Literature
Roller Coaster Migrants
Republished with permission. Chapter 21 of the book: A Touch of Dutch. For the full pdf of the book click here. Families Rietveld, Rijnders Introduction chapters of the book: Touch of Dutch
Literature
Dear Homeland, Farewell by Richarda Engles
In this booklet, written in the 1980s, Richarda (‘Richa’) Engles (born 1924 in Rotterdam) shares her life story with her readers. With candour and memory for detail she recounts her youth in The Netherlands and her marriage to widower Jacob (‘Jaap’) van der Meer (1916-1970) who brought his five children Read more…
Literature
The Free Reformed Community in Western Australia
Republished with permission. Chapter 19 of the book: A Touch of Dutch. For the full pdf of the book click here. Introduction chapters of the book: Touch of Dutch
Literature
Fremantle: First step to a new future – migration
Republished with permission. Chapter 15 of the book: A Touch of Dutch. For the full pdf of the book click here. Introduction chapters of the book: Touch of Dutch See also: Bonegilla the largest migrant camp – 18.000 Dutch people passed through
Literature
Dutch socialist pioneer links with Dutch literary giants
Republished with permission. Chapter 14 of the book: A Touch of Dutch. For the full pdf of the book click here. Introduction chapters of the book: Touch of Dutch See also: Dutch authors van het Reve and their link with Australia.
Art, Music, Film, Theatre
Textile Artist – Aadje Bruce
Born in Amsterdam 11-10-1934, died 5-4-2011 in PerthTextile Artist / Fashion Designer and Mixed Media Artist. Active Period c.1958 – c.2008 Artistic education: Diploma of Art Studies, Perth Technical College (1957), BA Fine Art (Fibre Textiles) Kunstnijverheidsschool/Rietveld Academie, Amsterdam (1982), BA (Sculpture) Curtin University (1990), M.A. Visual Arts, Curtin University Read more…
Migration history
From the Pitch to Perseverance: The Remarkable Journey of Bill Westerveld
Bill Westerveld’s life story is a testament to his enduring passion for football and resilience in the face of adversity. His journey in the sport took him across continents, representing his homeland at the youth level before embarking on a new chapter in New Zealand and later in Australia. Born Read more…
Dutch Tasmanian Connection
Martina van Munster nee Kruiff migration to Tasmania
Martina’s early memories were fixed in World War II. Her family lived in Den Helder, a natural harbour on the tip of North Holland. The harbour was also a naval base, and the object of much bombing. Some of the bombs, towards the end of the war, were German V1 Read more…
Dutch Culture, Sport, and Religion in Australia
Peter Herweynen – From Canadian chocolate to Antarctic builder
When he was 18 years old, Jan van Herweynen was asked by his father to travel to Tasmania, purchase a piece of land and begin building a house. Jan was accompanied by his cousin Bob Brinkman and the sister of his mother, Janny de Jonge. They left Schipol airport in Read more…
Dutch Tasmanian Connection
Reg Doedens: A life of faith, resilience, and community- Tasmania
The article below is a brief resume of the life of Reg Doedens. It is structured on the ghosted auto-biography prepared by Anne Rand, with additional notes by the reviewer, (a neighbour, cadet, employee, hardware store co-owner, interviewer (for another book), family friend and fellow Christian). Some of Reg’s story Read more…