In 1920, several major Dutch shipping companies joined forces to create the Vereenigde Nederlandsche Scheepvaartmaatschappij (United Netherlands Shipping Company), known by its initials VNS. Their aim was to streamline operations and strengthen global maritime links — including important routes to Australia. Over the following decades, the member lines of the Read more
A major maritime discovery has brought to light a remarkable episode in Dutch-Australian history. In March 2025, after more than 160 years hidden beneath the shifting sands of Long Beach near Robe, South Australia, the wreck of the Koning Willem de Tweede was found. The Dutch merchant ship had sunk Read more
The long-standing relationship between the Netherlands and Australia has taken on a new dimension through shipbuilding. Dutch shipbuilding giant Damen, one of Europe’s premier maritime engineering companies, is playing a growing role in Australia’s naval and civilian maritime sectors. Founded in 1927, Damen Shipyards Group has become one of the Read more
We are trying to get information and foto’s on the Zuiderzee (or Zuider Zee) Restaurant that was situated on Ferny Ave in Surfers Paradise. Unconfirmed information indicates it was established in the 1950 possibly by the van Egmond Family. After it stopped operating as a restaurant it became the clubhouse Read more
The MacRobertson Trophy Air Race (also known as the London to Melbourne Air Race) took place in October 1934 as part of the Melbourne Centenary celebrations. The race was devised by the Lord Mayor of Melbourne, Sir Harold Gengoult Smith, and the prize money of £15,000 was provided by Sir Read more
The Netherlands East Indies aviation units established in Australia during the Second World War depended upon close cooperation between Dutch, Indonesian and Australian personnel. This cooperation was most visible in the joint Netherlands East Indies–RAAF squadrons. Dutch authorities generally provided the aircraft and most of the aircrew, while the Royal Read more
On the night of June 23, 1944, the small town of Dodewaard in the Netherlands became an unwilling witness to the horrors of World War II. A Handley Page Halifax III bomber, serial number MZ 715, was shot down during a mission over occupied Europe. This tragic incident not only Read more
Clogs and Dutch are ideas that belong together, largely due to the success of marketing by the Dutch Tourism industry. A more or less unique product and a more or less unique people – a marketers dream combination. Reality is quite different. Very few Dutch migrants brought clogs with them, Read more
Throughout World War II, the Dutch Merchant Navy (Koopvaardij) played a crucial role in the global war effort, especially in the Pacific following the fall of the Dutch East Indies (modern-day Indonesia) to Japanese forces in early 1942. This article explores the enduring legacy of the Dutch Merchant Navy in Read more
Republished with permission. Section Five of the book: A Touch of Dutch. For the full pdf of the book click here. Introduction chapters of the book: Touch of Dutch