The Dutch Down Under
1606-2006
In 2006, Australia and the Netherlands celebrated 400 years of contact, marked by Captain Willem Janszoon's 1606 voyage of the Duyfken, which created the first known European chart of what would become Australia. This journey, along with those of subsequent Dutch East Indiamen, led to the naming of various Australian locations, such as Arnhem Land and Tasmania. The relationship between the two nations deepened through significant historical events in the 17th and 20th centuries, including their alliance during the Pacific War, where Dutch and Australian forces fought side by side. The evacuation of Dutch East Indies nationals to Australia and subsequent migration further solidified ties. From the 1950s onward, around 170,000 Dutch nationals relocated to Australia, contributing to its socio-economic and multicultural landscape. Today, approximately 270,000 Australians proudly claim Dutch ancestry. This comprehensive account provides an objective and personal exploration of the complex impacts of migration, marking a significant contribution to the quatercentenary celebration of the relationship between the two countries.