Frederik “Fred” Pelder was a Dutch military pilot whose extraordinary escape from Java, service with No. 18 (Netherlands East Indies) Squadron RAAF and later commemoration in South Australia connect several important chapters of Dutch–Australian wartime history. His nickname, “Pulk,” was painted on the B-25 Mitchell N5-131 operated by No. 18 Read more
In May 1931, KLM added an experimental flight from Batavia to Melbourne to their regular Amsterdam – Batavia service providing a through service from Amsterdam to Australia. The plane was a Fokker FVIIA/3m trimotor specially named ‘Abel Tasman’ for this trip. The pilot and co-pilot were Maurits Pattist and Jan Read more
Maryse Jansen had always lived in Rijswijk and Den Haag in the Netherlands, until she made Australia her home in 2009. A different lifestyle, a warmer climate and lots of natural space beckoned. Maryse and her partner took their chances, applied for permanent residence in Australia and ended up just Read more
In 2022 I explored the south western part of the Gulf of Carpentaria. We were at the mouth of the Norman River at Karumba. The Dutch explores didn’t come that far south in the Gulf. Nevertheless we got an idea of the landscape and in particular the endless savanna along Read more
Was Captain Cook was the first European to map Australia and was Matthew Flinders the first to circumnavigate? No way! Abel Tasman, the Dutch East India Company and the first Dutch discoveries. Everyone who passes through the vestibule of the Mitchell Library stops to admire the magnificent marble mosaic of Read more
In addition to classes at the Hunters Hill, Manly Vale, Surry Hills and Forestville locations, Dutch school ‘de Kangoeroe’ is also providing online classes this year. They use the latest methods that enable them to offer hybrid education. Requirements for online learners:– You live more than 45 minutes’ drive from one Read more
In June 2022 Dr Chris Roelfsema, Associate Professor at The University of Queensland presented a lecture on ‘Maps Connecting People To Help Save Reefs’. The theme of the lecture indicates the priority that the Netherlands government gives to combatting the consequences of climate change, worldwide. The role of Dutchman Chris Roelfsema in Read more
A group of people who have Dutch ancestry and are researching our family trees. Facebook page
Redirection See: Research Portal – Dutch and Netherlands East Indies Air Forces in Australia during World War II
No. 18 (Netherlands East Indies) Squadron RAAF was formally established at Canberra on 4 April 1942, following initial preparations at Archerfield Airport in Brisbane. Its Dutch, Indonesian and Australian members served together during the war against Japan. After the war, veterans and their descendants continued meeting to remember the squadron, Read more