The Gemma Constantiniana is a remarkable artifact – only one of three of the Roman period – that weaves together the stories of ancient Rome, Dutch maritime history, and European royalty. This 4th-century CE sardonyx cameo, created during the reign of Emperor Constantine the Great, celebrates the emperor and his Read more…
The late 1950s and early 1960s marked a significant period in eastern Melbourne’s soccer history, as Wilhelmina emerged as a prominent club, laying the foundation for a cluster of local district clubs with strong Dutch influence. These clubs, including Hollandia, Fern Tree, Ringwood United, and Mooroolbark, thrived with Dutch backing, Read more…
Born on December 15, 1905, in Groningen, the Netherlands, Berendina Annagena (Dien) Knol (née Freese) led a remarkable life marked by resilience, faith, and service. Her family migrated to Australia in 1928 after her father, Jurjen Peter Freese, faced financial ruin in the Netherlands. Dien, aged 23 at the time, Read more…
The following text is from a booklet published by the Federation of Netherlands Societies Ltd. in February 1985. The research for this booklet was done by Mijntje Hagen. Acknowledgement Many thanks to the clubs, their secretaries, and the many members of the various societies who have made it possible for Read more…
General Sir John Winthrop Hackett, better known as “Shan,” was an Australian-born British soldier who played a pivotal role in one of World War II’s most ambitious military operations, Operation Market Garden. Born on November 5, 1910, in Perth, Western Australia, Hackett’s early life was steeped in both Australian and Read more…
Frederik de Houtman Frederik de Houtman, a Dutch navigator and explorer, played a pivotal role in the early European exploration of Australia. Known for his contributions to the Dutch East India Company (VOC) and his skilled navigation of the treacherous waters of the Indian Ocean, one of his lasting legacies Read more…
This article is produced with the assistance AI. Corrections and additions are welcome. Who Were the Boers? The Boers were descendants of Dutch, German, and French Huguenot settlers who arrived in southern Africa in the 17th and 18th centuries, primarily under the auspices of the Vereenigde Oostindische Compagnie (Dutch East Read more…
In 1952, Werkspoor Engineering Works, a Dutch construction company, was commissioned to construct the Shell refinery plant in Geelong, Australia. On 18 March 1954, the Geelong refinery became the first of Australia’s post-war refineries to come on stream. Its commissioning sent ripples of excitement throughout the Geelong community and was Read more…
The Role of Lend-Lease and Aircrew Training in the United States During World War II, the United States earned the nickname “the Arsenal of Democracy” due to its sheer productive output. The hardware turned out in US factories included over 3 million trucks and jeeps, 86,000 tanks, 6,750 naval platforms, Read more…
By Diane Gabb Introduction Much has been written about the large numbers of Dutch migrants who sought a new home in Australia after the devastation of World War II when over 200 000 citizens had lost their lives and the failed Netherlands economy had little to offer but emigration propaganda. Australia Read more…