
Sinterklaas Overseas Foundation
Family in Holland could have a Sinterklaas package sent to their relatives overseas. There was all kinds of stuff in there. Candy, calendar, teaspoon, gramophone record, booklets, tablecloth, you name it. In the DACC archives is a tablecloth and sugar bowl from such a package (see below).

Sinterklaas Treats
Pepernoten: The Traditional Sinterklaas DelicacyIs Christmas Eve truly complete without gingerbread cookies? Sinterklaas festivities naturally include these delightful treats, making them an essential part of the celebration. Gingerbread cookies, available at Dutch shops or enjoyable to make at home, hold the top spot on our list of Sinterklaas treats. Engage

Sinterklaas celebrations at Dutch Clubs in Australia
These are photographs and Dutch Australian Weekly (DAW) newspaper clippings from the DACC archives of Sinterklaas celebrations within Australian club from the early fifties onwards. Dutch Australian Weekly newspaper clippings The DAW also used Sinterklaas to promote a subscription to the newspaper as a Sinterklaas gift Information on the Dutch

Sinterklaas in Australia
The story of Sinterklaas (Sint Nicolaas) is of course well known, there is plenty of information on the internet about this typical Dutch tradition. Although it has changed over the years due to changes in society e.g. the arrival of radio, television, internet as well as an increasingly more multicultural

Gerard Willems – Dutch-Australian piano virtuoso
Gerard Willems AM is a Dutch Australian classical pianist and double ARIA award winner. He came by boat (Grote Beer, Holland-America Lines) with his family in 1958 and went through several years of migrant camp experience. You can see a glimpse of his work here: See also: Gerard Willems Interview:

Exhibition Dutch-Australian migration stories The Hague until February 2, 2024
With an official opening by Australian Ambassador Dr. Greg French and State Archivist Afelonne Doek, the temporary exhibition People Movement Stories has been opened in the Netherlands National Archives in The Hague. In the exhibition, twelve people tell the story of their migration to Australia and the Netherlands, about their

Cape Leeuwin Gable Stone in Amsterdam
Verenigde Oostindische Compagnie – VOC – (Dutch East India Company) related gable stone with a lying lioness in the ‘gable stone wall’ at the Oudezijds Kolk in Amsterdam. The stone comes from Kleine Kattenburgerstraat 14/16 and was found there by Van Arkel and Weissman (Noord-Hollandsche Oudheden 6destuk (1903) page 43).

Uiver Restoration Project – Albury NSW – November 2023 newsletter added
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

Dutch involvement in the Sydney Opera House
The Sydney Opera House, opened on 20 October 1973, and stands tall as an iconic symbol of Australian culture. Queen Elizabeth II officially opened it, emphasising the power of human creativity. The Sydney Symphony Orchestra performed at the official opening, under the direction of Dutchman Willem van Otterloo. The orchestra’s

Archived: Dutch WWII historian visits Brisbane on 17 November
Presentation on Australian-Dutch WWII events at ANZAC Square & Memorial Galleries Camp Columbia Heritage Association invites you to a presentation by Dutch historian Bas Kreuger on Dutch Australian WWII events on 17 November 2023 at the ANZAC Square & Memorial Galleries. Reservations are limited to 60 persons. Register for free

Short history of the Netherlands co—operative terminating building society schemes
Published by the Federation of Netherlands Societies in NSW (1985) The difficulties of the ‘first’ assisted immigrants were many, “housing” being one of the greatest problems. Although in post—war Holland housing was difficult to come by, eventually, if one was patient enough, the government would look after you. Not so

Almar Zaadstra – Painter of Australian history
Almar Zaadstra is an Australian artist based in Casterton, Victoria. Almar arrived in Australia at the age of 6 in 1966, the 4th of six children born to Sake and Ytje . They left Oudega in Friesland , Netherlands, to give their boys a brighter future in a new country,

Master Lithographer Fred Genis- first celebrity printer in Australia.
Fred Genis (1934 Amersfoort, Netherlands – 2022 Mullumbimby, Australia) was a Master Lithographer and the first celebrity printer in Australia. Genis was a partner in the Hollanders Workshop in New York in the late 60’s, early 70’s, working with artists like Robert Rauschenberg, Willem De Kooning, Sam Francis, Jasper Johns, Larry Rivers

Amazing drawings from Timor fighter Richard Bartman who drowned at the sinking of the HMAS Armidale (1942).
By Gerard van Haren Richard was born on January 3, 1913, in Probolinggo, situated on the island of Java. He held the position of a militia sergeant, bearing the title tkl (2nd class), and was identified by pedigree number 13613. On December 15, 1941, he received his assignment for the

Book launch of Clogball – Dutch football clubs in Australia
Sydney launch of Clogball The Sydney launch of Clogball, Adam Muyt’s new book on the Dutch and their contribution to Australian football, took place at Berkelouw Books in Paddington on 21 September 2023. Netherlands Consul-General, Hugo Klijn, spoke about the Dutch love of football and the Netherlands Embassy’s International Heritage

De Nederlandse Vereniging in Bankstown
The following information was written in 1985. The Club no longer exists This club is at the moment in a kind of transition state. Many of its old members have moved and their children live too far away from Bankstown and have started their own interest groups further away in

Dutch Jewish refugees met again in Australia
Article about Ruben Rubens and Bob van Ameringen. They were friends in the Netherlands before WWII when their lives were disrupted. They became refugees but eventually, separately, settled in Australia. Here after 50 years they met each other again for the first time.

Dutch-Australian painter Henricus van den Houten (1801-1879)
Henricus Leonardus van den Houten (The Hague 1801- Melbourne 1879) was a Dutch-Australian painter, lithographer, and art teacher. He developed a passion for art at a young age. He studied painting and honed his skills under the guidance of renowned Dutch artists, specialising on portrait paintings. He worked in Leiden,

Archive Nederlandse Vereening in NSW
Main article Nederlandse Vereeniging in NSW This is one of the very first Dutch Clubs in Australia, established in 1944.

Dr. Sir Hendrik Johan Rutgers (1917-1997)
Gedurende de Tweede Wereldoorlog was Henk verzetsstrijder tijdens de Duitse bezetting van Nederland. Na de oorlog werd hij uitgezonden naar Batavia in het voormalige Nederlands Indie als Officier van Justitie bij de berechting van Japanse oorlogsmisdadigers. Hij ontmoette daar voor het eerst Dick van Arkel. Beiden realiseerden dat Australia hen

Royal Netherlands State visit to Australia 2016
The state visit of His Majesty King Willem-Alexander and Her Majesty Queen Máxima of the Netherlands to Australia in October/November 2016 was a significant diplomatic event that strengthened the ties between the two countries. Here is some information about their visit: During their visit, King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima visited

Dutch heritage of Australian football players Gary and Emily van Egmond
Gary van Egmond was born in Newcastle in 1965. His family had emigrated to Australia at an earlier time. He played professional football for the Newcastle United Jets and the Australian national team. He also coached the Newcastle Jets and the Australian national team. He married Anette and they have

Dr. Cornelius Wouters, champion of Dutch culture.
Dr. Cornelius Willebrod Wouters (18 August 1896, Waspik -20 January 1978, Brunssum). During his youth and early adulthood he moved around the Netherlands. He met his wife in Waalwijk and after several other jobs became a translator for the Dutch National Mines (Staatsmijnen) in Heerlen. He migrated to Australia in

Australia emigration in Dutch Newspapers 1954-1978
Dr. C Wouters has been the most important person during the emigration period between 1950 and 1980 representing the Dutch emigrants in Australia. He tirelessly advocated for recognition of Dutch culture, history and especially its language. He was a prolific writer of articles and letter to the editors in the

Dutch Connection – Dutch Radio for the Illawarra
By Dr. Yoke Berry from Dutch in Wollongong, released at the celebration of the 25th anniversary of the Dutch Connection radio programme. On Sunday the 9th of November 1997, the first Dutch program in the Illawarra was broadcast on the community radio station VOX FM 106.9. For the programmers and listeners

Nederlandse Vereniging in NSW (1944-2008)
This is one of the earliest Dutch Clubs in Australia, founded in 1944. The official name was first Nederlandse Vereeniging in Nieuw Zuid Wales (N.Z.W), later documents state Nederlandse Vereniging in NSW and later the more common name was used Nederlandse Vereniging in Sydney or in English Netherlands Society in

Rose van Bruinessen, Matildas Footballer #10
Rose van Bruinessen (married name Rosemary Moodley), known as Matilda #10, was one of the pioneering figures in women’s football in Australia. She played a significant role as a defender in the early days of the Australian Women’s National Football Team, also known as the Matildas. Unconfirmed information indicates that

Articles, Poems and Letters to the Editor from Dr. C Wouters
Dr. Wouters did not shy away from controversial issues. He refused to swear allegiance to the Queen during his naturalisation ceremony, instead he was allowed to swear on the Bible, something that since that time has been accepted by the Australian Government. He advocated for equality for migrants within various

De Nederlandse gemeenschap in het sociale leven van Australia – 1958
The Dutch community in social life in Australia.

Many awards bestowed on Dr Wouters
Dr. Cornelius Wouters is most likely the internationally most awarded Dutch-Australian. He was awarded the Knighthood in the Order of Oranje-Nassau. He also received the Silver Anjer from the Prins Bernhard Fonds in 1976 for his contribution to the preservation and promotion of Dutch culture in Australia. The Silver Anjer

Dutch/Australian Artist Queenie van de Zandt Invites Dutch women over 40 to share their stories of menopause and middle age
Queenie van de Zandt is the daughter of Ria and Hans van de Zandt. Hans is the co-founder of the Canberra Dutch Club in the ACT. Queenie mentioned that she is very proud to be Dutch and that parts of her Dutch heritage have influenced her writing. In particular in

Peter Zorgdrager established Miniland in Coonabarabran
Miniland was a theme park in Coonabarabran, New South Wales, Australia. It was opened in 1972 by Peter Zorgdrager, a Dutch immigrant who was inspired by Dusneyland. The park featured a variety of giant sculptures, including dinosaurs, animals, and landmarks from around the world. It also had a children’s playground,

Jan van de Stool – the Dutch/Australian comedic, alter-ego of performer Queenie van de Zandt
Jan van de Stool, International Musical Therapist – was a successful Real Estate Agent before giving it all up and making a natural progression into becoming a Self-Help Guru. She lives in Woy Woy, with Pieter, her husband and cousin, and their son Henk, and promotes her unique brand of

Ype De Bruin OAM leading figure in the Dutch Community in Victoria
Ype is the President of the Associated Netherlands Societies in Victoria; a position he has held for 29 years. He worked for 32 years with the Gas & Fuel Corporation, during which time he held several management positions and set up a training school in Victoria for technical and non-technical

Dutch-Indonesian-Australian Geophysicist and artist William Wiebenga
William Alexander Christiaan Johannes Wiebenga was an Indonesian-Dutch-Australian geophysicist and artist. He was born in Benkoelen, Indonesia (now known as Bengkulu, Indonesia) on December 5, 1910. His father with the same name, William Alexander Christiaan Johannes Wiebenga, was a Dutch civil servant. His mother Jeanne Helene de Rochemont was born

Australian Actor Anthony LaPaglia has Dutch Ancestry
Maria Johannes Brendel is a secretary and the mother of Australian actor Anthony LaPaglia. She is originally from the Netherlands and has Dutch ethnicity. Her husband Gedio “Eddie” LaPaglia, emigrated from Bovalino, Province of Reggio Calabria, Italy. They had two other sons, the Australian actor Jonathan LaPaglia and Michael LaPaglia,

Dutch Football Club Austral Sydney
Dutch Football Club Austral was a soccer club that was founded in Sydney, Australia, in 1949 by a group of Dutch immigrants. The club was named after the southern continent of Australia, which was sometimes referred to as “Austral” in Dutch. Dutch Football Club Austral played in the New South

Hilma Dymphna Lodewyckx married to Manning Clark.
Hilma Dymphna Lodewyckx (1916-2000) was the daughter of Augustin Lodewyckx and Anna Sophia Hansen. She was born in Stellenbosch, South Africa and later moved to Melbourne, Australia with her family when her father was appointed lecturer at the University of Melbourne. She mainly used her middle name Dymphna. Her father

Dutch in Victoria – Henk Overberg
Dr. Henk Overberg was a Senior Lecturer, School of Australian and International Studies at Deakin University, Melbourne and an academic researcher at Victoria College, Melbourne. He specialised in ethnic research and researched the history and culture of the Dutch community in Victoria, Australia. He is the author of several publications relevant the

Frans Leddy reorganised Philips Australasia
By Hans Overberg Franciscus Nicolaas Leddy (1903-1964), company director, was born on 20 April 1903 at Rotterdam, the Netherlands, son of Franciscus Nicolaas Leddy, director of prisons, and his wife Cornelia, née Delabrie. Educated at Leiden high school and the Nederlandse Economische Hogeschool, Rotterdam, young Leddy began his professional career

Dutch Society Neerlandia of WA Inc.
The earlier Dutch migrants that arrived in the late 1940’s had made several attempts to establish Dutch clubs in WA, such as the Dirck Hartogh Society and the Australian Dutch League, but these all folded after a short while. But during the early 1950’s the Dutch migrants arrived in larger

Jan Wakker jockey
Jan Wakker was a Dutch-Australian jockey who had a successful career in horse racing. He was born on January 10, 1943, in Groningen, and emigrated to Australia in 1950. His family settled in Moe. Fred Wakker (Jan’s father) found a racing pigeon in the family loft and decided to chase

Dutch Folk Dancing Group
Dr. Cornelis Wouters was the founder of the Dutch Folk Dance Group, a group of over 30 enthusiastic Dutch immigrants (later joined by Australians who married Dutch immigrants). They performed folkloric dances at charitable association gatherings. No other group could boast such original national costumes, as all Dutch regional costumes

Surf Champion Dorothy de Rooy
Dorothy De Rooy (Vidgen) is a former professional surfer and champion who was born in Breda, Netherlands in 1948. When she was three years old, her family immigrated to Australia, and they eventually settled in Mona Vale, where her maternal grandparents were already living. Dorothy attended Mona Vale Public School

Journalist and publisher Jan Rempt
‘Aan de rand der wereld. Een Hollandse emigrant in Australië’ with a foreword written by B.W. Haveman, Regeringscommissaris voor de Emigratie (Government Commissioner for Emigration) was published in Dokkum by Schaafsma & Brouwer in 1953. The book is written by Jan D. Rempt, a Dutch journalist who immigrated to Australia

Footballer John “Jack” Pannenburg
John “Jack” Pannenburg was born in1946 in Arnhem, the Netherlands. His family immigrated to Australia when he was young, and he grew up in Mount Gambier, South Australia. Pannenburg was a talented footballer, and he joined West Adelaide Football Club in the South Australian National Football League (SANFL) in 1966.

Geschreven portretten van Nederlandse emigrantenpriesters in Australië – 1994
A Book Review: Written Portraits of Dutch Migrant Priests in Australia The book Geschreven portretten van Nederlandse emigrantenpriesters in Australië, translates to Written portraits of Dutch migrant priests in Australia in English. It was edited and adapted by J.W.P. Elferink from the original manuscripts of Theo van der Meel, a

Textile artist Annemieke Mein
Annemieke Mein was born in Haarlem, in 1944. Her Dutch heritage has had a significant influence on her art. Growing up in the Netherlands had a profound impact on her appreciation for nature and the environment. She spent much of her childhood exploring her grandparents’ garden in the Netherlands and

Dr. Cornelis Wouters and the Dutch language
In the 1950s, Dr. Cornelis Wouters advocated for more attention to be given to the culture of the countries from which many immigrants had settled in Australia, in the country’s education system. He argued that this could be achieved by broadening the curriculum to include lessons in languages other than

Netball champion Ingrid Huisken
Ingrid Huisken is a Dutch-Australian former netball player who had a successful career playing for both Australia and the Netherlands. She was born on January 16, 1961, in Leiden. Her family migrated to Australia when she was 12 years old in 1973. Ingrid began her netball career playing for the

The long Dutch relationship with the Southern and Southeast suburbs of Brisbane.
The long Dutch relationship with Southeast Brisbane began during World War II, when in 1942 the Americans established Camp Columbia in Wacol, Brisbane to stop the Japanese advance in the Southwest Pacific. The camp became the staging ground for the American campaign, covering an area of 20 by 15 square

Peter Tangelder discus throwing champion.
Peter Tangelder is a former Dutch-Australian discus thrower who had a successful career in the sport. He was born on December 13, 1958, in the Netherlands, and migrated to Australia in the early 1980s. Tangelder was a member of the Australian athletics team for several years and competed in many

Manon van Kouswijk – jeweler
Manon van Kouswijk, a Dutch artist born in 1967, has been residing and creating in Melbourne since 2010. She received her education at the Gerrit Rietveld Academy in Amsterdam, where she later became the Head of the Jewellery department from 2007 to 2010. Central to Manon’s artistic approach is her

Dairy cows and dairy products in Dutch-Australian emigration literature, 1945-1965
Melkkoeien en zuivel in Nederlands-Australische emigratieliteratuur, 1945-1965 This is the original article by Prof. Ton van Kalmthout with graphics, pictures and source references in Dutch. Below that is a PDF of the article’s English translation. Author: Professor dr. A.B.G.M. (Ton) van Kalmthout – senior-onderzoeker Literatuurgeschiedenis | Koninklijke Nederlandse Akademie van

Paul Budde co-founder of the UN Broadband Commission for Digital Development
Paul was born in Vught on 8 September 1950. His parents Herman Budde and Annie Velthuis were born in Ootmarsum. (See also: The War of my Parents) In 1953 the family moved to Oss. Paul has a sister Monique and brother Rob. After his education and military service, Paul worked

Dutch schools and courses
Dutch Courses University of Queensland: https://iml.uq.edu.au/learn-language/learn-dutch Listen and Learn Australia Melbourne (online) https://www.listenandlearnaustralia.com.au/learn-dutch Dutch Language Institute Sydney https://sydneylanguagesolutions.com.au/dutch-course/ Centre for Adult Education Melbourne: https://www.cae.edu.au/course_category/all-languages/dutch/ Language one Perh https://www.languageone.org/locations/languageone-perth/ Schools Dutch School De Kangoeroe Sydney https://dutchaustralianculturalcentre.com.au/archive/dutch-culture/new-online-classes-at-dutch-school-de-kangoeroe-in-sydney-2/ De Duyfken School Brisbane: https://dutchaustralianculturalcentre.com.au/archive/dutch-culture/vacature-bij-de-duyfkenschool-in-brisbane/ Nederlandse school De Leesplank Melbourne: http://www.deleesplank.com/ Dutch school Abeltje Canberra

Everywhere Dutch (Overal Hollanders) book by J.P Risseeuw – 1965
“Overal Hollanders” by Pieter Johannes Risseeuw (1901 – 1968) is a historical account of Dutch migration and settlement around the world, focusing in particular on Australia. The book was published in 1965 by Bosch & Keuning N.V. in Baarn, the Netherlands. In “Overal Hollanders,” Risseeuw traces the history of Dutch

Dutch-Australian photographer Richard Woldendorp
This article is written with the assistance of Richard’s wife Lyn she also made the photo selection below. Lyn is a photo librarian and has been doing this for 60 years. Richard Woldendorp was born in Utrecht, Holland on the 1st January 1927, and lived for some time in Leeuwarden

Unilever and the Australian link to the rise of margarine.
In 1869, a French chemist named Hippolyte Mège-Mouriès invented a spread made from beef tallow and skimmed milk that he called “margarine.” Margarine was initially viewed with suspicion and was slow to catch on in Europe, but by the late 19th century, it had become popular as a cheaper alternative

Augustin Lodewyckx introduced the first university course in Dutch in Australia
Augustin Lodewyckx (1876-1964) was a Belgian scholar and professor who made significant contributions to the study of modern languages in Australia. He was born on December 8, 1876, in Booischot, Belgium, the son of Joannes Lodewijckx, a farmer, and his wife, Maria Dymphna Maes. After completing his secondary education in

VFA top football scorer 1966 – Ben Nusteling
Ben Nusteling was a Dutch Australian Australian Rules footballer who was born in Dordrecht, Netherlands, on February 27, 1939. His family immigrated to Australia when he was a child, and he grew up in the Melbourne suburb of Prahran. Nusteling played for the Prahran Football Club in the Victorian Football

Marguerite Ruygrok – Olympic Breaststroke Swimmer
Marguerite Ruygrok was born on June 3, 1947, in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. She migrated with her family to Australia at a young age. She began swimming at an early age and showed considerable talent for the sport, particularly in breaststroke events. Ruygrok first came to national attention when she won

Henk Vogels Olympic Cyclist
Henk (Hendricus) Vogels (Haarlem, 1 November 1942 – 9 August 2019) was a Dutch professional cyclist who immigrated to Australia with his parents and siblings in 1955. His father, a plumber, settled the family in Riverton, Western Australia. His father supported him in establishing his cycling career and this resulted eventually

Nelleke Jol – founder Western Australian Women’s Gymnastics Association
Nelleke (Nelleck) Jol is a former Dutch Australian gymnast and coach who has made significant contributions to the sport of gymnastics in Western Australia. Jol was born in the Netherlands and moved to Australia in the 1970s. She represented Australia as a gymnast in the 1979 World Championships held in

Gymnastics Olympian Benjamin de Roo
Benjamin Hielke de Roo was a renowned Australian gymnast who was born on 11 February 1940 in Enschede. His family emigrated to Australia in 1957, and he became an Australian citizen in 1960. De Roo started his gymnastics career in the Netherlands and continued his passion for the sport when

Fencing Olympian Hilbert van Dijk
Hilbert van Dijk was born on 24 September 1918 in the Netherlands, and he grew up in Amsterdam. He learned to fence at a young age and became one of the top epee fencers in the country, consistently ranked among the top six. Van Dijk immigrated to Australia in 1948,

Harry van der Sluys famous Australian comedian
Hyam van der Sluice (sometimes spelled “Sluys”) was born in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, in 1855 and arrived in Adelaide, Australia, in 1882. He married Amelia (nee Barnett)in Adelaide in 1886, and they had seven children. Hyam was of Dutch-Jewish heritage, while Amelia was of English-Jewish heritage. Hyam passed away in

Magician Rids van der Zee (1923-2003)
Rids van der Zee was a Dutch-born magician who immigrated to Australia in 1954. He was born in the Frisian town of Franeker, in 1923. Van der Zee was a skilled magician who specialised in close-up magic and sleight of hand. He performed under the stage name “Rids the Flying

Sunrise Choral Society – Blacktown
Sunrise Choral Society was a Dutch choral group that formed in Blacktown in 1959 under the name “Morgenrood”. Initially their repertoire was purely Dutch., however they became increasingly more anglicised. They held an International Festival of Song, Dance, and Music in 1976 as a fundraiser for the Blacktown Hospital. Other

Dutch Choir and Folkloric Group Dee Why
The Dutch Choir and Folkloric Group Dee Why was a choral group formed by 25 Dutch parishioners of the Dee Why Presbyterian Church in Sydney, Australia in 1958. Initially, the group was primarily focused on performing liturgical music for the church, but it later expanded its repertoire to include Dutch

Jan Willem van Otterloo conductor of Melbourne and Sydney Orchestras
Jan Willem van Otterloo was a prominent Dutch conductor who achieved great success both in his home country and in Australia. He was born on December 27, 1907, in Winterswijk, Netherlands, and began his music career as a cellist before turning to conducting. He studied at the Amsterdam Conservatory and

Opera singer Pieter van der Stock
Pieter van der Stock was born on November 18, 1933, in Rotterdam. At a certain stage he moved to Britain, here he appeared in several BBC television shows and films, including “Z Cars,” “Doctor Who,” and “The Secret Agent.” According to the National Library of Australia, Pieter van der Stock

Ballet Dancer Willy de la Bye
Willy de la Bye was born on August 25, 1934, in The Hague, Netherlands. She began her dance training at a young age and went on to study with several renowned teachers and choreographers in Europe, including Maurice Béjart and Martha Graham. In 1957, de la Bye joined the Dutch

Jaap Flier Artistic Director of the Dance Company of NSW 1976-1982
Jaap Flier was born in Scheveningen the Netherlands, on 27 February 1934. He began dancing at a young age and went on to study ballet at the Royal Ballet School in London in the 1950s. After completing his training, Flier returned to the Netherlands, where he danced with the Dutch

Free Reformed Church of Australia
The Free Reformed Church of Australia (FRCA) is a Protestant denomination that has its roots in the Dutch Reformed tradition. The church was established in the 1950s in Australia, as a result of Dutch immigration to the country. The FRCA subscribes to the Three Forms of Unity (Belgic Confession, Heidelberg

“Het Kompas” for the Dutch Catholic Community in Sydney.
“Het Kompas” was a Dutch-language publication that was established in Sydney in the early 1950s, by Catholic Dutch Migrant Organisation (CDMO) (Katholieke Nederlandse Migranten Organisatie – KNMO). It was a Catholic publication aimed at serving the Dutch Catholic community in Sydney and the surrounding areas. Dr Cornelius Wouters served as

Dutch Catholic publication: the Contact Perth (established 1955)
“Contact” was a Dutch-language publication that was established in Perth, Australia in 1955. It was a Catholic publication aimed at serving the Dutch Catholic community in Perth and the surrounding areas. The publication focused on Catholic news and events related to the Dutch Catholic community. It also featured articles on

Sportblad S.C. Windmills – Dutch football club Perth
“Sportblad S.C. Windmills” was a Dutch-language publication that was established in Perth, Australia in 1958. It was the official publication of the Dutch soccer club S.C. “Windmills,” which was also founded in 1958 to serve the Dutch community in Perth and surrounding areas. The publication focused on soccer news and

“De Stuw” Dutch-language publication llawarra, 1952.
“De Stuw” is a Dutch-language publication that was established in Illawarra, Australia in 1952. It was the monthly stenciled organ of the Nederlands Australische Vereniging (Dutch Australian Association) in Illawarra, which was founded that same year to serve the Dutch community in the Illawarra region of New South Wales. The

“Mededelingen” Dutch-language publication Hobart (1952- 1955).
“Mededelingen Ned. Vereniging “Abel Tasman”” was a Dutch-language publication that was established in Hobart, Australia in 1952. It was published by the Dutch Association “Abel Tasman,” which was founded in 1950 to serve the Dutch community in Tasmania. The publication focused on Dutch-Australian cultural and community news, as well as

“Je Maintiendrai” former Dutch-language magazine Adelaide
“Je Maintiendrai” is a Dutch-language magazine that was established in Adelaide, Australia in 1957. The magazine was published by the Dutch Australian Association of South Australia, which was founded in 1951 to serve the Dutch community in Adelaide and surrounding areas. The “Je Maintiendrai” (Ik zal Handhaven) motto represents the

Carl van Nieuwmans – artist influenced by the Australian desert.
Carl Van Nieuwmans (also known as Carolus Joannes Nieuwmans) was a Dutch-born Australian artist who was born in 1931 in The Hague. He studied at the Haagse Academy of Visual Arts in the Netherlands and after his arrival in Australia in 1950 at the Sydney Technical School. Van Nieuwmans travelled

Reformed Theologian Rev. John Vanderbom
Rev. John Vanderbom (1913-1992) was a Dutch-born Australian Reformed pastor. He was born in the Netherlands and migrated to Australia in 1951. His parish originally centred on Sydney but extended from Brisbane to the Victorian border. He later worked in southern Tasmania. After completing his theological studies in the Netherlands,

Trowel and Sword publication of the Reformed Church in Australia (historic)
Trowel and Sword was a publication of the Reformed Church in Australia, which was founded in 1953. The first editorial of this Christian magazine in Australia written by Rev. John Vanderbom in 1954. The first two editors (Revds. John Vanderbom and Bill Deenick) were in Australia, but Trowel and Sword

Dutch-language Catholic magazine – Onze Gids
Onze Gids was a Dutch-language Catholic magazine established in Australia in 1950. The magazine was published by the Catholic Printing and Publishing Company in Melbourne, Australia, and was aimed at Dutch immigrants to Australia. The magazine featured articles on Catholicism, current events, and cultural topics, as well as news and

Reindert Meijer on Dutch Literature
R.P. Meijer was born on 18 January 1926 in Amsterdam. He studied Dutch at the University of Amsterdam where he graduated in Dutch language and literature in 1950. He obtained his PhD in Dutch literature in 1958. Meijer has taught and researched at various universities in the Netherlands and abroad.

Cornelis Vleeskens – Performance Poet
Cornelis Vleeskens (1948-2012) was a Dutch-Australian poet, translator, and visual artist known for his experimental and wide-ranging works. Vleeskens arrived in Australia as a Dutch immigrant in 1958, and he spent much of his life exploring themes of cultural identity, politics, and social justice through his artistic pursuits. Throughout his

Lolo Houbein author of novels, histories, poetry, essays, and short stories.
Lolo Houbein is a Dutch-Australian author and conservationist known for her extensive portfolio of novels, histories, poetry, essays, and short stories. Lolo Houbein was born on January 20, 1935, in The Hague, Netherlands. Her father, Pieter Johannes Houbein, was a printer, and her mother, Maria Elizabeth Verburg, was a nurse.

Jean Orval Stained glass artist
Jean Orval was born in Tegelen, Holland in May 1911 and died in Hamilton, Victoria in March 1987. As early as 1926 his emerging talent won him 1st prize in drawing at a Home Industry Expo in Helden-Panningen, Holland. In 1927 a National newspaper honoured him with 1st prize for

Stained Glass Artist Rein Slagmolen
Marinus “Rein” Slagmolen (7 November 1916 – 29 January 1999) was a Dutch-Australian artist and sculptor with a background in chemical research. Slagmolen was born in the province of Utrecht, Netherlands, as the youngest son of Gijsbertus Slagmolen and Mathilda Maria Slagmolen-Jacobs. As a young man, he spent some years

Hans Arkeveld sculptor, painter, draughtsman, and printer
Hans Arkeveld was born on 27 August 1942 in Scheveningen, Holland. He migrated to Australia with his family in 1952 and lived in migrant camps in Victoria and Western Australia before settling in Collie, WA. Arkeveld left school at the age of 13 and worked as a builder’s apprentice and

Theo Koning founding member of the Western Australian Sculptors’ Association
Theo Koning was a prominent Australian artist who worked across multiple mediums including painting, sculpture, and printmaking. He was born in the Netherlands in 1950 and immigrated to Western Australia in 1953. Koning studied fine art at the Claremont Technical School and graduated in 1973, the same year he became

Adrian Mauriks – sculptor
Adrian Mauriks was a Dutch-born Australian artist who was born in 1942 and passed away in 2020. He emigrated to Australia with his family in 1957 when he was still young. His family was involved in the printing business, and Adrian completed his apprenticeship in printing before developing an interest

Gerard Havekes active in ceramics, painting, sculpture and tapestry
Gerard Havekes was born in ‘s Hertogenbosch in 1925. He did his military service in the Netherlands at the start of WWII. He immigrated to Australia in 1950. He was active in ceramics, painting, sculpture and tapestry. Despite being a self-taught painter and sculptor, he had successful exhibitions of his

Berend van der Struik – teacher, designer, sculptor.
Berend van der Struik was a Dutch artist, born on 24 July1929 in Beilen. He studied at the Akademie voor Industriële Vormgeving Eindhoven and the Académie de la Grande Chaumière (Parijs). He emigrated to Australia in 1957 and lived there until 1964. He was a teacher, designer, and sculptor, and

Ernst van Hattum – first director Mildura Art Gallery
(We are interested in further details and corrections on the personal info mentioned in this article). Ernst van Hattum was a Dutch-Australian artist who was born on January 29, 1923, in Nijmegen, the Netherlands. He studied at the Academy of Fine Arts in Arnhem, Netherlands from 1940 to 1942, before

Renown Potter Henri Le Grand
Henricus Alexander Theodorus (Henri) Le Grand, was born on May 10, 1921, in Zevenaar, the Netherlands. His parents were Petrus Egidius Hubertus Le Grand, a laborer of French-Dutch descent, and Elisabetha Antoinetta van Haren. Henri studied art and ceramics at the Instituut voor Kunstnijverheidsonderwijs te Amsterdam from 1938 to 1942.

Alex Rotteveel – founder Little Theatre Maryborough
We are looking for more information on Alex Rotteveel. Alexander Johannes Rotteveel was born August 11, 1916 at Assen, Assen, Drenthe, Nederland, he died in Toowoomba Qld December 18 1993. He was married to Bouwina Fekkes, born January 10th, 1919 at Assen, Assen, Drenthe, Nederland. She died in Brisbane in

WIM de VOS – Artist, teacher, musician.
Dutch-born artist Wim de Vos (1947-2018) was born in The Hague and migrated to Brisbane with his family in 1959. Wim’s passion for the arts led him to pursue diplomas in Commercial Illustration and Fine Art at the Queensland College of Art, where he received honors in Printmaking. After his

Pieter Zaadstra book illustrator artist
Pieter Zaadstra was a Dutch-born Australian artist born on January 15th, 1955, at Skraerd, Frisia. He is the son of an art historian. He began his art journey as a young boy sketching in various studios that followed the School of Den Hague impressionism style using cross-hatching oil painting techniques.

Hendrik Kolenberg Art Curator – Art Gallery of NSW
Hendrik Kolenberg is an Australian art curator and writer who was born in 1952 in the Netherlands and migrated to Australia with his family in 1959. Kolenberg was the senior curator of Australian prints, drawings and watercolours at the Art Gallery of New South Wales from 1989 until 2012. During

Abstract Painter – Fashion Design – Jan Riske
Jan Hendrik Riske was born on the Voorstraat in Dordrecht on 21 June 1932, the second of eight children, to Hendrik and Francine Riske. His father was a lead-light glazier who wanted to become an artist but had been discouraged by his staunchly Protestant family. Jan attended a private Montessori

Abstract impressionist Ian van Wieringen
Ian Van Wieringen (1943-2022) was a Dutch-Australian artist born on January 15, 1943, in war-torn Holland. His mother Betty was Jewish, and during her pregnancy, she and her husband were helping to smuggle Jews out of Europe, creating an environment of tension and drama that may have influenced his emotional
Mystery: Contemporary artist Maria Blansjaar
It interesting, we found reference suggestions for her (see belkow), but none of the links are working anymore, nor is there any info on her paintings mentioned in the collections. It is as if she has disappeared from the internet. Any further information is welcome. Maria Theresia Wilhelmina Blansjaar is

Alfred and Joke Calkoen – Dutch-Australian painters
Alfred Calkoen was a Dutch-Australian artist who played an important role in the development of the visual arts in Victoria, Australia. He was born on January 1, 1917, in Amsterdam he finished his study in the Netherlands in the Nieuwe Kunstschool (Amsterdam). During his career he also was an art

Three unique Dutch movies during WWII from around Australia
Amateur movies made by Mr. Arie Berger. Source Netherlands Ministry of Defence Movie #3 – 1943 Beeldbank – Department of Defence – Netherlands Movie #4 1943 -1944 Beeldbank – Department of Defence – Netherlands Movie #5 1945 -1946 Beeldbank – Department of Defence – Netherlands See also: The Dutch at

Koninklijke Pakketvaart-Maatschappij- Australian operation launched in 1912
De Koninklijke Pakketvaart-Maatschappij (KPM – Royal Packet Navigation Company – was established in 1888 in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. The company was created by merging several smaller Dutch shipping companies that were operating in the Dutch East Indies (now Indonesia). KPM’s main purpose was to provide a regular shipping service between

Jan Logeman and Juliana Village – Sydney
Juliana Village in Miranda in Sydney’s South came about thanks largely to the vision and drive of one man: Johan (Jan, John) Logeman (more info on Jan in the pdf below). The idea was born when he he was recovering from a heart illness. Talking to people around him it

Christian Reformed Churches of Australia
The Reformed Church in Australia has its roots in the Dutch Reformed tradition, which traces its origins back to the Protestant Reformation in the 16th century. The Dutch Reformed Church emerged in the Netherlands in the 16th and 17th centuries, and it became one of the dominant religious and cultural

‘Little Groningen’ Dutch settlement at Kingston, Tasmania
In 1950, a group of Dutch immigrants arrived in Tasmania and established a settlement in the town of Kingston, located about 12 km south of Hobart. The settlers were mostly from the province of Groningen in the Netherlands, and thus the – now defunct – settlement became known as “Little

Maerten van Delft explored northern coast in 1705
Maerten van Delft was a Dutch explorer who conducted an expedition in 1705 to explore the western and northern coastlines of what is now known as Australia. The expedition was organised by the Dutch East India Company (VOC). The expedition played a significant role in the early European history and

Marayke Jonkers – Paralympic Swimming Champion
Marayke Caroline Jonkers was born on 13 September 1981 in Hobart. Her parents are of Dutch descent and migrated to Australia before she was born. She moved to Queensland as a baby. She currently (2023) lives in the Sunshine Coast of Queensland. She became a paraplegic due to a car

Rupert Gerritsen- influential historian in Dutch-Australian past and Vietnam activist
Rupert Gerritsen (1953 – 3 November 2013). He was born in Geraldton, Western Australia, of Dutch parents. He became an Australian historian who has made significant contributions to the fields of archaeology, anthropology, and environmental history. He has published extensively on the prehistory and history of Australia, particularly in relation

The famous tulip growing Tesselaar family
The following information is abstracted from the Tesselaar website. In June 1939 – just weeks before the outbreak of World War 2 in Europe – Cees and Johanna Tesselaar left their home in Beverwijk, the Netherlands and on their wedding day aboard the Strathallan. They were headed for Australia, bringing little

The Dutch Ladies of the Grail arrived in Australia in 1936
The Grail was started in 1921 as the Women of Nazareth by Fr. Jacques van Ginneken, a Dutch Jesuit. He felt that many new possibilities were opening up for women and that a group of lay women, unconfined by convent walls and rules, could make an immense contribution to the

Willem Siebenhaar social activist and writer (1863-1937)
He was born in The Hague on July 28, 1863 and developed a lifelong interest in chess at the age of fifteen and was exposed to Christian anarchist Ferdinand Domela Nieuwenhuis during his early life. After graduating from Delft University, he moved to England in 1884 to become a teacher.

Jessie Catherine Couvreur- Dutch-Tassie author ( 1848-1897)
Born in Highgate, London, Jessie Catherine Couvreur was of Dutch, French, and English descent, with her father, Alfred James Huybers, originally a merchant from Antwerp. She arrived in Tasmania with her family in December 1852 and received her education in Hobart. In June 1867, she married Charles F. Fraser and

Early cubist artist Harry den Hartog (1902-1984)
Henricus Marie (Harry) den Hartog (1902-1984) was a Dutch-born artist who emigrated to Australia in 1923. He is known for his contribution to the development of cubism in Australia. Den Hartog was born in Rotterdam, Netherlands, and studied art at the Rotterdam Academy. After completing his studies, he moved to

Henri Benedictus Salaman Van Raalte curator Art Gallery of South Australia (1881-1929)
Henri Benedictus Salaman Van Raalte (1881-1929) was a talented etcher born in Lambeth, London. . His father, Joel Van Raalte, was a Dutch-born merchant and his mother, Frances Elizabeth (née Cable), was English. He studied at prestigious institutions such as the City of London School, St John’s Wood Art Schools,

Jacob Carabain Dutch-Belgian – Melbourne – 1885
Jacob Frans Jozef Carabain, also known as Jacques François Joseph Carabain, was a Dutch-Belgian painter. He was renowned for his Romantic-Realist style, particularly his depictions of cities and buildings. Carabain’s interest in Medieval and Baroque architecture often led him to paint busy marketplaces. Carabain initially studied at the Amsterdamer Kunstakademie,

Victor Victorszoon first painting of the Swan River in Perth – 1696
Victor Victorszoon was a Dutch artist (born 1653) as a painter and cartographer he accompanied the explorer Willem de Vlamingh on his expedition to Australia in the late 17th century. Victorszoon’s paintings are the sole visual record of the voyage and are among the earliest known images of the continent.

Dutch-Australian painter Henry Leonardus van den Houten (1801-1879)
Henry Leonardus van den Houten (1801-17 February 1879), was a Dutch-Australian painter, lithographer and art teacher. He was the son of Hendrik van den Houten and Anna Maria Goutier. He received his artistic education at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in The Hague, where he studied under the Dutch

Dutch-Australian writer Francisca (Paquita) Delprat (wife of explorer David Mawson)
Francisca Adriana (Paquita) Delprat was a British-born writer and community worker, born on August 19, 1891, in Acton, London. Her father was a Dutch-born mining engineer Guillaume Daniel Delprat, who had moved to Broken Hill, New South Wales, in 1898 to join the Broken Hill Pty Co. Paquita spent the

Jacob Jansen/Johnson – (grand)father of famous Australian Footballers and Cyclists
Jacob Jansen (1848-1928), who later changed his name to Jacob Johnson, was born in Groningen and immigrated to Australia in the 1860s.. He became a Dutch-Australian businessman who owned and operated several cafes in Melbourne during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Jacob Johnson’s cafes were popular gathering places

An 1855 proposal for a Dutch Settlement in Moreton Bay (Brisbane)
The Referend John Dunmore Lang was a Scottish-born Australian politician and Presbyterian minister who advocated for the establishment of a Dutch settlement in Moreton Bay in the mid-19th century. Lang believed that a Dutch settlement in Moreton Bay would be beneficial for both the Dutch and the Australian colonies. He

Queen Wilhelmina Benevolent Trust Funds
Established in 1903 to support sailors who had jumped ship Established as the Queen Wilhelmina Benevolent Trust Fund, it was established in 1903 to support Dutch sailors who found themselves in need of financial assistance after jumping ship in foreign ports. At the time, many Dutch sailors were facing difficult

Netherlands Amusement and Sport Club Wilhelmina started in Wentworthville
The club was founded on 1st June 1967 as a Netherlands Amusement and Sport Club. The club was licensed in 1979. They published a monthly newsletter called Wilhelmina N.A.S.C. that contained news, events, advertisements and stories. The club celebrated its 5th anniversary in 1972 and published a history of the

Reis naar Nieuw-Zuid-Wallis. Uit het dagboek van een scheepsdokter – 1840.
A Voyage to New South Wales from the journal of a Ship’s Doctor An early Dutch writer on Sydney in the 1840s was P van Os. His book “Reis naar Nieuw-Zuid-Wallis. Uit het dagboek van een scheepsdokter” was edited for children. It is a curious semi-fictional work and although it
Dr. Edward Duyker, historian, author.
Dr Edward Duyker was born in 1955 to a father from the Netherlands and a mother from Mauritius. His mother has ancestors from Cornwall who emigrated to Adelaide, South Australia, in 1849. Edward’s father Herman, was born in Schaesberg, Limburg and emigrated to Australia in 1950 and arrived here on

The American-British-Dutch-Australian Command – 1942
The American-British-Dutch-Australian (ABDA) Command, or ABDACOM, was a short-lived, supreme command for all Allied forces in Southeast Asia, the area also included the supply port of Darwin, in the Northern Territory, Australia. ABDA had been established at Bandung, Java on 10 January 1942 and became operational following the declaration of war

Dutch language and schooling in Sydney
Despite the poor level of language retention among the descendants of the Netherlands-born, Dutch remains an important community language in Sydney. In 2002 a new Dutch syllabus was introduced to the New South Wales Higher School Certificate. However, the number of students sitting for Dutch exams at the end of

Jan Hendrik Scheltema Dutch-Australian Painter
Two Dutchmen, both now passed way, members of the same extended family, yet three generations apart, made a noticeable contribution to Australian culture, by just going about their business. The artist Jan Hendrik Scheltema by migrating here in the 19th century, and the other his great-nephew Cas Jeekel by just

Jan Hendrik Scheltema Dutch-Australian Painter (1861-1941)
Two Dutchmen, both passed way, members of the same extended family, yet three generations apart, made a noticeable contribution to Australian culture, by just going about their business. The artist Jan Hendrik Scheltema migrated here in the 19th century, and the other was his great-nephew Cas Jeekel, who just visited

Kun je nog zingen zing dan mee – WWII book published in Melbourne
The first edition of the song book ” Kun je nog zingen zing dan mee” (If you can still sing, sing along) was published in 1906 and the book has had numerous editions since. It is one of the most published books in Dutch publishing., with over a million copies

Bible Restoration Project
The Bible was donated to the DACC by Ellie Zinsmeester. It dates from 1768 and was deaccessioned (officially disposed off) by the church around 1940. It was brought to Australia when Ellie’s father migrated to Australia. Karma Rowe from the Dutch Genealogy Group, who previously restored some books for the

Dutch Club of Sydney – Flying Dutchman Restaurant (1957-1962)
DACC researchers came across ‘The Dutch Club’ in Sydney. There are no records of this club, further research revealed that the Dutch Club of Sydney and the restaurant The Flying Dutchman in the City (Elizabeth Street) are always mentioned together. The restaurant was run by famous Dutchman Dick Groenteman. It

The Batavia and its many stories
Latest developments Wreck of the Batavia brought back to life in forensic reconstruction by Flinders University The Batavia – 1629 The Batavia, built in Amsterdam in 1628 was the company’s new flagship, she sailed that year on her maiden voyage for Batavia. On 4 June 1629, the Batavia was wrecked

Annual Nieuwjaarsduik in Bondi, Sydney
After a Covid initiated break of 2 years, on January I, 2023 Bondi Beach Australia turned orange again, also this year organised by Dutch Travel. Under different climate conditions the original event in Scheveningen takes place under more severe conditions. Afterwards the participants do get erwtensoep met UNOX rookworst

The history of Shell in Australia – since 1901
Shell Australia is the Australian subsidiary of Royal Dutch Shell. Shell has operated in Australia since 1901, initially delivering bulk fuel into Australia, then establishing storage and distribution terminals, oil refineries, and a network of service stations. It extended its Australian activities to oil exploration, petrochemicals and coal mining, and

Dutch Art Import Committee (Dutch Consulate) – early 1900s
There is an episode in the letters from Dutch-Australian painter Jan Hendrik Scheltema (JHS) – who we discuss extensively elsewhere – where he wrote having been asked by the Dutch Consul to become a committee member < with some title >, looking after ART to help import Dutch Art, including

Kees Lumkes imported the first tulips in Australia
Written by his daughter Wilma Summerville Kornelius Berend Lumkes ( 26/2/1911 to 13/7/1984) son of Willem Lumkes was born in Groningen, Netherlands. His parents were old at his birth and his only sibling was 16 years older. His family were quite affluent and had a large grain farm. The house

David Groenteman Auschwitz survivor, ice hockey champion, restaurateur and Dutch community leader
Auschwitz survivor David Groenteman , born in 1923 in Amsterdam ended up as an eighteen-year-old Jewish boy In Auschwitz, where he had to carry away corpses, bury them and scoop coal for twelve hours in the bitter cold. After the war he fled from those painful memories. After the Germans

Marta Dusseldorp – Actress
Marta Dusseldorp (born 1 February 1973), the granddaughter of Dick Dusseldorp, the founder of Lend Lease. Martha is an Australian stage, film and theatre actress. Her television credits include BlackJack, Crownies (and its spin-off Janet King), Jack Irish and A Place to Call Home. Her story is told in the

Akky van Ogtrop – Art Curator
Akky van Ogtrop graduated from the Royal Academy of Fine Arts, s-Hertogenbosch, TheNetherlands, majoring in printmaking, and has a Masters Degree Fine Arts, Sydney University. As a director and project manager of major arts events, Akky has worked for national andinternational arts organisations including: the Biennale of Sydney, ARTiculate Campaign,

Long agriculture history between Australia and the Netherlands
Being the 2nd largest export of agriculture products, The Netherlands has a very long relationship with Australia in relation to agriculture. Already in the 1970 the Netherlands participated in agriculture events in Orange NSW. Further down below is an article from the Washington Post providing an overall state of the

The history of the Dutch Australian Weekly
The Sydney-based Dutch Australian Weekly (DAW) w was founded in 1951 by Alfred Schuurman with the assistance of Cumberland Newspapers. The paper was established to serve the Dutch community in Australia, providing news, features, and information about events and issues of interest to Dutch Australians. In the 1960s and 1970s,

Huygens Institute – The Netherlands
The Huygens Institute aims to make Dutch history and culture more inclusive. It also provides access to primary source material and text editions on which to base further analytical and interpretive research. In addition, the Huygens Institute takes the lead in developing innovative methods, tools and sustainable digital infrastructure. The

The Brisbane Borrelclub and Borrel Boomers
The Borrelclub (a club of Dutch gin drinkers) had its foundation in 1964, when the Officer-in-Charge of the local Dutch Emigration Service, Mr Cees Mossel, invited a few prominent expatriate Dutch businessmen for an after work ‘borrel’ at his office. Business problems and experiences of Dutch immigrants became the topic

Dutch-Australian Author Yvonne Louis and her book on Mondriaan
Yvonne Louis (born 1946) migrated to Australia as a child with her parents from the Netherlands. When raging bushfires threatened her family home in the Lane Cove National Park in Sydney’s northern suburbs Yvonne managed to save the treasured Dutch heirlooms that had been handed down to her by her

Indonesian Political Prisoners held by the Dutch, freed in Australia
In 1926 the Dutch had imprisoned Indonesian freedom fighters in a camp in the jungle of Dutch New Guinea. When the Japanese advanced they were brought – under false pretences – to Australia in 1943. When the Australians did find it they were political prisoners they ordered the Dutch to free them.

Black Armada: Australian Boycott of Dutch shipping WWII
After the Japanese invasion of Netherlands East Indies, some 20,000 Dutch people fled to Australia, the majority were Indos. They were not well treated and the Australian Unions started to fight for their rights. As they became involved they understood these people wanted independence from the Netherlands. When, after the War, the Dutch wanted to recolonise NEI the Unions blocked all Dutch transport from Australia.

Philips in Australia
Looking for more information. In 1925 Anton den Hartog was send to Australia to establish a Philips office in Australia. The company opened its doors in December 1926, with seven staff members, in a small room in Margaret Street, Sydney. The following year the moved to Clarence Street. Later they

Children’s book about emigration to Australia (in Dutch)
Een vriendschap zonder grenzen. Voor meiden vanaf 9 jaar. In 2 Far moeten de twee elfjarige vriendinnen afscheid van elkaar nemen als Avrils ouders besluiten naar Australië te emigreren.

Heineken Tennis Tournament – Sydney 11 December
Back on! After missing out on two Heineken Tennis Tournaments in 2020 and 2021 due to Covid and the renovations of Primrose Park Tennis, Dutchlink is very pleased to invite you to the Dutchlink Heineken Tennis Tournament 2022 version which will take place on Sunday 11 December 2022.We’re back on

Theo and Eef ten Brummelaar
Theo and Eef ten Brummelaar were among the initiators of Dutch Radio in Australia.

Dutch Treat by Theodora Biesheuvel
Theodora (Thea) Biesheuvel – was born in Schiedam, Netherlands in 1939 and emigrated to Australia in 1953. She grew up in country Australia. She has written poetry since she was 8 but started short story writing as an adjunct to telling stories.

Consul General Bosschart promotes trade with Queensland – 1908
Source (Trove): The Week Brisbane 16 October 1908 Java and Australia. Fostering Relations. Netherlands Consul-General. As stated in our first edition, Mr. W. L. Bosschart, Netherlands Consul-General for Australia and Polynesia, whose legation is situated at Melbourne, is returning from a visit to the Dutch East Indies by the steamer

Australia Netherlands Holdings Ltd (Nationale Nederlanden) had een goede start – 1968
CANBERRA, ACT — Australia Netherlands Holdings Ltd. heeft bekend gemaakt, dat de naamloze vennootschap van 13 December 1967 — de dag van oprichting — tot 30 Juni 1968 een netto winst van $207,131 heeft gemaakt. Er werden 4 maal aan delen ter waarde van $ 1,00 uitgegeven tot een totaal

Steam Shipping Lines Australia – Netherlands – starting in 1864
The first attempts to establish steam shipping lines from Java to Australia date from 1864. Negotiations were initiated by the Chamber of Commerce in Batavia. There was a trial voyage but Parliament voted against the operation as it didn’t see any trading value in such an operation. In 1866 Ambrosius

Dutch and Australian Relics from Camp Columbia Brisbane
Camp Columbia in the suburb of Wacol in Brisbane was a United States Army military camp. It was built in 1942 to accommodate American troops. The Sixth US Army Headquarters was formed and stationed here. It also hosted two hospitals and an Officer Candidate School till 1945. This was the

Rembrandt Dutch Club – Sydney
Founded in 1978 We are open every Wednesday from 10am till 1pm and every Friday from 3.30pm till 8.30pm. Our Club is run purely by volunteers, from the barman to the cleaner, the chef and the gardener. The Club has several interest groups: Klaverjassers and Scrabblers. It’s a friendly place

Netherlands Association of Queensland
It all started in 1952. Four Dutch men, recently arrived in Australia, started a `Klaverjas’ (Dutch card game-only known in the Netherlands) club. A constitution was sent to Fair Trading Queensland. Approval was received on the 6 July 1952 and the Netherlands Association of Queensland got incorporated and known as

Dutch migrants key members of The Easybeats – Australia’s greatest pop group of the mid-1960s.
The Easybeats are worldwide known for their 1966 superhit “Friday on My Mind”. It reached no. 16 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in May 1967 in the US, no. 1 on the Dutch Top 40 chart, no. 1 in Australia and no. 6 in the UK, as well as

Dutch Australian Cultural Centre – online hub for Dutch culture and history in Australia.
Over the last 40 years the Dutch Australian Cultural Centre (DACC) have been collecting documents and information in relation to the rich Dutch history in Australia. They have now also established an online service, making it easier to access this treasure trove. There is increased interest in this information from

Anton Kool leading person in the Dutch Community
Antonie (Anton) Frederick Kool was born Feb 6 1920, Zevenhoven, The Netherlands and he died Dec 14 2002, Sydney, Australia Written by Helen Kool (one of Anton’s daughters) This is a short biography and includes anecdotes that I find interesting. If you would like to add some of your own

Dutch-Australian Movie –“ Everybody’s Oma”
Everybody’s Oma follows in the NSW Central Coast family’s footsteps as they navigate Oma’s failing health under the spotlight of an enthusiastic audience of well-meaning strangers. Jason van Genderen premiered My Town is Broken at Sydney Film Festival (SFF) 2008. His debut feature Everybody’s Oma premieres at SFF 14 years

400 years ago Dutch ship Leeuwin encountered WA Coast – 1622 – Free journal
Four-hundred years ago, in March 1622, the Dutch ship Leeuwin encountered the south-west coast of Western Australia—the first recorded sighting of the area by Europeans. Known to the Wadandi Noongar people as Doogalup, the Dutch named it ‘t’Leeuwin’s Landt’, or ‘Leeuwin’s Land’. In 1801, in recognition of this early Dutch

Compagnie Batavia – 73rd Living History Reenactment group
The group was formed in 2016 and is Australia’s only 80 years war living history group. The group has around 40 members across the Eastern seaboard and has a very strong focus on an immersive living history impression. Winterfest at the Hawkesbury -2021 The Group participated in the Winterfest at

Netherlands Chamber of Commerce Australia
The NCCA is the go-to organisation that connects the Australian and Dutch business communities. Its mission is to be an inclusive networking body that connects and provides measurable value for its members. Through our monthly events our members have the opportunity to meet like-minded people, expand their knowledge, and create business

The Dutch Australian Society “Abel Tasman” Inc.
The Dutch Australian Society “Abel Tasman” Inc existed from 1969 till approx 2010. This history is written by Kees Wierenga during the 00s There was a Dutch Australian Society in the 1950s, but it faded away after approx. five years due to lack of interest. Beginning in 1952, it produced

Dutch Australian Society in Illawarra
The Dutch Australia Society in the Illawarra (DASI) was founded in 1952 and is affiliated with the Federation of Netherlands Societies. The club publishes a monthly newsletter “De Stuw”. The aim of DASI is to provide and maintain traditional Dutch cultural functions and provide activities for the elderly Dutch and Australian members.

VOC Historical Society, Perth (VOCHS)
The Society was formed in 2000 by a group of history enthusiasts that were: Concerned at the lack of general knowledge about maritime events that took place in the 17th and 18th centuries off and on Western Australia’s (WA) coastline hundreds of years before the settlement of WA in 1829

Erasmus Foundation – Melbourne
The Erasmus Foundation is a Dutch Australian cultural society which was established in 1965 in Melbourne, Australia. The aims of the Society are to be a link with the Dutch culture for people with a Dutch background or connection who live in Victoria and to acquaint others with that culture.

Dutch Club Abel Tasman – Melbourne
The Club was initially known as the ‘Netherlands Society Abel Tasman’ and first opened its doors on the 1st November 1958 in Barkly Street, St Kilda. The Club changed its name on the 30th October 1978 to its present name of Dutch Club ‘Abel Tasman’. The Club organises several activities

Dutch Australian Heritage Centre & Dutch Museum – Melbourne
The Dutch Australian Heritage Centre (DAHC) gives the general community an opportunity to learn about Dutch and former Dutch East Indies culture and language and shows how families moved to Victoria and lived and worked in the post World War II migration period. The Dutch and Dutch East Indies migration

Rembrandt Male Choir St Marys (Sydney)
It was around 1985 and the club needed more regular visitors. The Friday nights were alright but could be better. The idea came up to start a male choir. The name would be the same as the club. Rembrandt Male Choir St Marys. Looking for interested persons went as far

Maryse Jansen – photographer
Maryse Jansen had always lived in Rijswijk and Den Haag in the Netherlands, until she made Australia her home in 2009. A different lifestyle, a warmer climate and lots of natural space beckoned. Maryse and her partner took their chances, applied for permanent residence in Australia and ended up just

NEW – Online classes at Dutch School ‘de Kangoeroe’ in Sydney
In addition to classes at the Hunters Hill, Manly Vale, Surry Hills and Forestville locations, Dutch school ‘de Kangoeroe’ is also providing online classes this year. They use the latest methods that enable them to offer hybrid education. Requirements for online learners:– You live more than 45 minutes’ drive from one

Dutch Australian Genealogy Group November Newsletter added
A group of people who have Dutch ancestry and are researching our family trees. Facebook page

Dutch movies at Sydney Film Festival – June 2022
The world’s best new films come to Sydney this year for 12 days and nights of inspiring and entertaining premieres, talks and parties. Go and see one of the three films below, or why not all of them!? NR.10 – One whispered word sets into motion a precisely executed, unpredictable,

Dutch Children films at international festival – Sydney, Melbourne
CHIFF, isa festival of the best new kid’s films from across the world screening only in cinemas from May 28 – June 13! CHIFF returns with three films from the Netherlands, including OINK – a hilarious Dutch-language animation about a girl who desperately wants a pet dog but is given a piglet

Ambassador met Dutch organisations in Brisbane
During her official visit to Brisbane Netherlands Ambassador to Australia H.E. Marion Derckx and Honorary Consul Mrs Marjon Wind met with representatives of various Dutch organisations in Brisbane. Present were: Netherlands Association of Queensland (NAQ) Brisbane Borrelclub Dutch Radio Group 4EB De Duyfkenschool Dutch Chamber of Commerce in Queensland Dutchlink

Special Concordia function Newcastle 28 May
Our special program is all about variety, we will remember the many people who died during world war 2, including every war since our liberation in 1945 like right now in Ukraine. We celebrate Kings day and a belated Mothers Day, you still have a chance to give her another special day out. All Mothers

Dutch clubs and organisations in Australia
With thanks to the Netherlands Embassy in Canberra as per 2022 The strong historical ties between the Netherlands and Australia have resulted in many Dutch interest groups, ranging from social clubs to cultural organisations. On this webpage you will also find information on learning the Dutch language in Australia and

Rolf de Heer Dutch-Australian Filmmaker (1951-)
New film: “The Survival of Kindness” ( see below) Born 4 May 1951 in Heemskerk. Migrated with his parents to Australia in 1959. He attended the Australian Film, Television and Radio School in Sydney. His started his own film studo Vertigo Productions, based in Adelaide. He has produced several multi-award-winning

Dutch contribution at Sydney VIVID
Sydney Vivid is back in 2022. After two years of cancellations due to Covid, we can look forward to Sydney VIVID 2022 which will take place from the 27th of May until the 18th of June. For 23 days the festival will connect Sydney to light artists, music makers, brilliant thinkers and

Netherlands Ambassador will visit the heritage site of Camp Columbia in Brisbane
The Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Australia, H.E. Mrs Marion Derckx will at her official visit to Brisbane attend an information event at the site of the former Camp Columbia at Wacol, Brisbane. It was here that the Netherlands East Indies Government-in-Exile had its headquarters during WWII.

DCCQ launches Dutchlink Brisbane
At the Dutch Chamber of Commerce Queensland, members have been suggesting extending our activities to include cultural, historical, and social events. Today, we are very excited to present to you Dutchlink Brisbane, which is built on the success of our sister organisation Dutchlink Sydney! Register here for free updates and

‘Once-in-a-lifetime discovery’: 400-year-old Dutch masterpiece discovered in the Blue Mountains
A 400-year-old painting unearthed in the Blue Mountains and long thought to be a copy may be worth up to $5 million after art historians confirmed it was a 17th century Dutch masterpiece. https://amp.smh.com.au/national/once-in-a-lifetime-discovery-400-year-old-dutch-masterpiece-discovered-in-the-blue-mountains-20220412-p5ad07.html There is a bit more background in the Dutch article on the discovery. Kunstwerk in Australische

Bach to Bolling – Teije Hylkema and the Black Tulip jazz – performances Sydney, Queanbeyan, Orange, Yass, Goulburn April May
Bach to Bolling – Baroque Jazz Fusion Acclaimed cellist Teije Hylkema and the Black Tulip jazz trio come together to perform an uplifting baroque-jazz fusion concert. A movement of the legendary Bach suite’s is contrasted with a movement of Bolling’s Suite for cello and jazz trio, producing enchanting baroque and

Dutch Courier – printed newspaper for the Dutch community in Australia since 1970
The ‘Dutch Societies Courier’ was first published in Victoria on behalf of the Associated Netherlands Societies in May 1970 by Max Leening. The idea of the publication was to connect all the different Dutch clubs in Victoria through a publication that functioned like an extended newsletter. Since the early days,

Footballer Graeme Rutjes – Born in Sydney, played for Oranje
Published in the Dutch Courier March 2022 ‘I was always interested in the Australian players who came to Europe when I was playing,’ Graeme Rutjes, former Netherlands International, tells me. We’re chatting via What’s App, Graeme at the golf course he manages near Utrecht, me at home in Hobart.[1] What

Exhibition Maps of the Pacific
Roland Spuij attended a guided tour by conservator Maggie Patton of the “Maps of the Pacific” in the Mitchell Library in Sydney. A brilliant exhibition of original maps going back to 1490, including the famous Tasman map of 1644 and other beautiful maps of Dutch cartographers and wonderful globes. And

Oma’s Coffee House and Clog Barn – Coffs Harbour
The Clog Barn is one of Coffs Harbour’s longest running tourist attractions. The business is still run by the family. There are regular demonstrations of clog making at the barn. Tom Hartsuyker and his wife Rita immigrated from the Netherlands in 1951, where they settled in Musswelbrook in the Hunter Valley.

Biennale of Sydney: 2 Dutch contributions
Get excited as from 12 March – 13 June 2022 the 23rd Biennale of Sydney will take place: rivers, wetlands and other salt freshwater ecosystems will feature in this Biennale, titled ‘Rivus’. The Bieannale is all about the varying political awareness of dynamic living systems: Can a river sue us over psychoactive sewage?

Dutch internet radio station Pinguin Vintage
Since February 2022, 1st Vintage radio is aired and plays 24/7 songs from the fifites, sixties and seventies (no news, no commercials) with a lot of attention to the forgotten hits, album-tracks, Billboard Hot 100 and unknown songs you’ll wonder why they didn’t make it and including a lot of

Documentary: The Past Ended On Mango Street
The Netherlands Embassy in Canberra is delighted to announce that the documentary ‘The Past Ended on Mango Street’ funded by their Shared Cultural Heritage Programme, is now available to watch online. The film-making team of Jean-Baptiste Brelière and Thomas Watson spent 6 years making the documentary. ‘The Past Ended on

The van Tassel aerial exhibitionist performing in Australia – 1890
The Dutch – Australian connection here is a bit convoluted, but as it is too interesting to not cover it, so please bear with me. It starts with the van Texel family. Jan Cornelis van Texel was one of the first Dutchmen that arrived in America. He was one of

Visit of Ayaan Hirsi to Sydney – June 2007
Personal report from Paul Budde about his meeting with Ayaan Hirsi. Written in 2007 Her full name is Ayaan Hirsi Ali. She was born in Somalia, in Africa. This is a worn-torn country, which already for many decades doesn’t have a proper government, it doesn’t have a banking system nor

Paul Budde receives Heritage Volunteer Awards – 2002
Convict Trail Chairman and instigator Paul Budde received one of the inaugural Heritage Volunteer Awards – on 28 August 2002 from the Deputy Premier, the Hon Dr Andrew Refshauge, at a special ceremony in the NSW State Library. Paul moved from Oss in the Netherlands to Sydney, Australia in 1983,

Kroonprinselijk bezoek aan Sydney – 2006
Persoonlijk verslag van Paul Budde mbt zijn deelname aan het bezoek van Kroonprins Willem Alexander en Prinses Maxima aan Australia In mijn geval zijn er weken van voorbereidingen aan voorafgegaan met allerlei telefoontjes van en naar de Nederlandse ambassade maar voor de organisatoren zelf zijn er maanden aan hard werk

Royal Visit Queen Beatrix and Prince Claus – 1988
Press release Prime Minister Bob Hawke 27 September 1988 Her Majesty Queen Beatrix and His Royal Highness Prince Claus of the Netherlands will make an official visit to Australia from Monday October 24 to Saturday November 5. It will be the first time a reigning Dutch monarch will have visited

Dutchlink Sydney: Lecture by Assoc. Prof. Chris Roelfsema
The Netherlands Consulate General in Sydney and Dutchlink invite you to attend the Maps Connection People To Help Save Reefs lecture by Associate Professor Chris Roelfsema. This lecture will take place on Wednesday 16 March at the Australian National Maritime Museum (Sea Museum) in Sydney. Reefs are essential for preserving

Mirusia Louwerse – Silver Memories Ambassador
Mirusia is an Australian born Soprano with Dutch heritage. She was born on March 29, 1985 to two Dutch parents in Brisbane, Australia. Her mom is originally from Brabant and her dad from Zeeland. Mirusia’s parents, a boiler-maker and a nurse, moved from The Netherlands in their twenties after being

The history of DutchCare and MiCare
MiCare {= Migrant Care) is an amalgamation of DutchCare Ltd (1996), Avondrust Incorporated,(1974) Dutch Australian Community Action Incorporated (1984) and the Holland Australian Retirement Foundation Incorporation(1971).

Dutch Australian Society Neerlandia
Many immigrants were housed by the Australian government in old army camps in various outer suburbs of Sydney. However several Dutch people decided to undertake their new journey on their own and settled in Het Tentenkamp – a privately run camping ground in the Sydney suburb of Narrabeen (now called

Dutch Australian Heritage Centre – Victoria
The Dutch Australian Heritage Centre (DAHC) was established in 2000 with the aim to collect and display items of recognised significance relating to immigrants who arrived here from the Netherlands and the former Dutch East Indies, with special emphasis on migration in the post WWII period. The DAHC collection consists

Netherlands Retirement Village Association of Queensland
Netherlands Retirement Village Association of Queensland Consistent with other ethnic groups, a small proportion (6%) of the Dutch elderly is reversing to their language-of-origin. When impaired health, compromised mobility and transport problems are also experienced, it may become difficult or impossible for older people to attend Dutch-specific functions. This may

Algemene Vereniging Oud-personeel van de Koninklijke Marine
AVOM’ is known in Australia as the Association of Ex-Royal Dutch Navy personnel. The Australian branch has been established in 1996 and was recognised by the Chief Directorate in the Netherlands in 1997. In 2000 the association has approximately 4000 members, mostly in the Netherlands with a small portion all

Netherlands Ex-Servicemen and Women’s Association in Australia
NESWA is an association of men and women in Australia who, at an earlier stage in life, served their country in the Dutch Armed Forces, be it Army, Navy or Air Force, korps Mariniers’ (Marines), or the KNIL (Royal Dutch East Indies Army). Also ex-personnel of the Merchant Navy, members
Catholic Dutch Migrant Association (CDMA) – Qld
In the early sixties the Dutch Catholic immigrants started to form associations in the larger cities of Australia. The Dutch Chaplains assisted those migrants spiritually and practical assistance was provided where possible. The objectives of the associations were to carry out work of a practical or spiritual nature for the

Catholic Dutch Migrant Association (CDMA)
The Catholic Dutch Migrant Association (CDMA) (in Dutch: Katholieke Nederlandse Migranten Organisatie – KNMO) was one of the largest and most influential Dutch migrant organisations in Australia during the post-war period. It was established in 1950 by Frans Maas and Dr Cornelius Wouters .The organisation provided social, cultural, and religious support

The Federation of Netherlands Organisations in Queensland (history)
Social needs of a large proportion of Dutch migrants were historically met by involvement with Dutch-oriented clubs and organisations, most of which were ‘highly compartmentalised’ [verzuiling] into religious affiliated groups, leading to minimal unity and consensus. To foster co-operation while maintaining Dutch culture, The Federation of Netherlands Organisations in Queensland

Barefoot Bowling tournament – 13 February Sydney
This year the Dutchlink Sydney tournament will take place once again at Clovelly Bowling Club on Sunday 13 February 2022. The Club is located on the edge of the cliffs at Clovelly, and has absolutely stunning ocean views. While enjoying a cold drink and some snacks, teams will compete to

Federation of Netherlands Societies in NSW
In November 1967 the Federation of Netherland societies was incorporated under the company’s act . The articles of association were signed by the following; None of the inaugural societies are still in existence. The federation’s membership today stands at some 20 organisations. In the early years the Federation organised some

Nederlandse Vereniging in de Sutherland Shire
(Abstract from the organisation’s history) The first gathering took place in August 1953 at the Highway Cafe in Sutherland. Its attendance was so good, the lace was literally overflowing with people and enthusiasm, that this turned out to be the club’s ‘f lying start’. However, money was scarce, but with

Dutch Australian Cultural Centre
The Centre was established in 1983 by the Federation of Dutch Associations and formed as a company limited by guarantee in 1984. The Centre was formed to establish a central organization with the following two main aims: To preserve the rich history of Dutch contact with, and immigration to, Australia;

Abel Tasman – images, maps
Abel Abel Tasman did more than mapping the south coast of Tasmania. The original plan in 1642 was to find a fast route to Chilli, South America. However, he landed in New Zealand instead and mapped important parts of the West coast of Zealand in 1643, thinking initially that this

Abel Tasman Village
The first document provide information on the village and its history.

Orange Dutch Society
Prince William of Orange The City of Orange is named of Dutch Prince William of Orange who befriended Sir Thomas Mitchel when both of them served as aides-de-camp to the Duke of Wellington. As the Surveyor General of NSW Mitchell named Orange in honour of the Prince as the landscape remined him

Dutchlink Golf Day, Sydney – 3 February
Invitation Thursday afternoon, 3 February 2022 Dutchlink Golf Day: Wakehurst Golf Club Last year we unfortunately had to cancel this event. That is why we are extra excited to re-invite you for an afternoon of Golf, and at the same time our first event of 2022. Which will take place

De Duyfkenschool in Brisbane
De Duyfkenschool is in 2008 als Nederlandse stichting opgericht door een aantal mensen die zagen dat er behoefte was aan Nederlandstalig onderwijs in Brisbane. De school is vernoemd naar het schip “De Duyfken”, het eerste Europese schip dat in Australië is aangekomen. De Duyfkenschool heeft geen winstoogmerk. De stichting wordt

History of the Canberra Dutch Club
The origin from the current club lay with the Wilhelmina Club and the Football Club Hollandia, who shared resources. They split in 1960 and it looks like the club slowly disappeared. Together with a friend I started the current Canberra Dutch club in 1970, It grew exponential and after many

The Dutch Radio Group – Brisbane
The Dutch Radio Group, which started around 1979, is an integral part of Radio Station 4EB (Ethnic Broadcasting). More than 50 groups broadcast programs in their own language. The Dutch group holds its own social functions and also participates in 4EB-events such as: ‘Open Day’ and ‘Multicultural Festivale’. Several Dutch

Brisbane Lions and its Dutch heritage
The origins of the Brisbane Lions can be traced back to the founding of Hollandia-Inala F.C. by Dutch immigrants in 1957. From the beginning they were based on land in the Brisbane suburb of Darra and then moved to Pine Road, Richlands.

Pictures of Christmas Spectacular with Mirusia Louwerse in Brisbane
Australian-Dutch soprano Mirusia Louwerse performed at the Brisbane City Hall King George Square, Brisbane 19th of December. The event was hosted by baritone, Jason Barry-Smith, the concert featured popular Dutch-Australian Mirusia Louwerse, along with the Queensland Choir and the Brisbane Symphony Orchestra conducted by Stefanie Smith . She has been

Interview with Anthropologist Ad Borsboom
The interview (podcast) below is in in Dutch Profile Professor Ad Borsboom *Anthropologist; Research area: Aboriginal Australia. *Chair Pacific Studies Radboud University Nijmegen. *Teaching experience at all levels in Anthropology. *Publications for both scientific and general audiences (books, chapters in books, articles), editorials. See f.e. ‘De Clan van de Wilde
Dutchlink Golf Day – 3-2-22- Sydney
NEW DATE Thursday 3 February 1pm – Wakehurst Golf ClubCome and play in a beautiful bushland setting on a 9 hole par 72 course. Join Dutchlink for an afternoon of Golf and escape the hustle and bustle of the nearby city. Click here for the event details, and register through the below link. Registration

QUT Award for Dutch-Aboriginal Author Ellen van Neerven
Born in Brisbane in 1990 to Aboriginal and Dutch parents, Ellen van Neerven is a Yugambeh writer with traditional ties to the country between the Logan and Tweed rivers. Ellen won the David Unaipon Award in the 2013 Queensland Literary Awards for Heat and Light. Ellen lives in Brisbane. A

Dutch TV TV Channel 31 Melbourne and Geelong
Dutch TV is a weekly television program on community TV Channel 31 in Melbourne and Geelong (Australia) and Foxtel Aurora. (Australia wide) They have been broadcasting for 6 years. The program is about Dutch people living in Australia and is presented mostly in Dutch with English subtitles so that we

Dutch cycling spectacle in orange hits Brisbane – next event Sunday 6 November 2022
Media Release After similar events in Sydney and Melbourne, an orange wave hit the inner-city bicycle paths in Brisbane on Sunday morning the 21st of November. Some 70 recreational bicycle fans, kids included came along for the ride. People had dressed themselves up as well as their bikes in orange

Prins Willem Alexander Village Brisbane
The Netherlands Retirement Village Association of Qld Inc. The village, located at 62 Collingwood Road, Birkdale, is owned and operated by the above association. There are 40 independent living units (ILUs) and 44 hostel units. The central building has a well-equipped kitchen, dining-room/lounge, offices and recreation-space. The Dutch Community can

Willem Hendrik Paling early Dutch immigrant 1853
Willem Paling (1 September 1825 – 27 August 1895) was born in Woerden, near Rotterdam. He was an accomplished Dutch violinist and composer. He was the son of music publisher and piano builder Jan Hendrik Paling and Aagje Paling. He moved to Sydney in 1853 followed by his brother Richard

The Sydney Railway Waltz by Willem Paling – 1855
The waltz was composed by Willem H. Paling, who had immigrated to Australia in 1853 from Woerden in the Netherlands. The music was arranged by Robert Evans for the NSW Transport Institute Band. It was first performed at the Railway Ball, 2 October 1855 for the opening of the first

Brisbane hosts van Gogh Alive
Brisbane hosts van Gogh Alive It claims to be the most visited multi-sensory experience in the world. It has dazzled over 7 million visitors across 65 cities worldwide, Van Gogh Alive has now also arrived in Brisbane and it indeed dazzled me. It provides an immersive experience of the life

Righteous Among the Nations
The Righteous Among the Nations, are non-Jews who took great risks to save Jews during the Holocaust. Rescue took many forms and the Righteous came from different nations, religions and walks of life. What they had in common was that they protected their Jewish neighbours at a time when hostility

Marijke Greenway, renowned artist and former world-class trampolinist
Marijke Greenway is an achiever, in different countries, South Africa and Australia, and in quite different fields. Her story is exceptional in many ways. She was born in the Netherlands in 1943, in Halfweg/Zwanenburg, close to Amsterdam, the fourth child of six in the Van den Boogaard family. Two of

Cycling – Dutch Reach promoted in Australia
The Bicycle Network is promoting the so called ‘Dutch Reach’. The organisation is Australia’s biggest bike riding organisation, supported by nearly 50,000 members nationwide What is the ‘Dutch Reach’? Car drivers and their passengers each must use the far hand to open car doors. The then reach across for the

Dutch Windmill – Coffs Harbour
In 1968 Mr Franz De Kever, a Dutch architect working in Melbourne and his wife Rie De Kever purchased the six acre site with a view to build a Motel and authentic Dutch restaurant. After completing ten Motel units, construction on the Windmill Restaurant began in 1972. Originally the most

Dutch Windmill The Lilly – Amelup Western Australia
Pleun Hitzert left ‘s-Gravendeel in 1980 with his wife Hennie and his daughters. Here he built a piece of ‘Hoeksche Waard’. Including a mill, for which the one in his birthplace stood model. He based his final design on De Lelie from his native village Puttershoek, but he also used

Joris Ivens – Doco Indonesia Calling
Ivens came to Australia in early 1945 as the Netherlands East Indies(NEI) Film Commissioner, to document the re-colonisation effort of the Dutch Indies from Australia. He was employed by the NEI Government Information Service (NIGIS) in Melbourne they had 128 staff—25 of these ‘Indonesians’—(a branch office of three in Sydney),

Dutch-Australian Filmmaker Paul Cox 1940-2016
Born on April 16, 1940 in Venlo, Limburg, Netherlands. His father Wim Cox was the publisher of the Catholic newspaper Nieuwe Venlosche Courant. He was commissioned in 1938 by the chairman of the ‘RK Bond voor Groote Families’ (Catholic Association for Large Families) to make the film Levensgang (‘The Journey

Netherlands boycott of the 1956 Melbourne Olympics
Australia has hosted the Olympic Games twice. The Dutch however participated in only one, the Sydney 2000 Olympics, which were the most successful games for the Dutch until the 2021 Tokyo Olympics. In 1956 the Dutch also had very high hopes for a very successful games, however they withdrew from

Florentijn Hofman in Brisbane
Florentijn Hofman is a Dutch artist who creates playful urban installations like the Rubber Duck and the HippopoThames, a 2014 installation on the River Thames in London. By popular demand, our glorious Gouldian Finches were back in Brisbane for the annuall Brisbane Festival. Created by internationally renowned artist, Florentijn Hofman,

Artificial intelligence and Operation Rembrandt
https://independentaustralia.net/business/business-display/artificial-intelligence-to-better-understand-our-world,15568 … intelligence has been an important tool in gaining a better understanding of our world, it’s imperative that we learn more from it, writes Paul Budde. abstract Another interesting example was revealed a few weeks ago. Operation Night Watch shows what a computer system combining imagination, resources, technical virtuosity and mastery

Dutch-Australian Artist Henk Guth (1921-2002)
Henk Guth was born in Arnhem, Netherlands, and studied there at the Academy of Art and Design from 1938 to 1942. After graduating from the Academy, he moved to Amsterdam to pursue his career. In 1960 he emigrated to Melbourne, and in 1966, moved to Alice Springs, where he opened

SBS Dutch Radio: Adapting to change by Anneke Boudewijn
This follows: SBS Dutch Radio – Early Days History by Theo ten Brummelaar By Anneke Boudewijn It’s hard to compare SBS Radio today with radio 2EA of the early 1980’s. I joined in 1984, among the first to take Theo’s written language, news and audio test. “Without preparation: Choose a

Duyfken attacked by Aboriginals at “Keer Weer”
‘Murriland! #1” 2015-2017 – an oil on canvass painting by Gordon Hookey about the colonialisation of Australia at the HOA Gallery at the Gold Coast. The painting directly speaks to the British cocolonisation of Queensland. ‘Murri’ is a broad term used to encapsulate all Aboriginal people of Queensland. Gordon Hookey’s

DACC Paper-based ARCHIVES
The Dutch Australian Cultural Centre was founded in 1983 and gives as its aims and objectives in its mission statement, the collection, preservation, promotion and dissemination of Dutch culture and heritage in Australia. The Centre immediately started the collection of material for the archives and Library and now, after almost

Angela van Boxtel exhibits at SWELL on the beach in Currumbin 14-19 September 2021
SWELL Sculpture Festival (SWELL) is a multifaceted arts organisation that connects people, art, and place, based in Currumbin, Gold Coast, Queensland. Since 2003 SWELL has exhibited 873 Sculptures in the main exhibition on Currumbin Beach with a portfolio value worth $15.5M. Angela van Boxtel is a Dutch, Queensland based Artist.
SBS Video – The Bob Color – 2002 Documentary by Dutch SBS TV Production
Bob Color is an Amsterdam based singer/entertainer with a long career since 1987. Nowadays he works every European winter in Thailand This is a YouTube video. After playing the video, press the return button to go back to the DACC Hub.
SBS Video – VOTE BIKE 2015: Dutch Consul-General talks NSW bike infrastructure
Bicycle Network’s NSW manager met this week with Dutch Consul-General Drs Willem Cosijn in Sydney to discuss the growth of bike riding across New South Wales. This is a YouTube video. After playing the video, press the return button to go back to the DACC Hub.
SBS Video – Recipe – Yvon Davis’ Dutch apple muffins 26-4-2011
SBS broadcaster Yvon Davis has over the years perfected her Dutch muffins. . Dutch apple cakes and tarts are well known but how about this Dutch variation of a muffin – apple and cinnamon are the most important ingredients for this delicious muffin. For more Dutch recipes visit www.sbs.com.au/dutch or
SBS Video – Hendrik Kolenberg – Renaissance to Goya, moment opnamen #2- 16-9-2013
Van gekken, schommels en stille gezichten… curator Hendrik Kolenberg legt uit aan Anneke Boudewijn wat deze schetsen zo bijzonder maakt en waarom ze ook vandaag nog relevant zijn. This is a YouTube video. After playing the video, press the return button to go back to the DACC Hub.
SBS Video – 2013 in vogelvlucht
Een klein overzicht van SBSDutch in 2013. Stonden we er niet gekleurd op met de 15 meter hoge NL badkuip eend in Darling Harbour? Jaren werd er gewerkt aan de poppen voor de tentoonstelling Echos of the Past. In Melbourne ging de reizende tentoonstelling Anne Frank in premiere. De NL
SBS Video – Scheyville Migration Camp – then and now -Carla Moore explains 10-5-2011
15 May 2011 @ Scheyville 100 years of this location will be celebrated. I was there briefly, as a Dutch-born immigrant. So was Carla Moore, who wrote a play about this and spoke to Anneke Boudewijn, of SBS Radio, Dutch program. While my parents’ experiences in the occupied Netherlands, during
SBS Video – Sacha Polak Sydney Film Festival haar 1ste film Hemel 14-6-2012
“Hemel” Nu te zien in het Sydney Film Festival. Zaterdag 16.6.12 vertelt Sacha over haar film op SBS radio Dutch This is a YouTube video. After playing the video, press the return button to go back to the DACC Hub.
SBS Video – Dirk Hartog lecture at Maritime museum 21-10-2016
A perfect evening for a “Dirk Hartog” lecture at the Maritime Museum in Sydney with Prof. Wendy van Duivenvoorde, Dutch C-G Willem Cosijn and a rooftop projection for all of Sydney to see. This is a YouTube video. After playing the video, press the return button to go back to
SBS Video – DACC AGM , 5-11-2009
At the A.G.M., of the Dutch Australian Cultural Centre, Anneke Boudewijn, of SBS Radio-Dutch program, was guest speaker, along with DACC Hon. Treasurer, Theo ten Brummelaar. Throughout the year our broadcast teams and their correspondents bring you extensive coverage of news, current affairs and sport. We keep you up to
SBS Video – General Meeting Federation of Netherlands Societies NSW 30-6-2012
The general meeting of the Federation of Netherlands Societies was attended SBS Dutch Radio program’s Anneke Boudewijn. This is a YouTube video. After playing the video, press the return button to go back to the DACC Hub.
SBS Video – Hendrik Kolenberg – Renaissance to Goya, moment opnamen #1- 16-9-2013
Ga een paar keer naar de tentoonstelling inplaats van alles in een keer te bekijken adviseert Curator Hendrik Kolenberg. Hij vertelt Anneke Boudewijn in dit tweede deel van de moment opnamen, wat zo bijzonder is aan deze prenten. This is a YouTube video. After playing the video, press the return
SBS Video – Dutch Politician – Boris Dittrich (in Sydney) vertelt over zijn nieuwe boek Moord en Brand
Boris Dittrich, Advocacy Director LGBT rights program Human Rights Watch, talk about his work – visit to Canberra and the plans of Human Rights to establish a Sydney office. This is a YouTube video. After playing the video, press the return button to go back to the DACC Hub.
SBS Video – America Painting a nation: Hans Hofmann/ an overview with Hendrik Kolenberg 21-11-2013
Blue monolith by Hans Hofmann. One of the highlights of the exhibition America Painting a nation, here with Curator Hendrik Kolenberg. This is a YouTube video. After playing the video, press the return button to go back to the DACC Hub.
SBS Video 2 – Sydney cycles into an Orange Spring 19-11-2014
The Dutchies came out in force today to support the Sydney Spring Cycle 2014. The 200 men/women /children strong Orange team cycled an easy 15 km around the Harbour and over the Harbour Bridge . This is a YouTube video. After playing the video, press the return button to go
SBS Video – Interview with Hendrik Kolenberg – Roofscapes exhibition 21-11-2013
Kolenberg was Senior Curator of Australian Prints, Drawings and Watercolours at the Art Gallery of NSW from 1989 to 2012. Roofscapes represents a continuation of a decades-long obsession for Hendrik Kolenberg, the obsession of moving about, looking, and drawing/painting that which he sees. It is an obsession that began in
SBS Video – Recipe – Yvonne’s Dutch sausage rolls – 27-4-2011
Dutch broadcaster Yvonne Davis is well-known for the tasty Dutch sausage rolls she brings into the office. She sat down with her Sydney colleague to tell her how to make them. Here is short “Howto” video to show the steps she takes. This is a YouTube video. After playing the
SBS Video – Recipe – Dutch shorthread bikkies 23-12-10
For an easy recipe to make Geert’s Dutch shortbread bikkies go to: www.sbs.com.au/dutch This is a YouTube video. After playing the video, press the return button to go back to the DACC Hub.
SBS Video 1 – Sydney cycles into an Orange Spring 19-11-2014
The Sydney Spring Cycle attracted 20.000 cyclists this year.The 180-strong Orange team, supported by Dutch Consul-General Willem Cosijn and his wife was promised a Dutch breakfast of poffertjes and oliebollen at the finish. Surprise! They all made it. This is a YouTube video. After playing the video, press the return
SBS Video – Bangarra Holland Dance Festival rehearsal 28-1-2014
Australia’s leading Indigenous performing arts company Bangarra Dance Theatre will perform in the Netherlands for the very first time in 2014. Bangarra will perform Kinship, choreographed by Artistic Director Stephen Page at Holland Dance Festival on February 14 & 15 in The Hague. In this short video we see an
SBS Video – Andre Rieu bij SBS radio Dutch 10-10- 2013
This week the Dutch program and Face book SBS radio Dutch were dominated by a visit to the studio of Dutch mega star Andre Rieu. He came and conquered the studio with his own cameramen, publicity agents and security team. He stayed for 20 minutes to chat about his upcoming
SBS Video – Dutch folkdance teacher Andre van de Plas in Canberra 25-7-2016
Dutch folkdancing teacher Andre van de Plas travels once a year to Australia to teach in all the major cities. In Canberra the class was named in honour of 400 years Dirk Hartog. This is a YouTube video. After playing the video, press the return button to go back to
SBS Video – Dutch Australian Heritage Database meeting-Sydney 31-3-2011
The Dutch Embassy in Canberra sponsors the Australian Dutch Heritage Database Project – The aim is for all organisations and people with Dutch -Australian projects to participate. Want to know more about the project? This is a YouTube video. After playing the video, press the return button to go back
Dutch Masterpieces at the Brisbane Gallery of Modern Art
Spanning 500 years, ‘European Masterpieces from The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York’ offered a journey from the 1420s and emerging Renaissance to conclude at the height of early twentieth century post-impressionism. Visitors experienced works by painters such as Rembrandt, Rubens, Turner, Degas, Renoir, Cézanne, and Monet, direct from The
Golf was invented in the Netherlands
I came across a book review in the ‘Spectator’. The book was called: ‘Games People Played’, A Global History of Sport’. The illustration referred to and I quote: ‘And golf has existed for millennia; it was not invented by a Scottish shepherd, and probably reached Scotland from the Netherlands’. The

SBS Dutch Radio – Early Days History by Theo ten Brummelaar
My recollections about the history of the Dutch language programs on SBS-Radio. Theo ten Brummelaar. As shown in the title these are my personal recollections. It is therefore possible that the exact historical facts vary in minor detail with my recollections. After all I left SBS-Radio in 1993 and I

The Holy Spirit Missionary Sisters in Brisbane
In the late 1800’s, there was growing interest among Catholic women to become more involved in overseas missionary work. This was linked to the rapid colonisation occurring among European countries. In many places, woman and children in particular had no status, and thus no opportunities to develop the quality of

Dutch Royal visit to Australia – 2006
In late October 2006, Dutch Crown Prince Willem Alexander of Orange and his wife, Her Royal Highness Princess Maxima, paid an official visit to Australia, to bring to a close the events commemorating the of 400-year-old friendship between the two countries. With my Dutch heritage and my interest in the