Recent scientific research (2025) has completed the first comprehensive geological mapping of Zealandia, a vast continent that lies almost entirely beneath the waters of the southwest Pacific. Covering approximately five million square kilometres, Zealandia is around two-thirds the size of Australia, yet some 95 per cent of it is submerged Read more
Among the many personal objects preserved in the collection of the Bronbeek Museum is a small Australian Red Ensign carrying a handwritten dedication linked to one of the most significant dates in Australian history: 15 August 1945, Victory in the Pacific Day (VP Day). The flag formed part of the Read more
Abé Sahetapy’s novel Passie, een strijd met woorden (roughly translated: Passion, a battle with words) explores the historical ties connecting Australia, Indonesia and the Netherlands through the story of a Moluccan protagonist. Published in 2025, the novel is set in Indonesia, Australia and the United States. Plot summary Abé Sahetapy’s Read more
On 12 September 1944, Australian airmen Steve Sykes and Lee Turner returned from a daring attack on German shipping near Den Helder with an unusual souvenir. Embedded in the nose of their Bristol Beaufighter was part of a ship’s mast. During the low-level strike, their aircraft had passed so close Read more
This chapter by anthropologist and oral historian Renate Stapelbroek, Met z’n tweeën in een vreemd land (“The two of us in a strange land”) – published in: in Vughtse Historische Reeks (VHR) (Vught 2013) 13, 122-137. – examines postwar migration from the North Brabant town of Vught. While the original Read more
Walter Hes started life in the Netherlands. His Roman Catholic rigid thinking was shaken up by the unfriendly break-up of his first marriage, emigration to controversial South Africa in the 70s having to leave 2 kids to grow up with their mother; 2nd marriage to a protestant, re-emigrating to Brazil Read more
Among the many Dutch migrants who arrived in Australia with little more than determination and ambition, Richard Kuipers represents a remarkable entrepreneurial success story. Originally from the Netherlands, he transformed a modest idea begun in a caravan in his Sydney backyard into one of Australia’s largest removals and relocation businesses. Read more
Among the many Dutch migrants who enriched Australia’s cultural life, Sjoerd van der Meulen brought a particularly international perspective. Music formed the central thread throughout his life, but the journey that eventually brought him to Australia followed a path across several continents and cultures. Sjoerd originated from Friesland in the Read more
In 1978 then-Princess Beatrix of the Netherlands and her husband Prince Claus visited Australia on an official royal tour. The royal couple toured Australia from 26 May to 6 June, visiting the ACT and all states except Tasmania and South Australia. Malcolm Fraser, Prime Minister of Australia, formally announced their Read more
Long before ambassadors, embassies and formal diplomatic relations between Australia and the Netherlands, there was already practical cooperation between South Australia and the Dutch East Indies (now Indonesia). It was not driven by politics or military alliances, but by telecommunications. In the nineteenth century telegraph cables were the equivalent of Read more