Maritime History
Dutch merchant fleet delivered major contribution to the war in the Pacific.
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Migration history
Beppe Goote – ‘Dutch Mayor’ at Wacol, Brisbane
Hans and (Luberta) Beppe Goote migrated from Indonesia to Australia in 1956 after Indonesia nationalised all Dutch assets. The Goote family worked on a Dutch-owned tea plantation in Indonesia. They had the following children: Henny, Meika, Josje, Hans (jnr) and Conny. That is oldest to youngest. Hans (snr), Beppe and Read more
Book Library
Novel – “Anneke: Breda to Brisbane” – Alexandra Faulkner
The novel is about the experiences of Dutch immigrants in Australia from the 1950s to the ’80s. The themes in this novel include immigration, identity, indigenous issues, the White Australia policy, women’s friendships, marriage, and same sex relationships. This is the blurb of the book: In 1952 Anneke van Beek Read more
Dutch businesses in Australia
John van Lieshout the first Dutch-born billionaire in Australia
John (Jan) was born in the Netherlands in 1946. The family of 13 – headed by father Karel and mother Anna – emigrated to Australia in 1960 initially settling at Brisbane’s Wacol Migrant Camp. Karel Van Lieshout, was a plasterer and John had an early but unsuccessful stint in the Read more
Dutch Culture, Sport, and Religion in Australia
DCCQ launches Dutchlink Brisbane
At the Dutch Chamber of Commerce Queensland, members have been suggesting extending our activities to include cultural, historical, and social events. Today, we are very excited to present to you Dutchlink Brisbane, which is built on the success of our sister organisation Dutchlink Sydney! Register here for free updates and Read more
Art, Music, Film, Theatre
‘Once-in-a-lifetime discovery’: 400-year-old Dutch masterpiece discovered in the Blue Mountains
A 400-year-old painting unearthed in the Blue Mountains and long thought to be a copy may be worth up to $5 million after art historians confirmed it was a 17th century Dutch masterpiece. https://amp.smh.com.au/national/once-in-a-lifetime-discovery-400-year-old-dutch-masterpiece-discovered-in-the-blue-mountains-20220412-p5ad07.html There is a bit more background in the Dutch article on the discovery. Kunstwerk in Australische Read more
Dutch businesses in Australia
Hugo von Nahmer Nederlandse Consul in Melbourne (1857), geboren in Geldrop
in 1857, the Dutch government appointed the 21-year old Melbourne-based merchant and shipping agent Hugo von (der) Nahmer, who was of German descent but Geldrop-born, as honorary consul In his enthusiasm, Von Nahmer started using the Dutch name Van der Nahmer to suit the appointment. Nevertheless, he had to resign Read more
Dutch businesses in Australia
Hugo van der Nahmer First Nederlandse Consul in Melbourne (1857).
The wealthy 21 year old arrived in Melbourne, on the ship Canton in 1853. In 1856 the Netherlands Government signed a diplomatic convention with the United Kingdom that allowed for the reciprocal admissions of Consuls in each other colonies and foreign possessions. In 1857, the Dutch government appointed Melbourne-based merchant Read more
Dutch Culture, Sport, and Religion in Australia
Dutch Courier – printed newspaper for the Dutch community in Australia since 1970
The Dutch Courier was first launched in Victoria in 1970 by Max Leening on behalf of the Associated Netherlands Societies. Its goal was to unite various Dutch clubs across the region through a publication that served as an extended newsletter. Originally a Victorian-based Dutch newsletter, the Dutch Courier has since Read more
Dutch Culture, Sport, and Religion in Australia
Footballer Graeme Rutjes – Born in Sydney, played for Oranje
Published in the Dutch Courier March 2022 ‘I was always interested in the Australian players who came to Europe when I was playing,’ Graeme Rutjes, former Netherlands International, tells me. We’re chatting via What’s App, Graeme at the golf course he manages near Utrecht, me at home in Hobart.[1] What Read more