Tasman’s BriefcaseA special briefcase was made in Tasmania to mark the 300th anniversary of the death of Abel Tasman. The briefcase was made from black leather, embossed with the Tasmanian coat of arms. Inside there were several compartments.The main compartment contained a carved {profile?] head of Tasman let into a Read more…
ROYAL VISITOCTOBER 25TH AND 26TH, 2006 It was weeks of anticipation for the Dutch Community in Tasmania, as they received preliminary invitations and two general invitations in the Saturday Mercury, for the Royal visit. His Royal Highness, the Prince of Orange, and Her Royal Highness, Princess Maxima of the Netherlands, Read more…
The article below is a brief resume of the life of Reg Doedens. It is structured on the ghosted auto-biography prepared by Anne Rand, with additional notes by the reviewer, (a neighbour, cadet, employee, hardware store co-owner, interviewer (for another book), family friend and fellow Christian). Some of Reg’s story Read more…
Family home built by Peter & Anneke The family home and workshop they left behind. Leaving the Netherlands forever FROM CANADIAN CHOCOLATE TO ANTARCTIC BUILDER PETER HERWEYNENWhen he was 18 years old, Jan van Herweynen was asked by his father to travel to Tasmania, purchase a piece of land and Read more…
THE ROOK FAMILY by Meinard Karel ROOK Compiled 2005 ArrivalWe arrived in Australia in August 1950, after a 6 week voyage from Holland on the Sibijaek. Our first land fall was in Fremantle, then on to Melbourne, where we transferred to the Taroona for the voyage across Bass Strait to Read more…
The diary of G Rhee is quite unique because it was written in 1940. Gerard Rhee was one of the first Dutch migrants to Tasmania. There are interesting glimpses in this diary of a young man who fell in love with a local lass. Apart from notes about his courting, Read more…
Saturday the 21st of April was the day the Klaverjas Club “Ons Genoegen” celebrated their 50th anniversary. The celebrations started in the morning at the Lenah Valley RSL clubrooms. Players had come together from Launceston and Hobart to participate in a tournament of wits and skill (and a bit of Read more…
Martina van Munster nee Kruiff Martina’s early memories were fixed in World War II. Her family lived in Den Helder, a natural harbour on the tip of North Holland. The harbour was also a naval base, and the object of much bombing. Some of the bombs, towards the end of Read more…
From Dutch schoolgirl to servant of the people ADRIANA TAYLOR It is normal for the eldest son to inherit the farm. This has been true over the centuries, and in many places in the world. Jos (Adrianus Johannes Ansems), known to all as Lange Jos, refused the privilege. He had Read more…