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 40 years, it has collected a significant amount of material.
A formal Archives and Library policy was developed which states as its main objectives that it is to provide:
- A repository for the preservation of documents and other records generated and accumulated by Dutch and Dutch Australian Migrant Associations.
- A repository for the preservations of private documents and other records of prominent Dutch immigrants and Dutch multinationals in Australia
- An information service for the Dutch, Dutch Australian and wider community.
The Collection consists of records from the many Dutch clubs and associations that were formed since the Second World War. The accumulated records consist of Correspondence, Minutes of Meetings, Financial Statements, Reports, Newsletters or magazines in written, printed or digital form. In addition there are many objects – maps, photos, slides, c.d.’s and memorabilia. All material received is appraised, arranged, described and conserved in storage if deemed to possess archival value. Hence it is made accessible for research.
Lia van Haren
The DACC Archives has records in the following categories:
Netherlands Society in NSW/ Sydney 1944 – 2005
Federations of Netherlands Society Ltd 1957 – 2016
Federation of Netherlands Society Ltd Benevolent Fund 1978 – 1998
Federation Social welfare Committee 1984 – 2017
NSW Holland Festival Committee 1982 – 1998
Queen Wilhelmina Benevolent Fund 1903 – 2005
Netherlands Ex-Service Men and Women’s Association 1961 – 2012
Netherlands Benevolent Trust Fund 1978 – 2006
Netherlands Society Benevolent Fund 1995 – 4/2000
Queen Wilhelmina Dutch Australian Benevolent Fund 4/2000 – 2019
Dutch Australian Publishing Co Pty Ltd 1951 – 2004
Radio 2AE Dutch Language Program 1976 – 2007
Netherlands Co-operative Building Society Ltd 1956 – 2006
The Dutch Australian Cultural Centre 1980 – 2020
DACC / Juliana Village 1976 – 2001
DACC / Able Tasman Village 1986 – 2003
Catholic Dutch Migrant Association NSW 1961 – 2018
Catholic Dutch Migrant Association Wollongong 1962 -2014
The Link 1968 – 1972
Netherlands Society of Bankstown 1953 – 1989
The Rembrandt Club 1983 – 2012
The Rembrandt Male Choir 1985 – 2004
Sunrise Choral Society 1962 – 2006
Dutch Folk Dancing Group 1958 – 2005
Miscellaneous Dutch Clubs not otherwise listed 1951 – 2000
Passenger List Emigrant Ships 1956 – 1977
Dutch Migrant Issues
Personal Stories/Dutch migrants and prominent descendants
The archives are stored in the Abel Tasman Village in Sydney. For more information please contact the DACC.
Lia van Haren DACC Archivist (2021)
