In November 1961, Dutch and Australian authorities jointly undertook one of the most extensive search operations ever mounted in Dutch New Guinea. The mission followed the disappearance of Michael Rockefeller, son of the then–Governor of New York, Nelson Rockefeller, whose Read more
In the early 1950s, Resident Karel Knödler of South New Guinea crossed the frontier into Australian-administered Papua New Guinea. His visit offers a rare first-hand Dutch view of daily life and administration across the colonial border that once divided the Read more
In the decade following the Second World War, the Netherlands and Australia shared the vast island of New Guinea as neighbouring colonial powers. The western half, Netherlands New Guinea (DNG), remained under Dutch administration, while the eastern half, the Territory Read more
In September 1945, as Japan’s capitulation brought the Second World War to an end, Australia was tasked with overseeing the surrender of tens of thousands of Japanese troops scattered across the islands of New Guinea and the Netherlands East Indies. Read more
From 1947 to 1962, the Netherlands and Australia both belonged to the same regional organisation, the South Pacific Commission (SPC). The Commission was created by the Canberra Agreement of 1947, signed by six administering powers with dependent territories in the Read more
The history of Dutch New Guinea is closely bound up with Australia, especially in the turbulent years after the Second World War. Few individuals illustrate this better than Piet Johannes Merkelijn, a civil administrator whose career spanned the Netherlands, Australia Read more
In the 1950s, air travel played an important role in linking the two halves of New Guinea, one administered by the Netherlands and the other by Australia. Although most airline services stayed within their own territories, there were a few Read more
The Netherlands Indies Civil Administration (NICA) was created in April 1944 in Australia by the Netherlands Indies Government-in-Exile. Its purpose was to prepare young Dutch and Indo-European officers to restore civil rule across the Netherlands East Indies after the defeat Read more
In the final years of Dutch administration in New Guinea, the Netherlands and Australia sought to establish a common development policy across the island. These conferences, held between 1959 and 1960, symbolised an ambitious vision of regional cooperation in health, Read more
After completing his studies, Ravind moved to Amsterdam, immersing himself in the vibrant early music scene of the Netherlands. For ten years, he performed as a baroque flautist with the Dom Kantorij in Utrecht, participating in weekly Masses, Cantatas, and Read more