A new, high-quality heritage display has been installed at the entrance to Pooh Corner Bushland Reserve, part of the former Camp Columbia site, in the south-west Brisbane suburb of Wacol. This location marks one of the last visible remnants of Read more…
Renaye Iserief is a celebrated figure in the early history of Australian women’s football, but her story is also deeply tied to the broader Dutch-Australian migration narrative. She is one of two Dutch-Australian women — alongside Rose van Bruinessen — Read more…
Henk Thijssens (1937–2020) was a cornerstone of the football community in Canberra — a respected referee, coach, and club volunteer whose Dutch-Australian journey reflected a life shaped by resilience, service, and love for the game. From Winterswijk to the world Read more…
John Vlietstra is one of the most respected figures in the Dutch-Australian community of the Illawarra region, NSW. A tireless football administrator, community leader, and cultural advocate, his life story reflects the resilience of postwar Dutch migrants and their deep-rooted Read more…
Dutch Origins and Migration The Witschge family is a notable Dutch-Australian football family that made its mark in Western Australia (WA). Theie eldest son Henry Witschge was born in Amsterdam and in 1954 his family emigrated to Australia. In WA, Read more…
John Van Hoek (1933–2016) was a passionate football coach, administrator, and community leader whose Dutch roots and tireless dedication helped shape the sporting landscape of Western Australia for over four decades. From Den Bosch to Ashfield Born in Den Bosch, Read more…
David Schrandt, born in Breda, the Netherlands in 1946, is a prominent figure in Western Australian football, known for his contributions both on and off the field. After emigrating to Australia, he grew up in Perth and began his football Read more…
Tony Franken, born on 11 January 1965 in Perth, Western Australia, stands as one of Australia’s most accomplished goalkeepers — and a proud product of Dutch migrant heritage. Frank Franken His story begins with his father, Frank Franken, born in Read more…
Rene de Koning is a Dutch-born footballer who made a significant impact on the Western Australian soccer scene as a versatile defender and midfielder. He was born in Nijmegen, 1963 emigrated to Western Australia with his family in 1980 and Read more…
Hendrik “Henk” Beumer (1919–2000) was a pivotal figure in the development of soccer in Western Australia, particularly within the Dutch-Australian community. Born in Haarlem, the Netherlands, Beumer immigrated to Australia in 1950, a period marked by significant Dutch migration seeking Read more…