The exhibition 50+3 years Dutch Courier will be first seen at the Holland Festival in Berwick at 18 March 2023.

We are also really exited to tell you that we also organize some activities around reaching this milestone by having musical events.

The first musical event what we will call 70's Dutch Courier party
will be on Sunday 23 April from 2-5 pm.
Cost are 25 dollars and will include some snacks. At least bread and frikandel.

Love to see

Carole Overmaat
Editor Dutch Courier

Heleen Van Der Haar - Hindeloopen Decorative Painter
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Written by the artist about the art form: 

​There are many decorative painting styles in the Netherlands, but the Hindeloopen one has always been the most popular one.
The small town of Hindeloopen is situated in Friesland on the shores of the former “Zuiderzee”.
It became an important maritime and cultural centre in the 13th century. A lot of sailors were also woodcarvers. Their favourite motives were scrolls, flowers, birds, fruit etc. These classic motives were also used in painting on furniture, household items, wooden shoes, ice skates and indoor walls. It was a real Folk Art done by peasants and sailors in the winter when one had to stay inside. Later on the art became more sophisticated and included biblical scenes.

In the 18th century Hindeloopen became the centre of furniture painting and it wasn’t only the painting that blossomed. The typical dress of women was very unique. The material consisted of beautiful colourful chintz in which strongly the influence of the Far East can be seen (brought here by the East India Company, the V.O.C.).
Every piece of hand painted item was extremely detailed and covering the surface all over. Borders played an important role. Faux tortoiseshell and marbling were often applied.

With the industrial revolution came the end of handmade and hand painted furniture and the art form declined.
At the end of the 19th century a more prosperous era started and several studios were founded.
Gerard Huttinga painted many masterpieces, one of them being a wall in which is now the Hindeloopen Museum.
In the 1970’s the Dutch C.W.A. published a book on Hindeloopen Folk Art and held classes all through the country. It became incredible popular.

These days Hindeloopen with a population of only 800 is a quiet town, but well worth a visit. It is very pretty with several studios and shops where you can buy hand painted pieces. For 25 years I had a stall at the Holland Festival selling my Folk Art. I also published a book about it “Hindeloopen Decorative Painting” available from me (heleen.franky@gmail.com).

Andrew Schoenmaekers - Providence Village 60 Years of History (Book)
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About the idea of the book and how you can help to make the writing, publishing and distributing of this book happen.

​In 1957 the Providence Auxiliary began and commenced an orphanage to care for children who needed assistance due to family breakdowns. Thus begins the story of The Providence Village.
In 1978, due to a change in government policy on caring for children, the committee transitioned their efforts and re-developed the same site for the caring of Dutch origin families requiring aged care facilities.  It remains an aged care facility to this day.
Located in Bacchus Marsh in Victoria, Providence Village has been a testament to this volunteer work of prominent Dutch/Australian citizens for 60 years.
These selfless people have provided generous financial contributions and their tireless efforts have raised funds, conducted working bees, entertained the residents and brought relief to those in need.
After sixty years the committee is terminating and in another most generous act donated The Providence Village and all funds held to Catholic Aged Care - Villa Maria to continue care for the elderly with no return to the founders, the committee and volunteers.
Help keep the memory of these selfless Dutch/Australians alive by helping fund a new commemorative book.
The book will bring together the stories, photos from the families involved and highlight the efforts of all the Dutch/Australian Community that has assisted and contributed over the 60 years.

"The Story of Providence Village - 1957-2017"
Many of the volunteers/contributors are well known in the Dutch community. They have provided countless hours of support, goods and time. These include: Fr Leo Maas, Fr Van Uden,  Leny Zeegers, Cees & Jo Tesselaar, Leo and Truus Schoenmaekers, Jo & Rie Schreurs, Martin & Magda Westiende, Pete & Mia Castricum,  Jim & Helen van De Linden,  Mary & Simon Gijsberts, Dora Klep, Srja & Mien Baggen, Lea & John Longayroux, Tony & Henk Romijn, Ettie & Frans De Bruin, Annie & Henk Koelewyn,  Mien & Frans Boeren, Jos Mangelsdorf… with their families and many, many more supporters through the 60 years.
Such is the enormous contribution to the Dutch/Australian community the Netherlands Government has bestowed "The Order of Oranje  Nassau" to a  number of benefactors of the Providence Auxiliary Committee  Fr Leo Maas,  Mrs Leny Zeegers,, Mr  Cees Tesselaar, Mr Leo Schoenmaekers for their services to the Dutch community involving their part in Providence Village over the years.
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Support the effort!
Help us to recognize the efforts of the Dutch in Australia and contribute to this project through the GoFundMe campaign - Providence Village 60 Years of History. Or contribute directly to Providence Book Fund - CBA 063 595 Acct 1092 4490.



** PICTURES FROM INSIDE :           DUTCH FAMILIES IN AUSTRALIA

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Pictures from inside: Dutch Families in Australia

** Holland festival*

Holland Festival

Ben je al fan van he Holland festival, of ben je ook nieuwsgierig naar deze dag, 7 maart in 2020?
Het is bij lange na niet het eerste Holland Festival, het is al tientallen jaren een feest ergens in de buurt van Melbourne. In die jaren is er een en ander veranderd aan het feest, maar ook veel is hetzelfde gebleven. In het jaar 2000 werd het 26 ste festival gevierd.
Het is elke keer weer een verrassing wat en hoe de dag zal zijn.
Maar elke keer is er weer veel muziek, Nederlandse lekkernijen, allerlei kramen met Nederlandse cultuur, kinder activiteiten, Nederlandse boodschappen en een wedstrijd, dit jaar weer een sjoelbak wedstrijd.
Bij het neuzen in wat oude Dutch Couriers, die ook al tientallen jaren bestaat, onder verschillende namen en hoedanigheden kwamen wat oude affiches tevoorschijn.
In die oude Couriers waren heel wat feitjes terug te vinden over het Holland Festival in de loop der jaren. ‘
In 1976 was er een loterij, om nieuwe klederdracht te kunnen kopen voor de dansgroep. Je kon een kleuren tv, bandrecorder of transistor radio winnen…toch wel prijzen uit een ander millennium. 
Dertig jaar geleden waren er Keeshanden op het festival, vorig jaar ook, hopelijk zijn ze ook komend festival er weer.
Zo te lezen was  het 20 jaar terug  2 dagen feest, kwam Corrie Konings zingen, met op zondag een heuse vliegshow, die is er helaas niet bij komend jaar. De veiligheid eisen van het park en gemeente zullen ook wel zwaarder zijn dan 20 jaar geleden.
In het verleden werd er veel klompendansen opgevoerd, waarschijnlijk voor een langere periode dan dat ze in vele delen van Nederland werden uitgevoerd. De klompendans lijkt nu ook in Australië uit te sterven, maar wie weet, kun je zelf een klompendans leren op dit festival?
Wat opvalt is, dat de entree prijs de laatste 10 jaar onveranderd is gebleven. De opbrengst voor de goede doelen, is ook redelijk constant gebleven. Op naar het Holland Festival van 2020.