Military and Political History
Prison management in the Netherlands. Example for Australia?
As previously reported, the Dutch prison system is suffering a curious problem: they don’t have enough inmates, so they’re closing down prisons. In 2014, the government shutdown 19 facilities, while in 2009, they closed the doors on eight. And in March this year, the Dutch government announced that five more Read more…
Other (not categorised)
Andrew Denton on Death and Dying.
Andrew Denton remembers his beloved father’s awful death, and wondered why it was so different to the final days of Margaretta Pos’ father, who lived in the Netherlands and had been granted the right to euthanasia under Netherlands law. To answer this question, Denton spent many months travelling to countries Read more…
Military and Political History
Netherlands Political System of Proportional Representation
Proportional Representation – Party List The Westminster legacy: Single Member Districts. What that means currently: In many seats the Member does NOT represent the majority – and the minority is often NOT represented by the Opposite party either. It is also incorrect to claim that a local MP represents all Read more…
Aviation and Shipping
The Dutch at Archerfield Airport, Brisbane
Australian and Dutch history meet at Archerfield Airport in Brisbane. During WWII this airfield played a critical role for the Dutch military who, after the Japanese armed forces occupied the Dutch colony of Netherlands East Indies (now Indonesia) to neighboring Australia. Over 20.000 people from NEI evacuated to Australia. Poor Read more…
Migration history
50 Anniversary of the liberation of Netherlands East Indies
In 1995 the Dutch Australian Cultural Centre organised a 50 year liberation in the Dutch East Indies commemoration at their premises in the Abel Tasman Village (ATV) at Chester Hill. Several weeks later the DAW published a double page spread review of several commemorations around the country including the one Read more…
Religious Activities
The Holy Spirit Missionary Sisters in Brisbane
In the late 1800’s, there was growing interest among Catholic women to become more involved in overseas missionary work. This was linked to the rapid colonisation occurring among European countries. In many places, woman and children in particular had no status, and thus no opportunities to develop the quality of Read more…
Dutch businesses in Australia
Dutch-Australia Smart City Summit – Royal Visit 2016
At the Dutch Australian Smart City Summit that took place on November 3, 2016 in Sydney, during the Royal visit of King Willem Alecander and Queen Maxima of the Netherlands. Five Australian smart city organisations have received the Golden Ratio statue in recognition for their future collaboration with the Global Read more…
Cultural Events and Activities
Dutch Royal visit to Australia – 2006
In late October 2006, Dutch Crown Prince Willem Alexander of Orange and his wife, Her Royal Highness Princess Maxima, paid an official visit to Australia, to bring to a close the events commemorating the of 400-year-old friendship between the two countries. With my Dutch heritage and my interest in the Read more…