The 1960s and 70s were the heydays of Dutch shops around the country. The key importers and wholesalers at that time were:
• Rubsons Pty Ltd established by Ruben Rubens in Victoria, Tasmania & Canberra;
• The Mannassen family in NSW & ACT;
• Centra – by the family van Straalen in WA; and
• Continental Supplies – John Beukema in QLD.
When people think of Dutch companies in Australia, names such as Philips, Shell often come to mind. Yet another Dutch company has quietly become one of the most important technology businesses in the world. ASML, Read more
The story of Dutch enterprise in Australia is often associated with shipping, manufacturing, agriculture, engineering and post-war migration. Optiver represents a much more recent chapter: the arrival of a Dutch company operating at the intersection Read more
Among the many Dutch families who helped shape post-war Australia, few have left such a lasting legacy as the Van Berkel family. Today, their name is synonymous with tulips, flower bulbs and horticulture in Victoria’s Read more