When Erna Walraven began working at Sydney’s Taronga Zoo in 1983, she entered a world still heavily dominated by men. As a newly qualified zookeeper, the role was a dream come true—but some of her male colleagues didn’t share her enthusiasm. She faced resistance, exclusion, and open scepticism. Yet Erna Read more…
DAF Trucks, with its origins in Eindhoven in the Netherlands, represents one of the great Dutch industrial success stories of the 20th century. While widely recognised across Europe for its engineering quality and reliability, DAF has also carved out a firm place in the Australian trucking landscape. Yet the story Read more…
The Dutch aircraft manufacturer Fokker has maintained a significant presence in Australian aviation history, from pioneering flights in the early 20th century to modern-day operations. This article explores the evolution of Fokker’s involvement in Australia, highlighting key milestones and the current status of Fokker aircraft in the country. See also Read more…
While walking through Roma Street Parkland, just next to where we live in Brisbane, I stopped once again at the Netherlands – Netherlands East Indies Memorial. It’s a peaceful and thoughtfully designed place, set amidst the gardens, and a rare public tribute to the wartime connection between the Netherlands, the Read more…
In 1920, several major Dutch shipping companies joined forces to create the Vereenigde Nederlandsche Scheepvaartmaatschappij (United Netherlands Shipping Company), known by its initials VNS. Their aim was to streamline operations and strengthen global maritime links — including important routes to Australia. Over the following decades, the member lines of the Read more…
A major maritime discovery has brought to light a remarkable episode in Dutch-Australian history. In March 2025, after more than 160 years hidden beneath the shifting sands of Long Beach near Robe, South Australia, the wreck of the Koning Willem de Tweede was found. The Dutch merchant ship had sunk Read more…
Author: J.A. Hempel (Jan Andrzej Hempel)Published: 1960Publisher: Department of Demography, Australian National UniversityLength: 100 pages Overview: This publication is a demographic and sociological study of Dutch post-war migrants in Queensland, Australia. It was part of a broader research program undertaken by the ANU’s Department of Demography to understand post-war migration Read more…
In the early days of the Pacific War, one ship with strong Dutch connections played a crucial role in the shifting Allied strategy — the M.S. Bloemfontein. Her journey across the Pacific, her arrival in Brisbane, and her later transformation into a dedicated troopship highlight her remarkable contribution to the Read more…
By Peter Reynders For some time, I have argued that the proper English translation of the first European geographic name given to part of Australia is “Cape Return,” not “Cape Turn Again” or any of the other variants that have appeared in various publications. I believe this name was first Read more…
YEAR NAVIGATORS VESSELS LOCATIONS KEY EVENTS KEY REFERENCES 1616 Dirk Hartog Eendracht Dirk Hartog Island 1st recorded sighting of west coast of Australia. Arrived 25 October, sailed 27 October. Left Hartog Plate. Major pp.ixxxi-xxxiv; Heeres pp.8-10 1618 Haevik Claesz. van Hillegom Zeewolf North West Cape Sighted North West Cape on Read more…