I knew some Dutch people once. They were lovely people.
Invisible Dutch-Australians
There are certain sentences and phrases that get over-used, like, for example: I'm not a racist, but ....... or I have nothing against .....but, etc.
In May 2008, I shall have been in Australia 52 years. Through these years, the topic of being of Dutch background has very often come up.
So very often the other person will say something just like Googa did, four months ago, when I wrote about being _an Ozcloggie_.
Googa wrote:
_I have some friend’s in Young NSW, from Holland, lovely people. They all say the same, they moved here for change. They have a very successful wrecking yard business now, when they first came I had to explain different models of car’s to them. Now they explain to me hah! (lol). I enjoyed your writing to, It is nice to learn and know something about someone’s history. Thank you for sharing, cheers!_
So, is it fair to say (_O.K.. It may be stereo-typing._) that typical immigrants, to Australia, from the Netherlands were nice to know? Good (hard-working) neighbours, who fitted in, didn't upset anyone, were friendly but perhaps not part of the inner-circle of friends? You didn't really know them *that* well?
I'm a member of the board of the Dutch Australian Cultural Centre, located in Smithfield, in Sydney.
The centre was set up in Chester Hill, in an especially designed building but that was needed for other purposes. All the memorabilia that had been stored or put on display in the original building was moved to Market Street, Smithfield, behind the Dutch shop.
The memorabilia and the items of interest concerning the Dutch - Australian connections still being acquired can now be found by going through Holland House, 85 Market Street; through the restaurant and the furniture section.
Why have a Dutch Australian Cultural Centre? What have the Dutch done for Australia and brought to Australia? Who is likely to be interested in this question?
Bits along the Australian coastline have been given Dutch names, like Cape Leeuwin. A state has been given a Dutch name: Tasmania. This is not the place to start listing the people and businesses that have come to Australia, originally from the Netherlands and the fact that they were originally Dutch has been (almost) forgotten.
I like giving Roy Rene as an example, known as Mo, son of a Dutch father, he is so much associated with Australian theatre and humour. (The Mo Awards).
Just now, Googling with the words: Dutch Australian, near the top of the list I find:
_The Dutch are Taking Over Australian Football. By: Daryl | December 6th, 2007_
Go to Wikipedia to see quite a list of names: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dutch_Australian
But, back to the main topic: Libraries are treasured for the knowledge that is stored there. Museums are too.
'_Where did I come from_', is a stock-question. A Dutch Australian Cultural Centre should be one very important resource for the topic of Dutch Australian connections.
It is often stated that fourth and fifth generation descendants, like to find out more about the background of their ancestors.
Well......it is fair to say that the Dutch Australian Cultural Centre is currently in need of a fair dose of new energy. There are many good things happening but there is a need for input by all people who believe in supporting such a cause, i.e., a show-case of Dutch input into the Australian community.
Check out the website: "dacc.com.au":http://dacc.com.au
*Join the DACC!!*
There are certain sentences and phrases that get over-used, like, for example: I'm not a racist, but ....... or I have nothing against .....but, etc.
In May 2008, I shall have been in Australia 52 years. Through these years, the topic of being of Dutch background has very often come up.
So very often the other person will say something just like Googa did, four months ago, when I wrote about being _an Ozcloggie_.
Googa wrote:
_I have some friend’s in Young NSW, from Holland, lovely people. They all say the same, they moved here for change. They have a very successful wrecking yard business now, when they first came I had to explain different models of car’s to them. Now they explain to me hah! (lol). I enjoyed your writing to, It is nice to learn and know something about someone’s history. Thank you for sharing, cheers!_
So, is it fair to say (_O.K.. It may be stereo-typing._) that typical immigrants, to Australia, from the Netherlands were nice to know? Good (hard-working) neighbours, who fitted in, didn't upset anyone, were friendly but perhaps not part of the inner-circle of friends? You didn't really know them *that* well?
I'm a member of the board of the Dutch Australian Cultural Centre, located in Smithfield, in Sydney.
The centre was set up in Chester Hill, in an especially designed building but that was needed for other purposes. All the memorabilia that had been stored or put on display in the original building was moved to Market Street, Smithfield, behind the Dutch shop.
The memorabilia and the items of interest concerning the Dutch - Australian connections still being acquired can now be found by going through Holland House, 85 Market Street; through the restaurant and the furniture section.
Why have a Dutch Australian Cultural Centre? What have the Dutch done for Australia and brought to Australia? Who is likely to be interested in this question?
Bits along the Australian coastline have been given Dutch names, like Cape Leeuwin. A state has been given a Dutch name: Tasmania. This is not the place to start listing the people and businesses that have come to Australia, originally from the Netherlands and the fact that they were originally Dutch has been (almost) forgotten.
I like giving Roy Rene as an example, known as Mo, son of a Dutch father, he is so much associated with Australian theatre and humour. (The Mo Awards).
Just now, Googling with the words: Dutch Australian, near the top of the list I find:
_The Dutch are Taking Over Australian Football. By: Daryl | December 6th, 2007_
Go to Wikipedia to see quite a list of names: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dutch_Australian
But, back to the main topic: Libraries are treasured for the knowledge that is stored there. Museums are too.
'_Where did I come from_', is a stock-question. A Dutch Australian Cultural Centre should be one very important resource for the topic of Dutch Australian connections.
It is often stated that fourth and fifth generation descendants, like to find out more about the background of their ancestors.
Well......it is fair to say that the Dutch Australian Cultural Centre is currently in need of a fair dose of new energy. There are many good things happening but there is a need for input by all people who believe in supporting such a cause, i.e., a show-case of Dutch input into the Australian community.
Check out the website: "dacc.com.au":http://dacc.com.au
*Join the DACC!!*