History of the federation of Netherlands Societies (abridged)

 

Officially commenced in July 1966 the Federation was incorporated on the 1^st day of November 1967.

Three of the many objects were:

• To advance the interests of the affiliated organizations.
• To promote celebrations of a general Australian and /or Dutch character.
• To raise money for charitable purposes.

 

Six Dutch Australian associations were foundation members, but within a few years there were 18 Clubs associated. Presently the Federation has 15 members.

 

The Federation represented the Dutch in NSW whenever they needed to act as one body.The following are some of the events resulting from this action.

 

When in 1969 John Logeman dreamed of a retirement village for people with a Dutch background he received support and financial assistance through the Federation. The Village was opened in 1980

 

When the Australian government threatened to stop KLM from landing in Australia a letter writing action was organized and KLM stayed.

 

In 1976 the Federation supported the voluntary broadcasters of the Dutch language program on radio 2EA. Now SBS-Radio and still on the air.

 

A sub-committee of the Federation organized some eight Holland Festivals, which attracted literally thousands of visitors. H.M.Queen Beatrix visited the festival in the bi-centenary year 1988. In combination with the festival a Charity Queen contest collected money for charitable use. This money was ÔstoredÕ in a separate benevolent fund to assure that the money was indeed used for the stated purpose. The fund still exists under the name Queen Wilhelmina Dutch-Australian Benevolent Fund.

 

Meanwhile work was underway for the creation of a second retirement village. Abel Tasman Village was opened in 1994

 

When the DAS Neerlandia needed support from the wider community to convince officialdom into letting them a lease at reasonable price the Federation acted. Especially the chairman Mr. Anton Kool attended a large number of council meetings.

 

The Federation established the CACP. (Thuiszorg) which was financed by the Australian Government. The CACP later was merged with the Abel Tasman Village for reasons efficiently and reduction of overhead costs.

 

Currently a subcommittee of the Federation organizes a yearly holiday for the elderly and supports a group of volunteers who provide social welfare contacts with the elderly in the Illawarra.

 

Finally there are some ten so called ÔInstuifÕ groups in and around Sydney, where the elderly of Dutch descent meet for a cup of coffee and company. The Federation provides them with subsidies to provide Xmas and other little celebrations.