Maritime History
Dutch merchant fleet delivered major contribution to the war in the Pacific.
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Maritime History
Henk Paardekooper- Japanese invasion of the Dutch East Indies
At the time of the Japanese invasion in the Dutch Indies Hendrik (Henk) Paardekooper was employed – since 1938 – by the Droogdok Maatschappij Surabaya (DSM) being responsible e.g. for the floating docks and cranes used for the maintenance and repair of larger sea-going vessels, including those of the Dutch Read more
Dutch businesses in Australia
Hugo von Nahmer Nederlandse Consul in Melbourne (1857), geboren in Geldrop
in 1857, the Dutch government appointed the 21-year old Melbourne-based merchant and shipping agent Hugo von (der) Nahmer, who was of German descent but Geldrop-born, as honorary consul In his enthusiasm, Von Nahmer started using the Dutch name Van der Nahmer to suit the appointment. Nevertheless, he had to resign Read more
Dutch businesses in Australia
Hugo van der Nahmer First Nederlandse Consul in Melbourne (1857).
The wealthy 21 year old arrived in Melbourne, on the ship Canton in 1853. In 1856 the Netherlands Government signed a diplomatic convention with the United Kingdom that allowed for the reciprocal admissions of Consuls in each other colonies and foreign possessions. In 1857, the Dutch government appointed Melbourne-based merchant Read more
Military and Political History
80 years of diplomatic relations Netherlands-Australia
This year the Kingdom of the Netherlands and Australia celebrate 80 years of diplomatic relations. Today we unveil our exclusive logo. The Netherlands established formal diplomatic representation in Australia with the appointment of Envoy François Cornelius van Aerssen van Voshol on 16 April 1942. “Throughout this year, the Dutch Diplomatic Read more
Military and Political History
The Fall of Netherlands East Indies March1942
After the heavy losses during the Battle of the Java Sea the British and American forced started to withdraw and the Dutch and Australians were left on their own. On Sunday, 8 March, Lt. Gen. Hitoshi Imamura met with the Governor-General of the NEI, Jonkheer (Lord) Alidius Tjarda van Starkenborgh Stachouwer and set a deadline for the next day for an unconditional surrender.
Aviation and Shipping
Royal Netherlands Indies Airline – KNILM and its link with Australia
KNILM an early aviation pioneer Koninklijke Nederlandsch-Indische Luchtvaart Maatschappij (in English: Royal Dutch Indies Airways) was the airline of the former Netherlands East Indies (NAI). It was founded on 16 July 1928 as the NILM by a group of 32 Netherlands Indies. KNILM was not a subsidiary of the better-known Read more
Maritime History
Battle of the Java Sea – first and last battle of the ABDA force
Battle of the Java Sea The American-British-Dutch-Australian (ABDA) Command, or ABDACOM, was established in Bandung, Java, on 15 January 1942 and became operational shortly afterward. However, by this time, Japan had already been at war with the Allies since 7 December 1941, and its forces were rapidly advancing through Southeast Read more
Cultural Events and Activities
Kroonprinselijk bezoek aan Sydney – 2006
Persoonlijk verslag van Paul Budde mbt zijn deelname aan het bezoek van Kroonprins Willem Alexander en Prinses Maxima aan Australia In mijn geval zijn er weken van voorbereidingen aan voorafgegaan met allerlei telefoontjes van en naar de Nederlandse ambassade maar voor de organisatoren zelf zijn er maanden aan hard werk Read more
Cultural Events and Activities
Royal Visit Queen Beatrix and Prince Claus – 1988
Press release Prime Minister Bob Hawke 27 September 1988 (historic) Her Majesty Queen Beatrix and His Royal Highness Prince Claus of the Netherlands will make an official visit to Australia from Monday October 24 to Saturday November 5. It will be the first time a reigning Dutch monarch will have Read more