A more recent chapter of Dutch-Australian maritime connections began during WW2. From 1942 many Dutch and Dutch Indies nationals from the Netherlands East Indies (NEI) were evacuated to Australia. After the war, they were followed by approximately 170,000 Dutch assisted migrants, many of whom arrived by boat between 1947 and 1976.

In 1977 the Australian Department of Immigration stopped transporting assisted migrants by boat in favour of airplanes. Today, many of these migrants and their families have an ongoing interest in commemorating and documenting the mutual heritage of both countries.

Images courtesy
Claudia Zipfel (CIE)

References