The Dutch Down Under

📖 The Scoop

The celebrations of the first 400 years of relations between The Commonwealth of Australia and The Kingdom of The Netherlands mark a very special and important event for both countries. The shared relationship between the two countries was first established in 1606, when the Dutch vessel Duyfken mapped part of the coast near present day Weipa, Cape York Peninsula, of the continent that would, in time, become known as Australia. This event led to further encounters between early maritime pioneers; and traces of early Dutch influence are still found in such Australian place names as Tasmania and Cape Leeuwin. Over time, subsequent global events forged closer links between the two countries: as part of the post-war migration from a war-ravaged Europe to the population-hungry Australia, almost 170,000 Dutch nationals arrived 'down under'. It was this migration from Europe in the 1950s that allowed the Australian economy to move forward into more prosperous times. Today, there are some 270,000 Australian residents who were either born in the Netherlands, or who claim Dutch ancestry. The Dutch Down Under 1606-2006 provides illuminating commentary, from 23 contributing authors, on the history of these relationships and on the socio-economic and cultural impact of the migration on both Dutch residents in Australia, and their families in the Netherlands.

Genre: History / Australia & New Zealand (fancy, right?)