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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TV Star Sherry Wheeler (Berta van Wheeley)

Source: National Archives of Australia Sherry Wright, originally named Berta Joanna van Wheeley, migrated from the Netherlands to Australia with her family in 1950. Her father, having endured severe starvation during World War II, was

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The N.S.W. Klaverjas Federation NSW

The following text is from a booklet published by the Federation of Netherlands Societies Ltd. in February 1985. The research for this booklet was done by Mijntje Hagen.  This Federation was formed a few years ago to

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The photography of Richard Woldendorp

Republished with permission. Chapter 36 of the book: A Touch of Dutch. For the full pdf of the book click here. Introduction chapters of the book: Touch of Dutch See also: Dutch-Australian photographer Richard Woldendorp

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Textile Artist – Aadje Bruce

Born in Amsterdam 11-10-1934, died 5-4-2011 in PerthTextile Artist / Fashion Designer and Mixed Media Artist. Active Period c.1958 – c.2008 Artistic education: Diploma of Art Studies, Perth Technical College (1957), BA Fine Art (Fibre

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Dick Diamonde (1947-2024)

Dingeman Adriaan Henry van der Sluijs, better known by his stage name Dick Diamonde, was a Dutch Australian bass player. Born in the Dutch town Hilversum, Diamonde emigrated to Australia with his parents when he

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The history of Dutch Clubs in NSW

The following text is from a booklet published by the Federation of Netherlands Societies Ltd. in February 1985. The research for this booklet was done by Mijntje Hagen. Acknowledgement Many thanks to the clubs, their

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The colourful life of Jan de Voogd

Johannes Jan Nicolaas de Voogd, known as Jan, was born in January 1932 in Japan to Dutch parents, Nicolaas Arie Johannes (Niek) de Voogd (1899-1977) and Amarintia Clasina de Vries (1903-1998). Jan’s parents married in

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Nico Martin van Dalen – Artist

Nico was born on 8 December 1932 at Nijmegen, Netherlands, and migrated to Australia in 1955. On arrival he stayed in the Bonegilla Migrant centre, in 1997 he produced 15 cartoon styled drawings of live

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Creswick Victoria – Little Holland

Creswick welcomes the Dutch The Creswick and District Historical Society, Inc. has published a new history of Dutch immigration to Creswick, contributed by the Dutch community. This essay, “Creswick Welcomes the Dutch,” authored by Jack

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The Dutch in Geelong

Dutch Clubs In 2024, the Dutch population in Geelong comprises of 1400 people. In the early 1950’s they established the Geelong Dutch Club, which has since grown to 10 active Dutch clubs servicing the Geelong

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The Changi Quilts – WWII

Changi Prison, originally designed to hold 600 inmates, was overwhelmed with around 2,400 internees, including civilians associated with the British and Dutch colonial administrations. Among them were women and children, housed alongside male prisoners of

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Projected Dutch Aged Stats NSW 1981- 2001

The following text is from a booklet published by the Federation of Netherlands Societies Ltd. in February 1985. The research for this booklet was done by Mijntje Hagen.  The Dutch NSW Nursing Committee is actively carrying out

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Organising Dutch Speech Competitions

We received an email with this Facebook post from the Dutch Community in New Zealand, with the suggestion that this perhaps is also an idea for Dutch organisations in Australia. Dutch Clubs and Dutch Language

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Protestant Dutch Benevolent Society

The following text is from a booklet published by the Federation of Netherlands Societies Ltd. in February 1985. The research for this booklet was done by Mijntje Hagen.  The P.D.B.S. started its work in Australia in 1948.

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Blue Mountains Dutch Club

The following text is from a booklet published by the Federation of Netherlands Societies Ltd. in February 1985. The research for this booklet was done by Mijntje Hagen. It is the only info we have on this

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DACC – Primary Research Projects

The following breakdown provides a comprehensive overview of completed and ongoing research projects in the field of DACC. Allies in a Bind: Australia and the Netherlands East Indies in the Second World War Australia Explained:

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Dutch Community Radio Western Australia

The history of Dutch Community Radio in Western Australia is rich with dedication and passion from its volunteers. It began nearly 50 years ago with reel-to-reel tapes and has evolved significantly since then. Initially established

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Dutch Australians at a Glance (DAAAG)

Introduction DAAAG was created to be an accessible, easy to navigate, multimedia internet service dedicated to the sustainable digital preservation of Dutch Australians’ cultural heritage – for use by scholars, researchers, bureaucrats, journalists, Dutch individuals

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Sinterklaas Overseas Foundation

Family in Holland could have a Sinterklaas package sent to their relatives overseas. There was all kinds of stuff in there. Candy, calendar, teaspoon, gramophone record, booklets, tablecloth, you name it. In the DACC archives

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Sinterklaas Treats

Pepernoten: The Traditional Sinterklaas DelicacyIs Christmas Eve truly complete without gingerbread cookies? Sinterklaas festivities naturally include these delightful treats, making them an essential part of the celebration. Gingerbread cookies, available at Dutch shops or enjoyable

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Sinterklaas in Australia

The story of Sinterklaas (Sint Nicolaas) is of course well known, there is plenty of information on the internet about this typical Dutch tradition. Although it has changed over the years due to changes in

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Cape Leeuwin Gable Stone in Amsterdam

Verenigde Oostindische Compagnie – VOC – (Dutch East India Company) related gable stone with a lying lioness in the ‘gable stone wall’ at the Oudezijds Kolk in Amsterdam. The stone comes from Kleine Kattenburgerstraat 14/16

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Dr. Sir Hendrik Johan Rutgers (1917-1997)

Gedurende de Tweede Wereldoorlog was Henk verzetsstrijder tijdens de Duitse bezetting van Nederland. Na de oorlog werd hij uitgezonden naar Batavia in het voormalige Nederlands Indie als Officier van Justitie bij de berechting van Japanse

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Many awards bestowed on Dr Wouters

Dr. Cornelius Wouters is most likely the internationally most awarded Dutch-Australian. He was awarded the Knighthood in the Order of Oranje-Nassau. He also received the Silver Anjer from the Prins Bernhard Fonds in 1976 for

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Dutch Football Club Austral Sydney

Dutch Football Club Austral was a soccer club that was founded in Sydney by a group of Dutch immigrants, under the name Hollandia at the Black Tulip Restaurant in George Street in 1949. Its restaurateur

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Dutch in Victoria – Henk Overberg

Dr. Henk Overberg was a Senior Lecturer, School of Australian and International Studies at Deakin University, Melbourne and an academic researcher at Victoria College, Melbourne. He specialised in ethnic research and researched the history and culture of

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Dutch Society Neerlandia of WA Inc.

The earlier Dutch migrants that arrived in the late 1940’s had made several attempts to establish Dutch clubs in WA, such as the Dirck Hartogh Society and the Australian Dutch League, but these all folded

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Jan Wakker jockey

Jan Wakker was a Dutch-Australian jockey who had a successful career in horse racing. He was born on January 10, 1943, in Groningen, and emigrated to Australia in 1950.  His family settled in Moe. Fred

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Dutch Folk Dancing Group

Dr. Cornelis Wouters was the founder of the Dutch Folk Dance Group, a group of over 30 enthusiastic Dutch immigrants (later joined by Australians who married Dutch immigrants). They performed folkloric dances at charitable association

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Surf Champion Dorothy de Rooy

Dorothy De Rooy (Vidgen) is a former professional surfer and champion who was born in Breda, Netherlands in 1948. When she was three years old, her family immigrated to Australia, and they eventually settled in

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Journalist and publisher Jan Rempt

‘Aan de rand der wereld. Een Hollandse emigrant in Australië’ with a foreword written by B.W. Haveman, Regeringscommissaris voor de Emigratie (Government Commissioner for Emigration) was published in Dokkum by Schaafsma & Brouwer in 1953.

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Footballer John “Jack” Pannenburg

John “Jack” Pannenburg was born in1946 in Arnhem, the Netherlands. His family immigrated to Australia when he was young, and he grew up in Mount Gambier, South Australia. Pannenburg was a talented footballer, and he

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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

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Netball champion Ingrid Huisken

Ingrid Huisken is a Dutch-Australian former netball player who had a successful career playing for both Australia and the Netherlands. She was born on January 16, 1961, in Leiden. Her family migrated to Australia when

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Manon van Kouswijk – jeweler

Manon van Kouswijk, a Dutch artist born in 1967, has been residing and creating in Melbourne since 2010. She received her education at the Gerrit Rietveld Academy in Amsterdam, where she later became the Head

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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,

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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

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Opera singer Pieter van der Stolk

Pieter van der Stolk was born on September 14, 1934, in Amsterdam. Pieter van der Stolk during his time with Opera Australia. Supplied: Sandie van der Stolk. At a certain stage he moved to Britain,

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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

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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

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Reformed Theologian Rev. John Vanderbom

Rev. John Vanderbom (1913-1992) was a Dutch-born Australian Reformed pastor. He was born in the Netherlands and migrated to Australia in 1951. His parish originally centred on Sydney but extended from Brisbane to the Victorian

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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

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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

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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

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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

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Queen Wilhelmina Benevolent Trust Funds

Established in 1903 to support sailors who had jumped ship Established as the Queen Wilhelmina Benevolent Trust Fund, it was established in 1903 to support Dutch sailors who found themselves in need of financial assistance

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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,

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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

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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

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The Batavia and its many stories

Latest developments Wreck of the Batavia brought back to life in forensic reconstruction by Flinders University The Batavia – 1629 The Batavia, built in Amsterdam in 1628 was the company’s new flagship, she sailed that

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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

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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

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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,

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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

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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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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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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

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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

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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

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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

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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)

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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

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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

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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

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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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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

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Federation of Netherlands Societies in NSW

In November 1967 the Federation of Netherland societies was incorporated under the company’s act . The articles of association were signed by the following; None of the inaugural societies are still in existence. The federation’s

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Dutch Carnaval Society the Boomerangs

The following text is from a booklet published by the Federation of Netherlands Societies Ltd. in February 1985. The research for this booklet was done by Mijntje Hagen. Nederlandse carnavalsvereniging De Boemerangs. The Boomerangs keep one of

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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Brisbane Lions/Roar 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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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

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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.

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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

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Righteous Among the Nations

The Righteous Among the Nations, are non-Jews who took great risks to save Jews during the Holocaust. Rescue took many forms and the Righteous came from different nations, religions and walks of life. What they

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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

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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)

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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