DAF Trucks, with its origins in Eindhoven in the Netherlands, represents one of the great Dutch industrial success stories of the 20th century. While widely recognised across Europe for its engineering quality and reliability, DAF has also carved out a firm place in the Australian trucking landscape. Yet the story 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…
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…
scroll down for: New research challenges the Batavia mutiny narrative The Batavia – 1629 The Batavia, built in Amsterdam in 1628 was the company’s new flagship, she sailed that year on her maiden voyage for Batavia. On 4 June 1629, the Batavia was wrecked on the Houtman Abrolhos, a chain Read more…
Wim Nicolaas Bolle (1917–2000) was a Dutch-born artist whose life and work bridged the cultural landscapes of the Netherlands and Australia. Born in the Netherlands, Bolle spent much of his early life immersed in Amsterdam’s vibrant art scene. His artistic journey was deeply influenced by personal experiences, including the profound 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…
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…
Blak Douglas is a Dhungatti man (Mackley Vally) NSW born in.1970 Adam Geczy is an Associated Professor at the Sydney College of the Arts born in 1969 The painting is done with synthetic polymer paint directly on the wall of the Queensland Art Gallery in Brisbane. The painting is a Read more…
Symposium Brisbane@War: Australia, USA, Netherlands, and UK 30-31 August This year marks the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II in the Pacific—an important milestone in global history and in Brisbane’s role as a key Allied headquarters. In commemoration, the Camp Columbia Heritage Association, in partnership with Griffith Read more…