The “Pulk” (which was originally N5-131 a B-25C – the first mass-produced B-25 version) from No. 18 (NEI) Squadron – a Netherlands East Indies / RAAF composite squadron. Fred Pelder He was credited with directing the rebuild of a severely damaged military Lockheed L212 training aircraft including grafting on a Read more…
In May 1931, KLM added an experimental flight from Batavia to Melbourne to their regular Amsterdam – Batavia service providing a through service from Amsterdam to Australia. The plane was a Fokker FVIIA/3m trimotor specially named ‘Abel Tasman’ for this trip. The pilot and co-pilot were Maurits Pattist and Jan Read more…
Maryse Jansen had always lived in Rijswijk and Den Haag in the Netherlands, until she made Australia her home in 2009. A different lifestyle, a warmer climate and lots of natural space beckoned. Maryse and her partner took their chances, applied for permanent residence in Australia and ended up just Read more…
In 2022 I explored the south western part of the Gulf of Carpentaria. We were at the mouth of the Norman River at Karumba. The Dutch explores didn’t come that far south in the Gulf. Nevertheless we got an idea of the landscape and in particular the endless savanna along Read more…
In June 2022 Dr Chris Roelfsema, Associate Professor at The University of Queensland presented a lecture on ‘Maps Connecting People To Help Save Reefs’. The theme of the lecture indicates the priority that the Netherlands government gives to combatting the consequences of climate change, worldwide. The role of Dutchman Chris Roelfsema in Read more…
The Japanese occupied the Netherlands East Indies (NEI) in early 1942. A number of Dutch airmen escaped to Australia after surviving the fierce fight with the Japanese. They mostly ended up at either Archerfield airfield in Brisbane or Melbourne. These airmen were formed into a number of operational groups under RAAF control. Read more…
The preparation of the formation of the 18 NEI Squadron RAAF started in Archerfield, Brisbane and was formalised in Canberra on 4 April 1942. There is an annual reunion of the children of the 18th squadron (For enquiries: Leonie Killeen 18sqnei.aust@gmail.com). The world-wide reunion takes place in Arnhem , also Read more…
During her official visit to Brisbane Netherlands Ambassador to Australia H.E. Marion Derckx and Honorary Consul Mrs Marjon Wind met with representatives of various Dutch organisations in Brisbane. Present were: Netherlands Association of Queensland (NAQ) Brisbane Borrelclub Dutch Radio Group 4EB De Duyfkenschool Dutch Chamber of Commerce in Queensland Dutchlink Read more…
In the presence of the Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Australia, H.E. Mrs Marion Derckx, at an event hosted by the Pooh Corner Environment Centre and Dutchlink Brisbane a plan was launched to preserve the last remaining heritage items of Camp Columbia (which are situated in the Read more…
The Dutch Merchant Navy at the start of WWII: Exhibition “NL KOOPVAARDIJ IN WO II” in Zwolle Dr Jack Ford wrote an extensive history of the Dutch war effort in the South West Pacific. He published this in: Allies in Bind: Australia and the Netherlands East Indies relations during World Read more…