DC April edition
Poem by
March 2026 – Peter A.B.
Col Peter Burgerhout,
former Defence Attaché for the Kingdom of the Netherlands
Where the wide brown land breathes red dust and salt,
Where gum trees whisper in the searing afternoon
And magpies herald the dawn.
I came from low lands shaped by tide and will---
From polders wrestled patiently from the sea---
To a continent immeasurably older,
Where time is Dreaming,
And Country is not owned, but known.
I arrived as a representative
Of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
I departed carrying something less official,
And far more enduring.
Here, I learned to tread carefully.
To understand that every river bend,
Every stretch of ochre earth,
Was sung into being long before
Charts and compasses arrived.
I listened to Elders speak of Country---
Not land as possession,
But land as responsibility.
To be welcomed was never routine.
It was grace.
Australia---
You beauty.
From the hush of the outback a dusk
To the crash of surf on endless coasts;
From jacaranda bloom to wattle gold;
From kangaroos crossing open plains
To the sudden laughter of a kookaburra in the bush---
You changed me.
I learned to yarn over a flat white.
To say “no worries” and truly mean it.
To call a mate a mate---
And to understand that mateship
Is no small word here.
I stood in the surf at Bondi at first light.
Felt dry heat roll in from the bush.
Shared a barbie where stories flowed easier than the wine.
Bit by bit, I became less a visitor
And more – at least in spirit – part of the mob.
Yet it was in silence that I was most moved.
At the Australian War Memorial,
Beneath the dome, beneath the names ---
So many names---
I stood as the Last Post echoed through the hall.
Each evening, one life remembered.
One story drawn from thousands.
Not statistics.
Not strategy.
But sons. Daughters. Mates.
There I felt the sacred weight of remembrance.
Lest we forget.
Our nations have stood shoulder to shoulder.
In the dark waters of the Second World War,
Dutch and Australian ships fought side by side
In the Battle of the Java Sea.
When the Netherlands East Indies fell,
Australian harbours – Sydney, Fremantle –
Sheltered Dutch vessels and submarines.
From Australian soil, the fight continued.
Decades later, in Uruzgan, Afghanistan,
Again our flags flew alongside one another---
Professional. Steady. Resolute.
Bound not only by mission,
But by trust.
Shared sacrifice.
Shared values.
Long before alliance, there was encounter.
In 1606, the Duyfken made landfall.
Willem Janszoon and his crew---
The first Europeans recorded to set foot on Australian soil.
Not conquerors of a continent,
But early witnesses to its immensity.
From Dirk Hartog
To Abel Tasman,
Dutch names still trace your coastline---
Quiet reminders that history, like the tide,
Runs both ways between us.
I have sung your songs.
“I am, you are, we are Australian.”
Though born beneath another sky,
Those words found resonance in me.
“I still call Australia home.”
And somehow, in a quiet way, I do.
And the old swagman by the billabong---
Waltzing Matilda---
In that larrikin defiance,
In that rough-edged poetry,
There beats the heart of a nation.
Your anthem stirred me too---
“For we are young and free;
We’ve golden soil and wealth for toil.”
I have seen that soil blaze at sunset.
I have witnessed that toil---
In uniform, in parliament,
On farms carved from stubborn earth,
In classrooms, laboratories, shipyards.
These years have left their mark.
Broadened my stride.
Softened my certainties.
Deepened my respect.
The vastness recalibrated my sense of scale.
The light sharpened my vision.
The frankness of conversation refined my diplomacy.
Nations, like people, are shaped by memory---
By how they honour their fallen,
How they welcome the stranger,
How they care for the land beneath their feet.
You have taught me
That strength may walk with humility.
That remembrance may be daily.
That diversity may be unity without uniformity.
That courage may speak softly.
And that true mateship crosses oceans.
May our two maritime nations---
One carved from water,
One surrounded by it---
Bound by trade winds, by history, by shared sacrifice---
Continue to stand together
When seas grow rough.
I arrived representing my country.
I departed enriched by yours.
Under Southern skies,
I found not only an assignment,
But a friendship.
And may we always remember
Friendship, like the Southern Cross,
Needs no borders to shine
March 2026 – Peter A.B.
Col Peter Burgerhout,
former Defence Attaché for the Kingdom of the Netherlands
Ajax v Feyenoord Dec 14 200th edition of the klassieker
World Cup 2026
The Netherlands will face Morocco, Panama, and New Zealand in June. During the international break, the Netherlands played a friendly against Norway, resulting in a 2-1 win at the Ajax stadium. Although Norway scored first with a very good solo goal, captain Virgil van Dijk headed home soon afterward from a corner. The Dutch continued to press in the second half, with 14 shots on goal to Norway’s five. The second goal was magnificent,not only in how Reijnders scored, but the organisation and understanding in the immediate lead up to the goal. It was a work of artistry.
Although this is not the final make-up, as some will be omitted, here is the latest Netherlands squad for the WC.
Goalkeeper
Justin Bijlow
Mark Flekken
Bart Verbruggen
Defence
Nathan Ake
Virgil van Dijk
Denzel Dumfries
Jorrel Hato
Jean-Paul van Hecke
Jurrien Timber
Micky van de Ven
Stefan de Vrij
Midfield
Ryan Gravenberch
Teun Koopmeiners
Tijani Reijnders
Xavi Simons
Luciano Valente
Quinten Timber
Kees Smit
Forwards
Brian Brobbey
Cody Gakpo
Noa Lang
Donyell Malen
Mephis Depay
Wout Weghorst
Coach
Ronald Koeman
Noa Lang, the Galatasaray winger, may be in doubt as he battles a freak injury to his thumb in a match against Liverpool, March 18, 2026. He caught his thumb on a LED advertising board that required immediate surgery to avoid amputation. The injury, which was described as a serious cut/partially severed thumb, was successfully operated on. Although reports have indicated that he has recovered well and has rejoined the squad, he will sit out the Netherlands’ first match.
I doubt very much that Denzel Dumfries will be going to the World Cup. He has had a severe ankle injury that required surgery in December 2025. He has only just returned in March after a long layoff. The next month will decide his World Cup future.
Although I have sung Xavi Simons’ praise in the past, his form has not been good, especially his last match against Ecquador. Jerdy Schouten has a question mark over his ability, but his criticism of not only Ajax players but also ex-Ajax players. He is directly attacking Brian Brobbey, Jorel Hato, and Wout Weghorst. The latter has his own problems trying to attempt to return to top form after a horrific injury in January.
Josephina de Jong is not one of the traditional Dutch immigrants. She came a bit later than most of the post-war Dutch immigrants.
She was born in Oss, Brabant, in February 1974. Her parents are Eefje Bunders and Rinus de Jong. They are baby-boomers. Her grandfather on her mother’s side was adopted, and her grandmother was German. On her father’s side everybody was Dutch.
Father Rinus de Jong was with the police in Amsterdam, after marrying Eefje and their first child Bart was born, they moved to Oss, still with the police. After some years in Oss Rinus studied de HBO course “arbeidsvoorziening” while still working full time, graduated, and ended up having a wonderful career in assisting disadvantaged people into the workforce. A man with a beautiful soul, so Josephina tells.
Mum Eefje was a doula but retired to be a housewife when Josephina’s older brother was born. Something that was expected in those days. Rinus now 80, still volunteers and is heavily involved in “Oss maakt schoon” whilst Eefje volunteers her time helping the “oldies”.
Josephina went to primary and secondary schools in Oss. She then studied social pedagogical assistance (SPH), in Eindhoven and “arbeidsvoorziening” at the AMA in Tilburg. (So father so daughter) After one year working in Helmond, she decided to travel around the world for a year. She came to Australia because she could get a working holiday visa here.
Josephina arrived in Sydney with a plane full of Dutchies who were all travelling for a year. She made some lovely new friends, travelled the country inclusive New Zealand and ended up meeting her man on a white horse and fell in love. (She had literally had a dream of meeting the love of her life, a man on a white horse prior!) He lived in Deans Marsh, a rural area in central south Victoria and his white horse was called Paddy.
It didn’t take long before Rohan Patrick McDonald and Josephina de Jong became an item. Rohan is Australian of Irish descent and was working as the golf course curator at Lorne, Great Ocean Road.
After a year in Australia Josephina went back to the Netherlands in March 1999 and Rohan came for a visit in July 1999. While in the Netherlands, Rohan proposed at “de kinderboerderij” in Oss. Josephina accepted of course. Rohan went back to Deans Marsh and Josephina followed in Oct 1999. They got married in March 2000 at the church in Halls Gap (an Anglican church with a catholic priest) and had a reception at Rohan’s uncles place, who was the magistrate for Western Victoria and lived in Halls Gap. The couple went to live first in Deans Marsh and later on moved to Lorne.
Rohan was still golf course curator and after the club’s Secrtary resigned, Rohan and Josephina managed the Lorne Country Club together for 13 years. This is where Josephina learned the ropes of running a business under the guidance of a committee. They ran all in- and outside operations as well as the restaurant for a few years, including many parties and events. Although it was a busy time, business in Lorne was tough. Income was extremely reliant on tourism, who mainly visited in the summer months, resulting in quiet winters. For Josephina and Rohan to be able to pay their home mortgage they both took on a second job. Rohan was also grounds and maintenance manager at Mantra Lorne and Josephina shared a shop with a friend, selling fun, fashionable and functional items imported from Europe for families with young children. Looking back, even Josephina wonders how they managed this with two young children.
Indeed, Josephina and Rohan had two children, a girl Keira (2003) and a boy Paddy (2004). Both went to primary school in Lorne and Halls Gap and boarding school in Ballarat. Keira, who is now 22, studied agribusiness at Marcus Oldham in Geelong and now lives in Launceston, working as an analyst for the CBA. Paddy is 21 and having finished his advanced diploma in equine studies, is working in the family business this year. He is planning to finish his bachelor in agribusiness at Marcus Oldham next year.
After 13 years working at the Lorne Country Club, Josephina and Rohan moved to Halls Gap where they bought Halls Gap Lakeside Tourist Park in 2012. They just celebrated Lakeside’s 14th birthday.
The Tourist Park was a run down caravan park, which Josephina and Rohan turned into a very highly rated and award-winning caravan park. Josephina serves a delicious barista made “bakkie koffie” for her guests and has many Dutch travellers coming through her doors.
In December 2019, which was good timing before the pandemic pushed the prices up, Rohan and Josephina purchased Grampians Getaway, which is dog friendly accommodation for now, but they are in the process of transforming it into a wellness resort (GROW Grampians). This will include massage rooms, a ”sauna rondje” and glamping!
Rohan and Paddy are the drivers of this transformation and at the moment they are busy creating roads, infrastructure and landscaping!
Josephina is very happy living in Australia, she sees it is a land of opportunities for those who are prepared to work. But initially she did have some adjustment difficulties. To begin with, everything in the supermarket was unfamiliar. She also struggled with the different cultural traditions as there is no Sinterklaas, or a “gezellig” cuppa coffee together.
Another thing she couldn’t get her head around in the early days was that visiting a friend or family “just down the road” could require a three-hour drive.
She misses the Dutch café terraces, saunas and cycle paths the most. But she appreciates that in Australia there is less of a “boxed-in” mentality, a more relaxed style of living. She was made to feel very welcome by Rohan’s family.
Josephina has travelled back to Netherlands about 15 times, often accompanied by Keira, visiting her caring parents Eefje and Rinus in Oss, her loving brother Bart in Culemborg and her very special friend Hester in Den Dungen (they had shared a student flat in Tilburg). Sometimes travel is combined with business such as when she researched saunas in Finland and a retreat in Thailand.
She enjoys meeting and helping people. Josephina’s aim is to thrive in life and inspire others to do the same.
Marianne Pietersen
Saturday, May 2 at Sydney Opera House
Big Deal Touring is proud to announce the 2026 return of Belgian pianist and composer Daniel Verstappen, to the Sydney Opera House.
Known for his dynamic fusion of classical tradition and contemporary cinematic sound, this internationally acclaimed artist will perform two exclusive concerts in the one day, on Saturday, May 2. Joining him is celebrated Australian violinist Yena Choi, one of the country’s most versatile and sought-after performers.
Verstappen’s last appearance at Sydney Opera House in April 2024 drew an enthusiastic response from audiences and distinguished guests, including Her Excellency the Hon. Margaret Beazley, Governor of New South Wales. His upcoming return marks his only Australian performances in 2026 as he continueshis glob al Reconnection tour, which has travelled through Europe, North America, Australia and New Zealand. The programme features Verstappen’s own original compositions - deeply
cinematic in character - alongside a refined selection of iconic film music by composers such as HansZimmer (Interstellar, Time), Ennio Morricone (Cinema Paradiso, Gabriel’s Oboe), Nino Rota (The Godfather) and others.
Verstappen has carved a unique place in international contemporary-classical music; his résumé includes collaborations with Andrea Bocelli, Ennio Morricone,
Hans Zimmer, Wyclef Jean, Angie Stone and Natalie Imbruglia - and appearances
for Their Majesties King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of Belgium.
Australian violinist Yena Choi brings her own extraordinary pedigree to the stage,
having performed with all major Australian orchestras as well as the Royal Opera
House Orchestra (London), Academy of St Martin in the Fields, and the BBC
Concert Orchestra. Her collaborations span artists from Ed Sheeran and Michael
Bublé to Hans Zimmer and Diana Krall.
Together, Verstappen and Choi offer Sydney audiences a rare and emotionally
resonant musical experience, uniting classical virtuosity with cinematic scope -
performed for one day only at the Sydney Opera House.
CONCERT DETAILS
SATURDAY, MAY 2
Daniel Verstappen: The Cinematic Piano Experience
featuring special guest violinist Yena Choi
Daniel Verstappen: The Cinematic Piano Experience (with special guest violinist
Yena Choi)
Venue: Utzon Room, Sydney Opera House, Circular Quay, SYDNEY
Times: 3.00pm & 7.00pm
Tickets: $129 ($79 concession)
On sale: Monday, February 9 - 9am
Bookings: https://www.sydneyoperahouse.com/classical-music/daniel-verstappen-
cinematic-piano-experience
Zing sing in Dutch AND Chinese!
On Sunday 8th February, the Zingers joined the Melbourne Chinese Choir and the Lotus Wind Choir at Preston Market. Together they welcomed in the start of the lunar new year. Several hundred audience members of different races and ethnic backgrounds sang along to songs sung in Chinese and Dutch. Yes folks, we learnt Chinese songs and they learnt Dutch songs! We were all proud of each other
My first day at primary school was disaster. I was placed next to a girl who had repeated. She plucked a bit of fluff from her jumper and blew them across our desk. I thought this was great fun and did the same, was caught and spent the rest of the day and most of that year standing in the corner with my back to the class. I suppose I was bored since I could read and write.
Memoires written by Marja Rogers. supplied by her husband
Under the pear tree.
Invisible ropes weave their strands
back to the land of my father’s father’s father
We have a daughter my parents said
Grandfather hurried the mass of bloody nutrient
to bury it deep under the pear tree
with those of my father and uncles and aunts
A foreigner now, I gaze at that house
where the land at the back holds
part of me and my mother
Could I look at the garden
I stammer explaining
my grandfather owned it
There was a pear tree
Marja 2012
The fourth of February 1937. Snow had been falling for days and I was born after two hours of labour. My parents lived in a tiny flat on the third floor of an apartment building in the Balije Laan, Utrecht.
My paternal grandfather came and took away the placenta and buried it in his garden. I’ve no idea why this was done but I guess it was buried near my father’s, aunt’s and uncle’s.
My mother tells me that she and my father lived there for ten months after they married and before I was born. ‘Ten months’ she repeated and all your great-aunts and grandparents and aunts were counting. I was the first baby to be born of my generation which meant a lot of interest and visitors. Aunts have told me that my father would not let anyone wake me, nor hold me and God forbid kiss me. He thought it unhygienic.
My father, your great-grandfather, Johan Balthazar Binnendijk was twenty-four and my mother,your great-grandmother, Neeltje Binnendijk, van de Wall Perné was twenty-two.
My modern parents had the latest baby book. From what my mother has told me it threw out all the old beliefs.
To bring up wind after feeding was codswallop
Cuddling the baby too often resulted in spoiling the child.
Make sure that the baby was warm, dry and fed. If he or she still cried you were to let it cry until the next feed.
Dummies were out.
Thumbs were out and hands were put into gloves. Stubbornly I retained the urge to suck my thumb until I was about ten.
Between five o’clock in the evening and the six o’clock feed it was permitted even encouraged to cuddle the baby.
Mother tells me her doctor was old-fashioned. He found me in my cot in a room with patterned flowers frozen on the windows. She had a small hot-water bottle near my feet but my hands on top of the blankets had turned blue. The book said that was perfectly all right. The doctor tongue-lashed my mother and made her take the baby, me, into a warmer room. As soon as he was gone she moved me back into the freezer.
The building is still there today. There is a round window behind which was their bedroom. They stayed there until I was six months then moved to 25 bis Antonius Mattheas Laan, a wide street with wide footpaths in Utrecht. We lived there until we moved to Australia. My mother’s parents who at the time lived in Belgium moved back to Holland and in with us. My parents had chosen a corner apartment on top of a tobacco shop in a brand new building. It was called a ‘boven huis’. An above house. Behind the front door was a small space, no more than two metres, enough to store two bikes against the wall and then a stairway up to our first floor. Opposite on the corner was a chemist on the other two corners was a vegetable shop and a grocer. Thinking back, shops seem to occupy corners. I remember one block down was a milkshop. They sold cheese, butter, butter milk and milk. Opposite that was a hat shop.
My primary school was one block away built in between houses. It had two floors with three classrooms and toilets on each floor. An office for the headmaster near the entrance and a gymnasium-cum-assembly hall which .was used for sport with rings hanging from the ceiling and poles for climbing But mostly we marched and sang. There was a piano which accompanied us sometimes. After the war our songs were nationalistic, praising our country on its beauty and its freedom. I thought the playground was large until I saw it again after thirty years and realised it was very small. Today it is still used as a school. During the last year of the war it was closed and had become a soup kitchen. Every day my Opa and I, took our pan to be filled up with soup. A watery tasteless soup made with green flour.
My first day at primary school was disaster. I was placed next to a girl who had repeated. She plucked a bit of fluff from her jumper and blew them across our desk. I thought this was great fun and did the same, was caught and spent the rest of the day and most of that year standing in the corner with my back to the class. I suppose I was bored since I could read and write. The teachers were old, much older than my parents. My father who thought he could discuss anything with a six year old, told me that most teachers had had ‘een klap van de molen’ a hit from the blades of a windmill, meaning someone was slightly mad. With this in mind, it reflected my attitude to teachers for the rest of my schooling. For lunch we went home. Birthdays are celebrated big time in the Netherlands. It is usually open house. Neighbours, relatives and friends call in. When it was anyone’s birthday at my primary school, he or she would bring a tin with sweets. Say for thirty children you would bring 30 sweets plus one each for each of the six teachers. After having given the children a sweet, you would then go around each class and give one to each teacher. There was one teacher who would wash the sweet, if it wasn’t in paper, under the tap in the class basin.
One day between home and school I saw my first dead person. Purple curtains covered the windows of the house and a black frill over the door. The
dead usually remained at home for three days before being buried. Those houses had no gardens in front. The door opened straight onto the footpath. I was fascinated and pulled myself up to peer through a crack in the curtains where an old man lay in a coffin on a table in the middle of the room. His hands were folded, coins on his eyes and his hair was white. When I told my catholic friend across the road she said that his soul had gone to heaven. My father said he’ll be eaten by worms and in time become dust. We will all be dust one day and there is no heaven. Since I was to be an atheist and knew there was no God, I did believe fervently in small gnomes and fairies. The gnomes were about one third the size of Bilbo Baggins and lived in similar villages under trees in the woods. They wore red pointy hats and were helpful to humans.
We played in the street. Cars were rare. We played marbles, hopscotch, ball games against the walls, skipping ropes and tops. Running up and down the street bashing a hoop (an old bicycle wheel) with a stick. In summers there was a swimming pool, in winter skating. Apart from skating on the frozen streams or canals there was also a skating rink. This was a large field which in winter was covered with water and frozen. It blared out music and one could buy hot drinks. The outer side of the rink was for fast or slow skating the inside rink for figure skating. I didn’t go there a lot because one had to pay. But when I did go I would zoom around and around for hours. My skates were made from wood with a steel blade and straps which tied onto my shoes. Last time I was in Holland I saw a pair in an antique shop. I remember walking home after having skated for hours, with painful feet. At home Mum made me put my feet into a bowl with lukewarm water until they slowly defrosted. Skating on frozen streams or canals was also fun but we had to be careful of cracked ice. On both ends of our streets was water. Today they and hundreds of other creeks, canals, streams in the cities have been filled in. On one end of our street were fields where in summer we played and picked bunches of buttercups to take home. don’t know who owned the fields.
teachers were old, much older than my parents. My father who thought he could discuss anything with a six year old, told me that most teachers had had ‘een klap van de molen’ a hit from the blades of a windmill, meaning someone was slightly mad. With this in mind, it reflected my attitude to teachers for the rest of my schooling. For lunch we went home. Birthdays are celebrated big time in the Netherlands. It is usually open house. Neighbours, relatives and friends call in. When it was anyone’s birthday at my primary school, he or she would bring a tin with sweets. Say for thirty children you would bring 30 sweets plus one each for each of the six teachers. After having given the children a sweet, you would then go around each class and give one to each teacher. There was one teacher who would wash the sweet, if it wasn’t in paper, under the tap in the class basin.
One day between home and school I saw my first dead person. Purple curtains covered the windows of the house and a black frill over the door. The dead usually remained at home for three days before being buried. Those houses had no gardens in front. The door opened straight onto the footpath. I was fascinated and pulled myself up to peer through a crack in the curtains where an old man lay in a coffin on a table in the middle of the room. His hands were folded, coins on his eyes and his hair was white. When I told my catholic friend across the road she said that his soul had gone to heaven. My father said he’ll be eaten by worms and in time become dust. We will all be dust one day and there is no heaven. Since I was to be an atheist and knew there was no God, I did believe fervently in small gnomes and fairies. The gnomes were about one third the size of Bilbo Baggins and lived in similar villages under trees in the woods. They wore red pointy hats and were helpful to humans.
We played in the street. Cars were rare. We played marbles, hopscotch, ball games against the walls, skipping ropes and tops. Running up and down the street bashing a hoop (an old bicycle wheel) with a stick. In summers there was a swimming pool, in winter skating. Apart from skating on the frozen streams or canals there was also a skating rink. This was a large field which in winter was covered with water and frozen. It blared out music and one could buy hot drinks. The outer side of the rink was for fast or slow skating the inside rink for figure skating. I didn’t go there a lot because one had to pay. But when I did go I would zoom around and around for hours. My skates were made from wood with a steel blade and straps which tied onto my shoes. Last time I was in Holland I saw a pair in an antique shop. I remember walking home after having skated for hours, with painful feet. At home Mum made me put my feet into a bowl with lukewarm water until they slowly defrosted. Skating on frozen streams or canals was also fun but we had to be careful of cracked ice. On both ends of our streets was water. Today they and hundreds of other creeks, canals, streams in the cities have been filled in. On one end of our street were fields where in summer we played and picked bunches of buttercups to take home. I don’t know who owned the fields but no one ever bothered us. The fields were separated by creeks. We would jump from one side of the creeks to the other with the help of a long pole stuck in the middle. We’d take a run and jump sticking the pole into the water to get to the other side. I fell in twice when the pole got stuck. I was a good swimmer and the last summer in Holland I regularly met some kids from school to swim in a large canal. It joined the Rhine. Now I shudder at the thought of how we swam to an approaching boat, climbed on the side and sprang off again when the owner shouted and ran towards us. Those boats were long and low to the water with a boathouse at the end.
March 2026 – Peter A.B.
Col Peter Burgerhout,
former Defence Attaché for the Kingdom of the Netherlands
Where the wide brown land breathes red dust and salt,
Where gum trees whisper in the searing afternoon
And magpies herald the dawn.
I came from low lands shaped by tide and will---
From polders wrestled patiently from the sea---
To a continent immeasurably older,
Where time is Dreaming,
And Country is not owned, but known.
I arrived as a representative
Of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
I departed carrying something less official,
And far more enduring.
Here, I learned to tread carefully.
To understand that every river bend,
Every stretch of ochre earth,
Was sung into being long before
Charts and compasses arrived.
I listened to Elders speak of Country---
Not land as possession,
But land as responsibility.
To be welcomed was never routine.
It was grace.
Australia---
You beauty.
From the hush of the outback a dusk
To the crash of surf on endless coasts;
From jacaranda bloom to wattle gold;
From kangaroos crossing open plains
To the sudden laughter of a kookaburra in the bush---
You changed me.
I learned to yarn over a flat white.
To say “no worries” and truly mean it.
To call a mate a mate---
And to understand that mateship
Is no small word here.
I stood in the surf at Bondi at first light.
Felt dry heat roll in from the bush.
Shared a barbie where stories flowed easier than the wine.
Bit by bit, I became less a visitor
And more – at least in spirit – part of the mob.
Yet it was in silence that I was most moved.
At the Australian War Memorial,
Beneath the dome, beneath the names ---
So many names---
I stood as the Last Post echoed through the hall.
Each evening, one life remembered.
One story drawn from thousands.
Not statistics.
Not strategy.
But sons. Daughters. Mates.
There I felt the sacred weight of remembrance.
Lest we forget.
Our nations have stood shoulder to shoulder.
In the dark waters of the Second World War,
Dutch and Australian ships fought side by side
In the Battle of the Java Sea.
When the Netherlands East Indies fell,
Australian harbours – Sydney, Fremantle –
Sheltered Dutch vessels and submarines.
From Australian soil, the fight continued.
Decades later, in Uruzgan, Afghanistan,
Again our flags flew alongside one another---
Professional. Steady. Resolute.
Bound not only by mission,
But by trust.
Shared sacrifice.
Shared values.
Long before alliance, there was encounter.
In 1606, the Duyfken made landfall.
Willem Janszoon and his crew---
The first Europeans recorded to set foot on Australian soil.
Not conquerors of a continent,
But early witnesses to its immensity.
From Dirk Hartog
To Abel Tasman,
Dutch names still trace your coastline---
Quiet reminders that history, like the tide,
Runs both ways between us.
I have sung your songs.
“I am, you are, we are Australian.”
Though born beneath another sky,
Those words found resonance in me.
“I still call Australia home.”
And somehow, in a quiet way, I do.
And the old swagman by the billabong---
Waltzing Matilda---
In that larrikin defiance,
In that rough-edged poetry,
There beats the heart of a nation.
Your anthem stirred me too---
“For we are young and free;
We’ve golden soil and wealth for toil.”
I have seen that soil blaze at sunset.
I have witnessed that toil---
In uniform, in parliament,
On farms carved from stubborn earth,
In classrooms, laboratories, shipyards.
These years have left their mark.
Broadened my stride.
Softened my certainties.
Deepened my respect.
The vastness recalibrated my sense of scale.
The light sharpened my vision.
The frankness of conversation refined my diplomacy.
Nations, like people, are shaped by memory---
By how they honour their fallen,
How they welcome the stranger,
How they care for the land beneath their feet.
You have taught me
That strength may walk with humility.
That remembrance may be daily.
That diversity may be unity without uniformity.
That courage may speak softly.
And that true mateship crosses oceans.
May our two maritime nations---
One carved from water,
One surrounded by it---
Bound by trade winds, by history, by shared sacrifice---
Continue to stand together
When seas grow rough.
I arrived representing my country.
I departed enriched by yours.
Under Southern skies,
I found not only an assignment,
But a friendship.
And may we always remember
Friendship, like the Southern Cross,
Needs no borders to shine
March 2026 – Peter A.B.
Col Peter Burgerhout,
former Defence Attaché for the Kingdom of the Netherlands
Ajax v Feyenoord Dec 14 200th edition of the klassieker
World Cup 2026
The Netherlands will face Morocco, Panama, and New Zealand in June. During the international break, the Netherlands played a friendly against Norway, resulting in a 2-1 win at the Ajax stadium. Although Norway scored first with a very good solo goal, captain Virgil van Dijk headed home soon afterward from a corner. The Dutch continued to press in the second half, with 14 shots on goal to Norway’s five. The second goal was magnificent,not only in how Reijnders scored, but the organisation and understanding in the immediate lead up to the goal. It was a work of artistry.
Although this is not the final make-up, as some will be omitted, here is the latest Netherlands squad for the WC.
Goalkeeper
Justin Bijlow
Mark Flekken
Bart Verbruggen
Defence
Nathan Ake
Virgil van Dijk
Denzel Dumfries
Jorrel Hato
Jean-Paul van Hecke
Jurrien Timber
Micky van de Ven
Stefan de Vrij
Midfield
Ryan Gravenberch
Teun Koopmeiners
Tijani Reijnders
Xavi Simons
Luciano Valente
Quinten Timber
Kees Smit
Forwards
Brian Brobbey
Cody Gakpo
Noa Lang
Donyell Malen
Mephis Depay
Wout Weghorst
Coach
Ronald Koeman
Noa Lang, the Galatasaray winger, may be in doubt as he battles a freak injury to his thumb in a match against Liverpool, March 18, 2026. He caught his thumb on a LED advertising board that required immediate surgery to avoid amputation. The injury, which was described as a serious cut/partially severed thumb, was successfully operated on. Although reports have indicated that he has recovered well and has rejoined the squad, he will sit out the Netherlands’ first match.
I doubt very much that Denzel Dumfries will be going to the World Cup. He has had a severe ankle injury that required surgery in December 2025. He has only just returned in March after a long layoff. The next month will decide his World Cup future.
Although I have sung Xavi Simons’ praise in the past, his form has not been good, especially his last match against Ecquador. Jerdy Schouten has a question mark over his ability, but his criticism of not only Ajax players but also ex-Ajax players. He is directly attacking Brian Brobbey, Jorel Hato, and Wout Weghorst. The latter has his own problems trying to attempt to return to top form after a horrific injury in January.
Josephina de Jong is not one of the traditional Dutch immigrants. She came a bit later than most of the post-war Dutch immigrants.
She was born in Oss, Brabant, in February 1974. Her parents are Eefje Bunders and Rinus de Jong. They are baby-boomers. Her grandfather on her mother’s side was adopted, and her grandmother was German. On her father’s side everybody was Dutch.
Father Rinus de Jong was with the police in Amsterdam, after marrying Eefje and their first child Bart was born, they moved to Oss, still with the police. After some years in Oss Rinus studied de HBO course “arbeidsvoorziening” while still working full time, graduated, and ended up having a wonderful career in assisting disadvantaged people into the workforce. A man with a beautiful soul, so Josephina tells.
Mum Eefje was a doula but retired to be a housewife when Josephina’s older brother was born. Something that was expected in those days. Rinus now 80, still volunteers and is heavily involved in “Oss maakt schoon” whilst Eefje volunteers her time helping the “oldies”.
Josephina went to primary and secondary schools in Oss. She then studied social pedagogical assistance (SPH), in Eindhoven and “arbeidsvoorziening” at the AMA in Tilburg. (So father so daughter) After one year working in Helmond, she decided to travel around the world for a year. She came to Australia because she could get a working holiday visa here.
Josephina arrived in Sydney with a plane full of Dutchies who were all travelling for a year. She made some lovely new friends, travelled the country inclusive New Zealand and ended up meeting her man on a white horse and fell in love. (She had literally had a dream of meeting the love of her life, a man on a white horse prior!) He lived in Deans Marsh, a rural area in central south Victoria and his white horse was called Paddy.
It didn’t take long before Rohan Patrick McDonald and Josephina de Jong became an item. Rohan is Australian of Irish descent and was working as the golf course curator at Lorne, Great Ocean Road.
After a year in Australia Josephina went back to the Netherlands in March 1999 and Rohan came for a visit in July 1999. While in the Netherlands, Rohan proposed at “de kinderboerderij” in Oss. Josephina accepted of course. Rohan went back to Deans Marsh and Josephina followed in Oct 1999. They got married in March 2000 at the church in Halls Gap (an Anglican church with a catholic priest) and had a reception at Rohan’s uncles place, who was the magistrate for Western Victoria and lived in Halls Gap. The couple went to live first in Deans Marsh and later on moved to Lorne.
Rohan was still golf course curator and after the club’s Secrtary resigned, Rohan and Josephina managed the Lorne Country Club together for 13 years. This is where Josephina learned the ropes of running a business under the guidance of a committee. They ran all in- and outside operations as well as the restaurant for a few years, including many parties and events. Although it was a busy time, business in Lorne was tough. Income was extremely reliant on tourism, who mainly visited in the summer months, resulting in quiet winters. For Josephina and Rohan to be able to pay their home mortgage they both took on a second job. Rohan was also grounds and maintenance manager at Mantra Lorne and Josephina shared a shop with a friend, selling fun, fashionable and functional items imported from Europe for families with young children. Looking back, even Josephina wonders how they managed this with two young children.
Indeed, Josephina and Rohan had two children, a girl Keira (2003) and a boy Paddy (2004). Both went to primary school in Lorne and Halls Gap and boarding school in Ballarat. Keira, who is now 22, studied agribusiness at Marcus Oldham in Geelong and now lives in Launceston, working as an analyst for the CBA. Paddy is 21 and having finished his advanced diploma in equine studies, is working in the family business this year. He is planning to finish his bachelor in agribusiness at Marcus Oldham next year.
After 13 years working at the Lorne Country Club, Josephina and Rohan moved to Halls Gap where they bought Halls Gap Lakeside Tourist Park in 2012. They just celebrated Lakeside’s 14th birthday.
The Tourist Park was a run down caravan park, which Josephina and Rohan turned into a very highly rated and award-winning caravan park. Josephina serves a delicious barista made “bakkie koffie” for her guests and has many Dutch travellers coming through her doors.
In December 2019, which was good timing before the pandemic pushed the prices up, Rohan and Josephina purchased Grampians Getaway, which is dog friendly accommodation for now, but they are in the process of transforming it into a wellness resort (GROW Grampians). This will include massage rooms, a ”sauna rondje” and glamping!
Rohan and Paddy are the drivers of this transformation and at the moment they are busy creating roads, infrastructure and landscaping!
Josephina is very happy living in Australia, she sees it is a land of opportunities for those who are prepared to work. But initially she did have some adjustment difficulties. To begin with, everything in the supermarket was unfamiliar. She also struggled with the different cultural traditions as there is no Sinterklaas, or a “gezellig” cuppa coffee together.
Another thing she couldn’t get her head around in the early days was that visiting a friend or family “just down the road” could require a three-hour drive.
She misses the Dutch café terraces, saunas and cycle paths the most. But she appreciates that in Australia there is less of a “boxed-in” mentality, a more relaxed style of living. She was made to feel very welcome by Rohan’s family.
Josephina has travelled back to Netherlands about 15 times, often accompanied by Keira, visiting her caring parents Eefje and Rinus in Oss, her loving brother Bart in Culemborg and her very special friend Hester in Den Dungen (they had shared a student flat in Tilburg). Sometimes travel is combined with business such as when she researched saunas in Finland and a retreat in Thailand.
She enjoys meeting and helping people. Josephina’s aim is to thrive in life and inspire others to do the same.
Marianne Pietersen
Saturday, May 2 at Sydney Opera House
Big Deal Touring is proud to announce the 2026 return of Belgian pianist and composer Daniel Verstappen, to the Sydney Opera House.
Known for his dynamic fusion of classical tradition and contemporary cinematic sound, this internationally acclaimed artist will perform two exclusive concerts in the one day, on Saturday, May 2. Joining him is celebrated Australian violinist Yena Choi, one of the country’s most versatile and sought-after performers.
Verstappen’s last appearance at Sydney Opera House in April 2024 drew an enthusiastic response from audiences and distinguished guests, including Her Excellency the Hon. Margaret Beazley, Governor of New South Wales. His upcoming return marks his only Australian performances in 2026 as he continueshis glob al Reconnection tour, which has travelled through Europe, North America, Australia and New Zealand. The programme features Verstappen’s own original compositions - deeply
cinematic in character - alongside a refined selection of iconic film music by composers such as HansZimmer (Interstellar, Time), Ennio Morricone (Cinema Paradiso, Gabriel’s Oboe), Nino Rota (The Godfather) and others.
Verstappen has carved a unique place in international contemporary-classical music; his résumé includes collaborations with Andrea Bocelli, Ennio Morricone,
Hans Zimmer, Wyclef Jean, Angie Stone and Natalie Imbruglia - and appearances
for Their Majesties King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of Belgium.
Australian violinist Yena Choi brings her own extraordinary pedigree to the stage,
having performed with all major Australian orchestras as well as the Royal Opera
House Orchestra (London), Academy of St Martin in the Fields, and the BBC
Concert Orchestra. Her collaborations span artists from Ed Sheeran and Michael
Bublé to Hans Zimmer and Diana Krall.
Together, Verstappen and Choi offer Sydney audiences a rare and emotionally
resonant musical experience, uniting classical virtuosity with cinematic scope -
performed for one day only at the Sydney Opera House.
CONCERT DETAILS
SATURDAY, MAY 2
Daniel Verstappen: The Cinematic Piano Experience
featuring special guest violinist Yena Choi
Daniel Verstappen: The Cinematic Piano Experience (with special guest violinist
Yena Choi)
Venue: Utzon Room, Sydney Opera House, Circular Quay, SYDNEY
Times: 3.00pm & 7.00pm
Tickets: $129 ($79 concession)
On sale: Monday, February 9 - 9am
Bookings: https://www.sydneyoperahouse.com/classical-music/daniel-verstappen-
cinematic-piano-experience
Zing sing in Dutch AND Chinese!
On Sunday 8th February, the Zingers joined the Melbourne Chinese Choir and the Lotus Wind Choir at Preston Market. Together they welcomed in the start of the lunar new year. Several hundred audience members of different races and ethnic backgrounds sang along to songs sung in Chinese and Dutch. Yes folks, we learnt Chinese songs and they learnt Dutch songs! We were all proud of each other
My first day at primary school was disaster. I was placed next to a girl who had repeated. She plucked a bit of fluff from her jumper and blew them across our desk. I thought this was great fun and did the same, was caught and spent the rest of the day and most of that year standing in the corner with my back to the class. I suppose I was bored since I could read and write.
Memoires written by Marja Rogers. supplied by her husband
Under the pear tree.
Invisible ropes weave their strands
back to the land of my father’s father’s father
We have a daughter my parents said
Grandfather hurried the mass of bloody nutrient
to bury it deep under the pear tree
with those of my father and uncles and aunts
A foreigner now, I gaze at that house
where the land at the back holds
part of me and my mother
Could I look at the garden
I stammer explaining
my grandfather owned it
There was a pear tree
Marja 2012
The fourth of February 1937. Snow had been falling for days and I was born after two hours of labour. My parents lived in a tiny flat on the third floor of an apartment building in the Balije Laan, Utrecht.
My paternal grandfather came and took away the placenta and buried it in his garden. I’ve no idea why this was done but I guess it was buried near my father’s, aunt’s and uncle’s.
My mother tells me that she and my father lived there for ten months after they married and before I was born. ‘Ten months’ she repeated and all your great-aunts and grandparents and aunts were counting. I was the first baby to be born of my generation which meant a lot of interest and visitors. Aunts have told me that my father would not let anyone wake me, nor hold me and God forbid kiss me. He thought it unhygienic.
My father, your great-grandfather, Johan Balthazar Binnendijk was twenty-four and my mother,your great-grandmother, Neeltje Binnendijk, van de Wall Perné was twenty-two.
My modern parents had the latest baby book. From what my mother has told me it threw out all the old beliefs.
To bring up wind after feeding was codswallop
Cuddling the baby too often resulted in spoiling the child.
Make sure that the baby was warm, dry and fed. If he or she still cried you were to let it cry until the next feed.
Dummies were out.
Thumbs were out and hands were put into gloves. Stubbornly I retained the urge to suck my thumb until I was about ten.
Between five o’clock in the evening and the six o’clock feed it was permitted even encouraged to cuddle the baby.
Mother tells me her doctor was old-fashioned. He found me in my cot in a room with patterned flowers frozen on the windows. She had a small hot-water bottle near my feet but my hands on top of the blankets had turned blue. The book said that was perfectly all right. The doctor tongue-lashed my mother and made her take the baby, me, into a warmer room. As soon as he was gone she moved me back into the freezer.
The building is still there today. There is a round window behind which was their bedroom. They stayed there until I was six months then moved to 25 bis Antonius Mattheas Laan, a wide street with wide footpaths in Utrecht. We lived there until we moved to Australia. My mother’s parents who at the time lived in Belgium moved back to Holland and in with us. My parents had chosen a corner apartment on top of a tobacco shop in a brand new building. It was called a ‘boven huis’. An above house. Behind the front door was a small space, no more than two metres, enough to store two bikes against the wall and then a stairway up to our first floor. Opposite on the corner was a chemist on the other two corners was a vegetable shop and a grocer. Thinking back, shops seem to occupy corners. I remember one block down was a milkshop. They sold cheese, butter, butter milk and milk. Opposite that was a hat shop.
My primary school was one block away built in between houses. It had two floors with three classrooms and toilets on each floor. An office for the headmaster near the entrance and a gymnasium-cum-assembly hall which .was used for sport with rings hanging from the ceiling and poles for climbing But mostly we marched and sang. There was a piano which accompanied us sometimes. After the war our songs were nationalistic, praising our country on its beauty and its freedom. I thought the playground was large until I saw it again after thirty years and realised it was very small. Today it is still used as a school. During the last year of the war it was closed and had become a soup kitchen. Every day my Opa and I, took our pan to be filled up with soup. A watery tasteless soup made with green flour.
My first day at primary school was disaster. I was placed next to a girl who had repeated. She plucked a bit of fluff from her jumper and blew them across our desk. I thought this was great fun and did the same, was caught and spent the rest of the day and most of that year standing in the corner with my back to the class. I suppose I was bored since I could read and write. The teachers were old, much older than my parents. My father who thought he could discuss anything with a six year old, told me that most teachers had had ‘een klap van de molen’ a hit from the blades of a windmill, meaning someone was slightly mad. With this in mind, it reflected my attitude to teachers for the rest of my schooling. For lunch we went home. Birthdays are celebrated big time in the Netherlands. It is usually open house. Neighbours, relatives and friends call in. When it was anyone’s birthday at my primary school, he or she would bring a tin with sweets. Say for thirty children you would bring 30 sweets plus one each for each of the six teachers. After having given the children a sweet, you would then go around each class and give one to each teacher. There was one teacher who would wash the sweet, if it wasn’t in paper, under the tap in the class basin.
One day between home and school I saw my first dead person. Purple curtains covered the windows of the house and a black frill over the door. The
dead usually remained at home for three days before being buried. Those houses had no gardens in front. The door opened straight onto the footpath. I was fascinated and pulled myself up to peer through a crack in the curtains where an old man lay in a coffin on a table in the middle of the room. His hands were folded, coins on his eyes and his hair was white. When I told my catholic friend across the road she said that his soul had gone to heaven. My father said he’ll be eaten by worms and in time become dust. We will all be dust one day and there is no heaven. Since I was to be an atheist and knew there was no God, I did believe fervently in small gnomes and fairies. The gnomes were about one third the size of Bilbo Baggins and lived in similar villages under trees in the woods. They wore red pointy hats and were helpful to humans.
We played in the street. Cars were rare. We played marbles, hopscotch, ball games against the walls, skipping ropes and tops. Running up and down the street bashing a hoop (an old bicycle wheel) with a stick. In summers there was a swimming pool, in winter skating. Apart from skating on the frozen streams or canals there was also a skating rink. This was a large field which in winter was covered with water and frozen. It blared out music and one could buy hot drinks. The outer side of the rink was for fast or slow skating the inside rink for figure skating. I didn’t go there a lot because one had to pay. But when I did go I would zoom around and around for hours. My skates were made from wood with a steel blade and straps which tied onto my shoes. Last time I was in Holland I saw a pair in an antique shop. I remember walking home after having skated for hours, with painful feet. At home Mum made me put my feet into a bowl with lukewarm water until they slowly defrosted. Skating on frozen streams or canals was also fun but we had to be careful of cracked ice. On both ends of our streets was water. Today they and hundreds of other creeks, canals, streams in the cities have been filled in. On one end of our street were fields where in summer we played and picked bunches of buttercups to take home. don’t know who owned the fields.
teachers were old, much older than my parents. My father who thought he could discuss anything with a six year old, told me that most teachers had had ‘een klap van de molen’ a hit from the blades of a windmill, meaning someone was slightly mad. With this in mind, it reflected my attitude to teachers for the rest of my schooling. For lunch we went home. Birthdays are celebrated big time in the Netherlands. It is usually open house. Neighbours, relatives and friends call in. When it was anyone’s birthday at my primary school, he or she would bring a tin with sweets. Say for thirty children you would bring 30 sweets plus one each for each of the six teachers. After having given the children a sweet, you would then go around each class and give one to each teacher. There was one teacher who would wash the sweet, if it wasn’t in paper, under the tap in the class basin.
One day between home and school I saw my first dead person. Purple curtains covered the windows of the house and a black frill over the door. The dead usually remained at home for three days before being buried. Those houses had no gardens in front. The door opened straight onto the footpath. I was fascinated and pulled myself up to peer through a crack in the curtains where an old man lay in a coffin on a table in the middle of the room. His hands were folded, coins on his eyes and his hair was white. When I told my catholic friend across the road she said that his soul had gone to heaven. My father said he’ll be eaten by worms and in time become dust. We will all be dust one day and there is no heaven. Since I was to be an atheist and knew there was no God, I did believe fervently in small gnomes and fairies. The gnomes were about one third the size of Bilbo Baggins and lived in similar villages under trees in the woods. They wore red pointy hats and were helpful to humans.
We played in the street. Cars were rare. We played marbles, hopscotch, ball games against the walls, skipping ropes and tops. Running up and down the street bashing a hoop (an old bicycle wheel) with a stick. In summers there was a swimming pool, in winter skating. Apart from skating on the frozen streams or canals there was also a skating rink. This was a large field which in winter was covered with water and frozen. It blared out music and one could buy hot drinks. The outer side of the rink was for fast or slow skating the inside rink for figure skating. I didn’t go there a lot because one had to pay. But when I did go I would zoom around and around for hours. My skates were made from wood with a steel blade and straps which tied onto my shoes. Last time I was in Holland I saw a pair in an antique shop. I remember walking home after having skated for hours, with painful feet. At home Mum made me put my feet into a bowl with lukewarm water until they slowly defrosted. Skating on frozen streams or canals was also fun but we had to be careful of cracked ice. On both ends of our streets was water. Today they and hundreds of other creeks, canals, streams in the cities have been filled in. On one end of our street were fields where in summer we played and picked bunches of buttercups to take home. I don’t know who owned the fields but no one ever bothered us. The fields were separated by creeks. We would jump from one side of the creeks to the other with the help of a long pole stuck in the middle. We’d take a run and jump sticking the pole into the water to get to the other side. I fell in twice when the pole got stuck. I was a good swimmer and the last summer in Holland I regularly met some kids from school to swim in a large canal. It joined the Rhine. Now I shudder at the thought of how we swam to an approaching boat, climbed on the side and sprang off again when the owner shouted and ran towards us. Those boats were long and low to the water with a boathouse at the end.
DC March edition
Gold! Gold! Gold!
The Netherlands won a total of ten gold medals, seven silver and three bronze. After finishing third on the Olympic Medals table, it surpassed their previous best total of eight making it the most successful Winter Olympics ever. Its third placed ranking is the highest ever ranking at the games.
Gold
Jutta Leerdam - 1000 metres (silver to Femke Kok)
Xandra Velzeboer 500 metres and 1,000 metres
Jens van’t Wout - 1000 metres and 1,500 metres
Femke Kok - 500 metres
Antoinette Rijpma-de Jong - 1,500 metres
Jorrit Bergsma - Men’s mass start
Marijke Groenewoud - Women’s mass start
5,000 metre relay
Teun Boer Itshak de Laat, Friso Emons, Jens van’Wout, Melle van’t Wout
Silver
Femke Kok, Jenning de Boo - 1000 metres
Merel Conijn - 5000 metres and 500 metres
Jutta Leerdam, Jenning de Boo - 500 metres
Marijke Groenewould, Antoinette Rijpma-de Jong, Joy Beune - Women’s team pursuit.
Bronze
Jorrit Bergsma - 10,000 metres
Jens van’t Wout - 500 metres
Kjeld Bui - 1,500 metre
There were standout performances on every gold medal. One that stood out for me was the 40-year-old, Jorrit Bergsma winning the mass start. He broke away early, and was never caught. When the peloton accelerated so did Bergsma winning with a massive five-second lead. The 1,500 metre women’s team pursuit race was also exciting to the very last with Antoinette Rijpma de Jing crossing the finish line in the tightest of finishes winning by 0.06 seconds. This prompted King Alexander and Queen Maxima to post the following:
“What a sensational final afternoon of Olympic skating we had the chance to see. We saw Jorrit Bergsma, who distanced himself from his competitors early on in the game, and came to the mass start with a wide lead over the finish. Immediately afterwards, Marijke Groenewoud also managed to win the tenth gold for the Netherlands at the mass start… We proundly congratulate Jorrit Bergsma and Marijke Groenewoud with these impressive achievements!”
The games were not without their controversy, especially the overreaction after Jutta Leerdam’s controversial so-called ‘underwear flashing.’ After winning her gold medal, she unzipped her outfit which revealed the brand name of her Nike bra. Nike quickly releasedimages of an emotional Jutta unzipping her suit to expose the Nike brand to it 298 million Instagram followers. It was later claimed she could earn a million dollars which brought the ire of the IOC, which has strict rules on sponsors during competition. However, thankfully they cound no offence was committed as it was common for skaters to unzip their suits after a race especially if the suit is very tight. The compression in their suits is extreme compression to make them as aerodynamic as possible. Being a large chested woman that suit compresses her lung capacity making it harder to breathe.
It didn’t stop the criticism though from the Netherlands where some were annoyed at the behaviour as a ‘diva.’ They complained about her arriving in Italy on a private jet and not participating in the Opening Ceremony preferring to watch from her bedroom. Others thought the interactions with her fiance, Jake Paul, a bit over the top.
The Eredivisie
PSV remain well clear at the top of the Eredivisie with 62 points and only two losses. It would appear that the club might dominate every game but that is not the case. With a 2-1 win over Gronignen and a 3-1 victory over Heerneveen, the games have been decided more by poor finishing by their opponents. PSV’s strikers accuracy has proved the difference. Their vulnerabilities were exposed after a shock 2-1 loss to Volendam, only their second for the season. Peter Bosz received a great deal of criticism for not playing Moroccan international, Ismail Sibari who had been rested after games in the Africa Cup. He has scored 14 goals and provided 5 assists in 27 games.
Fourteen points behind but in second place, Feyenoord received a boost after signing Raheem Stirling on a free transfer. Coming on as a substitute against Telstar, he hardly looked inspiring. He is obviously not match fit and it will take some time before we will be able to judge his true qualities. His contract with Chelsea was terminated 18 months early. I thought he was too slow and lacked the sharpness he once had in the Premier League. At the moment, he would struggle in the A-League.
Injuries: Star forward, Sam Steijn suffered a serious injury against Go Ahead Eagles that required surgery. After assisting in a goal against Real Betis, Shaqueel van Persie suffered a severe injury after landing awkwardly, his knee buckling under the weight of the impact. He had come on after the 73rd minute and it did not take long before Shaqueel provided a crucial assist to Casper Tengstedt’s to reduce the deficit. Unfortunately, Shaqueel contested a ball in the air and he landed awkwardly on his right leg, causing his knee to bend backward. The crowd gasped at the sight. Writing in agony, silence fell across the stadium as medical staff raced onto the pitch. The referee had no dount as he quickly signalled for a stretcher. Robin van Persie rushed to the sidelines as he was now not just a manager, but also a father. He told reporters, “I’m a coach, but I’m also his father, and I find this terrible. It’s a bit of both. It’s heartbreaking that he’s going through this…You hold your heart when any player goes down with an injury. It happened to be Shaqueel today, that’s just how it is. You hope for the best, but when you hear the first signs that it isn’t, it’s heartbreaking.”
Shaqueel’s impact for Feyenoord had been immediate. He made headlines when he scored two goals against Sparta, one a spectacular overhead kick, the other, a cheeky backheel.
The results for Feyenoord have been mixed. After the 3-0 loss away to PSV, their title hopes dissolved. However, they have won their last three matches: 1 nil wins against FC Utrecht and Go Ahead Eagles followed by a 2-1 victory over Telstar.
Meanwhile, Jordy Bos continues to play well at left fullback for Feyenoord. His attacking prowness, overlapping runs, and involvement int the build-up play, always poses a threat for the opposition.
Equal on points with NEC, Ajax drew for the tenth time this season. In the crucial game at home against NEC, Mika Godts opened the scoring before halftime. However, NEC replied after Ajax could not clear a corner. It’s not the first time Ajax have conceded from corners or free kicks due to their inability to clear the ball. If we look at the table, Ajax have only three losses compared to Feyenoord’s six and NEC’s five. The ten draws are the difference between Ajax being at the top of the Eredivise and 19 points below PSV.
They have improved under Fred Grimm, but are still conceding too many avoidable goals. The Ajax chairman and technical director announced a gigantic “championship bonus” package for the entire team if they win the 2026 Eredivisie title. The very large incentive is not just for the players, but also the coaches, and support staff. It’s a pretty safe bet that they will not have to pay out with Ajax 19 points behind leaders, PSV.
The club has been targeting Xavi Hernandez since November 2025. Jordi Cruyff is a good friend of Xavi. However, they are facing fierce opposition from the Moroccon national team.
After a shock takeover announcement of Ajax by Sheikh Ahmed Al-Maktoum, an oil billionaire, Ajax has reacted in a way to calm ensure fans that the club is not for sale and is building for the future. The sheikh who is a big fan of Weghorst, is rumoured to have spent $5 million to entice him to attend his 50th birthday. Weghorst reportedly gave a speech that reduced the Sheikh to tears.
Not long after the takeover offer, Ajax announced $US3.4 billion stadium modernisation plan, backed by major investors. The club’s management is restructuring the area around the Johan Cruijff Arena including upgrading the stadium to State-of-the-art standards, building a luxury hotel, developing an entertainment complex, expanding commercial areas, and creating a unique Ajax heritage experience never seen before in the history of Dutch football.
NEC Nijmegen
Surely the biggest news over the last month or even this year is the rise of NEC. I wasn’t impresed with the first game I watched and I wondered how it was possible that they could be so high up the table. However, subsequent matches have shown that their no nonsense football, tactical cohesion, smart recrutiment and the quality of a few emerging players. There is nothing fancy about their play. Instead of flamboyance, they rely on team cohesion, quick passing, and by playing forward-thinking football. How many of us are tired of watching the ball being passed forward, then back, then to the side and again and again and again only to see the ball lost. This is not NEC. A couple of players I have never heard of before, Vito van Cerooij and 20-year-old Sami Quaissa have been the standouts in attack aided by the experience of the veteren 35 year-old Tjaronn Chery. The signing of Jetro Willems, who played for Newcastle and PSV, has added more experience.
They have played well at home with some high scoring matches such as a 5 nil drubbing of Exc elsior and 4-1 win over Heracles.
A true test of their ability came against Ajax at the Johan Cruyff stadium, a game that Ajax believed they had every right to win. It was an important game for both teams with third place on the line. Ajax had some injuries - new signing, Zinchenko, the goal keeper, Jaros, who were both ruled out for the season.
Kina Fitz-Jim, who replaced Klaassen, should have scored in early after a fast counter attack. The quick reflexes of NEC’s Gonzalo Crettaz, saved what looked like a certain goal. The solid NEC midfield nullified the creativity of Ajax and for a short time, controlled the match. Sami Quaissa scored for NEC but it was rule offside.
An intercept by Ajax in the midfield saw Wijndal cross the ball to Kasper Dolberg whose backheel narrowly bounced wide of the goal. It was Mika Godts, who has probably been the best forward for Ajax, scored his 13th goal after a mistake in the NEC midfield.
NEC came out of the changerooms with greater resolve and contimually put Ajax on the backfoot first wiuth a thunderbolt from Tjaronn Chery, which was stopped by the Indonesian keeper, Maarten Paes. The goal that eventually came for NEC was a dreadful goal. No Ajax player appeared interested in heading the ball clear, allowing it to drop dangerously inside the box. Darko Nesasmic did not hesitate slamming the ball past the keeper. Once again, Ajax has conceded after the first 15 minutes iof the second half. Eleven goals have been conceded this season.
The best defender for Ajax, who was not on the team sheet, was A. Woodwork, stopping a header from Sami Quaissa. Despite their lack of attacking intent, Mika Godts had the opportunity to steal the match late in the game. With only the keeper to beat and with Wout Weghorst frushing on his left, he chose to go for goal but his shot went wide.
NEC will play PSV at home in the semi-final of the KNVB Cup.
The state of football in the Eredivisie.
1. The traditional top teams are no longer as strong as they used to be and are unable to compete successfully in European competitions.
2. The rest of the Eredivisie is catching up. It is no longer an easy match for the top three as it once was against the lower tier clubs.
3. Goalkeeping has improved more than any other position.
4. More supporters are coming to the games.
5. Clubs struggle to hold onto their best players who are often eager to try their luck in the EPL and other leagues.
6. Younger players are attracted to the Eredivisie as they see it as a stepping stone to stronger clubs. On the other hand, older players are migrating to the Eredivisie. The Eredivisie is unable to compete financially with England, Spain, France, Italy and Germany for the best players.
Matthijs de Ligt
De Ligt is currently injured with a back injury and has not played since November. This puts his national team preparation into question.
He has curious record. In each season, he has had a new manager.
Ajax - Peter Bosz (2016-17); Marcel Keizer (2017-8) and Erik Ten Hag (2018-2019).
He transferred to Juventus under Marion Sarri (2019-2020) who was followed by Andrea Pirlo and then Maximiliano Allegri. At Bayern Munich, there was Julian Nagelsmann in 2022-2023, followed by Thomas Tuchel in 2023-24. At Manchester United he was greeted again by Erik ten Hag, who was replaced by Ruben Amorim who in turn was replaced by Michael Carrick.
Robert van den Hoven
A Dutch-born adventurer who, along with his wife Clary, has spent over 19 years traveling around the world in an expedition vehicle.
Sudan 2010 & 2016
Sudan is vast and rarely visited by overlanders, a country shaped by beauty, hardship, and extraordinary hospitality. Though conflict has made parts of it inaccessible, those who travel there discover a warmth unmatched elsewhere in the region.
Sharing tea is a national ritual, and no Sudanese family eats without inviting others to join; strangers are welcomed like family. Sudan is one of the poorest nations in the world, Before South Sudan’s independence in 2011, it was Africa’s largest country, covering more than eight percent of the continent.
Today, Sudan is torn by war. Since April 2023, fighting between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces has fractured the country, devastating civilians
What an honour for #TeamNLinAustralia to join the vibrant celebrations in Port Moresby! It was truly special to witness the incredible diversity, rich culture, and strong unity that make Papua New Guinea unique.
A heartfelt congratulations to Governor-General Sir Bob Dadae and Prime Minister James Marape on this important milestone — personally conveyed by our Ambassador.
We look forward to continuing our partnership and working together towards a bright and prosperous future for PNG!
Dear Editor,
In the December issue I read with interest the story by Mrs Anne Doran, about her life in Australia.
Amazing how much she achieved during her years in this country. It was such a
pleasure to read her writings.
However, I must make one correction. She describes visiting Denham, Shark Bay,
in 2016 for the Dirk Hartog commemorations.
I was there too at that time. And I also met the WA premier, but his name was
Colin Barnett. He was replaced by Mark McGowan in March 2017.
The present premier, Roger Cook, followed McGowan as premier in June 2023.
I like to add that the 5-day Dirk Hartog festival, financed by the WA government,
was a most interesting and enjoyable event. It honoured the 17th century navigator,
but also provided some indigenous aspects of these old events.
The festival was attended by some overseas visitors (UK TV journalist Neil Oliver of
the “Coast” programs was there) and various well-known personalities and academics.
The Dutch government sent an official from the Canberra Embassy as representative.
The Duyfken replica ship was also there, it had sailed up along the coast from its
then permanent berth at a Fremantle jetty. (However it is now permanently at the
Maritime Museum in Sydney).
I had traveled from Qld for the Hartog event and it was worth the effort and expense.
Besides the usual speeches, unveilings and inaugurations, there was a spiegel tent
where we dressed up in 17th century garb, and many other activities.
Daniel Verstappen: The Cinematic Piano Experience
featuring special guest violinist Yena Choi
Saturday, May 2 at Sydney Opera House
Big Deal Touring is proud to announce the 2026 return of Belgian pianist and composer Daniel Verstappen, to the Sydney Opera House.
Known for his dynamic fusion of classical tradition and contemporary cinematic sound, this internationally acclaimed artist will perform two exclusive concerts in the one day, on Saturday, May 2. Joining him is celebrated Australian violinist Yena Choi, one of the country’s most versatile and sought-after performers.
Verstappen’s last appearance at Sydney Opera House in April 2024 drew an enthusiastic response from audiences and distinguished guests, including Her Excellency the Hon. Margaret Beazley, Governor of New South Wales. His upcoming return marks his only Australian performances in 2026 as he continueshis glob al Reconnection tour, which has travelled through Europe, North America, Australia and New Zealand. The programme features Verstappen’s own original compositions - deeply
cinematic in character - alongside a refined selection of iconic film music by composers such as HansZimmer (Interstellar, Time), Ennio Morricone (Cinema Paradiso, Gabriel’s Oboe), Nino Rota (The Godfather) and others.
Verstappen has carved a unique place in international contemporary-classical music; his résumé includes collaborations with Andrea Bocelli, Ennio Morricone,
Hans Zimmer, Wyclef Jean, Angie Stone and Natalie Imbruglia - and appearances
for Their Majesties King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of Belgium.
Australian violinist Yena Choi brings her own extraordinary pedigree to the stage,
having performed with all major Australian orchestras as well as the Royal Opera
House Orchestra (London), Academy of St Martin in the Fields, and the BBC
Concert Orchestra. Her collaborations span artists from Ed Sheeran and Michael
Bublé to Hans Zimmer and Diana Krall.
Together, Verstappen and Choi offer Sydney audiences a rare and emotionally
resonant musical experience, uniting classical virtuosity with cinematic scope -
performed for one day only at the Sydney Opera House.
CONCERT DETAILS
SATURDAY, MAY 2
Daniel Verstappen: The Cinematic Piano Experience (with special guest violinist
Yena Choi)
Venue: Utzon Room, Sydney Opera House, Circular Quay, SYDNEY
Times: 3.00pm & 7.00pm
Tickets: $129 ($79 concession)
On sale: Monday, February 9 - 9am
Bookings: https://www.sydneyoperahouse.com/classical-music/daniel-verstappen-
cinematic-piano-experience
Why cycling still feels less safe for women — and what we can do about it...
I ride everywhere on my bike, every day, and feel super confident navigating city streets. And yet, even as someone born Dutch and on two wheels from the start, there are moments when traffic still feels intimidating.
This ABC Life Matters episode explores how cycling isn’t experienced the same way by everyone, especially women. Infrastructure, street design, and culture can make cycling feel risky, which directly impacts participation and confidence.
If we want to build healthier, more equitable cities where active transport is a real option for all, we need to ask ourselves:
Are our bike routes truly safe for everyone?
Are women’s voices shaping how we design cycling infrastructure?
Emmy Heijkamp
Emmy is nominated as kingston woman of the year.
Over the past few years we’ve learned not to throw away our used clothing, but recycle it. What we have not spent much attention to is our waste water.
In October 2024 fatbergs caused debris balls to float to Sydney’s beaches. This led to beaches being closed during the summer season. NSW water is trying to do something about it, but the fatbergs are difficult to access.
Sydney Water isn’t sure exactly how big the fatberg is because it cannot easily access the area where it has accumulated. It could be the size of four Sydney buses. So while they are working on developing a method to reduce the fatbergs, we are being asked to avoid contributing to them growing even more, by avoiding wrong materials going into our waste water systems.
Fatbergs are a sticky problem for sewerage systems – blocking pipes, spawning poo balls, and even forcing the cancellation of a Bryan Adams concert.
When households pour cooking oils, out-of-date milk or the residues of a roast dinner down the sink, it contributes to the buildup of fats, oils and grease – known as FOG – in the wastewater system, and creates fatbergs.
When you get blocked sewers, you get all sorts of problems, you get overflow of raw sewage coming out at designated – or undesignated – overflow points within the system. Digging out fatbergs requires a lot of hands-on maintenance, which increases costs, and higher fat loads or other types of contamination can affect the performance of wastewater treatment processes.
Water authorities advise that apart from water, only the 3Ps – poo, pee and (toilet) paper – should be flushed or drained.
Cooking oils and fats may seem liquid as they slip down the sink, but in the pipes that lead it away they tend to congeal, solidify and accumulate – sometimes very slowly, over many years – often binding with other materials that should not have been thrown into drains, such as wet wipes.
Sometimes we might be pouring them down the sink without even realising it. After dinner, when washing up, there might be a lot of oil and grease left in the bottom of a pan or tray, when we’ve cooked a chicken or turkey or any other kind of fatty food. Don’t wash that away, pour liquid fat into glass, metal or plastic jars to be disposed of in general garbage, and wipe the fat from the pan bottom with a paper towel before giving the pan a final rinse.
Also when rinsing dishes, a sink strainer can help to collect food scraps, which can then be disposed of into the organics bin if you’re a gardener, or in paper towels or used plastic bags into the general waste bin. Any sauces, like salad dressings, salsa or hollandaise sauce should also be disposed of in trash.
To my surprise, even using in-sink garbage disposal units increase the load on wastewater systems, and should not be used.
Household chemicals like paints, solvents, pesticides, motor oil and other chemicals can also damage sewerage infrastructure, cause blockages, or pollute waterways if washed down the drain. Our sewerage systems are not able to handle these. They will go through the sewerage treatment and cause damages.
So how should we dispose of all types of liquid waste? A simple solution is to throw them away in closed containers. Or do more wiping than rinsing. And dispose of the wipes in the garbage. This will prevent our water getting more polluted. In general, if in doubt throw it out.
Holland Festival
To all the wonderful people ho were part of the Holland Festival,
Unfortunately the Holland Festival will not run in 2026. I am nearly 80 now and while fit, feel that cognitively I may not be up to it anymore. I am becoming quite forgetful and I know “things” will be forgotten - and there are so many “things” that have to occur correctly for the smooth running of the festival. Add to this, my wife has been very ill for a year now, my main compatriot is 81 and our entertainment manager has moved away. Our HR Manager is still young and capable but we have no other people that we can find that want to step in and take over. It is months of hard stressful work and we did it all for charity. (Happily). But there will not be a HF 2026. Maybe never again. A shame. We will continue to look for people to run it in 2027. We have all the contacts, the IP is wonderful organised and many $1000’s worth of assets all freely available if someone did… But there are many hurdles…
Wish u all the best..
cheers Paul
he NCCA invites people to come to an event about the FTA by stating the following
The Australia - Europe Free Trade Agreement (FTA) is almost finalised and is expected to have a major impact on trade between Australia and Europe.
Join us on Tuesday 24 February for an exclusive webinar with senior experts, including the Dutch Consul General, as they share practical insights on what businesses can realistically expect and how to prepare.
*******
Time for me (Carole )to have a look what is this about on
The website of the Australian government
Australia-European Union Free Trade Agreement
Australia and the European Union (EU) launched negotiations for a free trade agreement (FTA) on 18 June 2018. As a bloc, the EU is a massive, high-income market of over 450 million people with a nominal GDP of US$19.4 trillion in 2024. As a bloc, it is Australia’s third largest two-way trading partner and second largest source of foreign investment1.An ambitious and comprehensive FTA with the EU is important economically and strategically, for both Australia and the EU, by proiding new opportunities in a highly significant market for Australian goods and services. It will provide Australian exporters with a competitive edge and more choices about where they do business. Australian consumers and companies stand to benefit through greater choice in goods and services at lower prices.
The FTA builds upon Australia and the EU’s natural partnership, arising out of a shared commitment to the rule of law, global norms and free and open markets. A strong EU is vital to Australian interests in protecting and promoting a rules-based international order. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) welcomes submissions throughout the negotiations from interested individuals and groups on the potential opportunities and impacts of an FTA with the EU.
Doensen Family, leaving Holland
My mother gave birth to sixteen babies. Three babies died during the war but not because of the war (before their first birthday).In 1954, my parents migrated to Australia with their thirteen remaining children for a better life for them all. Life in Holland at that time was a struggle for many families.The Dutch government at the time encouraged large families to migrate overseas, it took my parents a few more years to take advantage of this opportunity.
This decision changed our lives forever. My father was worried that if another war in Europe broke out some of his grown up sons would be called upon to join the Dutch army. The decision had been made, it was decided the time was right to start a new life in a new country with their children.
We departed from Amsterdam on the 16th of October 1954 on the SS Zuiderkrus, which was a converted wartime cargo carrying ship (which were called Liberty ships refitted and renamed as a migrant transporter)We sailed for five weeks via the Bay of Biscay to Algiers and stayed there for a few days for repairs. Next off to Port Said, and via the Suez Canal to Aden, and on to Fremantle, Australia, and lastly Port Melbourne Victoria. We arrived on or around November 25th 1954. From there, we travelled by bus to Daylesford to our accommodation.
My older siblings began to look for employment in the Daylesford area with nothing available job wise. My two older sisters went to Melbourne by train to find work there, they found employment at different hospitals: One at the Bethlehem Hospital in Kooyong, and the other at St George Hospital in Kew.
My father and five of his sons also decided to travel to Melbourne, confident they would find employment in or around the Melbourne suburbs. It didn’t take long before they found not only jobs for all, but also accommodation in Box Hill.
A few weeks later, my father went to see a Real Estate Agent in Ringwood, asking if they had a house with a bit of land for sale, in the Ringwood area. They showed my father a house on ten acres in Ringwood North, that would be suitable for a large family. This is where we moved to within a matter of weeks, reason being the house stood empty.
Experiencing life in a new environment and learning a new language, we all coped with the challenges ahead, even though it was hard at the beginning, especially for my parents.
My family have been here in Australia for seventy-one years. A few of us have been back to our home country in that time to visit family and friends. Sady my parents never took the opportunity to go back to their homeland.
Martha Vandeligt
Dressing up in 17th century garb didn’t involve as much as you may be hoping. It involved throwing a black cotton shift over our heads to cover us from shoulders down. So we had our everyday clothing still under it. It was tied close at the neck in the back. (The wardrobe lady assisted us).
Then, we were given a pearl (imitation) necklace, and a white pleated collar to tie around our necks. We also got some white lace cloths to cover the shoulders, and the male got a big red sash draped across the body. I was also given a bible in a red
book cover to hold.It sure made us feel a bit different, looking a bit outdated like that. 😉Then a professional photographer came to take our pictures, and after she was done, we got to take it all off and return it to the wardrobe lady. We did have to pay for this privilege because it was a fundraiser to help pay for getting the performers and volunteers to the festival. I was with my sister in law and her partner, so here’s a photo of the 3 of us.Angela Joanna Leaney (52) , beloved owner of The Dutch Pantry, will be remembered as a warm, generous spirit who brought Dutch culture, flavour and community together in Australia.As the heart behind The Dutch Pantry, Angela created far more than a shop. She built a place of belonging — where people could reconnect with memories of home, speak their language, share stories, and enjoy the tastes and traditions of the Netherlands. From classic Dutch treats to festive celebrations, her passion for heritage and hospitality was felt by everyone who walked through the door.Angela had a rare gift for making people feel welcome. Her kindness, laughter and genuine interest in others turned customers into friends and the shop into a gathering place for generations of Dutch-Australians and lovers of Dutch culture alike.
Her legacy lives on in the community she nurtured, the traditions she kept alive, and the many lives she touched through simple acts of care, conversation and shared food.
Angela Joanna Leaney will be deeply missed and fondly remembered.
Her cultural pride and community spirit will continue through The Dutch Pantry — carried on by her daughter and the many people she inspired.
About Netherlandsandyou.nl
Netherlandsandyou.nl showcases the relations between your country and the Netherlands. Find out about partnerships on trade, development, culture, innovation and more. Netherlandsandyou.nl is powered by the Dutch representations worldwide: embassies, consulates and trade offices. Netherlandsandyou.nl: connecting you and the Netherlands.
This website has been developed and is maintained by the Dutch government. The aim of Netherlandsandyou.nl is to generate interest and confidence in the Kingdom of the Netherlands abroad.
The Kingdom of the Netherlands maintains diplomatic relations with almost all countries in the world. This website shows how the more than 150 Dutch embassies and consulates work together with local partners every day on issues like international trade, sustainable development, innovation, culture and the rule of law. Netherlandsandyou.nl is made up of 2 parts. There’s a main site with information from countries where the Netherlands has a representation. This is also where you’ll find an overview of all the separate country pages that fall under the main site.
Each country also has its own website with information about the diplomatic representations the Netherlands has there. Some countries also have an additional site in another language.
From Dutch embassy website
The Netherlands won a total of ten gold medals, seven silver and three bronze. After finishing third on the Olympic Medals table, it surpassed their previous best total of eight making it the most successful Winter Olympics ever. Its third placed ranking is the highest ever ranking at the games.
Gold
Jutta Leerdam - 1000 metres (silver to Femke Kok)
Xandra Velzeboer 500 metres and 1,000 metres
Jens van’t Wout - 1000 metres and 1,500 metres
Femke Kok - 500 metres
Antoinette Rijpma-de Jong - 1,500 metres
Jorrit Bergsma - Men’s mass start
Marijke Groenewoud - Women’s mass start
5,000 metre relay
Teun Boer Itshak de Laat, Friso Emons, Jens van’Wout, Melle van’t Wout
Silver
Femke Kok, Jenning de Boo - 1000 metres
Merel Conijn - 5000 metres and 500 metres
Jutta Leerdam, Jenning de Boo - 500 metres
Marijke Groenewould, Antoinette Rijpma-de Jong, Joy Beune - Women’s team pursuit.
Bronze
Jorrit Bergsma - 10,000 metres
Jens van’t Wout - 500 metres
Kjeld Bui - 1,500 metre
There were standout performances on every gold medal. One that stood out for me was the 40-year-old, Jorrit Bergsma winning the mass start. He broke away early, and was never caught. When the peloton accelerated so did Bergsma winning with a massive five-second lead. The 1,500 metre women’s team pursuit race was also exciting to the very last with Antoinette Rijpma de Jing crossing the finish line in the tightest of finishes winning by 0.06 seconds. This prompted King Alexander and Queen Maxima to post the following:
“What a sensational final afternoon of Olympic skating we had the chance to see. We saw Jorrit Bergsma, who distanced himself from his competitors early on in the game, and came to the mass start with a wide lead over the finish. Immediately afterwards, Marijke Groenewoud also managed to win the tenth gold for the Netherlands at the mass start… We proundly congratulate Jorrit Bergsma and Marijke Groenewoud with these impressive achievements!”
The games were not without their controversy, especially the overreaction after Jutta Leerdam’s controversial so-called ‘underwear flashing.’ After winning her gold medal, she unzipped her outfit which revealed the brand name of her Nike bra. Nike quickly releasedimages of an emotional Jutta unzipping her suit to expose the Nike brand to it 298 million Instagram followers. It was later claimed she could earn a million dollars which brought the ire of the IOC, which has strict rules on sponsors during competition. However, thankfully they cound no offence was committed as it was common for skaters to unzip their suits after a race especially if the suit is very tight. The compression in their suits is extreme compression to make them as aerodynamic as possible. Being a large chested woman that suit compresses her lung capacity making it harder to breathe.
It didn’t stop the criticism though from the Netherlands where some were annoyed at the behaviour as a ‘diva.’ They complained about her arriving in Italy on a private jet and not participating in the Opening Ceremony preferring to watch from her bedroom. Others thought the interactions with her fiance, Jake Paul, a bit over the top.
The Eredivisie
PSV remain well clear at the top of the Eredivisie with 62 points and only two losses. It would appear that the club might dominate every game but that is not the case. With a 2-1 win over Gronignen and a 3-1 victory over Heerneveen, the games have been decided more by poor finishing by their opponents. PSV’s strikers accuracy has proved the difference. Their vulnerabilities were exposed after a shock 2-1 loss to Volendam, only their second for the season. Peter Bosz received a great deal of criticism for not playing Moroccan international, Ismail Sibari who had been rested after games in the Africa Cup. He has scored 14 goals and provided 5 assists in 27 games.
Fourteen points behind but in second place, Feyenoord received a boost after signing Raheem Stirling on a free transfer. Coming on as a substitute against Telstar, he hardly looked inspiring. He is obviously not match fit and it will take some time before we will be able to judge his true qualities. His contract with Chelsea was terminated 18 months early. I thought he was too slow and lacked the sharpness he once had in the Premier League. At the moment, he would struggle in the A-League.
Injuries: Star forward, Sam Steijn suffered a serious injury against Go Ahead Eagles that required surgery. After assisting in a goal against Real Betis, Shaqueel van Persie suffered a severe injury after landing awkwardly, his knee buckling under the weight of the impact. He had come on after the 73rd minute and it did not take long before Shaqueel provided a crucial assist to Casper Tengstedt’s to reduce the deficit. Unfortunately, Shaqueel contested a ball in the air and he landed awkwardly on his right leg, causing his knee to bend backward. The crowd gasped at the sight. Writing in agony, silence fell across the stadium as medical staff raced onto the pitch. The referee had no dount as he quickly signalled for a stretcher. Robin van Persie rushed to the sidelines as he was now not just a manager, but also a father. He told reporters, “I’m a coach, but I’m also his father, and I find this terrible. It’s a bit of both. It’s heartbreaking that he’s going through this…You hold your heart when any player goes down with an injury. It happened to be Shaqueel today, that’s just how it is. You hope for the best, but when you hear the first signs that it isn’t, it’s heartbreaking.”
Shaqueel’s impact for Feyenoord had been immediate. He made headlines when he scored two goals against Sparta, one a spectacular overhead kick, the other, a cheeky backheel.
The results for Feyenoord have been mixed. After the 3-0 loss away to PSV, their title hopes dissolved. However, they have won their last three matches: 1 nil wins against FC Utrecht and Go Ahead Eagles followed by a 2-1 victory over Telstar.
Meanwhile, Jordy Bos continues to play well at left fullback for Feyenoord. His attacking prowness, overlapping runs, and involvement int the build-up play, always poses a threat for the opposition.
Equal on points with NEC, Ajax drew for the tenth time this season. In the crucial game at home against NEC, Mika Godts opened the scoring before halftime. However, NEC replied after Ajax could not clear a corner. It’s not the first time Ajax have conceded from corners or free kicks due to their inability to clear the ball. If we look at the table, Ajax have only three losses compared to Feyenoord’s six and NEC’s five. The ten draws are the difference between Ajax being at the top of the Eredivise and 19 points below PSV.
They have improved under Fred Grimm, but are still conceding too many avoidable goals. The Ajax chairman and technical director announced a gigantic “championship bonus” package for the entire team if they win the 2026 Eredivisie title. The very large incentive is not just for the players, but also the coaches, and support staff. It’s a pretty safe bet that they will not have to pay out with Ajax 19 points behind leaders, PSV.
The club has been targeting Xavi Hernandez since November 2025. Jordi Cruyff is a good friend of Xavi. However, they are facing fierce opposition from the Moroccon national team.
After a shock takeover announcement of Ajax by Sheikh Ahmed Al-Maktoum, an oil billionaire, Ajax has reacted in a way to calm ensure fans that the club is not for sale and is building for the future. The sheikh who is a big fan of Weghorst, is rumoured to have spent $5 million to entice him to attend his 50th birthday. Weghorst reportedly gave a speech that reduced the Sheikh to tears.
Not long after the takeover offer, Ajax announced $US3.4 billion stadium modernisation plan, backed by major investors. The club’s management is restructuring the area around the Johan Cruijff Arena including upgrading the stadium to State-of-the-art standards, building a luxury hotel, developing an entertainment complex, expanding commercial areas, and creating a unique Ajax heritage experience never seen before in the history of Dutch football.
NEC Nijmegen
Surely the biggest news over the last month or even this year is the rise of NEC. I wasn’t impresed with the first game I watched and I wondered how it was possible that they could be so high up the table. However, subsequent matches have shown that their no nonsense football, tactical cohesion, smart recrutiment and the quality of a few emerging players. There is nothing fancy about their play. Instead of flamboyance, they rely on team cohesion, quick passing, and by playing forward-thinking football. How many of us are tired of watching the ball being passed forward, then back, then to the side and again and again and again only to see the ball lost. This is not NEC. A couple of players I have never heard of before, Vito van Cerooij and 20-year-old Sami Quaissa have been the standouts in attack aided by the experience of the veteren 35 year-old Tjaronn Chery. The signing of Jetro Willems, who played for Newcastle and PSV, has added more experience.
They have played well at home with some high scoring matches such as a 5 nil drubbing of Exc elsior and 4-1 win over Heracles.
A true test of their ability came against Ajax at the Johan Cruyff stadium, a game that Ajax believed they had every right to win. It was an important game for both teams with third place on the line. Ajax had some injuries - new signing, Zinchenko, the goal keeper, Jaros, who were both ruled out for the season.
Kina Fitz-Jim, who replaced Klaassen, should have scored in early after a fast counter attack. The quick reflexes of NEC’s Gonzalo Crettaz, saved what looked like a certain goal. The solid NEC midfield nullified the creativity of Ajax and for a short time, controlled the match. Sami Quaissa scored for NEC but it was rule offside.
An intercept by Ajax in the midfield saw Wijndal cross the ball to Kasper Dolberg whose backheel narrowly bounced wide of the goal. It was Mika Godts, who has probably been the best forward for Ajax, scored his 13th goal after a mistake in the NEC midfield.
NEC came out of the changerooms with greater resolve and contimually put Ajax on the backfoot first wiuth a thunderbolt from Tjaronn Chery, which was stopped by the Indonesian keeper, Maarten Paes. The goal that eventually came for NEC was a dreadful goal. No Ajax player appeared interested in heading the ball clear, allowing it to drop dangerously inside the box. Darko Nesasmic did not hesitate slamming the ball past the keeper. Once again, Ajax has conceded after the first 15 minutes iof the second half. Eleven goals have been conceded this season.
The best defender for Ajax, who was not on the team sheet, was A. Woodwork, stopping a header from Sami Quaissa. Despite their lack of attacking intent, Mika Godts had the opportunity to steal the match late in the game. With only the keeper to beat and with Wout Weghorst frushing on his left, he chose to go for goal but his shot went wide.
NEC will play PSV at home in the semi-final of the KNVB Cup.
The state of football in the Eredivisie.
1. The traditional top teams are no longer as strong as they used to be and are unable to compete successfully in European competitions.
2. The rest of the Eredivisie is catching up. It is no longer an easy match for the top three as it once was against the lower tier clubs.
3. Goalkeeping has improved more than any other position.
4. More supporters are coming to the games.
5. Clubs struggle to hold onto their best players who are often eager to try their luck in the EPL and other leagues.
6. Younger players are attracted to the Eredivisie as they see it as a stepping stone to stronger clubs. On the other hand, older players are migrating to the Eredivisie. The Eredivisie is unable to compete financially with England, Spain, France, Italy and Germany for the best players.
Matthijs de Ligt
De Ligt is currently injured with a back injury and has not played since November. This puts his national team preparation into question.
He has curious record. In each season, he has had a new manager.
Ajax - Peter Bosz (2016-17); Marcel Keizer (2017-8) and Erik Ten Hag (2018-2019).
He transferred to Juventus under Marion Sarri (2019-2020) who was followed by Andrea Pirlo and then Maximiliano Allegri. At Bayern Munich, there was Julian Nagelsmann in 2022-2023, followed by Thomas Tuchel in 2023-24. At Manchester United he was greeted again by Erik ten Hag, who was replaced by Ruben Amorim who in turn was replaced by Michael Carrick.
Robert van den Hoven
A Dutch-born adventurer who, along with his wife Clary, has spent over 19 years traveling around the world in an expedition vehicle.
Sudan 2010 & 2016
Sudan is vast and rarely visited by overlanders, a country shaped by beauty, hardship, and extraordinary hospitality. Though conflict has made parts of it inaccessible, those who travel there discover a warmth unmatched elsewhere in the region.
Sharing tea is a national ritual, and no Sudanese family eats without inviting others to join; strangers are welcomed like family. Sudan is one of the poorest nations in the world, Before South Sudan’s independence in 2011, it was Africa’s largest country, covering more than eight percent of the continent.
Today, Sudan is torn by war. Since April 2023, fighting between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces has fractured the country, devastating civilians
What an honour for #TeamNLinAustralia to join the vibrant celebrations in Port Moresby! It was truly special to witness the incredible diversity, rich culture, and strong unity that make Papua New Guinea unique.
A heartfelt congratulations to Governor-General Sir Bob Dadae and Prime Minister James Marape on this important milestone — personally conveyed by our Ambassador.
We look forward to continuing our partnership and working together towards a bright and prosperous future for PNG!
Dear Editor,
In the December issue I read with interest the story by Mrs Anne Doran, about her life in Australia.
Amazing how much she achieved during her years in this country. It was such a
pleasure to read her writings.
However, I must make one correction. She describes visiting Denham, Shark Bay,
in 2016 for the Dirk Hartog commemorations.
I was there too at that time. And I also met the WA premier, but his name was
Colin Barnett. He was replaced by Mark McGowan in March 2017.
The present premier, Roger Cook, followed McGowan as premier in June 2023.
I like to add that the 5-day Dirk Hartog festival, financed by the WA government,
was a most interesting and enjoyable event. It honoured the 17th century navigator,
but also provided some indigenous aspects of these old events.
The festival was attended by some overseas visitors (UK TV journalist Neil Oliver of
the “Coast” programs was there) and various well-known personalities and academics.
The Dutch government sent an official from the Canberra Embassy as representative.
The Duyfken replica ship was also there, it had sailed up along the coast from its
then permanent berth at a Fremantle jetty. (However it is now permanently at the
Maritime Museum in Sydney).
I had traveled from Qld for the Hartog event and it was worth the effort and expense.
Besides the usual speeches, unveilings and inaugurations, there was a spiegel tent
where we dressed up in 17th century garb, and many other activities.
Daniel Verstappen: The Cinematic Piano Experience
featuring special guest violinist Yena Choi
Saturday, May 2 at Sydney Opera House
Big Deal Touring is proud to announce the 2026 return of Belgian pianist and composer Daniel Verstappen, to the Sydney Opera House.
Known for his dynamic fusion of classical tradition and contemporary cinematic sound, this internationally acclaimed artist will perform two exclusive concerts in the one day, on Saturday, May 2. Joining him is celebrated Australian violinist Yena Choi, one of the country’s most versatile and sought-after performers.
Verstappen’s last appearance at Sydney Opera House in April 2024 drew an enthusiastic response from audiences and distinguished guests, including Her Excellency the Hon. Margaret Beazley, Governor of New South Wales. His upcoming return marks his only Australian performances in 2026 as he continueshis glob al Reconnection tour, which has travelled through Europe, North America, Australia and New Zealand. The programme features Verstappen’s own original compositions - deeply
cinematic in character - alongside a refined selection of iconic film music by composers such as HansZimmer (Interstellar, Time), Ennio Morricone (Cinema Paradiso, Gabriel’s Oboe), Nino Rota (The Godfather) and others.
Verstappen has carved a unique place in international contemporary-classical music; his résumé includes collaborations with Andrea Bocelli, Ennio Morricone,
Hans Zimmer, Wyclef Jean, Angie Stone and Natalie Imbruglia - and appearances
for Their Majesties King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of Belgium.
Australian violinist Yena Choi brings her own extraordinary pedigree to the stage,
having performed with all major Australian orchestras as well as the Royal Opera
House Orchestra (London), Academy of St Martin in the Fields, and the BBC
Concert Orchestra. Her collaborations span artists from Ed Sheeran and Michael
Bublé to Hans Zimmer and Diana Krall.
Together, Verstappen and Choi offer Sydney audiences a rare and emotionally
resonant musical experience, uniting classical virtuosity with cinematic scope -
performed for one day only at the Sydney Opera House.
CONCERT DETAILS
SATURDAY, MAY 2
Daniel Verstappen: The Cinematic Piano Experience (with special guest violinist
Yena Choi)
Venue: Utzon Room, Sydney Opera House, Circular Quay, SYDNEY
Times: 3.00pm & 7.00pm
Tickets: $129 ($79 concession)
On sale: Monday, February 9 - 9am
Bookings: https://www.sydneyoperahouse.com/classical-music/daniel-verstappen-
cinematic-piano-experience
Why cycling still feels less safe for women — and what we can do about it...
I ride everywhere on my bike, every day, and feel super confident navigating city streets. And yet, even as someone born Dutch and on two wheels from the start, there are moments when traffic still feels intimidating.
This ABC Life Matters episode explores how cycling isn’t experienced the same way by everyone, especially women. Infrastructure, street design, and culture can make cycling feel risky, which directly impacts participation and confidence.
If we want to build healthier, more equitable cities where active transport is a real option for all, we need to ask ourselves:
Are our bike routes truly safe for everyone?
Are women’s voices shaping how we design cycling infrastructure?
Emmy Heijkamp
Emmy is nominated as kingston woman of the year.
Over the past few years we’ve learned not to throw away our used clothing, but recycle it. What we have not spent much attention to is our waste water.
In October 2024 fatbergs caused debris balls to float to Sydney’s beaches. This led to beaches being closed during the summer season. NSW water is trying to do something about it, but the fatbergs are difficult to access.
Sydney Water isn’t sure exactly how big the fatberg is because it cannot easily access the area where it has accumulated. It could be the size of four Sydney buses. So while they are working on developing a method to reduce the fatbergs, we are being asked to avoid contributing to them growing even more, by avoiding wrong materials going into our waste water systems.
Fatbergs are a sticky problem for sewerage systems – blocking pipes, spawning poo balls, and even forcing the cancellation of a Bryan Adams concert.
When households pour cooking oils, out-of-date milk or the residues of a roast dinner down the sink, it contributes to the buildup of fats, oils and grease – known as FOG – in the wastewater system, and creates fatbergs.
When you get blocked sewers, you get all sorts of problems, you get overflow of raw sewage coming out at designated – or undesignated – overflow points within the system. Digging out fatbergs requires a lot of hands-on maintenance, which increases costs, and higher fat loads or other types of contamination can affect the performance of wastewater treatment processes.
Water authorities advise that apart from water, only the 3Ps – poo, pee and (toilet) paper – should be flushed or drained.
Cooking oils and fats may seem liquid as they slip down the sink, but in the pipes that lead it away they tend to congeal, solidify and accumulate – sometimes very slowly, over many years – often binding with other materials that should not have been thrown into drains, such as wet wipes.
Sometimes we might be pouring them down the sink without even realising it. After dinner, when washing up, there might be a lot of oil and grease left in the bottom of a pan or tray, when we’ve cooked a chicken or turkey or any other kind of fatty food. Don’t wash that away, pour liquid fat into glass, metal or plastic jars to be disposed of in general garbage, and wipe the fat from the pan bottom with a paper towel before giving the pan a final rinse.
Also when rinsing dishes, a sink strainer can help to collect food scraps, which can then be disposed of into the organics bin if you’re a gardener, or in paper towels or used plastic bags into the general waste bin. Any sauces, like salad dressings, salsa or hollandaise sauce should also be disposed of in trash.
To my surprise, even using in-sink garbage disposal units increase the load on wastewater systems, and should not be used.
Household chemicals like paints, solvents, pesticides, motor oil and other chemicals can also damage sewerage infrastructure, cause blockages, or pollute waterways if washed down the drain. Our sewerage systems are not able to handle these. They will go through the sewerage treatment and cause damages.
So how should we dispose of all types of liquid waste? A simple solution is to throw them away in closed containers. Or do more wiping than rinsing. And dispose of the wipes in the garbage. This will prevent our water getting more polluted. In general, if in doubt throw it out.
Holland Festival
To all the wonderful people ho were part of the Holland Festival,
Unfortunately the Holland Festival will not run in 2026. I am nearly 80 now and while fit, feel that cognitively I may not be up to it anymore. I am becoming quite forgetful and I know “things” will be forgotten - and there are so many “things” that have to occur correctly for the smooth running of the festival. Add to this, my wife has been very ill for a year now, my main compatriot is 81 and our entertainment manager has moved away. Our HR Manager is still young and capable but we have no other people that we can find that want to step in and take over. It is months of hard stressful work and we did it all for charity. (Happily). But there will not be a HF 2026. Maybe never again. A shame. We will continue to look for people to run it in 2027. We have all the contacts, the IP is wonderful organised and many $1000’s worth of assets all freely available if someone did… But there are many hurdles…
Wish u all the best..
cheers Paul
he NCCA invites people to come to an event about the FTA by stating the following
The Australia - Europe Free Trade Agreement (FTA) is almost finalised and is expected to have a major impact on trade between Australia and Europe.
Join us on Tuesday 24 February for an exclusive webinar with senior experts, including the Dutch Consul General, as they share practical insights on what businesses can realistically expect and how to prepare.
*******
Time for me (Carole )to have a look what is this about on
The website of the Australian government
Australia-European Union Free Trade Agreement
Australia and the European Union (EU) launched negotiations for a free trade agreement (FTA) on 18 June 2018. As a bloc, the EU is a massive, high-income market of over 450 million people with a nominal GDP of US$19.4 trillion in 2024. As a bloc, it is Australia’s third largest two-way trading partner and second largest source of foreign investment1.An ambitious and comprehensive FTA with the EU is important economically and strategically, for both Australia and the EU, by proiding new opportunities in a highly significant market for Australian goods and services. It will provide Australian exporters with a competitive edge and more choices about where they do business. Australian consumers and companies stand to benefit through greater choice in goods and services at lower prices.
The FTA builds upon Australia and the EU’s natural partnership, arising out of a shared commitment to the rule of law, global norms and free and open markets. A strong EU is vital to Australian interests in protecting and promoting a rules-based international order. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) welcomes submissions throughout the negotiations from interested individuals and groups on the potential opportunities and impacts of an FTA with the EU.
Doensen Family, leaving Holland
My mother gave birth to sixteen babies. Three babies died during the war but not because of the war (before their first birthday).In 1954, my parents migrated to Australia with their thirteen remaining children for a better life for them all. Life in Holland at that time was a struggle for many families.The Dutch government at the time encouraged large families to migrate overseas, it took my parents a few more years to take advantage of this opportunity.
This decision changed our lives forever. My father was worried that if another war in Europe broke out some of his grown up sons would be called upon to join the Dutch army. The decision had been made, it was decided the time was right to start a new life in a new country with their children.
We departed from Amsterdam on the 16th of October 1954 on the SS Zuiderkrus, which was a converted wartime cargo carrying ship (which were called Liberty ships refitted and renamed as a migrant transporter)We sailed for five weeks via the Bay of Biscay to Algiers and stayed there for a few days for repairs. Next off to Port Said, and via the Suez Canal to Aden, and on to Fremantle, Australia, and lastly Port Melbourne Victoria. We arrived on or around November 25th 1954. From there, we travelled by bus to Daylesford to our accommodation.
My older siblings began to look for employment in the Daylesford area with nothing available job wise. My two older sisters went to Melbourne by train to find work there, they found employment at different hospitals: One at the Bethlehem Hospital in Kooyong, and the other at St George Hospital in Kew.
My father and five of his sons also decided to travel to Melbourne, confident they would find employment in or around the Melbourne suburbs. It didn’t take long before they found not only jobs for all, but also accommodation in Box Hill.
A few weeks later, my father went to see a Real Estate Agent in Ringwood, asking if they had a house with a bit of land for sale, in the Ringwood area. They showed my father a house on ten acres in Ringwood North, that would be suitable for a large family. This is where we moved to within a matter of weeks, reason being the house stood empty.
Experiencing life in a new environment and learning a new language, we all coped with the challenges ahead, even though it was hard at the beginning, especially for my parents.
My family have been here in Australia for seventy-one years. A few of us have been back to our home country in that time to visit family and friends. Sady my parents never took the opportunity to go back to their homeland.
Martha Vandeligt
Dressing up in 17th century garb didn’t involve as much as you may be hoping. It involved throwing a black cotton shift over our heads to cover us from shoulders down. So we had our everyday clothing still under it. It was tied close at the neck in the back. (The wardrobe lady assisted us).
Then, we were given a pearl (imitation) necklace, and a white pleated collar to tie around our necks. We also got some white lace cloths to cover the shoulders, and the male got a big red sash draped across the body. I was also given a bible in a red
book cover to hold.It sure made us feel a bit different, looking a bit outdated like that. 😉Then a professional photographer came to take our pictures, and after she was done, we got to take it all off and return it to the wardrobe lady. We did have to pay for this privilege because it was a fundraiser to help pay for getting the performers and volunteers to the festival. I was with my sister in law and her partner, so here’s a photo of the 3 of us.Angela Joanna Leaney (52) , beloved owner of The Dutch Pantry, will be remembered as a warm, generous spirit who brought Dutch culture, flavour and community together in Australia.As the heart behind The Dutch Pantry, Angela created far more than a shop. She built a place of belonging — where people could reconnect with memories of home, speak their language, share stories, and enjoy the tastes and traditions of the Netherlands. From classic Dutch treats to festive celebrations, her passion for heritage and hospitality was felt by everyone who walked through the door.Angela had a rare gift for making people feel welcome. Her kindness, laughter and genuine interest in others turned customers into friends and the shop into a gathering place for generations of Dutch-Australians and lovers of Dutch culture alike.
Her legacy lives on in the community she nurtured, the traditions she kept alive, and the many lives she touched through simple acts of care, conversation and shared food.
Angela Joanna Leaney will be deeply missed and fondly remembered.
Her cultural pride and community spirit will continue through The Dutch Pantry — carried on by her daughter and the many people she inspired.
About Netherlandsandyou.nl
Netherlandsandyou.nl showcases the relations between your country and the Netherlands. Find out about partnerships on trade, development, culture, innovation and more. Netherlandsandyou.nl is powered by the Dutch representations worldwide: embassies, consulates and trade offices. Netherlandsandyou.nl: connecting you and the Netherlands.
This website has been developed and is maintained by the Dutch government. The aim of Netherlandsandyou.nl is to generate interest and confidence in the Kingdom of the Netherlands abroad.
The Kingdom of the Netherlands maintains diplomatic relations with almost all countries in the world. This website shows how the more than 150 Dutch embassies and consulates work together with local partners every day on issues like international trade, sustainable development, innovation, culture and the rule of law. Netherlandsandyou.nl is made up of 2 parts. There’s a main site with information from countries where the Netherlands has a representation. This is also where you’ll find an overview of all the separate country pages that fall under the main site.
Each country also has its own website with information about the diplomatic representations the Netherlands has there. Some countries also have an additional site in another language.
From Dutch embassy website
February newspaper
Time out Australia published
Australians could soon be given far easier access to live and work across the European Union, with Brussels floating a two-way mobility scheme as part of renewed efforts to finalise a long-stalled Australia–EU free trade deal.The proposal would allow Australians to move to EU countries for work without securing a job beforehand, with stays of up to four years and possible settlement pathways. The same rights would apply to EU citizens coming to Australia, helping fill labour shortages in areas like construction and skilled trades.
This is still under negotiation, but has already been agreed upon in several other countries.
Robert van den Hoven
A Dutch-born adventurer who, along with his wife Clary, has spent over 19 years traveling around the world in an expedition vehicle.
He was a Royal Dutch Marine before moving to Australia and starting his travels in 2004.The Van Den Hovens, who go by the name “Double Dutch World Safari,” have documented their travels across 144 countries and share their experiences at events like the Overland Expo.We just got an report where About Africa and lots of pictures to share.
4 Years Overlanding in Africa
We shared life with the Kalahari Bushmen, stood face to face with chimpanzees and gorillas in Rwanda, Meeting Jane Goodall and the gorillas in Rwanda and Zambia, lived with Pygmy communities in Uganda and Rwanda, joined a Voodoo ceremony in Benin, explored the Dogon region in Mali, the Omo Valley in Ethiopia, and stood before the little known pyramids of Sudan. Wildlife at our camps, remote beaches, ancient cultures, endless landscapes — and everywhere, warmth and humanity.
The Dutch embassy from Australia was present at the opening and closing ceremonies of the Solomon Islands and Vanuatu editions of #KNVBWorldCoaches program
Two groups of coaches have been added to the #WorldCoaches family! By participating in the program the coaches have not only learnt skills to become a better soccer coach but also leaders and role models within their own communities. It was encouraging to see a substantive number of young women being part of the training!
#NLinAUS is very proud to partner with the #knvb in this program and grateful for the collaboration
Wilhelmina Maria Johanna Leonie was born in Oisterwijk (the Netherlands) in 1956. Having 2 brothers (Theo & Ben) and 2 sisters (Marty & Anne-Marie).
We moved to Essen in Belgium in 1960 when my Dad, who worked for ‘Van Gend en Loos’, had to cross the border so the company could open an office in Belgium.Growing up in a very catholic community, meant we had to go to church every morning at 7am, otherwise we were not allowed to walk through the school gates. The nuns would stand there and check each of us off.After I finished high school in 1974, I started work for the diamond company Ararat. The CEOs were Rene Roothooft and Jean Ipekdjian. ALso one of my co-workers was Sabine Stuer, I am still friends with her after 50+ years of knowing each other. This was in the Hovernierstraat in Antwerpen and this compact diamond area is heavily guarded and includes the world most significant diamonds exchanges, serving both international trade and local jewellery shops.
chased diamond parcels were sorted by size, color, quality and cutting method. These were then traded on the diamond exchange. I remember walking from the office to the Exchange with a plastic bag full of diamonds worth millions of Belgian Francs and walking back to the office with millions of cash in my plastic bag. And that was so normal then.
A few years later I moved to the accountancy firm Van Gassen in Ekeren. This was an accountancy firm in that area, who bought the first computer that was known at the ENIAC. It was an enormous machine that weighed about 30 tons and required around 1500 to 1800 quare feet of space – roughly the size of a room. It required a reinforced floor and specialized building infrastructure to support its weigh and because the heat it produced it needed air conditioning. And that was something we had never heard of on that side of the world. And not long after that we had a computer on our desk with a keyboard and a screen. Life in the office business changed a lot in those days.
Then my life changed. I met Gary Burton in November 1978 in Antwerp at my sister’s place. He worked on ‘pipe-lay-barges’ in the North Sea, laying pipes from the oil platforms to the harbour. When the barges were in dry-dock in the harbour of Antwerp, he and some colleagues would visit my sister and brother-in-law to watch soccer (voetbal) on TV. I just happened to be there one Wednesday evening.
He was the first Ozzie I ever met, and he explained what a BBQ was and that it would cook meat outside. That was new to me! Specially in the very cold and snowy evening weather. What a bloody cold evening that was and I couldn’t get over the size of the steaks. Not something we were familiar with or would ever eat or would ever be able to afford to eat.Gary and I got along very well as my English was not too bad, but he had to explain to me ‘where’ Australia was situated on our lovely world, as I had no idea!Our relationship started very soon after our first meeting and I travelled with him to Melbourne in 1979 and another trip in 1980. Gary decided to stop working for the lay-barges company and move back to Melbourne permanently. I started my immigration paperwork in early 1982. It took many months and heaps of paperwork and I had to prove I could understand and speak English and was subjected to tests.Being born in Oisterwijk, the Netherlands and growing up in Essen, Belgium it was not easy to get that English under control as for me it was my 5th language. Dutch, Flemish, French, German and then English.Part of my immigration application was that I would have to be married within 30 days of arriving in Australia. I departed Belgium on the 29.09.1982 which was my mother’s 65th birthday. I remember her saying goodbye to me at the airport telling me she was convinced she would never see me again.I arrived in Melbourne a few days later and on the 31.10.1982 Gary and I were married. It was lovely to live in Melbourne and discovering a whole new way of life, which was so different from the world I grew up in.I started work for Peter Weiss Fashion. And to this day I am still in touch with my then manager, Betty Crighton.The biggest thing to adjust to in Australia, was the distances that people travelled to visit places or friends. I remember asking my husband for a trip to an another city and he said: “let’s go to Sydney”. Let’s drive there on the weekend he said… wow… that was an eye opener to drive from one city to another and it took us (then) 2 days to get there. And then we had to get back to Melbourne again. I learned a lot, living in Australia that first year.Gary started work for ANARE (the Australian Antarctic Division) and was away many months of the year, so our relationship had a few hiccups.Life is so much interesting and challenging than living in Europe. The world is so much more positive on this side of the world. I decided within 5 minutes of arriving in Australia that I would never want to go back to Europe to live.Funny things, like going to a family get-together and being asked “to bring a plate”. Which I did! I just didn’t know one was supposed to put/bring food on that plate! The family had a good laugh about that! And to this day, this story still goes around the family when we catch up and talk about the ‘good old days.My son, Jeffrey, was born in 1986 and by then we lived in Doncaster, Vic.Gary stopped working for ANARE and we moved to Hayman Island in the Whitsundays. He became the diesel and desalination plant manager. I started working in the office and quickly moved to the Post Office/Bank and as I was the only employee I became the Post Office manager AND Bank manager at the same time! Great stuff for my work resumes!Jeffrey’s school experience was unique as there was only 1 teacher and sometimes only him as the only student!After a few years on Hayman Island we moved on and decided not to go back to Melbourne as that was far too cold for us after experiencing north Qld. Sydney was also off the list as that city is too busy. SO, we moved to Brisbane where I still live.Gary started working overseas again and our relationship ended in the year 2000.I started working for The Endeavour Foundation in 1995 as the Lottery Manager for Prize Home Lotteries. For 20 years I bought 8 Prize Homes each year, each worth a million dollar+ and gave away each of those homes to a lottery winner every 6 weeks. And that is another story!
On Friday the 30th of January 2015 my life came to a STOP as I was diagnosed with breast cancer. It changed my life… for the better! That ‘breast-cancer’ diagnosis was the best thing that could have happened to me. I stopped working and started, for the first time in my life, thinking about myself! ME! “Ikke, en de rest kan stikke”!
I haven’t had a single boring moment in these last 10+ years. Lots of time to look back on the 21 trips I did back to Belgium/Nederland over all these years in Australia.
The last one was for my Dad’s 99th birthday in 2020. I turned up at his birthday party as a total surprise. No one knew I was coming for a visit. And lucky I did, as Covid then changed the world and stopped our travels. And the magic result of this birthday party was a huge family photo!
I couldn’t attend his 100th birthday as the world was lock-up for Covid. But I did organize 100 birthday cards for him all the way from Australia from all my family and friends. And I mailed a Dutch Courier to him every month.And shortly after his 101th birthday, he passed away. And as he donated his body to science there was no funeral and no last trip to Belgium for me.And now I still live in Brisbane close to my son Jeffrey & lovely daughter in law, Amy and 2 magic granddaughters, Emily and Scarlett.
My partner, Peter van Lieshout, spoils me rotten and I love being at his Misty Mountain Camping property in Kunghur. It feels like a holiday every day now!
That’s life in Ozzy! Bring it on!
Wilma Burton
Feyenoord Dec 14 200th edition of the klassieker
The klassieker, or the clash between Ajax and Feyenoord, is always an intense match. Both teams came out of the dressing room ready to fight, and the crowd at the Johan Cruijff Arena created an unprecedented atmosphere.The first half was a battle for control, with both teams creating chances, but it was Fred Grim’s tactical instructions that ultimately gave Ajax the upper hand.The turning point of the match came in the 13th minute, when an unmarked Davy Klassen scored a beautiful goal from a long-range shot outside the penalty area. It was a masterful strike that gave the Feyenoord goalkeeper no chance. During the goal celebrations, he received a cut above his eye. This goal not only gave Ajax a 1-0 lead but also set the tone for the rest of the match. Feyenoord seemed momentarily off balance, while Ajax exuded confidence and dominance.Throughout the match, Klaasen remained a constant threat through his speed, intelligence, and precise passing, which made it almost impossible for Feyenoord to control the game. Many of Ajax’s attacks were set up thanks to him, and he created chances for his teammates by reading the field and appearing at the right moment in the spaces where he could make a difference.After the match, manager Fred Grim signalled out Klaasen. “He showed today what it means to be a true leader on the pitch,” Grim said with visible enthusiasm and emotion. Today he created those moments and led us to victory.” Over the last few months, Ajax has been a rollercoaster of drama, excitement, and controversy. After sacking John Heitinga, (now assistant coach at Tottenham), installing Fred Grimm as a temporary replacement, Ajax have celebrated unlikely victories over their fiercest rivals, Feyenoord and PSV, as well as humiliating defeats. The latest was against a 6 nil loss to AZ Alkmaar.The December 2-0 victory over Feyenoord, was controversial because Ajax did not play according to the Ajax script. Adopting an unlikely 4-5-1 formation, Grimm found he had to defend his tactics after the game. Feyenoord coach Robin van Persie, said that only one team wanted to play football. Grimm replied that there were different ways of playing football. Grimm adjusted his tactics after dominating the match against Excelsior but going down 1-2. “We put a lot of pressure against Excelsior and that didn’t go well. It was open house. I adjusted the plan to that. We went back to the basics.”Van Persie criticisms did not stop. “I have never seen such a cowardly victory!” He claimed that Ajax could only defend and called the ‘Ajax style of play’ an insult to football. He then complained about the ‘biased’ refereeing. “It’s really unfair.
We really don’t have to continue playing if the referee already wants Ajax to win. He (referee Serdar Gozubuyuk) favours Ajax and constantly puts us under pressure. When he claimed that Ajax did not deserve the victory, Grimm supported the referee and defended his team.
December 2025 games
FC Utrecht 1 -2 PSV. goes to the top of the Eredivisie table, eleven points clear, after their 1-2 victory over FC Utrecht. Despite rumours linking Joey Veerman to Fenerbahce, he still played for PSV in what could be his last game for the club. Utrecht took the lead through Mike van der Hoorn. It wasn’t until the second half that PSV responded through Ricardo Pepi. Ivan Peresic headed the winner from a Joey Veerman cross. This was PSV’s 14th consecutive away win, which is a new record. Jerdy Schouten was sent off late in the half after receiving a second yellow. FC Utrecht is sitting in eighth position.
Feyenoord 1 - 1 Twente. According to Dutch media, Robin van Persie’s job is under pressure after his side dropped more points. This was after their midweek defeat and cup exit at the hands of Hereenveen. Twenty-eight-year-old Twente forward Sam Lammers, missed chance after chance for Twente to take the lead. Daan Rots scored his 5th goal for Twente in the 19th minute. Twente deserved more with 14 shots on goal and a disallowed goal. Van Persie must have unleashed on the players as they came out much more improved in the second half, and Goncalo Borges scored 15 minutes from the end. However, the initiative was handed back to Twente after Luciano Valente was sent off.
Go Ahead Eagles 1-1 Groningen. Although the Eagles were in front through a Mathis Suray 41st minute goal, Groningen’s excellent form this season continued when they equalised through Tika de Jonge. Groningen is 5th while Go Ahead is in 12th position.
Volendam 0 - 1 Sparta Rotterdam. Sparta won a tight match through a Tobias Lauritsen penalty to advance to 10th position. They were the better team, but were lucky that Volendam’s Robert Muhren’s late shot fired wide. Robert is the nephew of Dutch greats, Gerrie and Arnold Muhren.
Fortuna Sittard 4- 3 AZ Alkmaar. This was a thrilling match. Justin Lonwijk scored for the hosts after ten minutes from a corner. Irish international Troy Parrot, who scored three against Ajax, equalised for AZ. They scored again after Sven Mijnans latched onto a lob into the box, but the lead was short-lived. Kaj Sierhuis equalised before the break. AZ was awarded a penalty after the resumption, but the penalty was saved. This was the game’s turning point as just minutes later, Sierhuis scored his second. The match was still very much in the balance. Parrot hit the post in the 70th minute but AZ’s Mees de Wit struck home the rebound to make it 3-3. Fortuna Sittard scored their 4th goal from another corner, headed home by Philip Britijn, with only four minutes remaining. The drama didn’t end there, as AZ was awarded a penalty for a foul on Parrot. However, VAR overturned the decision to leave Sittard in 11th position and AZ in 7th.
January 2026
Heerenveen 0-2 Groningen. Groningen won the Frisian derby after an unfortunate own goal by the Hereenveen keeper. The lead was doubled by Thijmen Blokzijl to keep Groningen in 5th position while Heerenveen is in 9th. Volendam 2 - 1 Utrecht. Volendam scored twice in the first half. Although Utrecht pulled one back in the second half, Volendam held on to much-needed points. They are in 15th position, while Utrecht is in 10th. Heracles Almelo 0 - 2 Twente. In the Overijssel derby, Twente went ahead through a Thomas van den Belt, close-range header. Their second goal was from a penalty after an unfortunate handball. With 30 minutes remaining, Twente was reduced to ten men. The victory has kept Twente in 6th while Heracles is at the bottom of the Eredivisie. Feyenoord 3 - 4 Sparta Rotterdam. Although Van Persie dropped Quinten Tomber to the bench, Feyenoord started strongly, with Valente hitting the post. However, it was Sparta who took the lead, with Joshua Kitolano finding the top corner from a shot from the edge of the box. The second half sent Feyenoord supporters into a panic after a terrible defensive blunder by Tsuyosho Watanabe allowed Mitchell van Bergen to pounce on the error and score. Van Persie’s son, Shaqueel, was brought on to salvage a draw. He almost did it with two excellent goals to level the game. However, Kitolano scored his second in stoppage time to seal victory for Sparta and perhaps Van Persie’s coaching term at Feyenoord. It may be premature, as Feyenoord is still in second place, but there is a yawning gap of 16 points to PSV. Sparta is in 7th. Fortuna Sittard 1-2 PSV. Although PSV won, it was not a convincing victory. Ivan Peresic gave PSV victory, but the standout goal was Kaj Sierhuis’s thunderbolt from 25 metres that was the game’s highlight. PEC Zwolle 3 - 1 AZ Alkmaar. Despite their huge 6-0 win over Ajax, AZ’s Eredivisie form has continued to slump in January. Shola Shoretire scored two for Zwolle. AZ’s only goal came directly from a Keepmeiner’s corner. Zwolle is 11th while AZ is in 6th . Other matches. Excelsior 2 - 2 Telstar. This is a battle for the relegation zone as Telstar remains in 15th and Excelsior in 16th. NAC Breda 3-4 NEC Nijmegen. NEC won after a stoppage-time goal by Kodai Sano in the 94th minute. NEC is two points behind Ajax in 4th position, while NAC is tied with Excelsior in 16th. Ajax 2 - 2 Go Ahead Eagles. (18/01/26)Once again, Davy Klaasen scored a screamer after only 15 minutes. In a well-rehearsed training move, the Ajax keeper, after intercepting a Go Ahead cross, quickly threw the ball in front of an already running Godts. He continued to the box before squaring it to Klaasen.
Godts made a beautiful run into the box, dribbling past defenders along the six-yard box before unleashing a fierce shot from 7 metres that struck the bar. Ajax could not double their score until the 28th minute when Kasper Dolberg found the net after a scramble in the box. Klaasen managed to slip the ball to Dolberg, who slammed it past the keeper from close range. The good lead-up work was also an obvious training ground manouvre. Ajax is in third place, while the Eagles are in 13th.
Drama at Ajax
Over the last few months, Ajax has been a rollercoaster of drama, excitement, and controversy. After sacking John Heitinga (now assistant coach at Tottenham), installing Fred Grimm as a temporary replacement, Ajax has celebrated unlikely victories over their fiercest rivals, Feyenoord and PSV, as well as humiliating defeats. The latest was against a 6 nil loss to AZ Alkmaar.The December 2-0 victory over Feyenoord was controversial because Ajax did not play according to the Ajax script. Adopting an unlikely 4-5-1 formation, Grimm found he had to defend his tactics after the game.
Feyenoord coach Robin van Persie said that only one team wanted to play football. Grimm replied that there were different ways of playing football. Grimm adjusted his tactics after dominating the match against Excelsior but going down 1-2.
“We put a lot of pressure on Excelsior, and that didn’t go well. It was open house. I adjusted the plan to that. We went back to the basics.”
Fred Grim’s words were exceptionally harsh and left little room for interpretation. “This will be the last time he plays for Ajax,” the coach declared without hesitation. In a club known for its internal discipline but also for protecting its players, this was a statement of historical proportions. It was not a temporary measure, not a disciplinary suspension or warning. This was a definitive breach, a symbolic and practical interpretation of a chapter that, according to Grim, had done Ajax more harm than good.
There had long been a feeling within the club that something was amiss. Results fluctuated, the play seemed forced, and the team’s chemistry seemed lacking. If you want to be aware of many tactical problems, the internal problem should be considered. According to multiple sources, one player was a constant factor in the unrest. I ask for the conflicting elements to be used, which may have been sabotaged by the technical staff present in them.
Fred Grim made it clear that his decision was not taken lightly. On the contrary, the coach admitted that he had tried for weeks to resolve the situation internally. Discussions, warnings, and mediation were to no avail. According to Grim, the player in question continued to add fuel to the fire, resulting in an increasingly toxic atmosphere within the squad. Players began to withdraw, trusted each other less, and completely lost focus on football.
The defeat against AZ Alkmaar was the breaking point. On the pitch, it was clear that Ajax was no longer a collective. They didn’t run for each other, blamed each other for mistakes, and after every goal conceded, the team seemed to drift further apart. The rivalry degenerated into a humiliation that hurt everyone who cared about Ajax. It turned out that the tensions that had been simmering in the dressing room for a week had fully exploded that evening.
Kasper Dolberg played a crucial role in these revelations. The Danish striker, known within the squad as calm and professional, felt compelled to intervene, according to insiders. Dolberg reportedly personally requested a meeting with Fred Grim, away from cameras and the media. In that meeting, he meticulously explained what had happened behind closed doors. “If you don’t know what to do, you’ll just want to take advantage of the team.”
Dolberg described a pattern of behavior that, in his view, was incompatible with Ajax’s guards. While it was no longer a one-off outburst of frustration after a poor match, it was structural behavior that eroded the team’s cohesion. If you want to know what to do with Grim, you’ll realize that you cannot join the coach but must look at the most important player. The decision that followed was harsh, but according to the coach, inevitable.
The decision provoked mixed reactions within the squad, but surprisingly, relief prevailed. Players who had previously kept their composure reportedly expressed their internal support for Grim’s intervention. The fear of being seen as a traitor or troublemaker had fostered a culture of silence.
The initial reaction among supporters was explosive. The announcement that a player would never wear the Ajax shirt again sparked heated discussions on social media. Some demanded names and details, while others wondered how this had happened. Many fans expressed their support for Fred Grim and praised his courage for choosing the club’s interests above all else.
Transfer News
Kenneth Taylor (23) has signed a 4.5 year contract with Lazio Roma for a transfer fee of 17 million euros.
Jordi Cruyff, son of Johan Cruyff, has been appointed statutory manager of Ajax. That means he will guide the technical direction as well as transfers. His first major signing is the son of legend Zlatan Ibramimovich, Maximillian, a 1.83 metre tall Swedish left winger from AC Milan. Although he is on loan, Ajax will have the option to buy the 19-year-old striker.
Dutch international Donyell Malen has transferred from Aston Villa to AS Roma. Ruud van Nistlerooy has joined the Netherlands coaching staff. Erik ten Haag will coach FC Twente.Australian of the Year Award recipients.
The Dutch Courier received a press release naming the Australian of the Year Award recipients.
We are publishing the senior list because it is truly inspiring.
AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY
Heather Reid AM - Football pioneer
Heather Reid has made it possible for thousands of women to play football, both in the Australian Capital Territory and around Australia.
Heather was instrumental in establishing the Australian National University Women’s Soccer Club in 1978 and the Australian Capital Territory Women’s Soccer Association a year later. As the first female CEO of Capital Football in 2004, she brought together four associations into a single peak body and secured Canberra United’s inclusion in the national W-League, helping to promote the game to a wider audience.
Heather, 70, has continued to support and mentor players, coaches and administrators, both locally and internationally. She set up the Heather Reid AM Bursary to help pay the registration fees of players in need of assistance, ensuring that financial hardship is not a barrier to participation.
Heather’s vision and dedication to inclusion and equality have opened pathways for thousands of women to take part in sport.
NEW SOUTH WALES
Professor Henry Brodaty AO - Dementia treatment pioneer
Professor Henry Brodaty is transforming the diagnosis, care and prevention of dementia - improving countless lives, both in Australia and around the world.In 1972, Henry’s father was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease at just 52 years old. At that time, dementia was poorly understood and often ignored. People living with dementia and carers had little support and no pathway forward. His father’s experience catalysed a lifetime of work that not only revolutionised Henry’s own field of psychiatry, but also the lives of people living with dementia and their families.In 2012, Henry co-founded the Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing and led internationally significant research that enhanced the world’s understanding of risk and prevention. His large Maintain Your Brain trial demonstrated that straightforward, cost-effective, targeted interventions can profoundly delay onset and even prevent dementia.Henry, 78, is a leader who has reshaped dementia care from every angle as he navigates toward a future where dementia is better treated and prevented.
NORTHERN TERRITORY
Jenny Duggan OAM - Environmental warrior
For decades, Jenny Duggan has shown extraordinary grassroots leadership as Katherine’s ‘rubbish warrior’, quietly transforming the landscape and community spirit of her town.Each morning 71-year-old Jenny walks the banks of the Katherine River to remove litter. In collecting hundreds of kilograms of rubbish, she’s put the spotlight on environmental safety.To reduce the danger of broken glass in public spaces, Jenny advocated for the Katherine Liquor Accord’s move to plastic wine bottles. She’s also a force behind Katherine’s Neighbourhood Watch – all part of her drive to make Katherine safer for everyone.Jenny supports community members experiencing hardship through her volunteer work with the St Vincent de Paul Society. Here Jenny serves on the management committee of Ormonde House, which provides housing for men in need, and on the management committee for Katherine’s Vinnies store.In her daily, humble, practical service, Jenny exemplifies community care in action.
QUEENSLAND
Cheryl Harris OAM - Champion for volunteers
Cheryl Harris has been instrumental in driving volunteer engagement and championing the important work that volunteers perform on the Sunshine Coast.
Cheryl’s passion for helping community began when she was just 20 years old. Her advocacy and strong relationships throughout the Sunshine Coast community has seen volunteering in the region increase significantly. Today, thousands of volunteers actively support the Sunshine Coast community in various roles from charity work to disaster relief. As former CEO at Volunteering Sunshine Coast, Cheryl and her team collaborated with her community networks to initiate the innovative Pathways to Employment program, which helps people seeking paid employment to update their skills and build self-esteem through volunteering.Cheryl, 76, is the current chair/president of Healthy Ageing Partnerships, which aims to empower older Australians to make informed decisions about their health through knowledge sharing.Cheryl’s contribution to community service highlights her selfless dedication to helping others in a manner that is always compassionate, informed and caring.
SOUTH AUSTRALIA
Note: There are two SA Senior Australian of the Year Award finalists for 2026. These are individual nominees, not a joint recognition.
Malcolm Benoy - Meteorological researcher
Malcolm ‘Mac’ Benoy has made a significant contribution to climate change research in his role as a volunteer citizen scientist, helping to preserve valuable records and data relating to South Australia’s meteorological history.Over the past two decades, 79-year-old Mac has volunteered with the Bureau of Meteorology in South Australia, where he set up a citizen science group to record and preserve valuable hand-written meteorological records from the 19th century. Under Mac’s astute guidance, the group has digitised over 90,000 synoptic charts and related documents, providing an invaluable research tool for modern-day climatologists.International climate change and meteorological researchers have used the group’s records to reconstruct historical weather patterns in the southern hemisphere, helping to better understand how the global climate is changing.Mac’s professionalism, enthusiasm and insight continue to guide the team of citizen scientists in its work to document and preserve critical weather data.
James Currie - Sound designer. James Currie’s filmography
reads like a list of South Australia’s most successful films over the past 50 years.His work as a sound designer, recordist and mixer includes titles such as Breaker Morant, The Lighthorsemen,Bad Boy Bubby, The Tracker, Wolf Creek, Ten Canoes, Red Dog and, most recently, the AACTA award-winning documentary My Name is Gulpilil.James has worked with many of South Australia’s leading directors over his career and has won multiple awards forhis lifetime of work. He has been instrumental in establishing and growing the state’s film industry, particularly as an authority on sound design. His use of location sound, most notably in remote Indigenous communities, has helped create a uniquely Australian soundscape in film.James, 79, is generous in sharing his expertise and knowledge with other practitioners, especially students, creating an enduring legacy of excellence in sound design now and into the future.
TASMANIA
Julie Dunbabin - Nutritious eating visionary
Julie Dunbabin, 66, is a pioneer in school nutrition, who is changing the way education departments and schools prepare and deliver school lunches to children. Julie’s vision is for all school children to receive a nutritious, sit-down meal every day, prepared from scratch in a school or central kitchen, using seasonal, local produce.Today, the School Lunch Program prepares 14,332 school lunches for 6,656 students every week. The program, which started initially with three schools, is expected to expand to 60 schools in 2026.The program has clear benefits for children, ensuring they receive a nutritious meal each day and contributing to better social and learning outcomes. The model of cook-from-scratch kitchens also supports local producers, creates jobs for kitchen and warehouse staff, builds community involvement and addresses food security for families.Julie’s determination to improve children’s diets is transforming how school lunches are delivered in Tasmania, inspiring a healthier food culture and enhancing food literacy.
VICTORIA
Bryan Lipmann AM - Elderly homeless advocate
As a young social worker, Bryan Lipmann witnessed first-hand the appalling conditions in which many elderly homeless people were forced to live. Realising that existing aged care homes were not the answer, he founded Wintringham to provide a safe space where the elderly poor and homeless could live with dignity and respect.Today, Wintringham supports 3,000 people with accommodation and home care services. At its core, the organisation retains the same values that Bryan instilled in the beginning – respect for the individual, social equality and the promise of ‘a home until stumps’.Through his advocacy, 78-year-old Bryan revolutionised ideas about how to support marginalised elderly people in society by creating safe, long-term homes for thousands of people.Bryan’s devotion to caring for those who do not fit into mainstream aged care epitomises the difference that one individual can make by improving the quality of life for others.
WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Professor Kingsley Dixon AO - World-leading botanist
Professor Kingsley Dixon from The University of Western Australia is an internationally recognised botanist whose devotion to science has transformed Australian native plant conservation.As Foundation Director of Science at Perth’s Kings Park and Botanic Garden, Kingsley shaped a small research unit into one of the world’s top five botanic garden-based science centres. One of Kingsley’s most notable achievements is the 1992 discovery of smoke as a cause for Australian plants to germinate after bushfires.
Kingsley actively educates schools and communities across Western Australia with his engaging ‘Attenborough’ style. He also works closely with Indigenous people in Broome and the Western Desert to establish native seed programs. Kingsley has spearheaded Western Australia’s status as an international hub for mining environmental science
Marja Rogers
I regret to inform you my wife Marja Rogers ne Binnendijk passed away on the 25th June 2025, aged 88yrs.Marja came to Australia with her parents Neeltje and Johan and sister Selma in 1950 on the De Volendam migrant ship, finally settling in French’s Forest, a Sydney suburbInitially Johann couldn’t find suitable work and forced Marja, although a very bright student, to leave her selective High School after her Intermediate Certificate and find work to help support the family.Marja then flourished in her new country, marrying at 21 in 1958 and by age 29 had four children.Her then husband died of Cancer in 1981 and in 1982 Marja and I became a couple, although we didn’t get married until 2009, the year Marja was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease.In that same year Marja graduated as an MA in Creative Writing from the University of Technology Sydney with Distinctions.Marja had written her memoir to the age of 29 after her last child was born and serves as chronicle of survival during WW2 and of flourishing in her adopted country.Her husband will publish it in the paper soon.
Australians could soon be given far easier access to live and work across the European Union, with Brussels floating a two-way mobility scheme as part of renewed efforts to finalise a long-stalled Australia–EU free trade deal.The proposal would allow Australians to move to EU countries for work without securing a job beforehand, with stays of up to four years and possible settlement pathways. The same rights would apply to EU citizens coming to Australia, helping fill labour shortages in areas like construction and skilled trades.
This is still under negotiation, but has already been agreed upon in several other countries.
Robert van den Hoven
A Dutch-born adventurer who, along with his wife Clary, has spent over 19 years traveling around the world in an expedition vehicle.
He was a Royal Dutch Marine before moving to Australia and starting his travels in 2004.The Van Den Hovens, who go by the name “Double Dutch World Safari,” have documented their travels across 144 countries and share their experiences at events like the Overland Expo.We just got an report where About Africa and lots of pictures to share.
4 Years Overlanding in Africa
We shared life with the Kalahari Bushmen, stood face to face with chimpanzees and gorillas in Rwanda, Meeting Jane Goodall and the gorillas in Rwanda and Zambia, lived with Pygmy communities in Uganda and Rwanda, joined a Voodoo ceremony in Benin, explored the Dogon region in Mali, the Omo Valley in Ethiopia, and stood before the little known pyramids of Sudan. Wildlife at our camps, remote beaches, ancient cultures, endless landscapes — and everywhere, warmth and humanity.
The Dutch embassy from Australia was present at the opening and closing ceremonies of the Solomon Islands and Vanuatu editions of #KNVBWorldCoaches program
Two groups of coaches have been added to the #WorldCoaches family! By participating in the program the coaches have not only learnt skills to become a better soccer coach but also leaders and role models within their own communities. It was encouraging to see a substantive number of young women being part of the training!
#NLinAUS is very proud to partner with the #knvb in this program and grateful for the collaboration
Wilhelmina Maria Johanna Leonie was born in Oisterwijk (the Netherlands) in 1956. Having 2 brothers (Theo & Ben) and 2 sisters (Marty & Anne-Marie).
We moved to Essen in Belgium in 1960 when my Dad, who worked for ‘Van Gend en Loos’, had to cross the border so the company could open an office in Belgium.Growing up in a very catholic community, meant we had to go to church every morning at 7am, otherwise we were not allowed to walk through the school gates. The nuns would stand there and check each of us off.After I finished high school in 1974, I started work for the diamond company Ararat. The CEOs were Rene Roothooft and Jean Ipekdjian. ALso one of my co-workers was Sabine Stuer, I am still friends with her after 50+ years of knowing each other. This was in the Hovernierstraat in Antwerpen and this compact diamond area is heavily guarded and includes the world most significant diamonds exchanges, serving both international trade and local jewellery shops.
chased diamond parcels were sorted by size, color, quality and cutting method. These were then traded on the diamond exchange. I remember walking from the office to the Exchange with a plastic bag full of diamonds worth millions of Belgian Francs and walking back to the office with millions of cash in my plastic bag. And that was so normal then.
A few years later I moved to the accountancy firm Van Gassen in Ekeren. This was an accountancy firm in that area, who bought the first computer that was known at the ENIAC. It was an enormous machine that weighed about 30 tons and required around 1500 to 1800 quare feet of space – roughly the size of a room. It required a reinforced floor and specialized building infrastructure to support its weigh and because the heat it produced it needed air conditioning. And that was something we had never heard of on that side of the world. And not long after that we had a computer on our desk with a keyboard and a screen. Life in the office business changed a lot in those days.
Then my life changed. I met Gary Burton in November 1978 in Antwerp at my sister’s place. He worked on ‘pipe-lay-barges’ in the North Sea, laying pipes from the oil platforms to the harbour. When the barges were in dry-dock in the harbour of Antwerp, he and some colleagues would visit my sister and brother-in-law to watch soccer (voetbal) on TV. I just happened to be there one Wednesday evening.
He was the first Ozzie I ever met, and he explained what a BBQ was and that it would cook meat outside. That was new to me! Specially in the very cold and snowy evening weather. What a bloody cold evening that was and I couldn’t get over the size of the steaks. Not something we were familiar with or would ever eat or would ever be able to afford to eat.Gary and I got along very well as my English was not too bad, but he had to explain to me ‘where’ Australia was situated on our lovely world, as I had no idea!Our relationship started very soon after our first meeting and I travelled with him to Melbourne in 1979 and another trip in 1980. Gary decided to stop working for the lay-barges company and move back to Melbourne permanently. I started my immigration paperwork in early 1982. It took many months and heaps of paperwork and I had to prove I could understand and speak English and was subjected to tests.Being born in Oisterwijk, the Netherlands and growing up in Essen, Belgium it was not easy to get that English under control as for me it was my 5th language. Dutch, Flemish, French, German and then English.Part of my immigration application was that I would have to be married within 30 days of arriving in Australia. I departed Belgium on the 29.09.1982 which was my mother’s 65th birthday. I remember her saying goodbye to me at the airport telling me she was convinced she would never see me again.I arrived in Melbourne a few days later and on the 31.10.1982 Gary and I were married. It was lovely to live in Melbourne and discovering a whole new way of life, which was so different from the world I grew up in.I started work for Peter Weiss Fashion. And to this day I am still in touch with my then manager, Betty Crighton.The biggest thing to adjust to in Australia, was the distances that people travelled to visit places or friends. I remember asking my husband for a trip to an another city and he said: “let’s go to Sydney”. Let’s drive there on the weekend he said… wow… that was an eye opener to drive from one city to another and it took us (then) 2 days to get there. And then we had to get back to Melbourne again. I learned a lot, living in Australia that first year.Gary started work for ANARE (the Australian Antarctic Division) and was away many months of the year, so our relationship had a few hiccups.Life is so much interesting and challenging than living in Europe. The world is so much more positive on this side of the world. I decided within 5 minutes of arriving in Australia that I would never want to go back to Europe to live.Funny things, like going to a family get-together and being asked “to bring a plate”. Which I did! I just didn’t know one was supposed to put/bring food on that plate! The family had a good laugh about that! And to this day, this story still goes around the family when we catch up and talk about the ‘good old days.My son, Jeffrey, was born in 1986 and by then we lived in Doncaster, Vic.Gary stopped working for ANARE and we moved to Hayman Island in the Whitsundays. He became the diesel and desalination plant manager. I started working in the office and quickly moved to the Post Office/Bank and as I was the only employee I became the Post Office manager AND Bank manager at the same time! Great stuff for my work resumes!Jeffrey’s school experience was unique as there was only 1 teacher and sometimes only him as the only student!After a few years on Hayman Island we moved on and decided not to go back to Melbourne as that was far too cold for us after experiencing north Qld. Sydney was also off the list as that city is too busy. SO, we moved to Brisbane where I still live.Gary started working overseas again and our relationship ended in the year 2000.I started working for The Endeavour Foundation in 1995 as the Lottery Manager for Prize Home Lotteries. For 20 years I bought 8 Prize Homes each year, each worth a million dollar+ and gave away each of those homes to a lottery winner every 6 weeks. And that is another story!
On Friday the 30th of January 2015 my life came to a STOP as I was diagnosed with breast cancer. It changed my life… for the better! That ‘breast-cancer’ diagnosis was the best thing that could have happened to me. I stopped working and started, for the first time in my life, thinking about myself! ME! “Ikke, en de rest kan stikke”!
I haven’t had a single boring moment in these last 10+ years. Lots of time to look back on the 21 trips I did back to Belgium/Nederland over all these years in Australia.
The last one was for my Dad’s 99th birthday in 2020. I turned up at his birthday party as a total surprise. No one knew I was coming for a visit. And lucky I did, as Covid then changed the world and stopped our travels. And the magic result of this birthday party was a huge family photo!
I couldn’t attend his 100th birthday as the world was lock-up for Covid. But I did organize 100 birthday cards for him all the way from Australia from all my family and friends. And I mailed a Dutch Courier to him every month.And shortly after his 101th birthday, he passed away. And as he donated his body to science there was no funeral and no last trip to Belgium for me.And now I still live in Brisbane close to my son Jeffrey & lovely daughter in law, Amy and 2 magic granddaughters, Emily and Scarlett.
My partner, Peter van Lieshout, spoils me rotten and I love being at his Misty Mountain Camping property in Kunghur. It feels like a holiday every day now!
That’s life in Ozzy! Bring it on!
Wilma Burton
Feyenoord Dec 14 200th edition of the klassieker
The klassieker, or the clash between Ajax and Feyenoord, is always an intense match. Both teams came out of the dressing room ready to fight, and the crowd at the Johan Cruijff Arena created an unprecedented atmosphere.The first half was a battle for control, with both teams creating chances, but it was Fred Grim’s tactical instructions that ultimately gave Ajax the upper hand.The turning point of the match came in the 13th minute, when an unmarked Davy Klassen scored a beautiful goal from a long-range shot outside the penalty area. It was a masterful strike that gave the Feyenoord goalkeeper no chance. During the goal celebrations, he received a cut above his eye. This goal not only gave Ajax a 1-0 lead but also set the tone for the rest of the match. Feyenoord seemed momentarily off balance, while Ajax exuded confidence and dominance.Throughout the match, Klaasen remained a constant threat through his speed, intelligence, and precise passing, which made it almost impossible for Feyenoord to control the game. Many of Ajax’s attacks were set up thanks to him, and he created chances for his teammates by reading the field and appearing at the right moment in the spaces where he could make a difference.After the match, manager Fred Grim signalled out Klaasen. “He showed today what it means to be a true leader on the pitch,” Grim said with visible enthusiasm and emotion. Today he created those moments and led us to victory.” Over the last few months, Ajax has been a rollercoaster of drama, excitement, and controversy. After sacking John Heitinga, (now assistant coach at Tottenham), installing Fred Grimm as a temporary replacement, Ajax have celebrated unlikely victories over their fiercest rivals, Feyenoord and PSV, as well as humiliating defeats. The latest was against a 6 nil loss to AZ Alkmaar.The December 2-0 victory over Feyenoord, was controversial because Ajax did not play according to the Ajax script. Adopting an unlikely 4-5-1 formation, Grimm found he had to defend his tactics after the game. Feyenoord coach Robin van Persie, said that only one team wanted to play football. Grimm replied that there were different ways of playing football. Grimm adjusted his tactics after dominating the match against Excelsior but going down 1-2. “We put a lot of pressure against Excelsior and that didn’t go well. It was open house. I adjusted the plan to that. We went back to the basics.”Van Persie criticisms did not stop. “I have never seen such a cowardly victory!” He claimed that Ajax could only defend and called the ‘Ajax style of play’ an insult to football. He then complained about the ‘biased’ refereeing. “It’s really unfair.
We really don’t have to continue playing if the referee already wants Ajax to win. He (referee Serdar Gozubuyuk) favours Ajax and constantly puts us under pressure. When he claimed that Ajax did not deserve the victory, Grimm supported the referee and defended his team.
December 2025 games
FC Utrecht 1 -2 PSV. goes to the top of the Eredivisie table, eleven points clear, after their 1-2 victory over FC Utrecht. Despite rumours linking Joey Veerman to Fenerbahce, he still played for PSV in what could be his last game for the club. Utrecht took the lead through Mike van der Hoorn. It wasn’t until the second half that PSV responded through Ricardo Pepi. Ivan Peresic headed the winner from a Joey Veerman cross. This was PSV’s 14th consecutive away win, which is a new record. Jerdy Schouten was sent off late in the half after receiving a second yellow. FC Utrecht is sitting in eighth position.
Feyenoord 1 - 1 Twente. According to Dutch media, Robin van Persie’s job is under pressure after his side dropped more points. This was after their midweek defeat and cup exit at the hands of Hereenveen. Twenty-eight-year-old Twente forward Sam Lammers, missed chance after chance for Twente to take the lead. Daan Rots scored his 5th goal for Twente in the 19th minute. Twente deserved more with 14 shots on goal and a disallowed goal. Van Persie must have unleashed on the players as they came out much more improved in the second half, and Goncalo Borges scored 15 minutes from the end. However, the initiative was handed back to Twente after Luciano Valente was sent off.
Go Ahead Eagles 1-1 Groningen. Although the Eagles were in front through a Mathis Suray 41st minute goal, Groningen’s excellent form this season continued when they equalised through Tika de Jonge. Groningen is 5th while Go Ahead is in 12th position.
Volendam 0 - 1 Sparta Rotterdam. Sparta won a tight match through a Tobias Lauritsen penalty to advance to 10th position. They were the better team, but were lucky that Volendam’s Robert Muhren’s late shot fired wide. Robert is the nephew of Dutch greats, Gerrie and Arnold Muhren.
Fortuna Sittard 4- 3 AZ Alkmaar. This was a thrilling match. Justin Lonwijk scored for the hosts after ten minutes from a corner. Irish international Troy Parrot, who scored three against Ajax, equalised for AZ. They scored again after Sven Mijnans latched onto a lob into the box, but the lead was short-lived. Kaj Sierhuis equalised before the break. AZ was awarded a penalty after the resumption, but the penalty was saved. This was the game’s turning point as just minutes later, Sierhuis scored his second. The match was still very much in the balance. Parrot hit the post in the 70th minute but AZ’s Mees de Wit struck home the rebound to make it 3-3. Fortuna Sittard scored their 4th goal from another corner, headed home by Philip Britijn, with only four minutes remaining. The drama didn’t end there, as AZ was awarded a penalty for a foul on Parrot. However, VAR overturned the decision to leave Sittard in 11th position and AZ in 7th.
January 2026
Heerenveen 0-2 Groningen. Groningen won the Frisian derby after an unfortunate own goal by the Hereenveen keeper. The lead was doubled by Thijmen Blokzijl to keep Groningen in 5th position while Heerenveen is in 9th. Volendam 2 - 1 Utrecht. Volendam scored twice in the first half. Although Utrecht pulled one back in the second half, Volendam held on to much-needed points. They are in 15th position, while Utrecht is in 10th. Heracles Almelo 0 - 2 Twente. In the Overijssel derby, Twente went ahead through a Thomas van den Belt, close-range header. Their second goal was from a penalty after an unfortunate handball. With 30 minutes remaining, Twente was reduced to ten men. The victory has kept Twente in 6th while Heracles is at the bottom of the Eredivisie. Feyenoord 3 - 4 Sparta Rotterdam. Although Van Persie dropped Quinten Tomber to the bench, Feyenoord started strongly, with Valente hitting the post. However, it was Sparta who took the lead, with Joshua Kitolano finding the top corner from a shot from the edge of the box. The second half sent Feyenoord supporters into a panic after a terrible defensive blunder by Tsuyosho Watanabe allowed Mitchell van Bergen to pounce on the error and score. Van Persie’s son, Shaqueel, was brought on to salvage a draw. He almost did it with two excellent goals to level the game. However, Kitolano scored his second in stoppage time to seal victory for Sparta and perhaps Van Persie’s coaching term at Feyenoord. It may be premature, as Feyenoord is still in second place, but there is a yawning gap of 16 points to PSV. Sparta is in 7th. Fortuna Sittard 1-2 PSV. Although PSV won, it was not a convincing victory. Ivan Peresic gave PSV victory, but the standout goal was Kaj Sierhuis’s thunderbolt from 25 metres that was the game’s highlight. PEC Zwolle 3 - 1 AZ Alkmaar. Despite their huge 6-0 win over Ajax, AZ’s Eredivisie form has continued to slump in January. Shola Shoretire scored two for Zwolle. AZ’s only goal came directly from a Keepmeiner’s corner. Zwolle is 11th while AZ is in 6th . Other matches. Excelsior 2 - 2 Telstar. This is a battle for the relegation zone as Telstar remains in 15th and Excelsior in 16th. NAC Breda 3-4 NEC Nijmegen. NEC won after a stoppage-time goal by Kodai Sano in the 94th minute. NEC is two points behind Ajax in 4th position, while NAC is tied with Excelsior in 16th. Ajax 2 - 2 Go Ahead Eagles. (18/01/26)Once again, Davy Klaasen scored a screamer after only 15 minutes. In a well-rehearsed training move, the Ajax keeper, after intercepting a Go Ahead cross, quickly threw the ball in front of an already running Godts. He continued to the box before squaring it to Klaasen.
Godts made a beautiful run into the box, dribbling past defenders along the six-yard box before unleashing a fierce shot from 7 metres that struck the bar. Ajax could not double their score until the 28th minute when Kasper Dolberg found the net after a scramble in the box. Klaasen managed to slip the ball to Dolberg, who slammed it past the keeper from close range. The good lead-up work was also an obvious training ground manouvre. Ajax is in third place, while the Eagles are in 13th.
Drama at Ajax
Over the last few months, Ajax has been a rollercoaster of drama, excitement, and controversy. After sacking John Heitinga (now assistant coach at Tottenham), installing Fred Grimm as a temporary replacement, Ajax has celebrated unlikely victories over their fiercest rivals, Feyenoord and PSV, as well as humiliating defeats. The latest was against a 6 nil loss to AZ Alkmaar.The December 2-0 victory over Feyenoord was controversial because Ajax did not play according to the Ajax script. Adopting an unlikely 4-5-1 formation, Grimm found he had to defend his tactics after the game.
Feyenoord coach Robin van Persie said that only one team wanted to play football. Grimm replied that there were different ways of playing football. Grimm adjusted his tactics after dominating the match against Excelsior but going down 1-2.
“We put a lot of pressure on Excelsior, and that didn’t go well. It was open house. I adjusted the plan to that. We went back to the basics.”
Fred Grim’s words were exceptionally harsh and left little room for interpretation. “This will be the last time he plays for Ajax,” the coach declared without hesitation. In a club known for its internal discipline but also for protecting its players, this was a statement of historical proportions. It was not a temporary measure, not a disciplinary suspension or warning. This was a definitive breach, a symbolic and practical interpretation of a chapter that, according to Grim, had done Ajax more harm than good.
There had long been a feeling within the club that something was amiss. Results fluctuated, the play seemed forced, and the team’s chemistry seemed lacking. If you want to be aware of many tactical problems, the internal problem should be considered. According to multiple sources, one player was a constant factor in the unrest. I ask for the conflicting elements to be used, which may have been sabotaged by the technical staff present in them.
Fred Grim made it clear that his decision was not taken lightly. On the contrary, the coach admitted that he had tried for weeks to resolve the situation internally. Discussions, warnings, and mediation were to no avail. According to Grim, the player in question continued to add fuel to the fire, resulting in an increasingly toxic atmosphere within the squad. Players began to withdraw, trusted each other less, and completely lost focus on football.
The defeat against AZ Alkmaar was the breaking point. On the pitch, it was clear that Ajax was no longer a collective. They didn’t run for each other, blamed each other for mistakes, and after every goal conceded, the team seemed to drift further apart. The rivalry degenerated into a humiliation that hurt everyone who cared about Ajax. It turned out that the tensions that had been simmering in the dressing room for a week had fully exploded that evening.
Kasper Dolberg played a crucial role in these revelations. The Danish striker, known within the squad as calm and professional, felt compelled to intervene, according to insiders. Dolberg reportedly personally requested a meeting with Fred Grim, away from cameras and the media. In that meeting, he meticulously explained what had happened behind closed doors. “If you don’t know what to do, you’ll just want to take advantage of the team.”
Dolberg described a pattern of behavior that, in his view, was incompatible with Ajax’s guards. While it was no longer a one-off outburst of frustration after a poor match, it was structural behavior that eroded the team’s cohesion. If you want to know what to do with Grim, you’ll realize that you cannot join the coach but must look at the most important player. The decision that followed was harsh, but according to the coach, inevitable.
The decision provoked mixed reactions within the squad, but surprisingly, relief prevailed. Players who had previously kept their composure reportedly expressed their internal support for Grim’s intervention. The fear of being seen as a traitor or troublemaker had fostered a culture of silence.
The initial reaction among supporters was explosive. The announcement that a player would never wear the Ajax shirt again sparked heated discussions on social media. Some demanded names and details, while others wondered how this had happened. Many fans expressed their support for Fred Grim and praised his courage for choosing the club’s interests above all else.
Transfer News
Kenneth Taylor (23) has signed a 4.5 year contract with Lazio Roma for a transfer fee of 17 million euros.
Jordi Cruyff, son of Johan Cruyff, has been appointed statutory manager of Ajax. That means he will guide the technical direction as well as transfers. His first major signing is the son of legend Zlatan Ibramimovich, Maximillian, a 1.83 metre tall Swedish left winger from AC Milan. Although he is on loan, Ajax will have the option to buy the 19-year-old striker.
Dutch international Donyell Malen has transferred from Aston Villa to AS Roma. Ruud van Nistlerooy has joined the Netherlands coaching staff. Erik ten Haag will coach FC Twente.Australian of the Year Award recipients.
The Dutch Courier received a press release naming the Australian of the Year Award recipients.
We are publishing the senior list because it is truly inspiring.
AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY
Heather Reid AM - Football pioneer
Heather Reid has made it possible for thousands of women to play football, both in the Australian Capital Territory and around Australia.
Heather was instrumental in establishing the Australian National University Women’s Soccer Club in 1978 and the Australian Capital Territory Women’s Soccer Association a year later. As the first female CEO of Capital Football in 2004, she brought together four associations into a single peak body and secured Canberra United’s inclusion in the national W-League, helping to promote the game to a wider audience.
Heather, 70, has continued to support and mentor players, coaches and administrators, both locally and internationally. She set up the Heather Reid AM Bursary to help pay the registration fees of players in need of assistance, ensuring that financial hardship is not a barrier to participation.
Heather’s vision and dedication to inclusion and equality have opened pathways for thousands of women to take part in sport.
NEW SOUTH WALES
Professor Henry Brodaty AO - Dementia treatment pioneer
Professor Henry Brodaty is transforming the diagnosis, care and prevention of dementia - improving countless lives, both in Australia and around the world.In 1972, Henry’s father was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease at just 52 years old. At that time, dementia was poorly understood and often ignored. People living with dementia and carers had little support and no pathway forward. His father’s experience catalysed a lifetime of work that not only revolutionised Henry’s own field of psychiatry, but also the lives of people living with dementia and their families.In 2012, Henry co-founded the Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing and led internationally significant research that enhanced the world’s understanding of risk and prevention. His large Maintain Your Brain trial demonstrated that straightforward, cost-effective, targeted interventions can profoundly delay onset and even prevent dementia.Henry, 78, is a leader who has reshaped dementia care from every angle as he navigates toward a future where dementia is better treated and prevented.
NORTHERN TERRITORY
Jenny Duggan OAM - Environmental warrior
For decades, Jenny Duggan has shown extraordinary grassroots leadership as Katherine’s ‘rubbish warrior’, quietly transforming the landscape and community spirit of her town.Each morning 71-year-old Jenny walks the banks of the Katherine River to remove litter. In collecting hundreds of kilograms of rubbish, she’s put the spotlight on environmental safety.To reduce the danger of broken glass in public spaces, Jenny advocated for the Katherine Liquor Accord’s move to plastic wine bottles. She’s also a force behind Katherine’s Neighbourhood Watch – all part of her drive to make Katherine safer for everyone.Jenny supports community members experiencing hardship through her volunteer work with the St Vincent de Paul Society. Here Jenny serves on the management committee of Ormonde House, which provides housing for men in need, and on the management committee for Katherine’s Vinnies store.In her daily, humble, practical service, Jenny exemplifies community care in action.
QUEENSLAND
Cheryl Harris OAM - Champion for volunteers
Cheryl Harris has been instrumental in driving volunteer engagement and championing the important work that volunteers perform on the Sunshine Coast.
Cheryl’s passion for helping community began when she was just 20 years old. Her advocacy and strong relationships throughout the Sunshine Coast community has seen volunteering in the region increase significantly. Today, thousands of volunteers actively support the Sunshine Coast community in various roles from charity work to disaster relief. As former CEO at Volunteering Sunshine Coast, Cheryl and her team collaborated with her community networks to initiate the innovative Pathways to Employment program, which helps people seeking paid employment to update their skills and build self-esteem through volunteering.Cheryl, 76, is the current chair/president of Healthy Ageing Partnerships, which aims to empower older Australians to make informed decisions about their health through knowledge sharing.Cheryl’s contribution to community service highlights her selfless dedication to helping others in a manner that is always compassionate, informed and caring.
SOUTH AUSTRALIA
Note: There are two SA Senior Australian of the Year Award finalists for 2026. These are individual nominees, not a joint recognition.
Malcolm Benoy - Meteorological researcher
Malcolm ‘Mac’ Benoy has made a significant contribution to climate change research in his role as a volunteer citizen scientist, helping to preserve valuable records and data relating to South Australia’s meteorological history.Over the past two decades, 79-year-old Mac has volunteered with the Bureau of Meteorology in South Australia, where he set up a citizen science group to record and preserve valuable hand-written meteorological records from the 19th century. Under Mac’s astute guidance, the group has digitised over 90,000 synoptic charts and related documents, providing an invaluable research tool for modern-day climatologists.International climate change and meteorological researchers have used the group’s records to reconstruct historical weather patterns in the southern hemisphere, helping to better understand how the global climate is changing.Mac’s professionalism, enthusiasm and insight continue to guide the team of citizen scientists in its work to document and preserve critical weather data.
James Currie - Sound designer. James Currie’s filmography
reads like a list of South Australia’s most successful films over the past 50 years.His work as a sound designer, recordist and mixer includes titles such as Breaker Morant, The Lighthorsemen,Bad Boy Bubby, The Tracker, Wolf Creek, Ten Canoes, Red Dog and, most recently, the AACTA award-winning documentary My Name is Gulpilil.James has worked with many of South Australia’s leading directors over his career and has won multiple awards forhis lifetime of work. He has been instrumental in establishing and growing the state’s film industry, particularly as an authority on sound design. His use of location sound, most notably in remote Indigenous communities, has helped create a uniquely Australian soundscape in film.James, 79, is generous in sharing his expertise and knowledge with other practitioners, especially students, creating an enduring legacy of excellence in sound design now and into the future.
TASMANIA
Julie Dunbabin - Nutritious eating visionary
Julie Dunbabin, 66, is a pioneer in school nutrition, who is changing the way education departments and schools prepare and deliver school lunches to children. Julie’s vision is for all school children to receive a nutritious, sit-down meal every day, prepared from scratch in a school or central kitchen, using seasonal, local produce.Today, the School Lunch Program prepares 14,332 school lunches for 6,656 students every week. The program, which started initially with three schools, is expected to expand to 60 schools in 2026.The program has clear benefits for children, ensuring they receive a nutritious meal each day and contributing to better social and learning outcomes. The model of cook-from-scratch kitchens also supports local producers, creates jobs for kitchen and warehouse staff, builds community involvement and addresses food security for families.Julie’s determination to improve children’s diets is transforming how school lunches are delivered in Tasmania, inspiring a healthier food culture and enhancing food literacy.
VICTORIA
Bryan Lipmann AM - Elderly homeless advocate
As a young social worker, Bryan Lipmann witnessed first-hand the appalling conditions in which many elderly homeless people were forced to live. Realising that existing aged care homes were not the answer, he founded Wintringham to provide a safe space where the elderly poor and homeless could live with dignity and respect.Today, Wintringham supports 3,000 people with accommodation and home care services. At its core, the organisation retains the same values that Bryan instilled in the beginning – respect for the individual, social equality and the promise of ‘a home until stumps’.Through his advocacy, 78-year-old Bryan revolutionised ideas about how to support marginalised elderly people in society by creating safe, long-term homes for thousands of people.Bryan’s devotion to caring for those who do not fit into mainstream aged care epitomises the difference that one individual can make by improving the quality of life for others.
WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Professor Kingsley Dixon AO - World-leading botanist
Professor Kingsley Dixon from The University of Western Australia is an internationally recognised botanist whose devotion to science has transformed Australian native plant conservation.As Foundation Director of Science at Perth’s Kings Park and Botanic Garden, Kingsley shaped a small research unit into one of the world’s top five botanic garden-based science centres. One of Kingsley’s most notable achievements is the 1992 discovery of smoke as a cause for Australian plants to germinate after bushfires.
Kingsley actively educates schools and communities across Western Australia with his engaging ‘Attenborough’ style. He also works closely with Indigenous people in Broome and the Western Desert to establish native seed programs. Kingsley has spearheaded Western Australia’s status as an international hub for mining environmental science
Marja Rogers
I regret to inform you my wife Marja Rogers ne Binnendijk passed away on the 25th June 2025, aged 88yrs.Marja came to Australia with her parents Neeltje and Johan and sister Selma in 1950 on the De Volendam migrant ship, finally settling in French’s Forest, a Sydney suburbInitially Johann couldn’t find suitable work and forced Marja, although a very bright student, to leave her selective High School after her Intermediate Certificate and find work to help support the family.Marja then flourished in her new country, marrying at 21 in 1958 and by age 29 had four children.Her then husband died of Cancer in 1981 and in 1982 Marja and I became a couple, although we didn’t get married until 2009, the year Marja was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease.In that same year Marja graduated as an MA in Creative Writing from the University of Technology Sydney with Distinctions.Marja had written her memoir to the age of 29 after her last child was born and serves as chronicle of survival during WW2 and of flourishing in her adopted country.Her husband will publish it in the paper soon.
December 2025 newspaper
Page 1
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NOTES FROM THE EDITOR
SUBSCRIPTION CHANGES IN 2026
Dutch Courier News – Important Update
Dear readers,
When we took over the Dutch Courier eight years ago, we already wondered: Can a printed newspaper continue to exist? Thanks to low costs, sufficient advertising revenue, and the fact that we did not take a salary from the paper, we managed to keep it going for many years.
However, times have changed. Printed publications are increasingly being replaced by online versions.
Printers and distributors are struggling, which has led to significant price increases. At the same time, the number of subscribers and advertisers – our main source of income – is declining.
To keep printing the newspaper, we are now operating at a loss, and that is not sustainable.
What’s next?
We want to keep publishing the Dutch Courier, but in a new format. That’s why we are introducing a multi-platform subscription:
11 online editions per year, available on our website, out of those 11 edition 5 printed editions per year, mailed directly to you
Audio recordings of each edition, also available online
This way, we can continue offering the Dutch Courier without increasing prices and without extra costs.
We are also exploring funding opportunities and brainstorming creative solutions, such as a short A4 version you can print yourself. We would also love to hear your ideas!
Change can be challenging, but also positive. Together, we can ensure the Dutch Courier continues to thrive.
Do you have suggestions? Please let us know!
Kind regards,
Carole and Ron
Please send your suggestions via email, post or phone us.
email: [email protected]
post: 6a McKay Avenue, Black Rock, VIC 3193
text or phone call: 0437 757 393
SUBSCRIPTION CHANGES IN 2026
Dutch Courier News – Important Update
Dear readers,
When we took over the Dutch Courier eight years ago, we already wondered: Can a printed newspaper continue to exist? Thanks to low costs, sufficient advertising revenue, and the fact that we did not take a salary from the paper, we managed to keep it going for many years.
However, times have changed. Printed publications are increasingly being replaced by online versions.
Printers and distributors are struggling, which has led to significant price increases. At the same time, the number of subscribers and advertisers – our main source of income – is declining.
To keep printing the newspaper, we are now operating at a loss, and that is not sustainable.
What’s next?
We want to keep publishing the Dutch Courier, but in a new format. That’s why we are introducing a multi-platform subscription:
11 online editions per year, available on our website, out of those 11 edition 5 printed editions per year, mailed directly to you
Audio recordings of each edition, also available online
This way, we can continue offering the Dutch Courier without increasing prices and without extra costs.
We are also exploring funding opportunities and brainstorming creative solutions, such as a short A4 version you can print yourself. We would also love to hear your ideas!
Change can be challenging, but also positive. Together, we can ensure the Dutch Courier continues to thrive.
Do you have suggestions? Please let us know!
Kind regards,
Carole and Ron
Please send your suggestions via email, post or phone us.
email: [email protected]
post: 6a McKay Avenue, Black Rock, VIC 3193
text or phone call: 0437 757 393
Page 4 en back page
Sport
by Hernry van Zanden
Oranje qualifies for 2026
World Cup
Oranje qualifies for 2026 World Cup
The Dutch national team secured qualification after a difficult 1-1away draw with Poland and a convincing 4-0 win at home against Lithuania. Poland needed a win to challenge the Dutch for the top of the group and automatic qualification. It was a difficult game for the Oranje, and they fell behind in the 43rd minute after a quick break from defence. Although there were still five Dutch defenders, Robert Lewandinski brilliant pass from inside the inner circle found a racing Kaminski whose low shot from the edge of the box went through Verbruggen’s legs. Fortunately, the Dutch responded quickly after the break. After persistent attacks, Grabara, the Polish keeper, was grasping for a cross from the left. Malen shot, but his effort was saved, only to see it fall to Memphis Depay to fire in on the rebound and score his 54th goal for the Netherlands - a record.
A relieved Dutch returned to the Netherlands to face Lithuania. They dominated from the start, with Reijnders scoring a great goal after only 16 minutes, sprinting onto a through ball from De Jong. Reijnders hit the post, and Jurien Timber was denied at close range. Although they completely dominated the game with 76% possession, the team was frustrated that they were not 3 or 4 goals up by halftime.
The pressure was relieved after a penalty was awarded when De Ligt headed the ball down onto the hand of a Lithuanian defender. Gakpo calmly struck the ball home. Two minutes later, in the 50th minute, Xavi Simons received a pass from Depay, dummied, feinted, and stepped to his right before scoring the third. The 4th goal by Malen was well-deserved for the effort he put into the game. The Dutch had 20 shots on goal (8 on target) and scored 4.
With the game safe, Koemen decided to give debutants Emmanuel Emegha (Chelsea) and Luciano Valente (Feyenoord) their starts. Emegha, replacing Wout Weghorst in the squad, recently transferred from Ligue 1, and was the fastest footballer clocked at 37.72 km. With his speed, he may be a rising star this World Cup.
Captain Virgil van Dijk broke Frank de Boer’s record as the most-capped captain of all time. Memphis Depay is now the all-time top scorer for the Netherlands, with 55 goals and the most goal assists at 35. He had a great game against Finland, with one goal and two assists. five Ajax players immediately demanded that coach John Heitinga be fired and threatened not to participate in the next match. Hetinga responded by removing the five players from the team, but that resulted in a heavy 1-5 loss to Chelsea.
Despite the hierarchy’s initial support for Heitinga, he was sacked along with his assistant, Marcel Keizer. It appears that Louis van Gaal’s opinion was the tipping point. After he gave the thumbs down, Heitinga was sacked.
According to the technical director, Alex Kroes, “It was a painful decision. But if you look at how the past few months have gone, we have to conclude that we imagined things very differently beforehand.” He immediately offered to stand down from his own position and accepted responsibility for the team’s decline. Cruyff is the leading candidate with an impressive resume of stints at AEK, Maccabi Tel Aviv, and, most notably, Barcelona, where he helped Xavi Hernadez rebuilt Barca’s squad in 2024.
Fred Grimm is the interim coach until a new one can be found. Ajax is currently 6th after their defeat at home to Exclesior who have never won atJohan Ccruyff Stadium. Ajax sits at the bottom of the Champions League with zero points after losing their latest game 2-0 to Benfica. They had their chances against Benifica, but were unable to convert. Davy Klasson scuffed a hurried shot in front of the goal that would have leveled the game.
PSV
Coach Peter Bosz is the main target for Ajax, but PSV management is unlikely to allow their title-winning coach depart without a fight. PSV is on top of the Eredivisie after an unconvincing away win against 16th placed NAC Breda. Sometimes called ‘The Yellow Army’ or ‘The Rats’ the team had no respect for PSV’s pedigree and attacked at every opportunity. Unfortunately, they could not convert, with too many shots and headers sailing over the bar, or a magnificent save being made by the PSV keeper.
The Dutch team has landed in Pot 1 in the World Cup draw. Pot 1 includes the world’s best-ranked teams. Although their ranking has dropped one place, they are still in the top 10 in 7th position. Canada, the USA, and Mexico are also in Pot 1 because they are host
countries.
Australia is in Pot 2 and could possibly end up in the same group as the Netherlands. Despite the excellent results, there are signs of disharmony in the team. Wout Weghorst has complained, “I don’t feel respected here,” expressing his frustration about not playing regularly for the Dutch team and his frustration with head coach Ronald Koeman. After a heated argument between the two, it is doubtful whether he will be selected again. The same may be said for PSV’s captain, Jerdy Schouten when he stated, “I prefer to be a substitute than play with Ajax players. He shocked Koeman by asking him to drop all Ajax players; otherwise he would refuse to play for the national team.
What has happened to Ajax?
As I have mentioned before, those in charge of Ajax refuse to understand that they can no longer conjure up world-class footballers from their academy. They can no longer sell their best players and remain a top-tier team in Europe. Too often, the players they have purchased are either well past their prime or second-tier players.Good players have asked for transfers due to the management’s lack of ambition. Ajax is no longer a desirable destination for top young players wishing to improve their skills and career prospects. Francesco Farioli resigned because the club insisted on selling its best players.
To hide their ineptitude, the coach is always the first scapegoat. Even the players have refused to be accountable for their poor play. After their 2-0 loss to AZ Alkmaar,
PSV keeper
He was the standout player, saving one attempt that was destined for the top right corner. Gus Til saved any embarrassment for PSV with two attempts in two minutes. His first attempt was saved, but a header from a Perisic cross found the bottom left corner in the 36th minute. Sydney van Hooijdonk had a good chance at the hour, but his header was too high.
NAC almost drew the game in the end, but desperate PSV defending saved the game for PSV.
Champions League - Liverpool 1 - PSV 4
After watching the NAC game, I didn’t think it was possible for PSV to defeat Liverpool in Liverpool. Yet, they outplayed the English giants, winning 4-1. Arne Slot’s days appeared to be numbered after a series of defeats.
Heracles Almelo 8 v PEC Zwolle 2 (2nd Nov)
In the craziest game of the season, last-placed Heracles stunned pundits with an extraordinary 8-2 win over PEC Zwolle. Socceroos midfielder Ajdin Hrustic provided two assists in their first win in 10 matches. It came after their head coach and technical director were sacked, but even the interim manager, Hendrie Kruzen, was amazed. “This is bizarre… I can’t explain it any other way.” In one match, Heracles scored more goals than in the previous 10 combined, with Jizz Hornkamp scoring a hat trick.
The victory followed a 4-1 Cup win over NAC Breda. Under Kruzen, Heracles has won all four matches, scoring 18 goals and conceding six. They are now off the bottom of the Eredivisie and one point away from escaping the relegation zone.
Australian midfielder Adrian Hrustic, has hit form and is now equal second for assists with six, level with PSV duo Ivan Perisic and Jey Veerman.
With the team playing so well, it is strange that they would appoint a new coach and even stranger that it will be Ernest Faber, the technical director from Adelaide United. He will become head coach until the end of the season, when he will become the technical director. He will then be given the power to appoint his own head coach.
Although Kruzen has stated that he has no interest in the position, it is most likely because he does not have the correct coaching badges and has no plans to obtain them. His preference is to remain the assistant coach.
Another Aussie midfielder, 23-year-old Cameron Peupion, scored again for ADO Den Haag’s 4-3 win over MVV in the Dutch second tier. ADO has made the best start in 37 years.
Who is Ernest Faber?
Once known as ‘Mr. PSV, Faber spent about a decade coaching PSV’s youth academy before arriving as the technical director for Adelaide in 2024. Anyone who has watched Adelaide and their young players would easily recognise his success in championing the youth. He has had some controversy with accusations that he undermined last year’s coach, Carl Veart.
17th placed Heracles has continued its winning streak with a hard-fought 4-2 win against Go Ahead Eagles. I was struck by the devotion and enthusiasm of the Heracles supporters. It was an enjoyable game to watch.
Heerenveen v AZ Alkmaar (23rd Nov)
Ninth-placed Heerenveen is playing beautiful football. I was worried at the start of the year that frustration might get the better of them, but their last few games have yielded good results, with a 3-1 win at home against third-played AZ, a 1-1 draw with Ajax, 2 nil win over Fortuna Sittard, and a 3-0 win over VVV in the KNVB Cup. The big test will come next week against PSV (34 points). After watching both teams play this week, and unless Ruben van Bommel returns from injury, I am predicting an upset with Heerenveen (17 points) playing at home.
Groningen v PEC Zwolle
In many ways, it was a hilarious game, with the start delayed due to snow. Groundsmen frantically pushed their blue snow shovels across the turf to allow a start. It was a nightmare for Groningen, who had 31 shots on goal and 16 on target. PEC had only five shots, with three on target, yet scored two goals. Thom van Bergen scored both Groningen’s goals. PEC scored first in the 11th minute against the run of play, but Van Bergen pulled one back before halftime. At the hour, PEC once again stunned the home supporters, with Floranus scoring at the hour. They survived waves of attacks until they broke in the 90th minute, with Van Bergen saving the day for Groningen. However, they should have had the winner with seconds to go, only for the snowy conditions to thwart what should have been an easy goal. A shot was deflected, which then ricocheted off the keeper’s head to fall in front of a Groningen player. In the snow, his shot skidded slowly toward the goal, only to be cleared off the line.
The snowy conditions made it difficult to play. Three times the snow had to be removed, once because the referee could no longer see the lines in the penalty box.
Feyenoord v NEC
Second-placed Feyenoord has had a very bad November, with three defeats against two clubs that fans would expect them to beat. In Europe, they suffered a 2-0 defeat against Stuttgart. In the Eredivisie, they were beaten 2-1 by Go Ahead Eagles and 4-2 at home against NEC Nijmegen. Although they attacked strongly for the first 20 minutes, they were wasteful with their attempts, sailing over the bar. Last year’s top scorer, Sem Steijn, had the best chance, but his shot was blasted wide of the left upright.
The club has ten players injured, including Australian Jordy Bos, who has missed 4 games. It was made worse with Stiejn suffering a hamstring injury but is expected to return in early December.
Feyenoord continued to press and were unlucky on three occasions with good saves from the keeper and a low cross just out of reach for a lunging Feyennord forward. NEC shocked the Rotterdam faithful with a thunderbolt from outside the box by Darko Nejasmic was barely saved by Wellenreuther’s amazing leap to push the ball away from the top right-hand corner. Unfortunately, five minutes later, the keeper made a poor pass into the midfield, where it was intercepted. A pass was sent to the right toVhery who crossed to Bryan Linssen who stabbed the ball home from the centre of the box.
Encouraged by the goal, NEC almost scored through a flurry of attempts by Linssen, Chery, and Darko Nejasmic. Steijn and Moussa responded, but their attempts were saved. Another struck the bar. After continued pressure, Leo Sauer, with an assist by Steijn, scored with a powerful diving header from close range in added time.
In the second half, despite five shots on goal by NEC, Feyenoord took the lead through Bart Nieukoop from the corner of the six-yard box. NEC responded with two goals - two headers by Noe Lebreton and Kento Shiogai in the 90th minute.
What was lamentable for Feyenoord was the extremely poor defence in conceding the goals. Both players were unmarked in front of goal.
The fourth goal resulted from a long clearance from defence that found the NEC winger, who attempted to pass inside to Kento Shiogai. Instead, it ricocheted off the defender into the path of Shiogai, who sent a forty-five-metre shot over the advancing keeper into the net for a historic 2-4 win for NEC.
Volendam 1 - FC Twente 1
Readers may remember Dutch internationals, Arnold and Gerrie Mühren. Their nephew, 36 year old Robert, came off the bench to head home the equaliser against eight placed Twente.
Sparta Rotterdam 1- Fortuna Sittard 1
It was a story of missed chances by tenth-placed Sparta who eventually took the lead through a header by Kitolano. Fortuna Sittard equalised after a corner fell to the feet of Sierhuis who netted from close range.
by Hernry van Zanden
Oranje qualifies for 2026
World Cup
Oranje qualifies for 2026 World Cup
The Dutch national team secured qualification after a difficult 1-1away draw with Poland and a convincing 4-0 win at home against Lithuania. Poland needed a win to challenge the Dutch for the top of the group and automatic qualification. It was a difficult game for the Oranje, and they fell behind in the 43rd minute after a quick break from defence. Although there were still five Dutch defenders, Robert Lewandinski brilliant pass from inside the inner circle found a racing Kaminski whose low shot from the edge of the box went through Verbruggen’s legs. Fortunately, the Dutch responded quickly after the break. After persistent attacks, Grabara, the Polish keeper, was grasping for a cross from the left. Malen shot, but his effort was saved, only to see it fall to Memphis Depay to fire in on the rebound and score his 54th goal for the Netherlands - a record.
A relieved Dutch returned to the Netherlands to face Lithuania. They dominated from the start, with Reijnders scoring a great goal after only 16 minutes, sprinting onto a through ball from De Jong. Reijnders hit the post, and Jurien Timber was denied at close range. Although they completely dominated the game with 76% possession, the team was frustrated that they were not 3 or 4 goals up by halftime.
The pressure was relieved after a penalty was awarded when De Ligt headed the ball down onto the hand of a Lithuanian defender. Gakpo calmly struck the ball home. Two minutes later, in the 50th minute, Xavi Simons received a pass from Depay, dummied, feinted, and stepped to his right before scoring the third. The 4th goal by Malen was well-deserved for the effort he put into the game. The Dutch had 20 shots on goal (8 on target) and scored 4.
With the game safe, Koemen decided to give debutants Emmanuel Emegha (Chelsea) and Luciano Valente (Feyenoord) their starts. Emegha, replacing Wout Weghorst in the squad, recently transferred from Ligue 1, and was the fastest footballer clocked at 37.72 km. With his speed, he may be a rising star this World Cup.
Captain Virgil van Dijk broke Frank de Boer’s record as the most-capped captain of all time. Memphis Depay is now the all-time top scorer for the Netherlands, with 55 goals and the most goal assists at 35. He had a great game against Finland, with one goal and two assists. five Ajax players immediately demanded that coach John Heitinga be fired and threatened not to participate in the next match. Hetinga responded by removing the five players from the team, but that resulted in a heavy 1-5 loss to Chelsea.
Despite the hierarchy’s initial support for Heitinga, he was sacked along with his assistant, Marcel Keizer. It appears that Louis van Gaal’s opinion was the tipping point. After he gave the thumbs down, Heitinga was sacked.
According to the technical director, Alex Kroes, “It was a painful decision. But if you look at how the past few months have gone, we have to conclude that we imagined things very differently beforehand.” He immediately offered to stand down from his own position and accepted responsibility for the team’s decline. Cruyff is the leading candidate with an impressive resume of stints at AEK, Maccabi Tel Aviv, and, most notably, Barcelona, where he helped Xavi Hernadez rebuilt Barca’s squad in 2024.
Fred Grimm is the interim coach until a new one can be found. Ajax is currently 6th after their defeat at home to Exclesior who have never won atJohan Ccruyff Stadium. Ajax sits at the bottom of the Champions League with zero points after losing their latest game 2-0 to Benfica. They had their chances against Benifica, but were unable to convert. Davy Klasson scuffed a hurried shot in front of the goal that would have leveled the game.
PSV
Coach Peter Bosz is the main target for Ajax, but PSV management is unlikely to allow their title-winning coach depart without a fight. PSV is on top of the Eredivisie after an unconvincing away win against 16th placed NAC Breda. Sometimes called ‘The Yellow Army’ or ‘The Rats’ the team had no respect for PSV’s pedigree and attacked at every opportunity. Unfortunately, they could not convert, with too many shots and headers sailing over the bar, or a magnificent save being made by the PSV keeper.
The Dutch team has landed in Pot 1 in the World Cup draw. Pot 1 includes the world’s best-ranked teams. Although their ranking has dropped one place, they are still in the top 10 in 7th position. Canada, the USA, and Mexico are also in Pot 1 because they are host
countries.
Australia is in Pot 2 and could possibly end up in the same group as the Netherlands. Despite the excellent results, there are signs of disharmony in the team. Wout Weghorst has complained, “I don’t feel respected here,” expressing his frustration about not playing regularly for the Dutch team and his frustration with head coach Ronald Koeman. After a heated argument between the two, it is doubtful whether he will be selected again. The same may be said for PSV’s captain, Jerdy Schouten when he stated, “I prefer to be a substitute than play with Ajax players. He shocked Koeman by asking him to drop all Ajax players; otherwise he would refuse to play for the national team.
What has happened to Ajax?
As I have mentioned before, those in charge of Ajax refuse to understand that they can no longer conjure up world-class footballers from their academy. They can no longer sell their best players and remain a top-tier team in Europe. Too often, the players they have purchased are either well past their prime or second-tier players.Good players have asked for transfers due to the management’s lack of ambition. Ajax is no longer a desirable destination for top young players wishing to improve their skills and career prospects. Francesco Farioli resigned because the club insisted on selling its best players.
To hide their ineptitude, the coach is always the first scapegoat. Even the players have refused to be accountable for their poor play. After their 2-0 loss to AZ Alkmaar,
PSV keeper
He was the standout player, saving one attempt that was destined for the top right corner. Gus Til saved any embarrassment for PSV with two attempts in two minutes. His first attempt was saved, but a header from a Perisic cross found the bottom left corner in the 36th minute. Sydney van Hooijdonk had a good chance at the hour, but his header was too high.
NAC almost drew the game in the end, but desperate PSV defending saved the game for PSV.
Champions League - Liverpool 1 - PSV 4
After watching the NAC game, I didn’t think it was possible for PSV to defeat Liverpool in Liverpool. Yet, they outplayed the English giants, winning 4-1. Arne Slot’s days appeared to be numbered after a series of defeats.
Heracles Almelo 8 v PEC Zwolle 2 (2nd Nov)
In the craziest game of the season, last-placed Heracles stunned pundits with an extraordinary 8-2 win over PEC Zwolle. Socceroos midfielder Ajdin Hrustic provided two assists in their first win in 10 matches. It came after their head coach and technical director were sacked, but even the interim manager, Hendrie Kruzen, was amazed. “This is bizarre… I can’t explain it any other way.” In one match, Heracles scored more goals than in the previous 10 combined, with Jizz Hornkamp scoring a hat trick.
The victory followed a 4-1 Cup win over NAC Breda. Under Kruzen, Heracles has won all four matches, scoring 18 goals and conceding six. They are now off the bottom of the Eredivisie and one point away from escaping the relegation zone.
Australian midfielder Adrian Hrustic, has hit form and is now equal second for assists with six, level with PSV duo Ivan Perisic and Jey Veerman.
With the team playing so well, it is strange that they would appoint a new coach and even stranger that it will be Ernest Faber, the technical director from Adelaide United. He will become head coach until the end of the season, when he will become the technical director. He will then be given the power to appoint his own head coach.
Although Kruzen has stated that he has no interest in the position, it is most likely because he does not have the correct coaching badges and has no plans to obtain them. His preference is to remain the assistant coach.
Another Aussie midfielder, 23-year-old Cameron Peupion, scored again for ADO Den Haag’s 4-3 win over MVV in the Dutch second tier. ADO has made the best start in 37 years.
Who is Ernest Faber?
Once known as ‘Mr. PSV, Faber spent about a decade coaching PSV’s youth academy before arriving as the technical director for Adelaide in 2024. Anyone who has watched Adelaide and their young players would easily recognise his success in championing the youth. He has had some controversy with accusations that he undermined last year’s coach, Carl Veart.
17th placed Heracles has continued its winning streak with a hard-fought 4-2 win against Go Ahead Eagles. I was struck by the devotion and enthusiasm of the Heracles supporters. It was an enjoyable game to watch.
Heerenveen v AZ Alkmaar (23rd Nov)
Ninth-placed Heerenveen is playing beautiful football. I was worried at the start of the year that frustration might get the better of them, but their last few games have yielded good results, with a 3-1 win at home against third-played AZ, a 1-1 draw with Ajax, 2 nil win over Fortuna Sittard, and a 3-0 win over VVV in the KNVB Cup. The big test will come next week against PSV (34 points). After watching both teams play this week, and unless Ruben van Bommel returns from injury, I am predicting an upset with Heerenveen (17 points) playing at home.
Groningen v PEC Zwolle
In many ways, it was a hilarious game, with the start delayed due to snow. Groundsmen frantically pushed their blue snow shovels across the turf to allow a start. It was a nightmare for Groningen, who had 31 shots on goal and 16 on target. PEC had only five shots, with three on target, yet scored two goals. Thom van Bergen scored both Groningen’s goals. PEC scored first in the 11th minute against the run of play, but Van Bergen pulled one back before halftime. At the hour, PEC once again stunned the home supporters, with Floranus scoring at the hour. They survived waves of attacks until they broke in the 90th minute, with Van Bergen saving the day for Groningen. However, they should have had the winner with seconds to go, only for the snowy conditions to thwart what should have been an easy goal. A shot was deflected, which then ricocheted off the keeper’s head to fall in front of a Groningen player. In the snow, his shot skidded slowly toward the goal, only to be cleared off the line.
The snowy conditions made it difficult to play. Three times the snow had to be removed, once because the referee could no longer see the lines in the penalty box.
Feyenoord v NEC
Second-placed Feyenoord has had a very bad November, with three defeats against two clubs that fans would expect them to beat. In Europe, they suffered a 2-0 defeat against Stuttgart. In the Eredivisie, they were beaten 2-1 by Go Ahead Eagles and 4-2 at home against NEC Nijmegen. Although they attacked strongly for the first 20 minutes, they were wasteful with their attempts, sailing over the bar. Last year’s top scorer, Sem Steijn, had the best chance, but his shot was blasted wide of the left upright.
The club has ten players injured, including Australian Jordy Bos, who has missed 4 games. It was made worse with Stiejn suffering a hamstring injury but is expected to return in early December.
Feyenoord continued to press and were unlucky on three occasions with good saves from the keeper and a low cross just out of reach for a lunging Feyennord forward. NEC shocked the Rotterdam faithful with a thunderbolt from outside the box by Darko Nejasmic was barely saved by Wellenreuther’s amazing leap to push the ball away from the top right-hand corner. Unfortunately, five minutes later, the keeper made a poor pass into the midfield, where it was intercepted. A pass was sent to the right toVhery who crossed to Bryan Linssen who stabbed the ball home from the centre of the box.
Encouraged by the goal, NEC almost scored through a flurry of attempts by Linssen, Chery, and Darko Nejasmic. Steijn and Moussa responded, but their attempts were saved. Another struck the bar. After continued pressure, Leo Sauer, with an assist by Steijn, scored with a powerful diving header from close range in added time.
In the second half, despite five shots on goal by NEC, Feyenoord took the lead through Bart Nieukoop from the corner of the six-yard box. NEC responded with two goals - two headers by Noe Lebreton and Kento Shiogai in the 90th minute.
What was lamentable for Feyenoord was the extremely poor defence in conceding the goals. Both players were unmarked in front of goal.
The fourth goal resulted from a long clearance from defence that found the NEC winger, who attempted to pass inside to Kento Shiogai. Instead, it ricocheted off the defender into the path of Shiogai, who sent a forty-five-metre shot over the advancing keeper into the net for a historic 2-4 win for NEC.
Volendam 1 - FC Twente 1
Readers may remember Dutch internationals, Arnold and Gerrie Mühren. Their nephew, 36 year old Robert, came off the bench to head home the equaliser against eight placed Twente.
Sparta Rotterdam 1- Fortuna Sittard 1
It was a story of missed chances by tenth-placed Sparta who eventually took the lead through a header by Kitolano. Fortuna Sittard equalised after a corner fell to the feet of Sierhuis who netted from close range.
Page 6
What’s All the Fuss About the 20-Minute City? Dr. Dominique Hes
may have noticed the term “20-minute city” (sometimes even a 15-minute city) appearing in the news recently, often surrounded by a lot of confusion and, sometimes, alarmist claims. Depending on the source, it is either portrayed as a planning solution for happier, healthier neighbourhoods, or as some sort of plot to restrict freedom and control where people can go. Really, the idea is much simpler and far less sinister than some of the headlines suggest.
It is like Yarraville, being able to walk or ride to public transport, the shops, schools, medical centres, parks, cafes, community spaces, and even some workplaces. Though Yarraville is the poster child, you can see it in Williamstown, South Kingsville/Spotswood, Point Cook, etc.
At its heart, a 20-minute city, or 20-minute neighbourhood, is a planning concept designed to make daily life easier by bringing essential services closer to home. The concept is already part of Plan Melbourne 2017–2050, which aims to create a more liveable, connected, and sustainable city. It is not about confining people to their suburbs or restricting car travel – it is about providing choice and convenience.
Much of the recent negative press has come from misunderstandings and misinformation. There have been claims online that the 20-minute city is part of a “climate lockdown” or that residents will be fined for leaving their local area. This can be triggering for us in Melbourne after our long, long lockdowns during Covid-19 so people are right to ask questions and find out more.
So let me be REALY clear, this negative press is NOT true.
The concept does not involve surveillance, fines, or restricting movement. Some of the confusion stems from traffic management experiments in other countries, such as low-traffic neighbourhoods, but these are local measures and not an inherent part of the 20-minute city concept.
That said, there are practical challenges that planners acknowledge. While inner and middle-ring suburbs like Yarraville already have many of the ingredients for a 20-minute neighbourhood, outer suburbs and regional areas often lack the density or infrastructure to make it fully work. Implementing the concept in these areas may require staged development, local hubs (and pubs!), better public transport, or a careful mix of housing and services. These challenges do not make the concept flawed, but they do highlight the need for tailored approaches rather than a one-size-fits-all model.
The potential benefits of a 20-minute city are significant. Reducing travel distances helps cut time spent in traffic, lowers emissions, and encourages walking and cycling, which improves health. Having services nearby strengthens local communities, supports small businesses, and makes neighbourhoods feel more vibrant. It also increases resilience, as communities with nearby amenities are better able to cope with disruptions such as public transport strikes or other emergencies.
The 20-minute city is something that many places in the Netherlands already had for centuries. Places I visit whenever I am visiting family and friends like Zundert, Heiloo, Baarn, Utrecht and where I lived for two years Amersfoort. All places I could jump on my bike and go to the shops, doctor, university or work. Places with local weekend markets, with festivals and community connections through church or social clubs that create a sense of safety and belonging.
Importantly, a 20-minute city is not about eliminating cars or forcing people to stay within a particular area. It is about designing neighbourhoods that allow people the option to live more locally if they wish, without taking freedoms away. In short, it is a principle for better planning: making it easier to meet daily needs, connect with neighbours, and enjoy a safer, more pleasant environment.
The backlash against the idea has largely been driven by misconceptions, but the practical value of well-planned 20-minute neighbourhoods is clear. For many residents, the chance to spend less time commuting, have essential services close by, and enjoy more walkable streets is appealing. The 20-minute city is not a threat; it is an opportunity to bring life closer to home, improve local communities, and create a more sustainable and enjoyable city for everyone.
Lastly, as we move to a world where things could go downhill quickly, we want to build community, connect locally, and build local services and opportunities. Irrespective of the planners, the government, or big business, we can all start building our own 15/20 minutes cities, together with our neighbours and friends.
may have noticed the term “20-minute city” (sometimes even a 15-minute city) appearing in the news recently, often surrounded by a lot of confusion and, sometimes, alarmist claims. Depending on the source, it is either portrayed as a planning solution for happier, healthier neighbourhoods, or as some sort of plot to restrict freedom and control where people can go. Really, the idea is much simpler and far less sinister than some of the headlines suggest.
It is like Yarraville, being able to walk or ride to public transport, the shops, schools, medical centres, parks, cafes, community spaces, and even some workplaces. Though Yarraville is the poster child, you can see it in Williamstown, South Kingsville/Spotswood, Point Cook, etc.
At its heart, a 20-minute city, or 20-minute neighbourhood, is a planning concept designed to make daily life easier by bringing essential services closer to home. The concept is already part of Plan Melbourne 2017–2050, which aims to create a more liveable, connected, and sustainable city. It is not about confining people to their suburbs or restricting car travel – it is about providing choice and convenience.
Much of the recent negative press has come from misunderstandings and misinformation. There have been claims online that the 20-minute city is part of a “climate lockdown” or that residents will be fined for leaving their local area. This can be triggering for us in Melbourne after our long, long lockdowns during Covid-19 so people are right to ask questions and find out more.
So let me be REALY clear, this negative press is NOT true.
The concept does not involve surveillance, fines, or restricting movement. Some of the confusion stems from traffic management experiments in other countries, such as low-traffic neighbourhoods, but these are local measures and not an inherent part of the 20-minute city concept.
That said, there are practical challenges that planners acknowledge. While inner and middle-ring suburbs like Yarraville already have many of the ingredients for a 20-minute neighbourhood, outer suburbs and regional areas often lack the density or infrastructure to make it fully work. Implementing the concept in these areas may require staged development, local hubs (and pubs!), better public transport, or a careful mix of housing and services. These challenges do not make the concept flawed, but they do highlight the need for tailored approaches rather than a one-size-fits-all model.
The potential benefits of a 20-minute city are significant. Reducing travel distances helps cut time spent in traffic, lowers emissions, and encourages walking and cycling, which improves health. Having services nearby strengthens local communities, supports small businesses, and makes neighbourhoods feel more vibrant. It also increases resilience, as communities with nearby amenities are better able to cope with disruptions such as public transport strikes or other emergencies.
The 20-minute city is something that many places in the Netherlands already had for centuries. Places I visit whenever I am visiting family and friends like Zundert, Heiloo, Baarn, Utrecht and where I lived for two years Amersfoort. All places I could jump on my bike and go to the shops, doctor, university or work. Places with local weekend markets, with festivals and community connections through church or social clubs that create a sense of safety and belonging.
Importantly, a 20-minute city is not about eliminating cars or forcing people to stay within a particular area. It is about designing neighbourhoods that allow people the option to live more locally if they wish, without taking freedoms away. In short, it is a principle for better planning: making it easier to meet daily needs, connect with neighbours, and enjoy a safer, more pleasant environment.
The backlash against the idea has largely been driven by misconceptions, but the practical value of well-planned 20-minute neighbourhoods is clear. For many residents, the chance to spend less time commuting, have essential services close by, and enjoy more walkable streets is appealing. The 20-minute city is not a threat; it is an opportunity to bring life closer to home, improve local communities, and create a more sustainable and enjoyable city for everyone.
Lastly, as we move to a world where things could go downhill quickly, we want to build community, connect locally, and build local services and opportunities. Irrespective of the planners, the government, or big business, we can all start building our own 15/20 minutes cities, together with our neighbours and friends.
Page 8
In the picture: Peter van Lieshout
I first met Peter van Lieshout in 2016 when he was one of a group of Dutch volunteers working to put together a Holland Festival on the Gold Coast. The driving force behind the festival was Martien Jansen in de Wal, who was also working on PhD studies supervised by my friend Nonja Peters. Martien had written to the Dutch Courier, asking for some assistance with organising the festival. Although I was living in Canberra, I did contact Martien and provided some advice for him.
I moved to Qld the week that the festival was on, and Martien introduced me to Peter and a few of the other organisers. They were all Dutch of course, and they did a terrific job. It also provided me with the opportunity to meet more Dutchies in the area.
Peter lives at his Misty Mountain camping ground in Kunghur (NSW), about half an hour drive inlands from Murwillumbah. It is a very popular and very beautiful camping and hiking area. How he got there is an interesting story.
Peter was born in 1950 in Leuken, a suburb of Weert, Limburg. He was the seventh of fourteen children of Karel Wilhelmus van Lieshout (born 1911 in Mierloo, N. Brabant) and Anna Hendrika Hendrix, born 1919 in Maasbree (Limburg). Karel and Anna got married in 1941 in Helmond. Karel was a fervent Catholic and they had a new baby every year.
Karel worked as a plasterer which he could not do during the four coldest months of the year, because things were frozen. This made feeding the growing family hard during the winter. Anna was very good at managing the few resources she had available, but she hated winter for that reason.
When in 1960 Anna saw an advertisement for emigrating to Australia, where it was warm year around, she jumped at it. Her mother had died when Anna was very young, and her stepmother had treated her like Cinderella, withholding food, clothing, friends, money, and freedom, just making her work long hours every day, and making her life miserable. Anna wanted to go to a place where the laundry could dry, where Karel could work through winter and where she could give her children a better youth.
Karel was not keen at the idea of emigrating, but Anna convinced him. They applied for the sponsored emigration and were accepted. In August 1960 the family embarked on the ship, the Zuiderkruis, and sailed to Australia. Karel, the 12 kids, and Anna who was 5 months pregnant.
Although quite a few of the family were often seasick, they still enjoyed the six-week trip. Peter liked roaming around the ship with brothers John, Hank and Frank. In Fremantle they were allowed off the ship and had a good look around. The ship then continued to Sydney where they disembarked, and were taken to a train with which they traveled to Brisbane.
The train trip lasted 24 hours and was not very pleasant, but after a bus took them to the migrant camp at Wacol, the family was assigned a Nissen hut (a prefab, semi-cylindrical, and portable building made of corrugated iron over a steel frame, designed by British Army engineer Major Peter Nissen during World War I) for themselves and they loved it. The communal laundry, bathroom and toilets were close by, towels and sheets were provided and washed by the camp. Food was provided in the communal kitchen, with lots of fresh fruits and vegetables. It was a lot better than they had expected. Anna also loved that she didn’t have to cook. It felt like luxury.
After three days father Karel got a job with a Queensland government department. He loved the job and Camp Wacol. The kids learned English at the migrant school in the camp, Mondays through Fridays, and the adults attended English classes in the evening. There were sing-alongs in the evening and they played cards on Sundays. Peter helped his mum (Anna) with a small after hours cigarette selling business for the camp, and he delivered breakfast to the parish priest before the 7 AM mass.
After about fifteen months, the family moved to a house they bought cheaply in Bulimba. It needed a lot of fixing which they immediately set out to do. Peter attended nearby Iona college where he was bullied because of his poor English.
After only four years, in August 1965, Karel suddenly died of a heart attack, aged just 53. Anna and the kids quickly converted to Australian nationality so Anna would be able to receive the Widow’s pension. This was not really enough to live on, and Anna soon supplemented her income by working two hours per day at the local Catholic boarding school for girls.
Peter was fifteen at this time and soon left school to start a four-year electrical apprenticeship, which he completed but failed one of the final exams. He had been planning to travel overseas with Terry Moore, husband of his cousin Cathy, and went ahead. Thus, he did not qualify for the electrician license.
Peter spent two years overseas, of which one year driving young people around Europe in a bus for a camping tour company. The destinations were mainly in Eastern Europe, from Bulgaria to Russia. Upon returning to Australia, he went to live in Bulimba again.
Peter, his brothers Frank, Hank and John all started furniture businesses which eventually evolved into brother John’s A-mart furniture chain.
At age 27 Peter married Judy who already had two small boys, Jay and Lee. They lived in Belmont and proceeded to have two more kids, Karl and Mia. Although Peter loved having his own family, the marriage did not last and they divorced after ten years.
Peter followed this up with an eight-year relationship with Cathy Charter. While keeping his interest in the furniture business, during this time he bought and managed the Beenleigh Tavern. After five years he sold the tavern again.
Around 2006 Peter met Joan and married her some years later. They went to live in Murwillumbah (NSW). In 1980 Peter had invested in a large property at Kunghur with some friends. At the time it was used for cattle and horses. In 1995 Peter bought out the friends and then developed some camping sites on it.
He built himself a house at the top of the property, at the base of the Nightcap range. It is a most gorgeous area, very lush with views of Mount Warning, which is the eroded remnant of a volcano 23 million years ago. The entire Tweed area is in the old caldera which extends under water east of Tweed Heads.
The marriage with Joan did not last. Since 2024 Peter is enjoying living at Misty Mountain with Wilma Burton (who is group presenter for Dutch radio 4EB FM 98.1, and also writes for the Dutch Courier). Peter is growing plantation trees and some fruit trees as a hobby, and also has a small strawberry growing business in a hot house. Maintaining the property is quite a lot of work, but he has a manager to manage the camping business and sites.
Peter enjoys meeting with Dutch friends in the Gold Coast and Brisbane areas, and is still close to his extended family in the Brisbane area. Mother Anna died in 2015 at the age of 95, but her children are all still in touch with each other and meet regularly. Their mother’s loving care and the shared experiences of hardship in their early years have contributed to the closeness of the family members.
Peter is very happy living in Australia, but does like to indulge in some Dutch foods, such as liquorice, herring, sauerkraut, and rookwurst. He is grateful that his mother decided to emigrate to Queensland.
Marianne Pietersen
I first met Peter van Lieshout in 2016 when he was one of a group of Dutch volunteers working to put together a Holland Festival on the Gold Coast. The driving force behind the festival was Martien Jansen in de Wal, who was also working on PhD studies supervised by my friend Nonja Peters. Martien had written to the Dutch Courier, asking for some assistance with organising the festival. Although I was living in Canberra, I did contact Martien and provided some advice for him.
I moved to Qld the week that the festival was on, and Martien introduced me to Peter and a few of the other organisers. They were all Dutch of course, and they did a terrific job. It also provided me with the opportunity to meet more Dutchies in the area.
Peter lives at his Misty Mountain camping ground in Kunghur (NSW), about half an hour drive inlands from Murwillumbah. It is a very popular and very beautiful camping and hiking area. How he got there is an interesting story.
Peter was born in 1950 in Leuken, a suburb of Weert, Limburg. He was the seventh of fourteen children of Karel Wilhelmus van Lieshout (born 1911 in Mierloo, N. Brabant) and Anna Hendrika Hendrix, born 1919 in Maasbree (Limburg). Karel and Anna got married in 1941 in Helmond. Karel was a fervent Catholic and they had a new baby every year.
Karel worked as a plasterer which he could not do during the four coldest months of the year, because things were frozen. This made feeding the growing family hard during the winter. Anna was very good at managing the few resources she had available, but she hated winter for that reason.
When in 1960 Anna saw an advertisement for emigrating to Australia, where it was warm year around, she jumped at it. Her mother had died when Anna was very young, and her stepmother had treated her like Cinderella, withholding food, clothing, friends, money, and freedom, just making her work long hours every day, and making her life miserable. Anna wanted to go to a place where the laundry could dry, where Karel could work through winter and where she could give her children a better youth.
Karel was not keen at the idea of emigrating, but Anna convinced him. They applied for the sponsored emigration and were accepted. In August 1960 the family embarked on the ship, the Zuiderkruis, and sailed to Australia. Karel, the 12 kids, and Anna who was 5 months pregnant.
Although quite a few of the family were often seasick, they still enjoyed the six-week trip. Peter liked roaming around the ship with brothers John, Hank and Frank. In Fremantle they were allowed off the ship and had a good look around. The ship then continued to Sydney where they disembarked, and were taken to a train with which they traveled to Brisbane.
The train trip lasted 24 hours and was not very pleasant, but after a bus took them to the migrant camp at Wacol, the family was assigned a Nissen hut (a prefab, semi-cylindrical, and portable building made of corrugated iron over a steel frame, designed by British Army engineer Major Peter Nissen during World War I) for themselves and they loved it. The communal laundry, bathroom and toilets were close by, towels and sheets were provided and washed by the camp. Food was provided in the communal kitchen, with lots of fresh fruits and vegetables. It was a lot better than they had expected. Anna also loved that she didn’t have to cook. It felt like luxury.
After three days father Karel got a job with a Queensland government department. He loved the job and Camp Wacol. The kids learned English at the migrant school in the camp, Mondays through Fridays, and the adults attended English classes in the evening. There were sing-alongs in the evening and they played cards on Sundays. Peter helped his mum (Anna) with a small after hours cigarette selling business for the camp, and he delivered breakfast to the parish priest before the 7 AM mass.
After about fifteen months, the family moved to a house they bought cheaply in Bulimba. It needed a lot of fixing which they immediately set out to do. Peter attended nearby Iona college where he was bullied because of his poor English.
After only four years, in August 1965, Karel suddenly died of a heart attack, aged just 53. Anna and the kids quickly converted to Australian nationality so Anna would be able to receive the Widow’s pension. This was not really enough to live on, and Anna soon supplemented her income by working two hours per day at the local Catholic boarding school for girls.
Peter was fifteen at this time and soon left school to start a four-year electrical apprenticeship, which he completed but failed one of the final exams. He had been planning to travel overseas with Terry Moore, husband of his cousin Cathy, and went ahead. Thus, he did not qualify for the electrician license.
Peter spent two years overseas, of which one year driving young people around Europe in a bus for a camping tour company. The destinations were mainly in Eastern Europe, from Bulgaria to Russia. Upon returning to Australia, he went to live in Bulimba again.
Peter, his brothers Frank, Hank and John all started furniture businesses which eventually evolved into brother John’s A-mart furniture chain.
At age 27 Peter married Judy who already had two small boys, Jay and Lee. They lived in Belmont and proceeded to have two more kids, Karl and Mia. Although Peter loved having his own family, the marriage did not last and they divorced after ten years.
Peter followed this up with an eight-year relationship with Cathy Charter. While keeping his interest in the furniture business, during this time he bought and managed the Beenleigh Tavern. After five years he sold the tavern again.
Around 2006 Peter met Joan and married her some years later. They went to live in Murwillumbah (NSW). In 1980 Peter had invested in a large property at Kunghur with some friends. At the time it was used for cattle and horses. In 1995 Peter bought out the friends and then developed some camping sites on it.
He built himself a house at the top of the property, at the base of the Nightcap range. It is a most gorgeous area, very lush with views of Mount Warning, which is the eroded remnant of a volcano 23 million years ago. The entire Tweed area is in the old caldera which extends under water east of Tweed Heads.
The marriage with Joan did not last. Since 2024 Peter is enjoying living at Misty Mountain with Wilma Burton (who is group presenter for Dutch radio 4EB FM 98.1, and also writes for the Dutch Courier). Peter is growing plantation trees and some fruit trees as a hobby, and also has a small strawberry growing business in a hot house. Maintaining the property is quite a lot of work, but he has a manager to manage the camping business and sites.
Peter enjoys meeting with Dutch friends in the Gold Coast and Brisbane areas, and is still close to his extended family in the Brisbane area. Mother Anna died in 2015 at the age of 95, but her children are all still in touch with each other and meet regularly. Their mother’s loving care and the shared experiences of hardship in their early years have contributed to the closeness of the family members.
Peter is very happy living in Australia, but does like to indulge in some Dutch foods, such as liquorice, herring, sauerkraut, and rookwurst. He is grateful that his mother decided to emigrate to Queensland.
Marianne Pietersen
Page 9
Robert van den Hoven
A Dutch-born adventurer who, along with his wife Clary, has spent over 19 years traveling around the world in an expedition vehicle.
He was a Royal Dutch Marine before moving to Australia and starting his travels in 2004.
The Van Den Hovens, who go by the name “Double Dutch World Safari,” have documented their travels across 144 countries and share their experiences at events like the Overland Expo.They entered the U.S. in 2023 and planned to spend the next few years exploring North America.
We just got an report where they are now:
Three Months in the Northern Amazon: French Guiana, Suriname & GuyanaOur three-month expedition across the Northern Amazon Region — a journey through French Guiana, Suriname, and Guyana. This pristine corner of South America remains virtually untouched, offering an intimate glimpse into the Amazon’s incredible biodiversity and cultural mosaic.
From towering waterfalls and sweeping savannahs to lush rainforests and winding rivers, the region is home to countless endemic species and some of the planet’s most vibrant ecosystems. Welcoming indigenous communities and people of diverse origins, whose traditions reflect a fascinating fusion of Caribbean and South American influences. including the Asian-style stilt village in French Guiana, home to Hmong refugees who resettled to French Guiana there after the Vietnam War. This compilation continues our Amazon series, following previous explorations across the North-East and North-West Amazon in Brazil
A Dutch-born adventurer who, along with his wife Clary, has spent over 19 years traveling around the world in an expedition vehicle.
He was a Royal Dutch Marine before moving to Australia and starting his travels in 2004.
The Van Den Hovens, who go by the name “Double Dutch World Safari,” have documented their travels across 144 countries and share their experiences at events like the Overland Expo.They entered the U.S. in 2023 and planned to spend the next few years exploring North America.
We just got an report where they are now:
Three Months in the Northern Amazon: French Guiana, Suriname & GuyanaOur three-month expedition across the Northern Amazon Region — a journey through French Guiana, Suriname, and Guyana. This pristine corner of South America remains virtually untouched, offering an intimate glimpse into the Amazon’s incredible biodiversity and cultural mosaic.
From towering waterfalls and sweeping savannahs to lush rainforests and winding rivers, the region is home to countless endemic species and some of the planet’s most vibrant ecosystems. Welcoming indigenous communities and people of diverse origins, whose traditions reflect a fascinating fusion of Caribbean and South American influences. including the Asian-style stilt village in French Guiana, home to Hmong refugees who resettled to French Guiana there after the Vietnam War. This compilation continues our Amazon series, following previous explorations across the North-East and North-West Amazon in Brazil
Page 9
From Dutch Embassy Facebook page
You may have read in the Dutch newspapers about the historic discovery in Western Australia (WA) of the 17th-century survivor camp linked to the Dutch VOC ship Vergulde Draeck (Gilt Dragon).The ship wrecked north of Perth in 1656 and 75 sailors reached the Australian shore. Little is known about their story of survival.Vergulde Draeck artefacts are owned by the Commonwealth of Australia under the 1972 Agreement between the Netherlands and Australia Concerning Old Dutch Shipwrecks (ANCODS).Thank you to the maritime archeologists, the WA Museum and the WA Government for looking after this invaluable historical site and its artefacts.You can admire the Vergulde Draeck objects at the WA Shipwrecks Museum in Fremantle.
You may have read in the Dutch newspapers about the historic discovery in Western Australia (WA) of the 17th-century survivor camp linked to the Dutch VOC ship Vergulde Draeck (Gilt Dragon).The ship wrecked north of Perth in 1656 and 75 sailors reached the Australian shore. Little is known about their story of survival.Vergulde Draeck artefacts are owned by the Commonwealth of Australia under the 1972 Agreement between the Netherlands and Australia Concerning Old Dutch Shipwrecks (ANCODS).Thank you to the maritime archeologists, the WA Museum and the WA Government for looking after this invaluable historical site and its artefacts.You can admire the Vergulde Draeck objects at the WA Shipwrecks Museum in Fremantle.
Page 10
My passion is yoga
4 elements
Earth, Air, Fire and Water
At the moment the 4 elements are a theme thats come into my yoga practise. Especially when we are in silence we try to connect to the elements of these 4. The feeling what I feel doing that is a feeling of oneness.
Earth:
Refers to the solid, grounded aspect of nature, including land, soil, and minerals.
Water:
Represents the element of fluidity, emotion, and life-giving properties, found in oceans, rivers, and rain.
Air:
Symbolizes the invisible forces of movement, intellect, and communication, encompassing wind and the atmosphere.
Fire:
Represents heat, energy, transformation, and passion, originating from sources like flames and the sun.
I ask my students to lay down on their back in shavasana and lead them through yoga nidra. When the body is relaxt i talk them through the different elements. Feel the air touching you and giving you energy and do that for the other elements as well.
after that we will just connect with the energy off the 4.
We will just lean into it and feel.
Then we open our eyes and look up to the trees and close our eyes again and see the image from the trees and see what our brain does with the image. This last bit is just a bit of fun. No meditation, but a relaxation what feels like imaging an artwork in your mind.
The good thing from that last bit is that no other thoughts can be in your mind and you just became a bit lighter.
www.spiritualsisters.info
4 elements
Earth, Air, Fire and Water
At the moment the 4 elements are a theme thats come into my yoga practise. Especially when we are in silence we try to connect to the elements of these 4. The feeling what I feel doing that is a feeling of oneness.
Earth:
Refers to the solid, grounded aspect of nature, including land, soil, and minerals.
Water:
Represents the element of fluidity, emotion, and life-giving properties, found in oceans, rivers, and rain.
Air:
Symbolizes the invisible forces of movement, intellect, and communication, encompassing wind and the atmosphere.
Fire:
Represents heat, energy, transformation, and passion, originating from sources like flames and the sun.
I ask my students to lay down on their back in shavasana and lead them through yoga nidra. When the body is relaxt i talk them through the different elements. Feel the air touching you and giving you energy and do that for the other elements as well.
after that we will just connect with the energy off the 4.
We will just lean into it and feel.
Then we open our eyes and look up to the trees and close our eyes again and see the image from the trees and see what our brain does with the image. This last bit is just a bit of fun. No meditation, but a relaxation what feels like imaging an artwork in your mind.
The good thing from that last bit is that no other thoughts can be in your mind and you just became a bit lighter.
www.spiritualsisters.info
Page 19
Anne Doran (Putman) - born 31% January 1941, during World War 11, in Tilburg (Noord Braband) - Holland (now Netherlands).
Tilburg
A city between Eindhoven and the Belgian border. I vividly remember the constant blare of the air raid sirens, and after the war ended in 1945, how the American tanks rolled into our street. My Mum billeted several English soldiers for several months. As the years passed I attended Kindergarten and Primary school, then moved to tertiary education to the grammar school with the Catholic nuns at the Oude Dijk, studying Dutch, English, French, German, Typing, Pitman shorthand, bookkeeping mathematics, algebra, history, geography, biology and drama.
English, history and geography were always my best loved subjects, and studied Esperanto - A world communication language. In summer, it was swimming in the nearby lake, roller skating and gymnastics.
In winter, the lake would freeze over, and it was good fun skating on the frozen ice.
My Mum said the war years had been terrible, and the time had come to look at other future options. My Dad was a builder, specializing in tiling and fancy brickworks. Mum had been a housekeeper for families in Haarlem and Amsterdam. My elder brother was a Turner and Fitter and worked on locomotives at the railways. My younger brother, also a Turner and Fitter who was employed at the Phillips Industries manufacturing precision tools.
At this time, 1955, I was 14 years old, and all we knew about Australia was that Canberra was the Capital City of Australia. We had heard of Sydney and Melbourne, and the Indigenous people made up most of the population.
We heard how Australian Arthur Calwell, Minister for Immigration 1945-1949, was now calling for skilled Western European migrants to come to Australia - as his catch cry was - “Populate or Perish”! Australia is a very big country.
It was then, a large influx of immigration began, when the Snowy Mountain Hydro Electric Scheme was built with skilled migrant technology.
So my parents decided to immigrate to Australia. We had to go to Amsterdam for our passports, and checked for health - so we were disease free. Had no criminal records, and my Dad could provide a living for his family.
Sports
I played hockey, softball and swimming and gymnastics. I loved the pool, and would be there 3 times a day, before and after school, and during my lunch break. I was selected for a swimming team to represent Maryborough at the Olympic pool in Melbourne, winning the breaststroke category for the House of Stevens. In 1956, the Tech school took us students to the Olympic Games in Melbourne, and watched Betty Cuthbert win gold in 100 and 200 metre sprints. I had to learn the Imperial system in mathematics - all about Pounds, Shillings and Pence. It was a big turn around from the Metric system. I learned science, social studies (which was History and Geography combined), English, mathematics, bookkeeping, typing and shorthand and graduated with the Intermediate Certificate. At night class I learned dress making. My first job as a Junior was in the office at the Maryborough Flour mill with Willersdorf & Forbes. A year later I worked in the office of the Maryborough Knitting mill. I was a comptometrist (person who operates a type of key-driven adding machine, a predecessor to an electronic calculator). It was a pool of around 12-16 girls. I really enjoyed working there. Then came the Credit Squeeze, and several girls lost their job, including me. At this time, my parents found a block of land they bought from a local horse breeder in Gertrude Street. We were then known as ‘migrants in the bush’, and possibly one of the first migrant families to come to Maryborough. My Dad had poured a solid block of concrete on the site, and placed metal brick forms for brick making. While my Dad worked during the week at Phelan’s, Mum and I would get on our bikes after school and head to our block. Here we would meet our German friend Werner, whom Mum had met at English class at night school at the Tech school. Werner mixed the cement, while Mum and I filled the metal forms with concrete. We paddled our bikes most days during the week, so we had sufficient numbers of bricks ready each week, for Dad to build our new house on weekends. Around this time, 1960, I met my present husband Henry Doran. We were married a year later on 8th July 1961. We spent our honeymoon in Queensland, just when motels first were introduced. Life on the farm was a whole experience. I had to cook for the shearers, feed baby pigs and lambs and teach day old calves how to drink. Our first son Chris was born in 1962, Rudy in 1966 and Craig in 1969. We took great pride in our children when they were babies and blossomed into young boys. Harvest times were busy, being involved in haymaking, driving the truck, shifting irrigation pipes etc.
On Henry’s family farm at Carisbrook, I discovered an Aboriginal stone boomerang formation and initiation site. I contacted Heritage Victoria, and is now listed on the National Heritage Register.
All 3 of our boys attended the Eddington Primary school, where I helped with R.I. and attended when the teacher was absent. I became secretary of the Eddington Ladies Social Club, we worked not only for the community but also for the school.
All 3 of our sons enrolled at the Maryborough Technical school. I was on the School Council and a cheque signatory, and served on the canteen for 13 years while our boys attended school. Since then all three of our sons have become self employed and very successful in their chosen fields. With 4 grand children following their chosen professions.
In 1969, l became a naturalized Australian citizen, pledging the “Oath of Allegiance of Australia and its laws” ‘, to honour” the flag” and “Her Majesty the Queen” The ceremony took place at the Maryborough Council chamber, as I didn’t think such a ceremony had ever been performed in the former Shire of Bet Bet. Local greengrocer Zoe Gazis was also naturalized that evening.
An avid reader, crossworder, stamp and coin collector, photographer, gardener and historian.
By 1980, Henry and I started our Dunolly Earthmoving Pty Ltd. business, and I became involved in the Dunolly Town Hall Restoration committee. The lovely historic town hall, which had been abandoned after the new Council offices were built on the opposite corner of Broadway. Norman Day was the Heritage Architect. It took many years and lots of fund raising to bring the Town Hall back to its original splendour. I became involved with the DRAMAS - “Dunolly Drama & Arts Soc”. This group conducted a number of fantastic Music Hall shows with the theme “Stars on Broadway”, to raise funds for a new hall piano. I became the secretary and Front of House person. The local talent was extraordinary. I joined the members of the Gold Rush committee for several years. These Gold Rush Festivals used to take place in the bush at Harvest Home dam on the Moliagul road. The re-enactments of the Welcome Stranger, bush weddings, naturalizations and name giving ceremonies complimented the tent city, people in colonial dress, fashions on the goldfields, gold panning and an array of different food and gold stalls. In 1991, after 21 years, the festival in the bush folded for lack of volunteers. With leftover funds and funds from the Shire of BetBet, the Band Rotunda in Gordon Gardens - Dunolly was established. During this time, Henry and I had become interested in the mining industry. Henry held 4 EL mining claims in Dunolly and Moliagul. With some of his gold, found at Moliagul, he presented me with a new wedding ring, I called “My Welcome Stranger”. That Christmas, he also presented me with a steel flagpole, so I could fly the Australian flag. Following many years of low rainfall and lack of water for the gold plant, all 4 EL licences expired. I joined the 2”* Welcome Record (called the Yellow Book) and became its first secretary. Introducing “Letters to the Editor”, the “Trade Directory”, “Cookery Section” and “Mining Matters”‘. I became the Mining correspondent. With my neighbor we attended night classes at the Tech school to learn oil painting and Chinese cookery, followed by leadlighting, cake decorating, calligraphy. With another neighbor, I joined a China painting class in Dunolly for several years. I became involved in the Dunolly Rural Fire Brigade Ladies Aux. as secretary and Comms. Officer. Author of a published history book - “150 years of “St. George Freemasonry in Dunolly”. In 1989, I stood for Council in the former Shire of BetBet. My platform was History, Heritage, Mining and Tourism. I made history as the first lady councillor in the Shire of BetBet. A councillor was not paid, received a laptop or mobile phone in those days. It was tough going with 6 other male councillors who only supported farming issues. I revoked a demolition order of one of the original buildings on Broadway - The Saddlery, and have written to Council a number of times to draft a Heritage policy, as we had already lost a number of historic
buildings. Together with 3 other locals, we created the “Historic Mining Village” on Crown Land on the Dunolly road. I had made a small scale model, embracing early pioneering trades, mining and rehabilitation sites, and all other aspects of mining. With our local Shire facilitator. We took my model to Tourism Victoria in Melbourne which impressed the board members, but the consultancy fee was well and truly out of our reach. However, we established a monthly market on a new site for number of years to raise funds, but regulations ceased the operation.
With a friend, I opened the Dunolly court house on weekends to visitors, tourists. Conducted court re-enactments with school students from Wesley College, open days etc. Originator of bringing together the court house, lock-up and stables as a Police precinct, I became a tourist guide and published an abridged tourist book on Dunolly and Moliagul historic buildings. I was instrumental in making the Dunolly court house into a Committee of Management, similar as the Dunolly Town Hall was set up. We conducted Field Days on some of Henry’s mining claims demonstrating mining equipment and mining techniques. I became part Secretary of the Prospectors & Miners Ass. of Victoria. Dunolly had the biggest membership at that time in Victoria. I stepped down as councillor of the Shire of BetBet, when shire amalgamations were announced in
1993, as I did not believe that a rural communities had much in common with urban communities. Following 3 years of Commissioners, Shire Amalgamations took place in 1997, and a new Council was elected. I was asked by the Mayor at that time, what the new Shire ought to be called? I suggested “Goldfields”, trying to keep our gold mining history of the “Welcome Stranger” and “Golden Triangle” alive, as Maryborough councillors always aimed for a green belt around their town. The new name was adopted and is now known as “Central Goldfield Shire” . I was then successful in altering the boundary line at Moliagul, as it too had become part of “Loddon Shire”. The “Welcome Stranger” monument had always been part of the former BetBet shire. Following a meeting with Electoral officers, I was able to change the name of North Ward to “Flynn Ward”, named after John Flynn, born in Moliagul - 25 Nov. 1880. Pioneer, who created “Flynn of the Outback”‘, forerunner of the Royal Flying Doctor Service. I supplied the Maryborough Advertiser with stories and photos of historic buildings for their tourist magazine for several years. It was a black and white, size A4 publication on low grade paper. I assisted with the layout, format, proof reading of the new “Goldfields Getaway”. Now a half size issue on glossy paper.suggested to emboss the word gold in GOLD. The magazine has now become a handsome tourist publication.
In 1994, I spotted a notice in the local paper where the Dunolly Primary school was looking for volunteers to assist Grade Prep and Grade 1 with exercises PMP - Perceptory Motor Program. I applied, and after a Police check, I got the position. These exercise routines were of great benefit which helped the students with their studies. I assisted with reading, mathematics, painting, swimming, bushwalking, flying a kite, playing cricket, and cooking pikelets. I showed the students the art of goldpanning during their Colonial Festival. I became an Intergration Aide and left school in 2002.I called a Public meeting to establish the Northern Goldfields Tourism Ass.Promoting our local goldfields, local wineries and accommodation. Our group worked on creating the first Tiny Towns’ map for tourism.In 1996, Henry and I were approached to become members of the World Gold Panning Ass. In 1997. Our Australian team went to Italy, where the World Gold Panning Championships were to be held that year. It was our team’s aim to get the organisers’ bid, to win the World Gold Panning Championships for Maryborough in 2001 and for Australia. We were successful and got the World Bid. In 1989, we both participated in the World Gold Panning Championships in Coloma - California - USA. Henry won a gold medal in the Senior section. I won a gold medal in the National Gold Panning Championships at Forest Hill. From 1989 to 2007, we participated in World Gold Panning Championships in Italy, not far from Milan, Switzerland, Czech Republic, Finland, Sth. Africa and Canada.
While in Canada, I was asked by the World President, if I would be a sub-editor and write interesting stories for “Golden Times”, the World Gold Panning magazine for Australia, NZ, Italy and USA. I did so for a number of years.In 1996, my old Dutch school friend had come from Holland to visit us in Eddington. She told me I had to learn my Dutch language again. But after 45 years of not speaking a word of Dutch, I didn’t know where to begin a sentence.With the help of 2 dictionaries - English/Dutch, and Dutch/ English, the words gradually came back, and I can have a Dutch conversation again. Dutch migrants were often referred to as ‘the silent migrants’, as they came here, slotted in, worked hard and achieved.Years of Gold in Dunolly”. Meeting was well attended, and 6 months of celebrations followed, where almost everyone, organizations and clubs participated in events relating to history and gold.
In 2001, the World Gold Panning Championships were held in Maryborough. Councillors, and the business community were ill prepared to stage such a prestigious world event. However, the local were given a treat to see panners from 20 other member countries, parading in their colourful national costumes in
Maryborough’s street procession. I handed out dozens of “Welcome Stranger” pins to the international panners. It amazed me just how much they already knew about our goldfields in Victoria and Western Australia. Coloma, a very small township in Eldorado County - Northern California, not far from Sacramento, where gold was first discovered in 24.1.1848 in the tailrace of the local sawmill, or Sutter’s Mill, as the locals say, situated on the south fork of the American river. I was interviewed on radio California and radio Zurich to explain the intricacies of world gold panning. Henry and I became the Ambassadors for the Sister Cities of Clunes - Vic. - Australia and Coloma - California, and delivered many good articles and public relations between the two centres. During our world goldpanning days which ended in 2002 in Canada, we travelled to many other European countries including England, Scotland and several trips to Holland. In Finland, high up in the arctic circle the Gold Museum at Tankavaara, contains gold from around the world, including 2 illuminated showcases with our replicas of Australia’s “Welcome Stranger” and “Hand of Faith” gold nuggets. It even has a button fromthe Dunolly Museum up on its wall and the different goldpans used. My brother and I joined an art class to brush up on our drawing skills and watercolouring.I became a member of the Dunolly Museum (Goldfields Historical & Arts Soc. Inc.). I was elected Sec. /Treas. and introduced a new bookkeeping system. Henry and I established the Welcome Stranger Gold panning Association in Dunolly. We conducted 4 successful championships, but found it difficult to continue without more volunteers. The Ass. finalized its operation, and I donated $1000 to the Dunolly Museum to establish the
“Welcome Stranger” Research centre and arrange for a new heritage street sign board. I also donated a $1000 to St. George Masonic centre towards their building fund. I’ve also successfully applied for grants for the Welcome Record (new printer), Dunolly Museum (Microfiche and multi purpose printer), several grants for the “Welcome Stranger” Gold panning (Tourism).With the help of 2 locals, we started the Dunolly Traders Ass. It was well supported at that time and I became Sec / Treas.. We conducted a monthly market along historic Broadway shop fronts.In 2000, Henry and I established our “ Speciality Sawn Timbers” business,• specialising in Australian hardwood timbers. Henry obtained a sawmiller’s licence, I did the administration side. We travelled to many markets. Our timber slabs were popular. In our travels to New Zealand, Tasmania and south west of Western Australia, we found that all sawmills have now closed. The big chainsaws are no longer made and spare parts unobtainable.In 2010, I brought Australia Day to Dunolly, as Shire of BetBet councillors could not see a need for it, and since shire amalgamations, Central Goldfields had overlooked this, only holding it in Maryborough. It was also the year I was given “Citizen of the Year” award. Young Matthew Gibbs won the “Junior of the Year”.
It was a glorious day!
Being a past member of the Perth Historical Soc., we flew to Perth in 2016, and in our hire car drove to Shark Bay at Denham - WA. We participated in the 400 year commemoration of the landing of Dirk Hartog. I met the premier Mr. Roger Cook, inspected their museum and visited Monkey Mia.
In 2018, I retired from public involvement, and handed the Sec/Treas. over to a new Committee. An avid reader, crossworder, stamp and coin collector, gardener, photography and historian. A skilled letter writer, having written to a past premier, several ministers and past treasurer, Mr. Costello - all with positive outcomes.
I joined the art class of renowned landscape painter Mal Gilmour and worked with oil paintings. I like drawing the old remnant of deserted farm houses, broken down blacksmiths structures, Australian landscapes, miners’ cottages and goldmining monuments. I have won several first and second prizes.
We travelled to Hahndorf in the Barossa valley S.A. and inspected the studio of Hans Heyson, painter of Australian gum trees and landscapes.I worked with Heritage Victoria restoring the first commercial building in Dunolly.In 2018, I handed over my Sec/Treas. position to a new Committee, and I retired from public activities.Onthe 8: July 2025, Henry and I celebrated our 64** wedding anniversary.
Australia has been good to me. Looking back during my 50 odd years as a volunteer, l’ve met wonderful people and made lasting friendships. It is vital to look to the future and embrace bold and new concepts, yet, it is important to look back on history, and learn from it, because, if you don’t know where you have been, you won’t know where you are going!
We now live life in the slow lane, still on the farm. We potter around in the vegetable garden, Henry tending his bees, while In my spare time, I still paint and draw.I am so glad, that 70 years ago, (16 Oct. 1955 - 16 Oct 2025) my parents chose Australia - the “Lucky Country”!
By Anne Doran.
Tilburg
A city between Eindhoven and the Belgian border. I vividly remember the constant blare of the air raid sirens, and after the war ended in 1945, how the American tanks rolled into our street. My Mum billeted several English soldiers for several months. As the years passed I attended Kindergarten and Primary school, then moved to tertiary education to the grammar school with the Catholic nuns at the Oude Dijk, studying Dutch, English, French, German, Typing, Pitman shorthand, bookkeeping mathematics, algebra, history, geography, biology and drama.
English, history and geography were always my best loved subjects, and studied Esperanto - A world communication language. In summer, it was swimming in the nearby lake, roller skating and gymnastics.
In winter, the lake would freeze over, and it was good fun skating on the frozen ice.
My Mum said the war years had been terrible, and the time had come to look at other future options. My Dad was a builder, specializing in tiling and fancy brickworks. Mum had been a housekeeper for families in Haarlem and Amsterdam. My elder brother was a Turner and Fitter and worked on locomotives at the railways. My younger brother, also a Turner and Fitter who was employed at the Phillips Industries manufacturing precision tools.
At this time, 1955, I was 14 years old, and all we knew about Australia was that Canberra was the Capital City of Australia. We had heard of Sydney and Melbourne, and the Indigenous people made up most of the population.
We heard how Australian Arthur Calwell, Minister for Immigration 1945-1949, was now calling for skilled Western European migrants to come to Australia - as his catch cry was - “Populate or Perish”! Australia is a very big country.
It was then, a large influx of immigration began, when the Snowy Mountain Hydro Electric Scheme was built with skilled migrant technology.
So my parents decided to immigrate to Australia. We had to go to Amsterdam for our passports, and checked for health - so we were disease free. Had no criminal records, and my Dad could provide a living for his family.
Sports
I played hockey, softball and swimming and gymnastics. I loved the pool, and would be there 3 times a day, before and after school, and during my lunch break. I was selected for a swimming team to represent Maryborough at the Olympic pool in Melbourne, winning the breaststroke category for the House of Stevens. In 1956, the Tech school took us students to the Olympic Games in Melbourne, and watched Betty Cuthbert win gold in 100 and 200 metre sprints. I had to learn the Imperial system in mathematics - all about Pounds, Shillings and Pence. It was a big turn around from the Metric system. I learned science, social studies (which was History and Geography combined), English, mathematics, bookkeeping, typing and shorthand and graduated with the Intermediate Certificate. At night class I learned dress making. My first job as a Junior was in the office at the Maryborough Flour mill with Willersdorf & Forbes. A year later I worked in the office of the Maryborough Knitting mill. I was a comptometrist (person who operates a type of key-driven adding machine, a predecessor to an electronic calculator). It was a pool of around 12-16 girls. I really enjoyed working there. Then came the Credit Squeeze, and several girls lost their job, including me. At this time, my parents found a block of land they bought from a local horse breeder in Gertrude Street. We were then known as ‘migrants in the bush’, and possibly one of the first migrant families to come to Maryborough. My Dad had poured a solid block of concrete on the site, and placed metal brick forms for brick making. While my Dad worked during the week at Phelan’s, Mum and I would get on our bikes after school and head to our block. Here we would meet our German friend Werner, whom Mum had met at English class at night school at the Tech school. Werner mixed the cement, while Mum and I filled the metal forms with concrete. We paddled our bikes most days during the week, so we had sufficient numbers of bricks ready each week, for Dad to build our new house on weekends. Around this time, 1960, I met my present husband Henry Doran. We were married a year later on 8th July 1961. We spent our honeymoon in Queensland, just when motels first were introduced. Life on the farm was a whole experience. I had to cook for the shearers, feed baby pigs and lambs and teach day old calves how to drink. Our first son Chris was born in 1962, Rudy in 1966 and Craig in 1969. We took great pride in our children when they were babies and blossomed into young boys. Harvest times were busy, being involved in haymaking, driving the truck, shifting irrigation pipes etc.
On Henry’s family farm at Carisbrook, I discovered an Aboriginal stone boomerang formation and initiation site. I contacted Heritage Victoria, and is now listed on the National Heritage Register.
All 3 of our boys attended the Eddington Primary school, where I helped with R.I. and attended when the teacher was absent. I became secretary of the Eddington Ladies Social Club, we worked not only for the community but also for the school.
All 3 of our sons enrolled at the Maryborough Technical school. I was on the School Council and a cheque signatory, and served on the canteen for 13 years while our boys attended school. Since then all three of our sons have become self employed and very successful in their chosen fields. With 4 grand children following their chosen professions.
In 1969, l became a naturalized Australian citizen, pledging the “Oath of Allegiance of Australia and its laws” ‘, to honour” the flag” and “Her Majesty the Queen” The ceremony took place at the Maryborough Council chamber, as I didn’t think such a ceremony had ever been performed in the former Shire of Bet Bet. Local greengrocer Zoe Gazis was also naturalized that evening.
An avid reader, crossworder, stamp and coin collector, photographer, gardener and historian.
By 1980, Henry and I started our Dunolly Earthmoving Pty Ltd. business, and I became involved in the Dunolly Town Hall Restoration committee. The lovely historic town hall, which had been abandoned after the new Council offices were built on the opposite corner of Broadway. Norman Day was the Heritage Architect. It took many years and lots of fund raising to bring the Town Hall back to its original splendour. I became involved with the DRAMAS - “Dunolly Drama & Arts Soc”. This group conducted a number of fantastic Music Hall shows with the theme “Stars on Broadway”, to raise funds for a new hall piano. I became the secretary and Front of House person. The local talent was extraordinary. I joined the members of the Gold Rush committee for several years. These Gold Rush Festivals used to take place in the bush at Harvest Home dam on the Moliagul road. The re-enactments of the Welcome Stranger, bush weddings, naturalizations and name giving ceremonies complimented the tent city, people in colonial dress, fashions on the goldfields, gold panning and an array of different food and gold stalls. In 1991, after 21 years, the festival in the bush folded for lack of volunteers. With leftover funds and funds from the Shire of BetBet, the Band Rotunda in Gordon Gardens - Dunolly was established. During this time, Henry and I had become interested in the mining industry. Henry held 4 EL mining claims in Dunolly and Moliagul. With some of his gold, found at Moliagul, he presented me with a new wedding ring, I called “My Welcome Stranger”. That Christmas, he also presented me with a steel flagpole, so I could fly the Australian flag. Following many years of low rainfall and lack of water for the gold plant, all 4 EL licences expired. I joined the 2”* Welcome Record (called the Yellow Book) and became its first secretary. Introducing “Letters to the Editor”, the “Trade Directory”, “Cookery Section” and “Mining Matters”‘. I became the Mining correspondent. With my neighbor we attended night classes at the Tech school to learn oil painting and Chinese cookery, followed by leadlighting, cake decorating, calligraphy. With another neighbor, I joined a China painting class in Dunolly for several years. I became involved in the Dunolly Rural Fire Brigade Ladies Aux. as secretary and Comms. Officer. Author of a published history book - “150 years of “St. George Freemasonry in Dunolly”. In 1989, I stood for Council in the former Shire of BetBet. My platform was History, Heritage, Mining and Tourism. I made history as the first lady councillor in the Shire of BetBet. A councillor was not paid, received a laptop or mobile phone in those days. It was tough going with 6 other male councillors who only supported farming issues. I revoked a demolition order of one of the original buildings on Broadway - The Saddlery, and have written to Council a number of times to draft a Heritage policy, as we had already lost a number of historic
buildings. Together with 3 other locals, we created the “Historic Mining Village” on Crown Land on the Dunolly road. I had made a small scale model, embracing early pioneering trades, mining and rehabilitation sites, and all other aspects of mining. With our local Shire facilitator. We took my model to Tourism Victoria in Melbourne which impressed the board members, but the consultancy fee was well and truly out of our reach. However, we established a monthly market on a new site for number of years to raise funds, but regulations ceased the operation.
With a friend, I opened the Dunolly court house on weekends to visitors, tourists. Conducted court re-enactments with school students from Wesley College, open days etc. Originator of bringing together the court house, lock-up and stables as a Police precinct, I became a tourist guide and published an abridged tourist book on Dunolly and Moliagul historic buildings. I was instrumental in making the Dunolly court house into a Committee of Management, similar as the Dunolly Town Hall was set up. We conducted Field Days on some of Henry’s mining claims demonstrating mining equipment and mining techniques. I became part Secretary of the Prospectors & Miners Ass. of Victoria. Dunolly had the biggest membership at that time in Victoria. I stepped down as councillor of the Shire of BetBet, when shire amalgamations were announced in
1993, as I did not believe that a rural communities had much in common with urban communities. Following 3 years of Commissioners, Shire Amalgamations took place in 1997, and a new Council was elected. I was asked by the Mayor at that time, what the new Shire ought to be called? I suggested “Goldfields”, trying to keep our gold mining history of the “Welcome Stranger” and “Golden Triangle” alive, as Maryborough councillors always aimed for a green belt around their town. The new name was adopted and is now known as “Central Goldfield Shire” . I was then successful in altering the boundary line at Moliagul, as it too had become part of “Loddon Shire”. The “Welcome Stranger” monument had always been part of the former BetBet shire. Following a meeting with Electoral officers, I was able to change the name of North Ward to “Flynn Ward”, named after John Flynn, born in Moliagul - 25 Nov. 1880. Pioneer, who created “Flynn of the Outback”‘, forerunner of the Royal Flying Doctor Service. I supplied the Maryborough Advertiser with stories and photos of historic buildings for their tourist magazine for several years. It was a black and white, size A4 publication on low grade paper. I assisted with the layout, format, proof reading of the new “Goldfields Getaway”. Now a half size issue on glossy paper.suggested to emboss the word gold in GOLD. The magazine has now become a handsome tourist publication.
In 1994, I spotted a notice in the local paper where the Dunolly Primary school was looking for volunteers to assist Grade Prep and Grade 1 with exercises PMP - Perceptory Motor Program. I applied, and after a Police check, I got the position. These exercise routines were of great benefit which helped the students with their studies. I assisted with reading, mathematics, painting, swimming, bushwalking, flying a kite, playing cricket, and cooking pikelets. I showed the students the art of goldpanning during their Colonial Festival. I became an Intergration Aide and left school in 2002.I called a Public meeting to establish the Northern Goldfields Tourism Ass.Promoting our local goldfields, local wineries and accommodation. Our group worked on creating the first Tiny Towns’ map for tourism.In 1996, Henry and I were approached to become members of the World Gold Panning Ass. In 1997. Our Australian team went to Italy, where the World Gold Panning Championships were to be held that year. It was our team’s aim to get the organisers’ bid, to win the World Gold Panning Championships for Maryborough in 2001 and for Australia. We were successful and got the World Bid. In 1989, we both participated in the World Gold Panning Championships in Coloma - California - USA. Henry won a gold medal in the Senior section. I won a gold medal in the National Gold Panning Championships at Forest Hill. From 1989 to 2007, we participated in World Gold Panning Championships in Italy, not far from Milan, Switzerland, Czech Republic, Finland, Sth. Africa and Canada.
While in Canada, I was asked by the World President, if I would be a sub-editor and write interesting stories for “Golden Times”, the World Gold Panning magazine for Australia, NZ, Italy and USA. I did so for a number of years.In 1996, my old Dutch school friend had come from Holland to visit us in Eddington. She told me I had to learn my Dutch language again. But after 45 years of not speaking a word of Dutch, I didn’t know where to begin a sentence.With the help of 2 dictionaries - English/Dutch, and Dutch/ English, the words gradually came back, and I can have a Dutch conversation again. Dutch migrants were often referred to as ‘the silent migrants’, as they came here, slotted in, worked hard and achieved.Years of Gold in Dunolly”. Meeting was well attended, and 6 months of celebrations followed, where almost everyone, organizations and clubs participated in events relating to history and gold.
In 2001, the World Gold Panning Championships were held in Maryborough. Councillors, and the business community were ill prepared to stage such a prestigious world event. However, the local were given a treat to see panners from 20 other member countries, parading in their colourful national costumes in
Maryborough’s street procession. I handed out dozens of “Welcome Stranger” pins to the international panners. It amazed me just how much they already knew about our goldfields in Victoria and Western Australia. Coloma, a very small township in Eldorado County - Northern California, not far from Sacramento, where gold was first discovered in 24.1.1848 in the tailrace of the local sawmill, or Sutter’s Mill, as the locals say, situated on the south fork of the American river. I was interviewed on radio California and radio Zurich to explain the intricacies of world gold panning. Henry and I became the Ambassadors for the Sister Cities of Clunes - Vic. - Australia and Coloma - California, and delivered many good articles and public relations between the two centres. During our world goldpanning days which ended in 2002 in Canada, we travelled to many other European countries including England, Scotland and several trips to Holland. In Finland, high up in the arctic circle the Gold Museum at Tankavaara, contains gold from around the world, including 2 illuminated showcases with our replicas of Australia’s “Welcome Stranger” and “Hand of Faith” gold nuggets. It even has a button fromthe Dunolly Museum up on its wall and the different goldpans used. My brother and I joined an art class to brush up on our drawing skills and watercolouring.I became a member of the Dunolly Museum (Goldfields Historical & Arts Soc. Inc.). I was elected Sec. /Treas. and introduced a new bookkeeping system. Henry and I established the Welcome Stranger Gold panning Association in Dunolly. We conducted 4 successful championships, but found it difficult to continue without more volunteers. The Ass. finalized its operation, and I donated $1000 to the Dunolly Museum to establish the
“Welcome Stranger” Research centre and arrange for a new heritage street sign board. I also donated a $1000 to St. George Masonic centre towards their building fund. I’ve also successfully applied for grants for the Welcome Record (new printer), Dunolly Museum (Microfiche and multi purpose printer), several grants for the “Welcome Stranger” Gold panning (Tourism).With the help of 2 locals, we started the Dunolly Traders Ass. It was well supported at that time and I became Sec / Treas.. We conducted a monthly market along historic Broadway shop fronts.In 2000, Henry and I established our “ Speciality Sawn Timbers” business,• specialising in Australian hardwood timbers. Henry obtained a sawmiller’s licence, I did the administration side. We travelled to many markets. Our timber slabs were popular. In our travels to New Zealand, Tasmania and south west of Western Australia, we found that all sawmills have now closed. The big chainsaws are no longer made and spare parts unobtainable.In 2010, I brought Australia Day to Dunolly, as Shire of BetBet councillors could not see a need for it, and since shire amalgamations, Central Goldfields had overlooked this, only holding it in Maryborough. It was also the year I was given “Citizen of the Year” award. Young Matthew Gibbs won the “Junior of the Year”.
It was a glorious day!
Being a past member of the Perth Historical Soc., we flew to Perth in 2016, and in our hire car drove to Shark Bay at Denham - WA. We participated in the 400 year commemoration of the landing of Dirk Hartog. I met the premier Mr. Roger Cook, inspected their museum and visited Monkey Mia.
In 2018, I retired from public involvement, and handed the Sec/Treas. over to a new Committee. An avid reader, crossworder, stamp and coin collector, gardener, photography and historian. A skilled letter writer, having written to a past premier, several ministers and past treasurer, Mr. Costello - all with positive outcomes.
I joined the art class of renowned landscape painter Mal Gilmour and worked with oil paintings. I like drawing the old remnant of deserted farm houses, broken down blacksmiths structures, Australian landscapes, miners’ cottages and goldmining monuments. I have won several first and second prizes.
We travelled to Hahndorf in the Barossa valley S.A. and inspected the studio of Hans Heyson, painter of Australian gum trees and landscapes.I worked with Heritage Victoria restoring the first commercial building in Dunolly.In 2018, I handed over my Sec/Treas. position to a new Committee, and I retired from public activities.Onthe 8: July 2025, Henry and I celebrated our 64** wedding anniversary.
Australia has been good to me. Looking back during my 50 odd years as a volunteer, l’ve met wonderful people and made lasting friendships. It is vital to look to the future and embrace bold and new concepts, yet, it is important to look back on history, and learn from it, because, if you don’t know where you have been, you won’t know where you are going!
We now live life in the slow lane, still on the farm. We potter around in the vegetable garden, Henry tending his bees, while In my spare time, I still paint and draw.I am so glad, that 70 years ago, (16 Oct. 1955 - 16 Oct 2025) my parents chose Australia - the “Lucky Country”!
By Anne Doran.
The Dutch rugby association said that trans women will continue to be allowed to play in the national competition if they pass a risk assessment, despite concerns about their physical advantages.
The association set up a “group of experts” earlier this year to assess whether its current policy of allowing transgender women to play in women’s teams “needs to be adapted”, following the high-profile injury of at least one woman player.in May, Britain’s Sunday Times reported on the case of Dutch player Elena King, who sustained a serious knee injury after being tackled by a trans woman during a premier league rugby match in the Netherlands.King, who has played rugby since she was a little girl, says on her website that everyone has the right to enjoy the game of rugby and other sports. “However, trans women are stuck, and remain, in a male’s body which causes dangerous and unfair situations in sports,” she said.Her concerns, the paper said at the time, are shared by other women, coaching staff and at least two clubs. Dutch News is also aware of concerns among club officials.The Netherlands, unlike many other countries, had not adopted a formal policy on trans women (born male), though world rugby’s governing body has banned them from international women’s contact rugby since 2020.However, the Netherlands has now decided that the women’s national competition will remain open to trans women from the age of 16. This will be preceded by a risk assessment and, if necessary, a medical review by the association. Trans men can play in the men’s competition from the age of 18.In addition, if a player uses testosterone “for a better aligned gender experience,” then they will no longer be allowed to play in the women’s competition, the association said.“Our goal is that no one feels excluded from our sport. This policy combines inclusion with the responsibility for safety and fairness,” said Rugby Nederland chairman Friso Horstmeier. “In this way we are building a rugby community in which everyone can be themselves, both on and off the field.”The new rules apply only to the Dutch competition, in which three trans women are thought to be currently playing. In the national side and other representative teams, trans women are not eligible to play under World Rugby rules.
Some 400 more jobs are set to be cut at Heineken’s headquarters in Amsterdam as part of a reorganisation to simplify the company’s structures and create a “more focused strategic centre”.
A spokeswoman told the AD that around 1,750 people currently work at the office, meaning almost 25% of the jobs there will go. Some of the jobs will be moved abroad and some will disappear, Heineken said.The cuts are in parallel to the expansion of Heineken Business Services. The company announced in May that the unit would be expanded through a new services centre in Hyderabad, India.
More people are not registering whether or not they want to donate their organs after their death, increasing the number of donors by default by 30,000, figures from statistics agency CBS show.
In the Netherlands, everyone aged 18 and over is sent a letter asking them to indicate if they want to donate their organs after death or not. A change in the law in 2020 means people who don’t reply are automatically classified as donors, although doctors will always ask relatives about a deceased’s wishes.According to the new figures, youngsters in particular failed to make their choice known. Some 41% of youngsters between 18 and 25 have not actively registered whether or not they want to be donors, compared to 36% in 2022.
Caretaker economic affairs minister Vincent Karremans says he wants to work with China to find a solution to the Chinese export ban on Nexperia chips, which came into force this week after the Netherlands took control of the company.
The move followed a ruling by judges in Amsterdam that removed Nexperia’s Chinese chief executive, Zhang Xuezheng, from his post.Karremans said he hopes consultations with Beijing will lead to the ban being lifted. The chips are crucial components for car manufacturers worldwide, and a global shortage could emerge within weeks if exports from China remain blocked.
Jesse Klaver, 39, has been chosen as the new leader of the 20-strong GroenLinks-PvdA parliamentary alliance following the resignation of Frans Timmermans in the wake of the party’s election losses.
Klaver was formerly leader of the left-wing green party GroenLinks and one of the driving forces behind the merger of the two parties, which is set to be completed next year.He was the only candidate for the post after new MP Marjolein Moorman, who has been tipped as a future party leader, said Klaver had her full backing.world record holder at 500m
November 17, 2025
Femke Kok on her way to a new world mark of 36.09.
Femke Kok knocked three-tenths of a second off the world 500m record to become the first Dutch skater ever to set the fastest time in the sprint race.The 25-year-old started the World Cup weekend in Salt Lake City by setting a new Dutch record of 36.48 seconds on Saturday, before skating to a sensational time of 36.09 on Sunday.The previous record, held by Lee Sang-hwa of South Korea, had stood for 12 years. “I’d watched that race hundreds of times and always thought: how can you go so fast?”
The liberal party D66 and the Christian Democrats (CDA) should work together to determine which potential coalitions can count on a majority in both the lower and upper houses of parliament, Wouter Koolmees, who has been charged with making an initial assessment of cabinet options, told reporters on Tuesday evening.His report marks the end of the first stage in the process of forming a new coalition government in the Netherlands, following last month’s general election.Party leaders Rob Jetten (D66) and Henri Bontenbal (CDA) will work together for the next three weeks to see if agreement can be reached with other parties on themes such as migration, housing, defence, nitrogen-based pollution, the economy and the Dutch investment climate, Koolmees said. It should be a “positive agenda,” he said.
Less travel time and simpler cross-border tickets are part of a major plan announced by the European Commission to accelerate the development of a high-speed rail network linking European cities.
Train users have long complained about the lack of oversight in the European high speed train network and the commission says it now wants to give passengers “a real alternative to short-haul flights and long car journeys”.
The EU has plans to “double high-speed rail traffic by 2030 compared to 2015 and triple it by 2050”.
Under the new plan, the commission says it intends to work with member states to develop a network that will cut travel time for many popular journeys by half and open the market to new entrants.
Train tickets will become more expensive again next year, with Dutch Rail (NS) increasing fares by an average of 6.52% from 1 January. The increase is roughly the same as this year’s rise but lower than earlier estimates, which had suggested prices could jump by up to 12%.
NS said the increase includes both expected inflation for 2026 and deferred inflation from previous years, which had been held back during the energy crisis.
The price rise is higher than we would have liked, but much lower than was feared,” said commercial director Bertien van Baak. “We want to limit the average increase and still offer affordable options through specific subscriptions and special offers.”
The shortage in the Dutch jobs market is expected to ease slightly in the next two years, but employers will still face challenges to fill vacancies, the unemployment insurance agency UWV says.
The total number of jobs is forecast to grow by 1.1% by 2027, based on modest economic growth, but demand will vary strongly among regions and sectors.
Greater Amsterdam, central Utrecht and south-east Brabant, as well as the so-called “food valley” in Gelderland are all seeing relatively strong jobs growth, but job opportunities are likely to shrink in border regions such as Zeeland, Limburg and Drenthe.
The association set up a “group of experts” earlier this year to assess whether its current policy of allowing transgender women to play in women’s teams “needs to be adapted”, following the high-profile injury of at least one woman player.in May, Britain’s Sunday Times reported on the case of Dutch player Elena King, who sustained a serious knee injury after being tackled by a trans woman during a premier league rugby match in the Netherlands.King, who has played rugby since she was a little girl, says on her website that everyone has the right to enjoy the game of rugby and other sports. “However, trans women are stuck, and remain, in a male’s body which causes dangerous and unfair situations in sports,” she said.Her concerns, the paper said at the time, are shared by other women, coaching staff and at least two clubs. Dutch News is also aware of concerns among club officials.The Netherlands, unlike many other countries, had not adopted a formal policy on trans women (born male), though world rugby’s governing body has banned them from international women’s contact rugby since 2020.However, the Netherlands has now decided that the women’s national competition will remain open to trans women from the age of 16. This will be preceded by a risk assessment and, if necessary, a medical review by the association. Trans men can play in the men’s competition from the age of 18.In addition, if a player uses testosterone “for a better aligned gender experience,” then they will no longer be allowed to play in the women’s competition, the association said.“Our goal is that no one feels excluded from our sport. This policy combines inclusion with the responsibility for safety and fairness,” said Rugby Nederland chairman Friso Horstmeier. “In this way we are building a rugby community in which everyone can be themselves, both on and off the field.”The new rules apply only to the Dutch competition, in which three trans women are thought to be currently playing. In the national side and other representative teams, trans women are not eligible to play under World Rugby rules.
Some 400 more jobs are set to be cut at Heineken’s headquarters in Amsterdam as part of a reorganisation to simplify the company’s structures and create a “more focused strategic centre”.
A spokeswoman told the AD that around 1,750 people currently work at the office, meaning almost 25% of the jobs there will go. Some of the jobs will be moved abroad and some will disappear, Heineken said.The cuts are in parallel to the expansion of Heineken Business Services. The company announced in May that the unit would be expanded through a new services centre in Hyderabad, India.
More people are not registering whether or not they want to donate their organs after their death, increasing the number of donors by default by 30,000, figures from statistics agency CBS show.
In the Netherlands, everyone aged 18 and over is sent a letter asking them to indicate if they want to donate their organs after death or not. A change in the law in 2020 means people who don’t reply are automatically classified as donors, although doctors will always ask relatives about a deceased’s wishes.According to the new figures, youngsters in particular failed to make their choice known. Some 41% of youngsters between 18 and 25 have not actively registered whether or not they want to be donors, compared to 36% in 2022.
Caretaker economic affairs minister Vincent Karremans says he wants to work with China to find a solution to the Chinese export ban on Nexperia chips, which came into force this week after the Netherlands took control of the company.
The move followed a ruling by judges in Amsterdam that removed Nexperia’s Chinese chief executive, Zhang Xuezheng, from his post.Karremans said he hopes consultations with Beijing will lead to the ban being lifted. The chips are crucial components for car manufacturers worldwide, and a global shortage could emerge within weeks if exports from China remain blocked.
Jesse Klaver, 39, has been chosen as the new leader of the 20-strong GroenLinks-PvdA parliamentary alliance following the resignation of Frans Timmermans in the wake of the party’s election losses.
Klaver was formerly leader of the left-wing green party GroenLinks and one of the driving forces behind the merger of the two parties, which is set to be completed next year.He was the only candidate for the post after new MP Marjolein Moorman, who has been tipped as a future party leader, said Klaver had her full backing.world record holder at 500m
November 17, 2025
Femke Kok on her way to a new world mark of 36.09.
Femke Kok knocked three-tenths of a second off the world 500m record to become the first Dutch skater ever to set the fastest time in the sprint race.The 25-year-old started the World Cup weekend in Salt Lake City by setting a new Dutch record of 36.48 seconds on Saturday, before skating to a sensational time of 36.09 on Sunday.The previous record, held by Lee Sang-hwa of South Korea, had stood for 12 years. “I’d watched that race hundreds of times and always thought: how can you go so fast?”
The liberal party D66 and the Christian Democrats (CDA) should work together to determine which potential coalitions can count on a majority in both the lower and upper houses of parliament, Wouter Koolmees, who has been charged with making an initial assessment of cabinet options, told reporters on Tuesday evening.His report marks the end of the first stage in the process of forming a new coalition government in the Netherlands, following last month’s general election.Party leaders Rob Jetten (D66) and Henri Bontenbal (CDA) will work together for the next three weeks to see if agreement can be reached with other parties on themes such as migration, housing, defence, nitrogen-based pollution, the economy and the Dutch investment climate, Koolmees said. It should be a “positive agenda,” he said.
Less travel time and simpler cross-border tickets are part of a major plan announced by the European Commission to accelerate the development of a high-speed rail network linking European cities.
Train users have long complained about the lack of oversight in the European high speed train network and the commission says it now wants to give passengers “a real alternative to short-haul flights and long car journeys”.
The EU has plans to “double high-speed rail traffic by 2030 compared to 2015 and triple it by 2050”.
Under the new plan, the commission says it intends to work with member states to develop a network that will cut travel time for many popular journeys by half and open the market to new entrants.
Train tickets will become more expensive again next year, with Dutch Rail (NS) increasing fares by an average of 6.52% from 1 January. The increase is roughly the same as this year’s rise but lower than earlier estimates, which had suggested prices could jump by up to 12%.
NS said the increase includes both expected inflation for 2026 and deferred inflation from previous years, which had been held back during the energy crisis.
The price rise is higher than we would have liked, but much lower than was feared,” said commercial director Bertien van Baak. “We want to limit the average increase and still offer affordable options through specific subscriptions and special offers.”
The shortage in the Dutch jobs market is expected to ease slightly in the next two years, but employers will still face challenges to fill vacancies, the unemployment insurance agency UWV says.
The total number of jobs is forecast to grow by 1.1% by 2027, based on modest economic growth, but demand will vary strongly among regions and sectors.
Greater Amsterdam, central Utrecht and south-east Brabant, as well as the so-called “food valley” in Gelderland are all seeing relatively strong jobs growth, but job opportunities are likely to shrink in border regions such as Zeeland, Limburg and Drenthe.
Page 21
Amidst Colour’ - Tesselaar Tulip Festival Photojournalism 2025
By Sabrina Pon
Amidst Colour captures the fleeting rhythm of people moving through vast fields of tulips, a dance of light, motion, and reflection. Rather than portraying the festival as a static scene, the collection transforms it through photographs where colour and movement intertwine. Using a handheld camera, slow shutter speeds, and double exposures, I sought to blur the boundaries between people, petals, and the surrounding landscape, dissolving the distinction between subject and setting.
Each photograph becomes an impressionistic study of form and hue, where layers of flowers and figures overlap, creating dreamlike compositions that shift between clarity and abstraction. The use of double exposures allows moments to merge and flow, revealing beauty not as something still or perfect but as something constantly moving and transforming as we move through it.
In Amidst Colour, memory and movement merge. What remains is not a precise record but an emotional impression, a trace of light and feeling. The collection invites viewers to pause within that in-between space where presence becomes recollection and light turns into memory. Ultimately, it is an ode to impermanence, a quiet celebration of beauty that shimmers, fades, and reappears like reflections in motion.
By Sabrina Pon
Amidst Colour captures the fleeting rhythm of people moving through vast fields of tulips, a dance of light, motion, and reflection. Rather than portraying the festival as a static scene, the collection transforms it through photographs where colour and movement intertwine. Using a handheld camera, slow shutter speeds, and double exposures, I sought to blur the boundaries between people, petals, and the surrounding landscape, dissolving the distinction between subject and setting.
Each photograph becomes an impressionistic study of form and hue, where layers of flowers and figures overlap, creating dreamlike compositions that shift between clarity and abstraction. The use of double exposures allows moments to merge and flow, revealing beauty not as something still or perfect but as something constantly moving and transforming as we move through it.
In Amidst Colour, memory and movement merge. What remains is not a precise record but an emotional impression, a trace of light and feeling. The collection invites viewers to pause within that in-between space where presence becomes recollection and light turns into memory. Ultimately, it is an ode to impermanence, a quiet celebration of beauty that shimmers, fades, and reappears like reflections in motion.
Page 21
Hats
I have never seen
so many hats of tulle
with invisible threads
and finished cotton
and dresses,
radiant dresses
with high heels
In swampy grass
fragile as the wind
walking seamless suits
along a course lined with roses
my tie
feels tight around my neck,
like the bit of the horses
racing with whip and sweat
for gamblers and country
In the never ending
Melbourne Cup
Jorge Bolle,
4 November 2025
I have never seen
so many hats of tulle
with invisible threads
and finished cotton
and dresses,
radiant dresses
with high heels
In swampy grass
fragile as the wind
walking seamless suits
along a course lined with roses
my tie
feels tight around my neck,
like the bit of the horses
racing with whip and sweat
for gamblers and country
In the never ending
Melbourne Cup
Jorge Bolle,
4 November 2025