Adrianus Noels, known within the family as Janus, was born in Dordrecht on 30 July 1906. He was the son of skipper Jan Noels and Wilhelmina Zoutewelle. Growing up among Dordrecht’s rivers, harbours and shipping traffic, he became familiar with Read more
A major source for the transition from wartime cooperation to Indonesian independence The Huygens Institute’s digital publication Officiële Bescheiden betreffende de Nederlands-Indonesische betrekkingen 1945–1950 contains a substantial body of primary material relating to Australia. The Huygens Institute is the DACC’s Read more
For Dutch families, the December festive season traditionally begins with Sinterklaas, or Saint Nicholas. Children are told that Sinterklaas arrives from Spain aboard a steamboat and travels through towns on a white horse. They place a shoe near the fireplace, Read more
Lou Casch, born Lodewyk Nanlohy, was an Ambonese guitarist whose career connects the former Netherlands East Indies with the emergence of Australian rock and roll. Best known for his work with Johnny O’Keefe and the Dee Jays, he brought a Read more
Robert Pikler’s career connects the musical life of the Netherlands East Indies with Australia’s post-war concert halls. A Hungarian musician who worked in the Dutch colony and survived Japanese internment, he subsequently became an influential performer and teacher in Australia. Read more
Egbert Adriaan van der Sluijs, known as Bert, was born in Sliedrecht on 20 September 1892. He was a son of Johannes Abraham van der Sluijs and Sija Helena de Lint. His varied working life took him from the Dutch Read more
Anne Pieter Erkelens was born in Sliedrecht on 27 August 1911. He was a son of Adriaan Erkelens and Elizabeth Visser and grew up with his brothers Cornelis and Adriaan in a community closely connected with the river and maritime Read more
Dirk Baan was born at Wijk A 981 in Sliedrecht on 10 December 1904. He was a son of Maarten Baan and Neeltje Jannigje van de Graaf and grew up with one brother and three sisters. In 1936, Dirk married Read more
Willem de Vroom was born in Amsterdam on 28 March 1914. He was the son of Jan de Vroom and Geesje Oord, who lived in Heiloo. Willem trained and worked as an engineer. On 8 May 1940, Willem married Hendrina Read more
Arie Hougee was born in Dordrecht on 15 December 1899 and grew up in a family closely connected with inland shipping and towage. Like his father, he chose a working life on the water and became a tugboat captain based Read more