Bunya Mountains Aboriginal Corporation Shannon is member of the Wakka Wakka Nation. This country is represented by several clan groups and encompasses the traditional land and waters that surround the Bunya Mountains region of Southeast Queensland, Australia. The Bunya Mountains held immense cultural and spiritual significance for Aboriginal people for thousands Read more
On 23 June 2000, a deliberately lit fire engulfed the Palace Backpackers Hostel in Childers, Queensland, claiming the lives of 15 young travelers from around the world. Among them were two Dutch nationals: Joly van der Velden, 23, and Sebastian Westerveld, 22 The fire was started by Robert Paul Long, Read more
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
The Dutch aircraft manufacturer Fokker has maintained a significant presence in Australian aviation history, from pioneering flights in the early 20th century to modern-day operations. This article explores the evolution of Fokker’s involvement in Australia, highlighting key milestones and the current status of Fokker aircraft in the country. See also 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
While walking through Roma Street Parkland, just next to where we live in Brisbane, I stopped once again at the Netherlands – Netherlands East Indies Memorial. It’s a peaceful and thoughtfully designed place, set amidst the gardens, and a rare public tribute to the wartime connection between the Netherlands, the Read more
By Peter Reynders For some time, I have argued that the proper English translation of the first European geographic name given to part of Australia is “Cape Return,” not “Cape Turn Again” or any of the other variants that have appeared in various publications. I believe this name was first 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
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