The Dutch were 350 years in Indonesia, which achieved independence in 1949. In 1602 the Vereenigde Oost Indische Company( VOC ) was formed to start the spice trade which the Portuguese had maintained for 100 years already. It was the first multi-national company and the first company financed by shares, in the world.

The Dutch were the middlemen in that period who distributed the spices throughout Europe, from Lisbon. The 80-years war between the Netherlands and Spain (1568 – 1648) made the continuation of that role impossible and the Dutch then decided to venture out to the Indies themselves.

The VOC lasted until around 1800 when the Dutch Government took over the colonial administration until after WWII. The history of that Dutch involvement is contained in the story the Duyfken’s landing in 1606 on the West Coast of Cape York; Dirk Hartog’s landing in Shark Bay where he left the famous pewter plate in 1616; and the horrific story of the sinking of and the mutiny on the Batavia in 1629.

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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

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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 with graphics, pictures and source references in Dutch. Below is the pdf with the English translation. Author: Professor dr. A.B.G.M. (Ton) van Kalmthout  – senior-onderzoeker Literatuurgeschiedenis | Koninklijke Nederlandse Akademie van Wetenschappen – NL-Lab, Humanities Cluster – bijzonder

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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

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Dutch-Australian photographer Richard Woldendorp

Richard Woldendorp is a Dutch-Australian photographer known for his stunning aerial landscapes of Australia. He was born on March 4, 1927, in Utrecht. He was conscripted in the Dutch Army during and had to fight in the Indonesian war of independence. He emigrated to Australia in 1951. Woldendorp worked as

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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,

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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Dr. Cornelius Wouters, champion of Dutch culture.

Dr. Cornelius Wouters was a Dutch-Australian medical doctor and folk dancer who dedicated his life to promoting Dutch culture and heritage in Australia. He was born in 1897 in the Dutch province of Noord-Brabant. In 1950, Dr. Wouters emigrated to Australia. He was also passionate about promoting Dutch culture and

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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

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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

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“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

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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

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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

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“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

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“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

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“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

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Reformed Theologian Rev. John Vanderboom

Rev. John Vanderboom (1925-2008) was a Dutch-born Australian Reformed theologian, pastor, and professor. He was born in the Netherlands and immigrated to Australia in 1951. After completing his theological studies in the Netherlands, he was ordained as a minister in the Reformed Church in Australia and served in pastoral ministry

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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

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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.

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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.

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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? March

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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

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Pieter Zaadstra book illustrator artist

Pieter Zaadstra was a Dutch-born Australian artist born on January 15th, 1955, at Skraerd, Frisia. He is tha 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.

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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

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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

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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

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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 the Dutch countryside and developed a deep

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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,

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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

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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

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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

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Jan Hendrik Scheltema Dutch-Australian Painter (1861-1941)

Compiled by  Paul Budde, in consultation with Peter Reynders. 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,

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The rich history of Dutch football clubs in Australia

Clogball: Remembering the Dutch football clubs of Australia By Adam Muyt · On November 12, 2015 Adam is releasing a book on the topic of the Dutch migrants and soccer in Australia in 2023.  We will cover this once the book has been released. If you think the Dutch have never won a

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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

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The Batavia and its many stories

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 on the Houtman Abrolhos, a chain of small islands off the coast of Western Australia. Five

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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

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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

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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

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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,

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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,

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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

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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

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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.

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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

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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.

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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.

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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

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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.

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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

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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

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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

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The Tasman Map – The Biography of a Map Sydney 9 July

Was Captain Cook was the first European to map Australia and was Matthew Flinders the first to circumnavigate? No way! Abel Tasman, the Dutch East India Company and the first Dutch discoveries. Everyone who passes through the vestibule of the Mitchell Library stops to admire the magnificent marble mosaic of

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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,

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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

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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

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Dutch clubs and organisations in Australia

With thanks to the Netherlands Embassy in Canberra 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 Dutch focused media

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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

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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

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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

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‘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

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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

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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.

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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?

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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

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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

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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

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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,

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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).

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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The Federation of Netherlands Organisations in Queensland

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

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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

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Federation of Netherlands Societies

In November 1967 the Federation of Netherland societies was incorporated under the company’s act . The articles of association were signed by the following; Dutch Sunrise Choir Dutch Folk dancing Association Netherlands Society in Sydney Sydney Austral Ltd The Carnival Society “The Boomerangs” The Netherlands Society Bankstown The Netherlands Society

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The Netherlands Benevolent Trust Fund and the Marshall Plan

Learning from the lessons of WWI, after WWII a massive reconstruction plan was developed for the reconstruction of Europe. In 1947 the US launched the Marshall Plan, over the next 4 years they distributed $13 billion of aid to 19 countries in Europe (including Germany). The Netherlands received $1,127 billion

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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

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Dutch Australian Cultural Center Logo

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;

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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.

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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

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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

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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

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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 woman with traditional ties to the country between the Logan and Tweed rivers. She won the David Unaipon Award in the 2013 Queensland Literary Awards for Heat and Light. Ellen lives in Brisbane. A

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Dutch TV

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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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),

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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

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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

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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,

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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