One of the first Dutch business people on record is Guillaume Daniel Delprat CBE in Broken Hill. He was a metallurgist, mining engineer, and businessman. He was a developer of the froth flotation process for separating minerals, and Chairman of BHP for 21 years. Delprat initiated the steel industry in Newcastle.

Another example is the music shop operator Paling who started his business on the Victorian Gold Fields in the mid-1850s. Many other early early examples can be found in the book by Dr. Edward Duyker (a senior academic): The Dutch in Australia, AE Press Melbourne, 1987.

The DACC was involved in the formation of Dutch Link, an organisation set up by representatives of Dutch multinational companies to accommodate business and social interests of all people with a Dutch background, both migrants and expatriates.
Dutch Link regularly hosts cultural and history presentations, organises sport and social events. These are increasingly attended by a rapidly growing number of expatriate Dutch nationals spending some years in Australia in business appointments. Cultural, social and educational examples in Sydney are for instance the King’s (Queen’s) birthdays (Masonic Hall in Sydney) and the annual Professor Cleveringa lecture, commemorating the closure of Leiden University in WWII, following the Nazi’s incarceration of Jewish academics.

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Three unique Dutch movies during WII 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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Kingsford Smith flew in a Dutch plane with a Dutch co-pilot

After the successful trans-Pacific flight of the Southern Cross in 1928, Kingsford Smith and his team continued to break new ground in aviation. In 1930, Kingsford Smith and his crew, which included co-pilot Evert van Dijk, completed the first non-stop flight between Australia and England in a Fokker F.VIIb/3m aircraft

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The Dutch at Batchelor Airport in the Northern Territory

Batchelor Airport is a former Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) base located in Batchelor, Northern Territory, Australia. The base was established in 1942 during World War II and was used primarily as a bomber base for the RAAF’s No. 1 Operational Training Unit. During the war, Batchelor Airport was also

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Netherlands East Indies Commission for Australia and New Zealand

Prelude Following hastily established diplomatic relationships in January 1942, the Australian Labor Government offered the Dutch, after the fall of NEI, shear unlimited support in relation to facilities and training, while at the same time providing them with a remarkable high level of independence for their operations in Australia. What

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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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Van Alkemade’s Major Plains Limekiln in Lara Victoria

Petrus van Alkemade, also known (in Australia) as Peter Alkemade, was born in Noordwijk, Netherlands in 1835. Son of Petrus van Alkemade, also known (in Australia) as Peter Alkemade, was born in Noordwijk, Netherlands in 1835. Son of Cornelis Cornelisz Alkemade and Alida Aris van der Plas. He arrived in

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The American-British-Dutch-Australian Command – 1942

The American-British-Dutch-Australian (ABDA) Command, or ABDACOM, was a short-lived, supreme command for all Allied forces in Southeast Asia, the area also included the supply port of Darwin, in the Northern Territory, Australia.  ABDA had been established  at Bandung, Java on 10 January 1942 and became operational following the declaration of war

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The Willemse Family – major mushroom suppliers

By Maria Horrocks Petrus (Piet) Wilhelmus Johannes Willemse was born on 13 July 1933 at Liessel, Deurne, North Braband, Netherlands to Johannes Jozef Willemse (b 27.01.02 d 27 Oct 1944) and Francina Petronella Wilhelmina Spreeuwenberg (b 30 Nov 1906 D April 1968). Piet was second child, oldest son. There were

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The fascinating history of the DC3 Wielewaal (1937-now)

It was the 67th DC-3 (model Douglas DC-3-194B. c/n 1944) to be completed by the Douglas factory in California. It was the 10th DC3 purchased by KLM for the route Amsterdam-Batavia and received the name ‘Wielewaal’ (Golden Oriole). Initial registration sign: VH-ANR. The aircraft was flown from Santa Monica to

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Adrian van Leest – potato king

This article was written by Susan Parsons for her Kitchen Garden column in The Canberra Times in November 2013. Permission was provided by Susan and the publication to replicate the text for the Dutch Australian Cultural Centre. Adrian van Leest was born in the Netherlands, where his father had a

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The history of Shell in Australia – since 1901

Shell Australia is the Australian subsidiary of Shell. Shell has operated in Australia since 1901, initially delivering bulk fuel into Australia, then establishing storage and distribution terminals, oil refineries, and a network of service stations. It extended its Australian activities to oil exploration, petrochemicals and coal mining, and became a

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Long agriculture history between Australia and the Netherlands

Being the 2nd largest export of agriculture products, The Netherlands has a very long relationship with Australia in relation to agriculture. Already in the 1970 the Netherlands participated in agriculture events in Orange NSW. Further down below is an article from the Washington Post providing an overall state of the

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The history of the Dutch Australian Weekly

The Sydney-based Dutch Australian Weekly (DAW) was founded in 1951 by Alfred Schuurman with the assistance of Cumberland Newspapers. However, Dutch immigrants preferred English language journals and the paper suffered a steady decline in circulation. By 1990 it was fortnightly and by the time it ceased publication, in October 2004,

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Dutch War Cemetery Perth incl. names of people killed

This is the only official Dutch War Cemetery in Australia. It is only one of three non Commonwealth War Cemeteries in Australia, the other two being the Tatura (German) War Cemetery in Victoria (250 graves) and the Cowra (Japanese) War Cemetery in New South Wales (523). At Cowra the Dutch

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Jan Zevenboom from gold-digger to Vice Consul (1856)

Jan Zevenboom born in 1822. He arrived in Melbourne from Amsterdam in 1856 his profession was listed as brush-maker. He travelled straight on the gold fields, but apparently was not lucky enough to become rich. He settled in Melbourne taking up his trade as a brush-maker in Beckett Street.

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Philips in Australia

Looking for more information. Philips opened its first office in North Ryde, NSW in 1927, with seven staff members. Later they established a factory in Camperdown for the production radiosets and radio kits later followed by lightbulbs . During WWII the company produced electronica and navigation equipment for the Australian

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Dutch immigrant ship Willem Ruys

Royal Rotterdamsche Lloyd (then Nedlloyd and now part of Maersk) started building the ship in 1938. The company  was in the process to replace the aging fleet of ships on the Dutch East Indies route, her keel was laid in 1939 at De Schelde shipyard in Vlissingen, Netherlands. Interrupted by

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Dutch immigrant ships to Australia

The following information is available on the DACC database. The major ships bringing Dutch migrants to Australia include: See also: Steam Shipping Lines Australia – Netherlands – starting in 1864 Other Research information: Passengers list: National Archive of Australia Fremantle, Western Australia, Passenger Lists, 1897-1963

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Dutch immigrant ship Johan van Oldenbarnevelt

When she was built in 1929, she was the largest ship yet built in the Netherlands. She had berths for 770 passengers: 366 in first class, 280 in second, 64 in third and 60 in fourth class. She had berths for 360 crew. She had four decks and could carry

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Consul General Bosschart promotes trade with Queensland – 1908

Java and Australia. Fostering Relations. Netherlands Consul-General. Reproduction of an article from The Week Brisbane 16 October 1908 (Source (Trove) As stated in our first edition, Mr. W. L. Bosschart, Netherlands Consul-General for Australia and Polynesia, whose legation is situated at Melbourne, is returning from a visit to the Dutch

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Willem Frans Theodoor Brijl – merchant captain WWII

Willem Frans Theodoor Brijl was born May 17th, 1897 in Surabaya in the Dutch East-Indies, the son of Frans Hendrik Brijl. In 1910 he left for the Netherlands in order to have his HBS education. September 21st, 1914 he enrolled in the Merchant Navy Academy on the island of Texel.

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Mutiny on the Tasmanian ferry Abel Tasman -1985

The following is an abstract – with permission – from the Mitchell Bruce’s website Ferries of Australia Abel Tasman (IMO 7362108) sailed on the Bass Strait between 1985 to 1993. She started life as the Nils Holgersson, built in 1975. She commenced her regular route, linking Travemünde (Germany) to Trelleborg

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Various ships named Abel Tasman

Abel Tasman – Bermuda Schooner This Bermuda Schooner, derived from the famous “America 1”, designed by George Steer. From this renowned fast yacht from the mid-19th century a few replicas have been built. Though “Abel Tasman” is not a pure replica, she has the same lines. She has been proven

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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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ML-KNIL Dakota crashed in Moreton Bay – 1947

On 26 February, a ML-KNIL Douglas Dakota caught fire and crashed into the ocean about 23 minutes into a test flight from Archerfield, killing all six people – three Dutch servicemen and three Australian crew members – onboard. ML-KNIL = Militaire Luchtvaart van het Koninklijk Nederlands-Indisch Leger – Royal Netherlands

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Dutch WWII pilot Gus Winckel celebrated in Moruya

The following information comes from the book Allies in a Bind from Dr Jack Ford. Japanese attack on Sydney Harbour On 28 May 1942, Japanese submarine I-21 launched a floatplane. It flew over Sydney Harbour spotting 13 Allied warships including Dutch submarine K-IX. On 31 May, Japanese submarines I-22, I-24

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Netherlands Chamber of Commerce Australia

The NCCA is the go-to organisation that connects the Australian and Dutch business communities. Its mission is to be an inclusive networking body that connects and provides measurable value for its members. Through our monthly events our members have the opportunity to meet like-minded people, expand their knowledge, and create business

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Joop Gijzemijter at NEI-TS in Archerfield

Johannes (Joop) Gijzemijter Born 24 Feb, 1915, Rotterdam, Netherlands. Died 30 April, 1999, Brisbane, Australia. Written by his son John Gyzemyter. “What did you do during the war Daddy?” As children Dad often told us stories about his career in aviation which started on the 3rd of March 1930 as

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First flight between Netherlands and Australia – May 1931

In May 1931, KLM added an experimental flight from Batavia to Melbourne to their regular Amsterdam – Batavia service providing a through service from Amsterdam to Australia. The plane was a Fokker FVIIA/3m trimotor specially named ‘Abel Tasman’ for this trip. The pilot and co-pilot were Maurits Pattist and Jan

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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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Hugo van der Nahmer First Nederlandse Consul in Melbourne (1857).

The wealthy 21 year old arrived in Melbourne, on the ship Canton in 1853. In 1856 the Netherlands Government signed a diplomatic convention with the United Kingdom that allowed for the reciprocal admissions of Consuls in each other colonies and foreign possessions. In 1857, the Dutch government appointed Melbourne-based merchant

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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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Hennik Family on the Zuiderkruis

The Hennik family immigrated to Australia on the Zuiderkruis it has a list of the people on board and the crew signed the page. Dochter Wilhelmina also has the document her dad travelled with. They arrived 17 Feb 1959 at Fremantle and were taken by train to the Woodside Migration Camp just outside Adelaide.

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Joop van Doorn 18 NEI Squadron RAAF

Joop van Doorn was posted to Java in 1937 and flew Glen Martins, Lockheed Lodestars and Mitchell B-25.  Joop and pilot Yves Henri Mulder (nickname Bels as he came from Belgium – he was killed in action in 1944) ferried British Field Marshal Archibald Percival Wavell to Singapore for the ABDA

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Flight of De Uiver – 1934

The MacRobertson Trophy Air Race (also known as the London to Melbourne Air Race) took place in October 1934 as part of the Melbourne Centenary celebrations. The race was devised by the Lord Mayor of Melbourne, Sir Harold Gengoult Smith, and the prize money of £15,000 was provided by Sir

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KLM – Various history, Australian news

KLM terminated its own 3 weekly Amsterdam-Sydney service in 2001 in favour of code shares with Malaysia Airlines. Apparently, the route via Singapore, although very popular, was a total loss-maker and they didn’t have traffic rights for the SIN-SYD leg. KLM has had a very long history with Australia. In

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KLM Holland Herald

Holland Herald is the inflight magazine of the Dutch airline KLM. It is the oldest inflight magazine. see also: KLM – Various history, Australian news KLM Vogelvlucht magazines Photo collection Evert Herman van Hummel – Flight Engineer Royal Dutch Airforce – KLM

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KLM Vogelvlucht Magazines

Special magazine available free of charge in Australia and New Zealand, until the direct KLM flights to Australia ended in 2001. See also: KLM – Various history, Australian news KLM Holland Heralds Photo collection Evert Herman van Hummel – Flight Engineer Royal Dutch Airforce – KLM

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London to Melbourne Air Race – 1934

The MacRobertson Trophy Air Race (also known as the London to Melbourne Air Race) took place in October 1934 as part of the Melbourne Centenary celebrations. The race was devised by the Lord Mayor of Melbourne, Sir Harold Gengoult Smith, and the prize money of £15,000 was provided by Sir

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Isodoor Berkelouw moved the book business to Australia

The story of the famous Berkelouw bookstores goes back to Rotterdam in 1812. Several generations continued and grew the business in the Netherlands. By WWII they had one of the most well know antiquarian book business in Europe. However, during the bombardment of Rotterdam in May 1940, the bookshop was

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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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Five minutes with Jeroen ‘Dutchy’ Hulleman (interview)

Republished with permission from Baking Business. Original article: https://bakingbusiness.com.au/five-minutes-with-jeroen-dutchy-hulleman/ Dutchy’s Bakehouse on the Sunshine Coast not only has a unique product range, with traditional recipes brought over from a long family history of baking in the Netherlands. We spent five minutes with owner Jeroen ‘Dutchy’ Hullemen and found out a

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Hans Hulsbosch, independent brand designer

Born in Valkenswaard just south of Eindhoven, the Phillips city, age 62 in 2014. Hans married Marianne in the Netherlands before emigration to New Zealand. Marianne’s father had knowledge of Australia and had positive views of the country. Hans was trained in design and advertising and worked principally for a well-known design

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Dick van Leer, People Lover and Entrepreneur

Not long ago, a book was published about Dick under the title The Incredible Life of Dick van Leer.  This very readable account of Dick’s life, a family history really, written jointly with Aubrey Cohen, starts with his birth in 1922 in Surabaya, Dutch East Indies. Dick wasn’t there long though

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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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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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Palings Building Brisbane

The Palings Building in these pictures is a heritage-listed retail building located at 86 Queen Street, Brisbane City. It was designed by Richard Gailey as one of a row of four identical buildings that in 1885 replaced the former convict barracks. Paling & Company purchased the music business from Richard

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SBS Video – Dutch PM Mark Rutte visits Australia 8-11-2014

Exclusive interview in DUTCH with Dutch PM Mark Rutte recorded November 2104 in Canberra during his 2 day visit to Australia. He talks about a possible royal visit in 2016 to coincide with celebrations to mark the 400th anniversary of Dutch sailor and explorer, Dirk Hartog landing on Australian soil.The

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Misprint in Indonesian independence and KLM stamps

This is an interesting Indonesian stamp album. It is commemorating the first anniversary of the Indonesian revolutionaries declaration of independence in 1945 on the 17th of august. The album is more a public relations and propaganda exercise than a philatelic one. There is an interesting angle in that there is

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The Dutch at Archerfield Airport, Brisbane

Australian and Dutch history meet at Archerfield Airport in Brisbane. During WWII this airfield played a critical role for the Dutch military who, after the Japanese armed forces occupied the Dutch colony of Netherlands East Indies (now Indonesia) to neighboring Australia. Over 20.000 people from NEI evacuated to Australia. Poor

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Dutch-Australia Smart City Summit – Royal Visit 2016

At the Dutch Australian Smart City Summit that took place on November 3, 2016 in Sydney, during the Royal visit of King Willem Alecander and Queen Maxima of the Netherlands. Five Australian smart city organisations have received the Golden Ratio statue in recognition for their future collaboration with the Global

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