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…
By Beno Groothoff It was in the year 2000, a time when fears were widespread that computers would not be able to handle the transition from 1999 to 2000 and that the world might collapse, that I responded to an urgent call for volunteers to assist with Dutch-language radio programs Read more…
In the immediate aftermath of World War II, the Netherlands faced a monumental challenge. While its homeland lay in ruins after years of occupation, it also had to grapple with re-establishing authority and humanitarian order in its colony, the Netherlands East Indies (NEI), which had been under brutal Japanese occupation Read more…
During World War II, the SS Tasman, a Dutch steamship operated by the Koninklijke Paketvaart Maatschappij (KPM), became part of an extraordinary Dutch Australian connection. From wartime evacuations and military support to post-war links between the Netherlands East Indies (NEI) and Australia, the Tasman offers a glimpse into a lesser Read more…
Wim Nicolaas Bolle (1917–2000) was a Dutch-born artist whose life and work bridged the cultural landscapes of the Netherlands and Australia. Born in the Netherlands, Bolle spent much of his early life immersed in Amsterdam’s vibrant art scene. His artistic journey was deeply influenced by personal experiences, including the profound Read more…
The long-standing relationship between the Netherlands and Australia has taken on a new dimension through shipbuilding. Dutch shipbuilding giant Damen, one of Europe’s premier maritime engineering companies, is playing a growing role in Australia’s naval and civilian maritime sectors. Founded in 1927, Damen Shipyards Group has become one of the Read more…
Camp Meeandah and the United States Army S.O.S. Depot Located in the Pinkenba riverside area on Brisbane’s north-eastern fringe, Camp Meeandah was established in 1943 as part of the United States Army’s Service of Supply (USASOS) operations under Base Section 3, the logistical arm of General MacArthur’s Southwest Pacific Area Read more…
Even in Brisbane, the global importance of the city’s role during World War II is largely unknown. While many locals are aware of the large American presence, few know that the Dutch also operated from here during the Pacific War. Even fewer in the Netherlands would be aware of the Read more…