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The Dutch-Speaking Community in Australia The relationship between the Dutch and Australia is long-standing. Captain William Jansz of Amsterdam, in the ship the Duyfken, is believed to be among the first Europeans to sight the landmass of Australia in 1605. There's also evidence a significant number of Dutch ships continued to investigate and explore various parts of the Australian coastline well before the first settlement by the British. These days problems associated with an ageing population are the most significant issues facing the Dutch-speaking community in Australia. The community has established a number of retirement villages and is actively involved in providing aged care packages and other services for the elderly. The Netherlands and Australia increasingly share their experiences in confronting difficult social issues, including how to handle the explosion in drug use and the euthanasia controversy. The SBS Dutch Language Program is in a special position to interpret these and other complex issues for a diverse Australian audience at a time of rapid change. Arrival Up until the end of the Second World War, the number of Dutch in Australia remained quite small - however the pattern of low emigration from The Netherlands changed dramatically after 1945. The Second World War caused severe economic and social dislocation for many Dutch. They faced a severe housing crisis and rising unemployment. Emigration to Australia was for many the chance to start a new life and the Dutch Government actively encouraged it. Many Dutch, who were born and bred in what was then the Dutch East Indies, now known as Indonesia, or had lived and worked there for years, migrated to Australia. Many of these people were survivors of Japanese prisoner of war camps in Indonesia. Settlement It is estimated that between 1947 and 1961 Australia accepted 125,000 Netherlands-born migrants as permanent or long-term settlers. The numbers declined from then on. The philosophy of the time prized assimilation and the Dutch were seen to be good at settling in - they joined unions, had a high rate of home-ownership and research at the time showed they had a strong interest in setting up their own businesses. The Netherlands is Australia's second largest source of foreign investment from the European Union and Australia's fourth largest source globally. Some of Australia's biggest companies are represented in the Netherlands and there is an increasing awareness of Australia's importance as a base for doing business in Asia. Community Contacts There are many organisations serving the Dutch-speaking community. Here is a list of some of them. Victoria Associated Netherlands Societies in Victoria c/o President Mr. Ype de Bruin 1 Tania Court Dandenong VIC 3175 Phone/Fax: 03 9792 5146 Dutch Care Ltd (Specialising in care for Dutch-speaking elderly or disabled) 1105 Frankston-Dandenong Road Carrum Downs VIC 3201 Phone: 03 9782 6633 Fax: 03 9782 0142 www.dutchcare.com.au Dutch Courier Dutch/Australian Newspaper PO Box 1141 Croydon Victoria 3136 Phone: (03) 9727-1285 www.dutchcourier.com Holland Focus Dutch/Australian Magazine P.O. Box 169 Olinda Victoria 3788 Phone/Fax: 03 97512795 www.hollandfocus.com Erasmus Foundation Netherlands Australian Cultural Society GPO Box 3123 Melbourne VIC 3100 www.erasmus.org.au Netherlands Chamber of Commerce Australia N.C.C.A. P.O.Box 216 Sandringham VIC 3191 Phone : 03 9598 0645 Fax : 03 9521 0253 www.ncca.com.au Dutch Language Classes VCAA Victorian School of Languages www.dutchclass.net New South Wales Belgian Consulate General Trelawney St Woollahra NSW 2025 Phone: 02 9327837 Fax: 02 9328792 DACC Holland House 85 Market Street Smithfield NSW 2164 Telephone/ Fax: 02 97293384 Mr. Joop Mul (Jo Mulholland) Webmaster and boardmember DACC Netherlands Consulate General Bondi Junction Plaza level 23 tower 11 500 Oxford Street Bondi junction NSW 2022 Phone: 02 9387 6644 Fax: 02 9387 3962 NETHERLANDS EX-SERVICEMEN & WOMEN�S ASSOCIATION IN AUSTRALIA (NESWA) National President: Mr Paul Couvret OAM, 2 Hindson Place, Belrose, NSW 2085, tel.: (02) 9452-1059 Netherlands Federation of Dutch Clubs in NSW 22 Ambleside St Wheeler Heights 2097 NSW Phone: 02 9982 3629 A.C.T. Royal Netherlands Embassy 120 Empire Circuit Yarralumla ACT 2600 Phone: 02 6273 3111 Fax: 02 6273 3206 Royal Belgian Embassy 19 Arkana Street Yarralumla ACT 2600 Phone: 02 62732501 Fax: 02 62733392 Het Nederlandse Programma Speciale Evenementen Kalender Het Nederlandstalige programma van SBS Radio produceert speciale rapporten over de volgende evenementen. januari 26 Australia Day april 25 Anzac Day april 30 Koninginnedag mei 4 Herdenkingsdag mei 5 Bevrijdingsdag december 5 Sint Nicolaas Aanbevolen Websites DutchLink www.ncca.com.au Nederlandse Kamer van Koophandel Australie www.dal.com.au Netherlands government site www.rnw.nl Radio Nederland Wereldomroep |
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