Dutch Culture, Sport, and Religion in Australia Archives

Dutch Culture, Sport, and Religion in Australia

Australia and the Netherlands elevate their relationship – shared heritage recognised in new Strategic Partnership

Australia and the Netherlands have formally elevated their bilateral relationship to a Strategic Partnership, with shared Dutch-Australian history and cultural heritage specifically recognised as part of the relationship between the two countries. The agreement was adopted in New York on 23 September 2026 by Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Read more

By DACC, 4 daysSeptember 24, 2026 ago

Aviation and Shipping

Dutch heritage projects across Australia highlighted in new RCE report

Shipwrecks, aircraft, Dutch East India Company history and Camp Columbia form part of an expanding program of Dutch–Australian heritage cooperation A new report from the Cultural Heritage Agency of the Netherlands highlights the breadth of Dutch-related heritage projects currently being undertaken across Australia. The International Programme for Maritime Heritage: Report Read more

By DACC, 1 weekSeptember 18, 2026 ago

Migration history

How Many Dutch Migrants Returned Home? Rethinking the 25% Return Migration Estimate

Dutch post-war migration to Australia is generally regarded as one of the major success stories of Australia’s mass immigration program. Yet migration was not always permanent. A frequently quoted figure suggests that around 25 per cent of Dutch migrants eventually returned to the Netherlands. But how reliable is that figure? Read more

By Kees Wierenga, 1 monthAugust 19, 2026 ago

Art, Music, Film, Theatre

Johnny Young—From Rotterdam migrant to Australian entertainment legend

Johnny Young was one of Australia’s most influential singers, songwriters, television producers and popular entertainers. To generations of Australians, he is best remembered as the host of Young Talent Time, the long-running television program that helped launch the careers of Tina Arena, Dannii Minogue, Debra Byrne and many other young Read more

By DACC, 1 monthAugust 14, 2026 ago

Cultural Events and Activities

The Cornelis Uidam Collection

Introduction The Cornelis Uidam Collection brings together newspaper reports, official migration records, church publications, lectures, radio talks, photographs and family material documenting the life and work of the Reverend Cornelis ‘Cor’ Uidam (1924–2005). Uidam came to Sydney in 1960 to serve Dutch migrants, but his activities extended well beyond the Read more

By DACC, 2 monthsAugust 12, 2026 ago

Dutch Organisations

Jan (John) Mees (1928–2026) – a lifetime of service to the Dutch-Australian community

Jan (John) Mees, a longstanding volunteer and representative of the Dutch-Australian community in New South Wales, passed away at Abel Tasman Village on 1 August 2026, aged 97. Born in Amersfoort in the Netherlands on 10 December 1928, Jan subsequently made his home in Australia. He lived for many years Read more

By DACC, 2 monthsAugust 7, 2026 ago

Dutch Culture, Sport, and Religion in Australia

Yungaba Immigration Depot – Queensland’s First Welcome for Dutch Migrants

Situated on the Brisbane River at Kangaroo Point, Yungaba Immigration Depot was for more than a century the gateway through which thousands of migrants entered Queensland. While it welcomed people from many nations, Yungaba also occupies a special place in Dutch Australian history. For many Dutch migrants, it was their Read more

By DACC, 2 monthsJuly 18, 2026 ago

Migration history

Cornelis “Cor” Uidam – minister, migrant advocate and Dutch-Australian community leader

For nearly three decades, the Reverend Cornelis “Cor” Uidam occupied a distinctive place in Sydney’s Dutch community. He had come to Australia as a minister, but his work soon extended far beyond the church. He met migrant ships, visited hostels, helped families find their way through an unfamiliar society, challenged Read more

By DACC, 3 monthsJuly 13, 2026 ago

Dutch Organisations

Netherlands WWII Services Canteen, 165 Elizabeth Street, Brisbane

By Catherine Mahoney The Netherlands Services Canteen was officially opened on Saturday, 29 January 1944 by the Netherlands Consul-General, Mr J. B. D. Pennik. The event was celebrated with a cocktail party attended by members of the Dutch community, Brisbane’s Lord Mayor, J. B. Chandler, and officers of the Australian Read more

By DACC, 3 monthsJuly 13, 2026 ago

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

By Kees Wierenga, 3 monthsJuly 11, 2026 ago