Migration history
SPORT CLUB HOLLAND INC. – Gambier Centrals Soccer Club
Founded in August 1962, the club was known as “Sports Club Holland” until 1982-83, when a name change led to the modern Gambier Centrals being born. In 2003 the club finally put down roots on Bishop Road, moving from its second home on Penola Road alongside activ8. See also: Clogball Read more…
Migration history
Remembering Tasmanian Football Legend Adrian Harmsen
Adrian (Aad) Harmsen was born in Leiden in 1925. From a young school age he played football and became a key player in the local football club. During WWII he became involved resistance work and in 1945 he was employed as a translator at the Royal Dutch Aiforce. Worried about Read more…
Military and Political History
WWII Gould Airfield used by the Dutch for maintenance
During World War II, Gould Airfield, also known as Gould Strip, was an important airfield located in the Northern Territory of Australia. It played a significant role in the defence and strategic operations of the Allies in the Pacific theatre during the war. Here’s more information about Gould Airfield and Read more…
Military and Political History
The end of WWII. Liberation of Borneo by Australian troops. Bersiap killings on Java.
The 15th day of August 1945 will go down in history as the day of the end of the Second World War. On that day, Japan capitulated and the President of the United States announced that the conflict in the Pacific was over. But there was no question of a Read more…
Migration history
Wens de Jong – football lengend of Wagga Wagga
Wens de Jong was born in 1938 in Oude Wetering (Zuid Holland). At the age of 18, he embarked on a journey to Melbourne in 1956 alongside his parents John and Regina, along with their six siblings. His father, who worked as a baker in their village, had a passion Read more…
Dutch Organisations
The Clogs ( Klompen) Dutch football Club in Wagga Wagga
In the 1950s, a wave of Dutch migration reached Wagga Wagga, leaving its mark on the Riverina town’s sporting landscape with the formation of the Clogs (Klompen) football club. This article draws upon rich archival records to illuminate the Clogs’ story, revealing the unique spirit and challenges they faced. Founded Read more…
Migration history
Cees van der Zalm (1901-1957) Dutch National Footballer and Australian Coach
Cees van der Zalm was a Dutch footballer born on September 30, 1901, in Loosduinen, The Hague. He had a notable career with the Netherlands National Football team (Oranje), playing three matches between 1927 and 1929.He played for VUC in The Hague and captained the club until his retirement of Read more…
Military and Political History
The strategic position of Merauke during WWII
An often used trivia question in the Netherlands is, what part of the Netherlands remained unoccupied during WWII. The answer is Southwest Dutch New Guinea, with Merauke as its capital When General MacArthur initiated an offensive on mainland Netherlands New Guinea on a modest scale in 1942, his left flank Read more…
Literature
Dutch spy woman involved in the decision to start the NSW penal settlement in 1788?
Margaretha Wolters, also known as Marguerite Wolters, was an intriguing figure in 18th-century espionage. Her clandestine activities appear to have played a pivotal role in shaping British decisions during that era. Amazingly she appeared to have run a European espionage network, first with her husband but after his death on her Read more…