Boesidien, Samanuddin and Abdole Hamid were members of the Netherlands Merchant Navy during World War II and are interred at Toowong Cemetery in Brisbane. Their service highlights the significant role of Dutch merchant vessels in the Allied efforts in the Pacific. Boesidien (1909–1942) Netherlands Merchant Navy – Crew member, MaetsuyckerBuried Read more
Info sought on Barnard Family Maitland By Hans Barnard Many in Australia, or indeed South Africa and the United States, that carry the family name “Barnard” are descendants of immigrants from England, where this surname is relatively common. In Australia, however, there are a few Barnards that are instead directly Read more
Frank Zindler is a Dutch migrant and artist who is primarily known for having married Maria (Ria) Scholte, the 50,000th Dutch migrant to Australia. Early years in Indonesia and Australia Frank was born in Java in the Dutch East Indies (now Indonesia) on 20 May 1932. He grew up in Read more
In 1954 Maria Agnes Scholte (known as Ria) became the 50,000 Dutch person to migrate to Australia. Scholte was born in Amsterdam in the early 1930s and worked as a hairdresser prior to emigrating. She was twenty years old when she left the Netherlands for Australia. Emigration Scholte departed from Read more
By Jayde Andrews Many people find it remarkable how my great grandmother survived two Japanese internment camps from 1941-1946 in the Dutch East, the Indonesian revolution and a famine on her way back to Holland in 1946- all before the age of 17. What is even more remarkable is Mary Read more
The newspaper article by Malcolm Quekett explores postwar migration to Western Australia through the history of the Graylands Reception and Training Centre, later known as the Graylands Migrant Hostel, and through the personal experiences of migrants who passed through it. The story brings together Dr Nonja Peters’ research on migration Read more
Kasteel Batavia stood as the administrative heart of the Dutch East Indies, begun in 1619 under Jan Pieterszoon Coen. The rectangular fortress, built on the western bank of the Groote Rivier (now Kali Besar), featured four bastions—Amsterdam, Zeelandia, Hollandia and Westfriesland—connected by thick walls enclosing offices, warehouses, and the Governor-General’s Read more
In the heart of Jakarta’s Old Town, once the centre of the Dutch East Indies, stands Café Batavia — a landmark that embodies both colonial history and modern restoration. Overlooking Fatahillah Square, the café occupies a building dating back to the 1830s, originally used by the Dutch East India Company Read more
(Profile current as of October 2025) Chris Hemsworth (born 11 August 1983), Liam Hemsworth (born 13 January 1990), and Luke Hemsworth (born 5 November 1980) are Australian actors whose shared success has brought international attention to their family’s diverse heritage. Through their mother, Leonie (née van Os), they have Dutch Read more
(Published October 2025) Alister Andrew Henskens (born 30 December 1963) is an Australian politician and member of the Liberal Party, currently representing the electorate of Wahroonga in the New South Wales Legislative Assembly. He previously held senior ministerial portfolios including Skills and Training, Science, Innovation and Technology, and Leader of Read more