dutch migrants – historical record

The Society is assembling the stories of migrants who came from the Netherlands to Tasmania. These stories will be stored in the Dutch Migrant Record section of the new Channel Heritage Museum. They will provide not only a valuable record for researchers, but also be a permanent record for the generations to come.

If you migrated from the Netherlands to Tasmania, please complete our simple QUESTIONNAIRE.

oral histories on video

We are looking for volunteers to record the stories of migrants from the 1950s on video. This involves nothing more difficult than talking to people and drinking their coffee.

If you are interested in helping, please contact us. The most important skill you will need is time.

tree planted to celebrate 100 years of kingborough council

On 9th January 2008 the Dutch Australian Society helped commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Kingborough Council. Together with the Mayor and councillors of sister-city Grootegast, birthplace of Abel Tasman in the Netherlands, they planted a tree and unveiled a plaque.

When DAS president Dr Freddie von Schmidt spoke at the ceremony he referred to a Kingborough Council meeting of September 1950 where Dutch immigrants had been welcomed and encouraged. The main influx of Dutch settlers to Tasmania can be dated from that time. (See Timeline.)

Kingborough Mayor Graeme Bury and DAS patron George Huizing, Hon Consul for the Netherlands, were on hand to thank the Mayor of Grootegast, Kor Dijkstra, who led a delegation of support for the occasion.

The Dutch Australian Society is pleased to increase its profile in southern Tasmania through this event and to continue to strengthen the bond between Tasmania and the Netherlands.

st nicholas arrival on the Duyfken

On 26th November 2006 the Dutch Australian Society arranged a special St Nicholas arrival in Hobart on the replica wooden vessel, the Duyfken.

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the abel tasman art prize™

The Dutch Australian Society collaborates with the Kingborough Council and the Education Department in the arrangement of the Abel Tasman Art Prize™ every second year.

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contribution to international wall of friendship, hobart

In November 1992 the Dutch Australian Society unveiled a plaque at the International Wall of Friendship in Hobart.

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gift of memorial fountain to people of Tasmania

To celebrate Australia’s bicentennial year, a gift to the people of Tasmania was arranged by the committee of the Dutch Australian Society ‘Abel Tasman’ Inc.

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