DACC, Author at Dutch Australia Cultural Centre

Major Jan Willem Zijlstra – Sparrow Force Timor WWII

Military record Born in Malang, Java, on 27 December 1910. Died at “Ladang” House, near Berry, New South Wales, Australia, on October 6, 1965. Army number 102417002 Second lieutenant KNIL Army (31-07-1932), First Lieutenant (31-07-1935), Captain. (27-05-1943), Major (17-12-1949). Well-known decorations: · Ereteken Belangrijke/Bijzondere Krijgsbedrijven/-verrichtingen BK,E.1,OHK.3,OV.1,XV,KLO· Bronze Cross K.B. Read more…

By DACC, 2 yearsOctober 16, 2022 ago

Military and Political History

The Battle of Timor – 1942-1943

The Battle of Timor – the Dutch and Australians kept fighting after the surrender of Netherlands East Indies. The bombing of Darwin did bring WWII directly onto the shores of Australia. However, what is less well known is that the reason for the Japanese attack on Darwin and Broome was Read more…

By DACC, 2 yearsOctober 16, 2022 ago

Military and Political History

Netherlands – Australia Memorial – Canberra

The monument commemorates the servicemen and women of the Dutch forces which operated from Australia between 1941 and 1945. The Dutch, along with the Americans, were the only non-Commonwealth countries to establish bases in Australia during World War Two. The original memorial was unveiled on the 7th December 1991 and Read more…

By DACC, 2 yearsOctober 16, 2022 ago

Aviation and Shipping

Mutiny on the Tasmanian ferry Abel Tasman -1985

The following is an abstract – with permission – from the Mitchell Bruce’s website Ferries of Australia Abel Tasman (IMO 7362108) sailed on the Bass Strait between 1985 to 1993. She started life as the Nils Holgersson, built in 1975. She commenced her regular route, linking Travemünde (Germany) to Trelleborg Read more…

By DACC, 2 yearsOctober 15, 2022 ago

Aviation and Shipping

Various ships named Abel Tasman

Abel Tasman – Bermuda Schooner This Bermuda Schooner, derived from the famous “America 1”, designed by George Steer. From this renowned fast yacht from the mid-19th century a few replicas have been built. Though “Abel Tasman” is not a pure replica, she has the same lines. She has been proven Read more…

By DACC, 2 yearsOctober 15, 2022 ago

Dutch – Australian History

Dutch mapping of the Indo-Pacific 1550 – 1750 (with emphasis on the mapping of Australia)

Presentation by Roland Spuij President Dutch Australian Cultural CentreFor the Abel Tasman Museum, Lutjegast on 10 October 2022 See also: Historic Maps of the explorers Maps from the Exhibition Maps of the Pacific. Abel Tasman Abel Tasman Museum Lutjegast, Netherlands

By DACC, 2 yearsOctober 14, 2022 ago

Dutch artefacts

Dutch and Australian Relics from Camp Columbia Brisbane

Camp Columbia in the suburb of Wacol in Brisbane was a United States Army military camp. It was built in 1942 to accommodate American troops. The Sixth US Army Headquarters was formed and stationed here. It also hosted two hospitals and an Officer Candidate School till 1945. This was the Read more…

By DACC, 2 yearsOctober 12, 2022 ago

News and Updates

Crashed in the hostile nature of Netherlands New Guinea – Dutch, American, Australian, Indonesian and Papuan collaboration

Crashed in the hostile nature of Netherlands New Guinea- book by Bas KreugerTranslated by Thijs de Veen. Reproduced interview with thanks to Traces of War In the summer of 1944 not only Normandy was the stage of war against a ruthless occupier. In the East too the allied forces were Read more…

By DACC, 2 yearsOctober 11, 2022 ago

Maritime History

Netherlands Antilles ship capsized in Port Kembla (1986)

Shortly before noon on Thursday 14 August 1986 the Netherlands Antilles flag heavy lift cargo ship ‘GABRIELLA’ capsized and sank alongside No. 2 Products Berth in Port Kembla harbour New South Wales. The ship capsized and sank on its side very rapidly while discharging a lift of 237.95 tonnes. Two Read more…

By DACC, 2 yearsOctober 10, 2022 ago

Dutch Culture, Sport, and Religion in Australia

Rembrandt Dutch Club – Sydney

Founded in 1978 We are open every Wednesday from 10am till 1pm and every Friday from 3.30pm till 8.30pm. Our Club is run purely by volunteers, from the barman to the cleaner, the chef and the gardener. The Club has several interest groups: Klaverjassers and Scrabblers. It’s a friendly place Read more…

By DACC, 2 yearsOctober 10, 2022 ago