The Dutch Australian Cultural Centre Ltd has as its aims and objectives the collection, preservation, promotion and dissemination of Dutch culture and heritage in Australia.
It also aims to be a broad based source of information, advice, assistance and interest for the benefit of people of Dutch nationality or descent in Australia as well as for the wider Australian community.
It will act as facilitator and intermediator where necessary
RECEIVED: .......................
"With more than 300,000 Australians of Dutch birth or ancestry living in Australia today, Dutch festivals and celebrations are held regularly in many parts of Australia. They mainly attract the Dutch Australian community.
This Festival is different.
It is by and about Dutch Australians but its objective is to entertain the Australian community and to inform, educate and enlighten the Australian community about the many ways in which Australia and the Netherlands are connected today, as they have been in the past.
To subscribe to the Dutch Australian Festival Bulletins add your email via the link.
A confirmation email will be sent to you, you must confirm to be added to the list!
The Festival is planned to take place in 2015, during the ten-year commemoration of the Dutch Discovery of Australia.
The Dutch Australian Festival is a special, major community event to celebrate
the Dutch presence in the Tweed and Gold Coast Regions of Northern NSW and Southeast Queensland in Australia.
The Festival aims not only to entertain people but also to inform and educate them about the Dutch contribution to Australian society, and to encourage them to support Dutch Australian enterprise.
Its basic aim is to bring Dutch Australians and Australians together to honour their differences but celebrate their shared history and heritage and above all their shared values.
The three Dutch Tall Ships ‘Tecla’, bark ‘Europa’ and ‘Oosterschelde’ are sailing around the world, wandering the oceans and following the old trade routes of historic times. You can be part of our adventure and sail with us on a part of this voyage.
All separate legs can be joined by individual guest crew members and booked at the individual shipping companies offices.
Read more on this website about the route, the ships and about joining their voyage.
Do you have a French name? Do you have any French names in your family tree?
You may be descended from the Huguenots (French Protestants)
Between the 16th and 18th centuries more than 200,000 French Protestants fled France because of religious persecution. Many went to the Netherlands. In fact, the Netherlands welcomed more than 60,000 of them – more than any other European country. Everywhere they settled they enriched through their hard work, skills and sense of civic duty.
Since 1788 descendants of the Huguenots have come to Australia from all over the world, including the Netherlands. Dutch Huguenot names represented in Australia include: Boissevain, Bonouvrie, Couvret, De Bres, Delprat, Fourdrinier, Guyot, Haccou, Houssart, Jas, Kolderie, Labruyere, Lameree, Le Grand, Lobry, Mallee, Nihot, Nortier, Olivier, Poulier, Vaarzon-Morel, & Voullaire. No doubt there are many more.
The Huguenot Society of Australia is a non-profit genealogical society which helps people find out more about their Huguenot ancestors. We have state chapters in NSW, Victoria, the ACT and Queensland, and hold regular meetings and social events. If you would like to know more, you can find us on the net at:
was organised at the National Library of Australia in Canberra.
The symposium, Footprints as Stepping Stones,
marked the kick-off of the 2016 ‘Dirk Hartog celebrations’.
Author, academic and political commentator, Peter van Onselen,
delivered the keynote speech.
Kick-off Dirk Hartog Celebrations at National Library of Australia in Canberra
The Dutch explorer Dirk Hartog was the first European
to make a recorded landfall in Western Australia (1616).
The 400th anniversary of this historical landing will be celebrated in 2016. In preparation of these festivities, a symposium on Dutch-Australian cultural heritage was organised by the Netherlands Embassy in Canberra, in cooperation with the Dutch Centre for International Heritage Activities (CIE).
Invited symposium participants included representatives of GLAMS (Galleries, Libraries, Archives & Museums), cultural heritage experts, government representatives and companies.
The symposium aimed to involve a variety of stakeholders in the creation of a ‘roadmap’ towards the Dutch-Australian cultural heritage celebrations of 2016. Alec Coles, CEO of the Western Australian Museum, served as symposium chairman.
By means of dynamic workshops and a round table event, representatives of both the public and private sector exchanged ideas and some best practices and the potential of partnerships of public and private organizations were discussed.
The DACC Ltd was founded in 1983 and was registered officially on 30 May 1984 as the Dutch Australian Centre Ltd. In 2002 the name was changed to Dutch Australian Cultural Centre Ltd. It came into being because the need was felt to establish a central organisation to preserve the rich history of Dutch immigration in the country.
Another reason was to become a "resources centre" for persons who wanted to study aspects of the Netherlands, be it economics or costumes and habits. A reference library was therefore established and an archive planned. These functions and activities are progressing now.
The first exhibition organised by the centre was in the Bondi Pavilion, in 1983, of Dutch artists living and working in Australia. Several equally successful exhibitions about immigration followed. The importance of the DACC grows as the various social Dutch societies and clubs slowly disappear from the scene.
However, the grandchildren of the original Dutch immigrants are getting more and more interested in their grandparents' history and want to trace their roots and their lineage.
Very few, if any, young members (the children of the immigrants - the second generation) ever joined the existing clubs. They were more interested in assimilating.
There are still a few active clubs left with a broad members base and in a sound financial position. Alas the members are ageing and so are the committees of the clubs. Although this is sad in a way, it makes the position and standing of the DACC Ltd in the Dutch community stronger.
The clubs want their history preserved and have been collecting their minute books and other documents to hand them over to the archives. Many older Dutch people are doing the same. After all these years the Dutch Australian Cultural Centre has finally come into its own.
With acceptance grew the confidence in the centre and the Dutch Government granted the DAC in 1986 an amount of 15.000 guilders, while the Netherlands Society in Sydney made $500 available for the Reference Library.
Further grants were received from the Australian Government in 1995, ($14.500 to employ a part-time administrative assistant in 1996) and in 1997 from the Netherlands Benevolent Fund for the reference library. Since 1993 the DACC Ltd had been able to use a building in the grounds of a retirement facility, the Abel Tasman Village in Chester Hill.
This was made possible through the support for the centre from the late Anton Kool, who for many years was Chairman of the Federation of Netherlands Societies Ltd.
However, with the ageing of the Dutch immigrants comes a greater need for care and consequently for more space. The DACC vacated the building and moved to 85 Market Street, Smithfield.
In the last year $5000 for the archives, $1600 for a website and oral history came from the Dutch Government and a total of almost $12.000 from various Australian Government Institutions. Thanks to all this the centre employed a part-time archivist.
Library and Archives: mission statement
The Dutch Australian Cultural Centre Reference Library and Archives exist to disseminate knowledge and history of Dutch culture and promote the study thereof in Australia by collecting any material relevant to the Dutch-Australian link, for the wider Australian community, in particular those of Dutch descent.
Over the years the collection of books has grown considerably, and of course continue to grow. Many Dutch people donate books along with documents and photos.
There is an extensive segment of books about WWII, both in English and Dutch, the former Dutch East Indies and of course Dutch history. A small number of novels are also kept as a snapshot of the taste of the immediate postwar immigrants.
The Library is accessible on request and every possible assistance will be given. As it is a Reference Library, books can be accessed, but cannot be borrowed.
Archives.
The documents relating to the history of the Netherlands ex-Serviceman and Women Association have been neatly sorted and properly filed. They will now be available for future reference.
The next task is the sorting and culling of the documents relating to the Queen Wilhelmina Benevolent Fund.
Since this fund was created in 1903 there is much to be put in chronological order. The fund was amalgamated with the benevolent fund of the Federation of Netherlands Societies and is now registered as Queen Wilhelmina Dutch-Australian Benevolent Fund. It assist with the finance for the yearly holidays for the elderly, social welfare activities, the many ‘instuif’ groups and an assortment of works undertaken by active Dutch community members to the benefit of the general Dutch Community
RECEIVED:
Inclusion of children in Dutch passports no longer valid from 26 June 2012
With effect from 26 June 2012it will no longer be possible to include children in Dutch passports.
Existing inclusions will lose their validity on that date. Children who have been included will no longer be able to travel abroad on that basis with effect from 26 June 2012.
All children will need to have their own travel documents, irrespective of their age.
Passports in which children are included will remain valid until the end of their validity period. The holder of the passport can still travel on it.
A European regulation makes the principle of ‘one person per passport’ mandatory as of 26 June 2012.
An inclusion in a passport is more susceptible to fraud than a document issued in the name of only one person.
Consulaat-Generaal van het Koninkrijk der Nederlanden te Sydney
I was born in Holland in 1943 and spent my most formative years, from 4 – 14, in Indonesia. Although I loved the tropical extravaganza of colour, smell and sound, socially it was not ideal. The shrinking Dutch community provided few friends and once found, they all left before we did.
We came to Australia on the Lloyd Triestino and arrived in Sydney harbour on the 2nd of June, 1957. In hindsight, my sister and I adapted reasonably well to the still very Victorian values that prevailed at that time, but my parent found it more difficult.
We joined the local Lapidary Clubs and, first with one baby and later with two, we went camping all over NSW and Queensland and beyond. My fascination for the weird flora and fauna of Australia grew into a deep love.A 3 year stint back in Indonesia for Brian’s work in the early 1990s was the catalyst to my sea change – from Physiotherapy to Art. I went through TAFE to university, where I completed a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree with Honours.
In 1967 I gained my Diploma of Physiotherapy and married my Aussie. Brian was an engineer with the DMR [RTA] and initially we were moved every couple of years or so.
I joined the DACC almost by accident – they say curiosity killed the cat! That was more than 7 years ago. Not only am I happy to be involved with the establishment and growth of a Dutch Australian Archive, it has also given me my first Dutch friends in 55years!
ABOVE: The DACC was, once again , represented at the annual Dutch Fair, held at the Rembrandt Club's premises, St Marys.
Once again, it all went off with a bang! Photos: Theo ten Brummelaar.
"Echoes from the Past" ~ project supported by the Dutch Australian Cultural Centre, conceived, developed and co-ordinated by Frances Larder is having another opening ~ another show! 2nd Feb., 2013:
Fairfield City Museum & Gallery.
Photos: Jo Mulholland was Joop Mul is Ozcloggie.
Below: Left: The "Echoes from the Past" project.
Below right: Theo ten Brummelaar and Jan Mees, interviewed by Anneke Boudewijn, of SBS Radio Dutch program.
"Echoes from the Past" has been coordinated by Frances Larder, with support from the Dutch Australian Cultural Centre, the Government of The Netherlands,
the Queen Wilhelmina Benevolent Fund, Dutch Immigration Funds and Liverpool Council.
VISIT TO MECHANICAL MUSIC MUSEUM (FAIRGROUND FOLLIES)
On Saturday morning, 24 November 2012, a group of enthusiastic DACC members with family and friends, gathered expectantly in the carpark of an industrial complex in Burrows Road, Alexandria. Music filled the air as the door opened and they walked into a vast, magical space, lit up to create the atmosphere of an old-fashioned fairground at night.
He told entertaining stories about their makers, histories and the ongoing restoration work. He explained how the items were made for many purposes, including cafes and dance halls or for the entertainment of well-to-do families. The collection ranges in size from the Taj Mahal to Diana musical jugs, made in nearby Marrickville.
The mostly Dutch-background people were warmly welcomed by the owner and creator of Fairground Follies, Craig Robson who, for the next two hours, talked passionately about his unique collection of mechanical instruments.
The massive Taj Mahal, a 101-key Mortier dance organ, is said to be the only remaining organ of its kind in the world. As well as playing music from Star Wars, it boomed out Happy Birthday for new member, Janneke Dikkers, originally from Eindhoven.
The three street organs on display came from the Netherlands: Alkmaar, Maastricht and Amsterdam. Our long-term member Jan Mees, now in his 80s, had always wanted to be an “orgeldraaier” (organ grinder) and enthusiastically tried out de Klok which, as pointed out by Craig, is unrestored and therefore needs to be operated by hand. This was found to be no easy task for Jan and the others who had a go.
Jan then told the story of when he was a teenager in Amersfoort he and some other boys had paid the “orgeldraaier” to play for half an hour outside a girls’ school. Others no doubt remembered kermis of years gone by, or perhaps more recently on a visit “home” to the Netherlands.
Another Dutch connection was the piano with the label W. H. Paling & Co. Limited. (See photo) William Henry (Willem Hendrik) Paling was born in 1825 in Rotterdam and arrived in Australia in 1853 one hundred years before the post WWII influx.
He died in 1895 at Stanmore and was buried at Waverley Cemetery. Extensive details of his story can be found on the internet.The climax of the visit was a ride on the carousel (“draaimolen”) which was made in France in 1898. The children especially enjoyed this, as did the older people whose “inner child” was plain to see.Our thanks to Craig and assistant Ada, who organised the delicious morning tea, for a most memorable visit to the Mechanical Music Museum.If you are now thinking of organising a visit or would like to celebrate a special event atFairground Follies, look at the interactive website for further details: www.fairgroundfollies.com
Ellie Zinsmeester
Photos: Paulus Breedveld
The climax of the visit was a ride on the carousel (“draaimolen”) which was made in France in 1898.
The children especially enjoyed this, as did the older people whose “inner child” was plain to see.
Our thanks to Craig and assistant Ada, who organised the delicious morning tea, for a most memorable visit to the Mechanical Music Museum.
If you are now thinking of organising a visit or would like to celebrate a special event atFairground Follies, look at the interactive website for further details: www.fairgroundfollies.com
Ellie Zinsmeester
Cultural heritage ............(as spread by the Dutch via earlier exploration).
Publications for Sale
Come along . We are open between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., when the shop is open, on Wednesdays and Sundays or by appointment. . The Dutch Australian Cultural Centre, through the Dutch Shop, the restaurant and furniture section, and around the corner!
Missed out on obtaining a copy, at the recent Dutch fair, organised by the Rembrandt Club, St Marys? Drop in to the DACC, through the Dutch Shop, 85 Market St Smithfield, when the DACC is open, Sundays, Wednesdays or by appointment.
As well as keeping members informed about the goings on in the DACC, it also tries to have a calendar of events and a section for "letters to the editor". All contributions are welcome, especially if people have advance knowledge of upcoming events.
RECEIVED: Nederlanders die in het buitenland wonen of voor hun werk tijdelijk in het buitenland verblijven, mogen stemmen bij de Tweede Kamerverkiezingen op 12 september 2012. Om een stembiljet te ontvangen moet men zich registreren via: www.denhaag.nl/verkiezingen. Het registratieformulier moet voor 1 augustus 2012 binnen zijn bij de gemeente Den Haag OF de Ambassade in Canberra, het Consulaat-Generaal in Sydney of één van de Honoraire Consulaten in Australië.
A team of volunteers has been working, and continues to work on the archives, for a very long time. After processing the NESWA files (Netherlands Ex-Services Men and Women Association), work has now begun on the records of the Queen Wilhelmina Benevolent fund.
The DACC is pleased to have been informed that the CIE (Centre for International Heritage Activities), based in the Netherlands launched: www.heritage-activities.org/ at a reception, held in Fremantle, WA, on February 20, 2012.
"Echoes from the Past" - the preparations.
RECEIVED:
SBS Announces New Radio Schedule (including changes to the SBS Dutch Program from April 2013)
I'm pleased to advise that today SBS has released a new Radio Schedule to be launched on-air in April 2013.
The last major review of SBS's Radio Schedule was more than 18 years ago in 1994, and during that time Australia's demographics have changed significantly.
The new Radio Schedule will bring the languages broadcast on SBS's analogue radio service into line with today's Australia and was developed using a language selection criteria supported by 2011 Census data.
SBS will continue to be the most multilingual radio broadcaster in the world with the total number of language programs increasing from 68 to 74.
The new SBS Radio Schedule includes six new languages, more programming for language groups which have grown significantly during the past 18 years and a new digital-only schedule for 21 languages. SBS will continue to produce content in all languages on the current radio schedule.
The new schedule will enable SBS to better deliver on its Charter obligations by better servicing the largest communities with culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, and offering more services to emerging high-needs communities.
For more information please see the attached media release and a fact sheet relating specifically to the changes to the SBS Dutch Program from April 2013.
Full details on the new SBS Radio Schedule for all languages can be found at www.sbs.com.au/radio.
Regards,
Mandi Wicks
Director, Audio & Language Content
SBS - Special Broadcasting Service
