From the Netherlands to Australia Roelf Vos (1921–1992) was a Dutch-Australian businessman whose development of a supermarket chain helped transform food retailing in Tasmania. Born on 4 October 1921 at Bergum (Burgum), Friesland, he grew up in a family involved in transport and retailing. His father operated a barge carrying Read more
The story of Leendert and Neeltje Visser, their journey aboard the Sibajak, and the Dutch migrant families who established new lives in regional Victoria. In June 1951, the Visser family arrived in Melbourne aboard the Dutch passenger ship Sibajak. They had left behind their family, friends and familiar surroundings in Read more
A migration story about hope, establishing a new life and an early farewell in Tasmania In the post-war Netherlands, increasing numbers of people decided to seek their future elsewhere. The Kroon family from The Hague also made this momentous decision. In 1950, they exchanged their familiar surroundings for a future Read more
Petrus Wilhelmus Alleblas, known as Peter, was born in Naaldwijk in the Westland region of the Netherlands on 27 September 1923. He was the son of Bastianus Alleblas and Hendrika Maria Steentjes. On 22 July 1950, Peter departed from Schiphol aboard the KLM flight carrying Dutch workers and family members Read more
Mattheus Jacob Bons, known as Theo, was born in Sliedrecht on 2 October 1920. He was the son of Pieter Cornelis Bons, a contractor and dredgemaster, and Antje Francijna de Haan. On 24 May 1949, Theo married Martina Meinsje Smits in Sliedrecht. Martina, known in Australia as Tinie, was born Read more
By Julia Weisz This article outlines the journey of Heinrich (Heini) Kuhn and Josefine (Fini) Kuhn, whose lives reflect the experience of many European Jewish families displaced by war, persecution, and political upheaval, and who later became part of Australia’s post-war migrant community. Early life and migration to the Netherlands Read more
In August 2026, the Monbulk District Historical Society published From the Lowlands to the Ranges – Celebrating Dutch Heritage in the Monbulk District. The book brings together more than 50 stories of Dutch families who settled in Monbulk and the surrounding Dandenong Ranges, recording their migration journeys, early experiences in Read more
For more than three decades, the Villawood Migrant Hostel was one of Australia’s largest and most significant migrant accommodation centres. Located in Sydney’s south-west, it became a temporary home for tens of thousands of migrants arriving under Australia’s post-war immigration programme. For many migrants, Villawood represented their first experience of Read more
Cora Baldock was born on 16 December 1935 in Rotterdam as Corrie Vellekoop, the youngest of three children. Her father, Cornelis Vellekoop, was also born in Rotterdam and worked for the Norwegian Consulate there. His job meant that as a young girl Corrie frequently met Norwegian people, who usually communicated Read more
Johanna Cornelia Maria Penders (19 September 1937 – 9 April 2026) The Dutch community in Australia is built on the efforts of individuals who quietly but consistently contributed to its continuity, cohesion and cultural life. One such person was Ann Penders, whose recent passing marks the loss of a deeply Read more