In a story that crosses borders, generations, and identities, Hendrika de Vries embodies the resilience of Dutch migrants who forged new lives in Australia after the Second World War. Her journey—from the trauma of Nazi-occupied Amsterdam to becoming South Australia’s Read more
The following is a chapter from the book “New Farm 50 Stories” by Gerard Benjamin, a longtime resident in Newstead who has been associated with the New Farm and Districts Historical Society for more than 20 years. He regularly conducts Read more
During the Second World War, Dutch and Australian servicemen fought side by side across the Netherlands East Indies. The swift Japanese advance in early 1942 saw the fall of Ambon, the Moluccas, and later Java, resulting in the capture of Read more
Sign petition to safe last of the Dutch Houses in Coopers Plain, Brisbane
A Dutch–Indonesian childhood shaped by war Peter Van de Graaff was born into a Dutch family in the Netherlands East Indies (NEI), today’s Indonesia. His father served as a captain in the Royal Netherlands East Indies Army (Koninklijk Nederlands Indisch Read more
The story of Jan (Johannes Wilhelmus Theodorus) and Toos (Catharina) Janssens is a vivid reflection of the Dutch migrant experience in Australia after the Second World War. Together, their recollections offer a rare and intimate portrait of growing up in Read more
The Dutch Australian Cultural Centre (DACC) will hold its Annual General Meeting on Tuesday 23 September 2025 at 5.00pm (AEST). The meeting will be held online, and a Zoom link will be emailed to current members a few days before Read more
We are proud to inform you that the Lord Mayor of Brisbane hosted an official civic reception in honour of the Camp Columbia Heritage Association on the eve of our international WWII symposium at the University of Queensland. This prestigious Read more
Dutch origins and migration The Otterspoor family came from Utrecht in the Netherlands. Twins Servanus (John) and Arnoldus (Harry) were born there on 19 November 1892, and their younger brother Franciscus Jacobus (Frank) followed on 15 November 1894. Their parents, Read more
Summary of Dutch A.D. N.I.B.T.A. Bulletin, 3 September 1945 On 2 September 1945, the formal surrender of Japan was signed on board the battleship Missouri, marking the official end of the Second World War. The ceremony was led by General Read more