The Uiver Memorial Community Trust – a not-for-profit organisation – is devoted to restoring Albury’s Uiver Memorial DC-2 aircraft. In 1934 the MacRobertson Air Race proclaimed itself as the greatest international air race devised, and history has confirmed that bold claim. The aircrews that completed the journey from England to 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…
By Beno Groothoff It was in the year 2000, a time when fears were widespread that computers would not be able to handle the transition from 1999 to 2000 and that the world might collapse, that I responded to an urgent call for volunteers to assist with Dutch-language radio programs Read more…
In the immediate aftermath of World War II, the Netherlands faced a monumental challenge. While its homeland lay in ruins after years of occupation, it also had to grapple with re-establishing authority and humanitarian order in its colony, the Netherlands East Indies (NEI), which had been under brutal Japanese occupation Read more…
During World War II, the SS Tasman, a Dutch steamship operated by the Koninklijke Paketvaart Maatschappij (KPM), became part of an extraordinary Dutch Australian connection. From wartime evacuations and military support to post-war links between the Netherlands East Indies (NEI) and Australia, the Tasman offers a glimpse into a lesser Read more…
In 1944, the United States War Department published a small but detailed booklet titled Pocket Guide to the Netherlands East Indies. Produced as part of a broader series of cultural guides for American troops deployed overseas, this 80 pages booklet was designed to familiarise servicemen with the geography, people, customs, Read more…
Following the fall of Singapore in February 1942, Japanese forces advanced into the Netherlands East Indies (NEI), marking a significant turning point in World War II and signaling the decline of British colonial influence in the region. Aware that the Allies would use Australia as a base for launching military Read more…
The Dutch submarine K IX, later known as HMAS K9, was a K VIII-class vessel constructed for the Royal Netherlands Navy (RNN) in the early 20th century. Ordered on 27 June 1917, she was laid down at the Koninklijke Maatschappij De Schelde shipyard in Vlissingen on 1 March 1919, launched Read more…
Wim Willems, Institute for Migration and Ethnic Studies, The Netherlands In this chapter, in the book: Europe’s invisible migrants “No Sheltering Sky: Migrant Identities of Dutch Nationals from Indonesia” by Wim Willems, delves into the complex postwar migration and settlement experiences of Dutch nationals from Indonesia, focusing on their journeys Read more…
The National Australia Remembers Freedom Wall commemorates the “sacrifice of a generation” that have resulted in 50 years of peace in the Pacific since World War Two, and honours the servicemen and servicewomen who died in service or were killed in action, and also those who brought freedom to Australia, including workers Read more…