Not long ago, a book was published about Dick under the title The Incredible Life of Dick van Leer. This very readable account of Dick’s life, a family history really, written jointly with Aubrey Cohen, starts with his birth in 1922 in Surabaya, Dutch East Indies. Dick wasn’t there long though Read more
In 1968 Mr Franz De Kever, a Dutch architect working in Melbourne and his wife Rie De Kever purchased the six acre site with a view to build a Motel and authentic Dutch restaurant. After completing ten Motel units, construction on the Windmill Restaurant began in 1972. Originally the most Read more
Pleun Hitzert left ‘s-Gravendeel in 1980 with his wife Hennie and his daughters. Here he built a piece of ‘Hoeksche Waard’. Including a mill, for which the one in his birthplace stood model. He based his final design on De Lelie from his native village Puttershoek, but he also used Read more
By Paul Budde (2021) Paul Cox was born on 16 April 1940 in Venlo, Limburg, The Netherlands. His father Wim Cox was the publisher of the Catholic newspaper Nieuwe Venlosche Courant and was commissioned in 1938 by the chairman of the ‘RK Bond voor Groote Families’ (Catholic Association for Large Read more
Henk Guth was born in Arnhem, Netherlands, and studied there at the Academy of Art and Design from 1938 to 1942. After graduating from the Academy, he moved to Amsterdam to pursue his career. In 1960 he emigrated to Melbourne, and in 1966, moved to Alice Springs, where he opened Read more
The Dutch Australian Cultural Centre was founded in 1983 and gives as its aims and objectives in its mission statement, the collection, preservation, promotion and dissemination of Dutch culture and heritage in Australia. The Centre immediately started the collection of material for the archives and Library and now, after almost Read more
Senior Principal Research ScientistA Healthy and Resilient GBRAustralian Research Council Laureate Fellow (2019-2023) https://www.aims.gov.au/our-people/prof-madeleine-van-oppen See other personal stories.
It is said that 30 % of the people who migrate to Australia have returned home again but former SBS Dutch broadcaster Yvon Davis says she has spoken with a few who then came back again, like her parents who emigrated twice! https://www.sbs.com.au/language/english/audio/1st-generation-story-yvon-davis-kamp After you have listened to the audio, Read more
Corrienne Dias-Verbon first lived as an expat in Bangkok before emigrating to Australia. It took some getting used to but she loves it here. https://www.sbs.com.au/language/english/audio/1st-generation-story-corrienne-dias-verbon After you have listened to the audio, press the return button to go back to the DACC Hub.
Simone van Hattem was a child when she came to Australia the first time and 14 when they emigrated a second time. https://www.sbs.com.au/language/english/audio/first-generation-stories-from-zaandam-to-australia Ed. April 2026. It appears the SBS audio is no longer available. If anybody has more info on Simone van Hattem we would appreciate more information.