representatives between Australia and the Netherlands was announced to-day.
Mr. s. It. Bruce, Australian High Commissioner, has been appointed Australian representative to the Royal Dutch Court in London, Lieutenant Colonel Eugene Gorman, K.C., Comforts Fund Commissioner In the Middle East, has been appointed Consul-General In the Netherlands East Indies, with rank practically equivalent to that of a Minister.
Baron F. C, Van Aerssen, the present Dutch Minister in Iran, will be the First Netherlands Minister to Australia.
Baron Van Aerssen was a commander In the Royal Netherlands Naval Reserve, and gained high military distinction in his country, Lieutenant-Colonel Gorman was educated in Sydney, at St. Joseph’s College, Hunter’s Hill. He is one of Victoria’s leading barristers. He served in the 21nd Battalion in the last war, receiving the Military Cross
(Source Trove – National Library of Australia)
