In 1994, the Australian Government Publishing Service released a remarkable volume titled Diplomasi: Australia & Indonesia’s Independence. Documents 1947, edited by political analyst and public servant Dr Philip Dorling. This collection of declassified documents sheds new light on a transformative year in Australian foreign policy—one that placed Australia in the Read more
“Anna’s War” is the debut young adult historical fiction novel by Australian author DJ Taylor. Set in German-occupied southern Netherlands during the final 18 months of World War II, the story follows 14-year-old Anna Jansen as she navigates a world fraught with danger, secrecy, and moral dilemmas. When the Nazis Read more
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