Following the fall of Singapore in February 1942, Japanese forces advanced rapidly into the Netherlands East Indies (NEI), marking a decisive turning point in the Pacific War and signalling the beginning of the end of British imperial dominance in Southeast Asia. Japanese planners were well aware that the Allies would Read more
The Dutch submarine K IX, later commissioned as HMAS K9, was a K VIII-class vessel built for the Royal Netherlands Navy (RNN) in the early twentieth century. She was ordered on 27 June 1917, laid down at the Koninklijke Maatschappij De Schelde shipyard in Vlissingen on 1 March 1919, launched Read more
HNLMS K XI was a Dutch submarine commissioned into the Royal Netherlands Navy in 1925. Built at the Fijenoord shipyard in Rotterdam, she was designed for patrol duties in the Dutch East Indies. Before departing for her station, K XI participated in a Baltic Sea exhibition tour, visiting ports in Read more
The Holland Festival has been held in Melbourne each year for 40 years until 2014. After a three years hiatus, the Festival returned in 2017, 2019, 2020, 2023, 2024 and 2025. It is managed by the Rotary Club of Casey under the leadership of Paul Rubens. Holland Festival Management Committee Read more
If you’re searching for information about family members or friends who migrated to Australia and lived in hostels after World War Two, Dr. Karen Agutter has compiled a guide to help navigate state and national archives. Getting started Tracing migrant hostel records can be challenging, but Australia’s archives and libraries Read more
The novel Fleur and Avril 2 Far by Maria van Loon is an addition to the broader narrative of Dutch migration to Australia and offers a deeply personal perspective on the challenges and triumphs of those who left the Netherlands in search of a new home. A story of identity Read more
Flinders University, one of Australia’s leading institutions in maritime archaeology, announced in November 2024 an exciting new PhD scholarship aimed at advancing research in this specialised field. This initiative presents a significant opportunity for students interested in maritime heritage, underwater archaeology, and historical shipwreck studies. A boost for maritime heritage Read more
For many Dutch migrants who have lived abroad for extended periods, the idea of returning to the Netherlands may seem both exciting and daunting. The experience of remigration, or returning to one’s home country after years abroad, comes with its own unique set of challenges. Dutch author Norman D. Jansen Read more
Dianne Biederberg, born in Melbourne, Australia, in December 1949, was a prominent figure in fostering Australian and New Zealand communities in the Netherlands. Her parents, Emanuel and Berta Biederberg, emigrated from Poland to Australia in 1938, settling in Brighton, a suburb of Melbourne. Dianne pursued her education at Elwood High Read more
The podcast JOS is an introspective exploration of Nienke Teunissen’s quest to uncover the life of her grandfather, Jos Teunissen, who passed away long before she was born. In 1956, at the age of 24, Jos and his wife Josee (who was then 19 years old) migrated to Australia on Read more