At a recent DACC meeting Dr. Nonja Peters explored the rich maritime, World War II military, post-war migration, and trade (mercantile) heritage—collectively referred to as the “Four Ms”—that connects the Netherlands and Australia. This historical relationship dates from 1606 when Captain Willem Janszoon and his crew aboard the VOC ship Duyfken made the first recorded European contact with the Great Southland, landing on the western side of the Cape York Peninsula in present-day Queensland.
During World War II, the American, British, Dutch, and Australian Command (ABDACOM) forces were allied, while the Administration of the Dutch East Indies (NEI) operated in exile at Camp Columbia in Wacol, Brisbane, Australia.
Below is Dr. Peters’ PPT presentation, packed full of interesting information. The presentation recording is available from the DutchSA website.
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