2006 is a landmark year for Dutch-Australian relations. Four-hundred years ago, a small ship called the Duyfken was sent out by the Dutch East India Company (VOC) to explore the unknown waters south of New Guinea. Captained by Willem Jansz, the Duyfken chanced upon unknown territory and inadvertently became the first European ship to visit what we now know as Australia.

The Netherlands Ambassador to Australia, Niek van Zutphen, thanked the Australian Government for combining with the Netherlands Government to co-finance the commemorative year with the assistance of business and the community in Australia.

Mr van Zutphen said the celebration of 400 years of bilateral relations between Australia and The Netherlands involved a special commemorative program of activities in Australia incorporating music, theatre, sport, tourism, trade, scientific and historical cooperation, which would be highlighted by four central themes:

Dutch voyages of discovery during the 17th and 18th centuries: from “Terra Australis Incognita” to “New Holland”
The Dutch contacts with Australia in the period 1606-1770 are the first theme of the celebrations. In this period many Dutch ships visited Australia, such as the Vergulde Draeck, the Heemskerck, the Eendracht, the Batavia, the Geelvinck, the Zuytdorp and the Zeewijk. Dutch seafarers also came into contact with the indigenous peoples of Australia during that period. Some of these encounters are documented and live on in the oral tradition of the indigenous peoples of Australia.

The Netherlands as the fourth ally in the defence of Australia during the Second World War
A second and less known aspect of the relationship is the contribution of the Dutch armed forces in the defence of Australia during the Second World War. The Netherlands was closely involved in this as one of the four allies - alongside the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia itself. In addition, Australian troops contributed significantly to the liberation of The Netherlands in 1945.

Migration of the Dutch to Australia, 1947–1971
The emigration waves of Dutch people to Australia in the 1950s and 60s forms the third theme of the celebrations. Between 1947 and 1971, about 160,000 Dutch people emigrated to Australia, mostly from the Netherlands, but some relocated from the Dutch East Indies (present-day Indonesia).

Today the Dutch community makes up over 1.35% of the Australian population. Some 90,000 people in Australia are of direct Dutch descent.

The Netherlands and Australia now: present-day relations
The fourth and final theme of this year’s celebrations is the friendly relations between the Netherlands and Australia today. Australia and the Netherlands are in many ways similar countries, forming natural partners for each other at the other side of the world. Both countries are active in their own region, are progressive when it comes to science, culture and design, and have a special interest in sports.

The Netherlands is a major investor in Australia and a medium-sized trading partner for Australia within Europe. The Netherlands and Australia share multiple and varied cultural contacts. Each year some 60,000 Dutch people visit Australia.

Mr van Zutphen said: “Events and activities planned for the year are extensive and include:

• An Australia wide art project to foster aspiring Indigenous artists to interpret the first encounters with the early Dutch explorers;
• An interactive educational website suitable for resourcing all primary and lower secondary schools to encourage increased awareness of Australian-Dutch history and relations;
• Dutch involvement in many foremost music, drama and art festivals in Australia, including the Adelaide and Melbourne Festivals and the international festival of contemporary art: the Biennale of Sydney;
• A major exhibition highlighting the exploits of early Dutch explorers. The exhibition will include the Hartogh pewter plate, the journal of Jan Carstensz, the first chart of New Zealand, Pelsaert's illustrated account of the wreck of the Batavia and the first printed map of part of the coast of Australia published in 1626;
• A commemorative coin from the Royal Australian Mint in cooperation with the Royal Dutch Mint;
• Official visits by members of Government and Parliament including the Prime Minister and possibly a separate visit from member of the Royal Family; and
• Education and journalism exchange programs

“As people in Australia have become more aware of the special celebrations this year, other activities are being progressively organised from gala dinners and architectural exhibitions to performances by world renown Dutch musicans and DJs,” said Mr Van Zutphen.

The Ambassador said many Australian and Dutch people will come to discover the depth of our countries’ relationship.

“We envisage by year’s end that the two nations will know and understand a lot more of each other’s achievements and take pride in our ongoing relationship. It will stand us in good stead for the next 400 years.”

For further information: www.netherlands-australia2006.com