Migration history
The Dutch Houses of Coopers Plains: From Migration Story to Heritage Landmark
Sign petition to safe last of the Dutch Houses in Coopers Plain, Brisbane
Migration history
Jan and Toos Janssens: A life of family, migration, and memory
The story of Jan (Johannes Wilhelmus Theodorus) and Toos (Catharina) Janssens is a vivid reflection of the Dutch migrant experience in Australia after the Second World War. Together, their recollections offer a rare and intimate portrait of growing up in the Netherlands during the turbulent 1930s and 1940s, the challenges Read more
Dutch Organisations
Support us in preserving Dutch-Australian heritage – AGM 23 September 2025
The Dutch Australian Cultural Centre (DACC) will hold its Annual General Meeting on Tuesday 23 September 2025 at 5.00pm (AEST). The meeting will be held online, and a Zoom link will be emailed to current members a few days before the date. We now have over 800 people receiving our Read more
Migration history
The Otterspoor brothers – Dutch-born Anzacs who fell for Australia
Dutch origins and migration The Otterspoor family came from Utrecht in the Netherlands. Twins Servanus (John) and Arnoldus (Harry) were born there on 19 November 1892, and their younger brother Franciscus Jacobus (Frank) followed on 15 November 1894. Their parents, Servanus Otterspoor and Hendrika Johanna van Kesteren, raised the family Read more
Cultural Events and Activities
Andy Griffiths and Terry Denton at Children’s Book Week (Kinderboekenweek) in the Netherlands
In 2022, Australian authors Andy Griffiths and Terry Denton, who is also an illustrator, were chosen to write the Kinderboekenweekgeschenk for Children’s Book Week (Kinderboekenweek) in the Netherlands. Children’s Book Week Children’s Book Week, or Kinderboekenweek, is an annual event in the Netherlands that brings the magic of literature to Read more
Military and Political History
Australian and Dutch Judges at the Tokyo War Crimes Tribunal
The Tribunal and Its Origins The International Military Tribunal for the Far East (IMTFE)—better known as the Tokyo Trials—was convened on 29 April 1946 by Supreme Allied Commander General Douglas MacArthur to prosecute Japanese wartime leaders. It was modelled directly on the Nuremberg Trials in Europe, adopting the same three Read more
Military and Political History
Going North: award winning Dutch WWII documentary of the landing on the Philippine island of Leyte.
Going North is a fine example of a classic Allied propaganda film from the Second World War. It tells the story of the massive force moving from the southern Pacific towards Japan — heading north. With imposing images, pompous music and a sharp commentary voice, the film leaves no doubt Read more
Military and Political History
Hendrik Johan de Haas: NEFIS agent behind Japanese lines
From occupied Java to Australia — and back into the Netherlands East Indies on clandestine intelligence Hendrik Johan de Haas was one of the Dutch intelligence officers who voluntarily returned from Australia into Japanese-occupied territory during the final years of the Second World War. Born in Batavia on 28 November Read more
Military and Political History
Dutch and Indonesian refugees in Australia from the Netherlands East Indies, 1942–1946
By Dr Nonja Peters This paper examines the complex experiences of Dutch, Eurasian, and Indonesian evacuees who fled the Japanese occupation of the Netherlands East Indies during the Pacific War and found temporary refuge in Australia. Drawing on archival sources and eyewitness accounts, it explores their reception, living conditions, and Read more
Art, Music, Film, Theatre
Dutch squadron choir in wartime Australia: voices of resilience and diplomacy
When the Netherlands East Indies collapsed under Japanese attack in early 1942, hundreds of Dutch and Indonesian military personnel found themselves in Australia. Among the units reorganised there was No. 18 (Netherlands East Indies) Squadron RAAF, a joint Dutch–Australian squadron equipped with American-built B-25 Mitchell bombers. During the difficult months Read more