In reviewing the article Ripples of Decolonisation in the Asia-Pacific by Charles Hawksley and Rowena Ward (2019), I was struck by how closely its themes intersect with lesser-known Dutch–Australian wartime and postwar connections. While the article does not focus on Dutch-Australian relations per se, it provides valuable context for understanding Read more…
In 1943, three young Dutch men—Gerrit Henneken (19), his brother Jaap (18), and their friend Dirk Keijzer (19)—became part of the millions of men and women subjected to forced and enslaved labour in Nazi Germany. What followed was a harrowing tale of hardship, endurance, and ultimately, liberation by the American Read more…
Still Recovering by Maria H.J. Butler is a poignant and personal memoir that offers a unique insight into the post-war Dutch migrant experience in Australia. The book captures the childhood memories of a Dutch, Catholic, New Australian girl growing up in Queenscliff, Victoria. Maria was born in Gouda, the Netherlands, Read more…
The story of Dutch migration to Australia is filled with personal journeys of courage, resilience, and community spirit. Among these is the remarkable life of Henk (Hank) van Iersel, a man who stood against oppression during the dark years of World War II and later sought a new future for Read more…
Dutch Odyssey is a collective history of Dutch migration, based on the experiences of families who settled in the South East of South Australia from the late 1940s onwards. The authors spent five years gathering stories from first and second generation migrants and expanded their research by consulting archives to Read more…
Wim Willems, Institute for Migration and Ethnic Studies, The Netherlands In this chapter, in the book: Europe’s invisible migrants “No Sheltering Sky: Migrant Identities of Dutch Nationals from Indonesia” by Wim Willems, delves into the complex postwar migration and settlement experiences of Dutch nationals from Indonesia, focusing on their journeys Read more…
Dutch and Australian Government Perspectives on Migration By Joed Elich Introduction: Migration and the Double Perspective Joed Elich’s research takes a rare and crucial “double perspective” approach to Dutch-Australian post-WWII migration, examining not only the policies and motivations of each government but also the lived experiences of Dutch migrants and Read more…
Jan Lingard’s Refugees and Rebels delves into the largely overlooked history of over 5,000 Indonesians—comprising military personnel, merchant sailors, civilians, and political prisoners—who found themselves in Australia during World War II. These individuals were evacuated from the Japanese-occupied Netherlands East Indies and were dispersed across various Australian cities and towns. Read more…
In 1987 Dutch Australian author Lolo Houbein published her book Wrong Face in the Mirror. Among other topics, this book deals with the author’s emigration to Australia in the 1950s as a twenty-four-year-old. Houbein describes the challenges of adapting to life in Australia as a Dutch migrant, including the struggle Read more…
Even in Brisbane, the global importance of the city’s role during World War II is largely unknown. While many locals are aware of the large American presence, few know that the Dutch also operated from here during the Pacific War. Even fewer in the Netherlands would be aware of the Read more…