The "link". Am I MISSING something? Is there a Dutch link?
On Saturday 23 June, 2007, Dutchlink Limited, a “not for profit” organisation, claimed, on their website, to facilitate the information flow between already existing Dutch originated organisations/clubs/groups on business, cultural, social and governmental related issues, in order to assist these organisations/clubs/groups, in creating, presumably among Australians and Dutch-born in Australlia, more awareness about their activities.
Their primary aim: to inform everyone, via their website, on all Dutch happenings in Australia.
Dutchlink does not have an office but appears to be based in Sydney.
I read that on 4th Feb 2003, a group of enthusiasts established Dutchlink Limited, in Sydney.
Hans Erik Tuyt, Chair of the Board was quoted as stating : “For some time it was noticed that many Dutch originated organisations were enthusiastically organising clubs, events etc ., here in Sydney. However there wasn’t one point of contact. “
Now that surprises me because, since arriving in Sydney, in May, 1956, my parents soon became involved in networking with other Dutch-Australians.
As was typical of many of their co-cohort, we’d arrived at our destination: Perth, on the migrant ship, to discover that there was no work and that joining friends of friends, in Applecross, was not practical.
Being taken to the Bonegilla Migrant reception centre and thence moving through three more migrant hostels, we got to know a lot of fellow Dutch migrants.
Friends of friends were in a Dutch dramatic group, which put on plays.
That group turned into a social club and when its chairperson had held office for twelve years, my father took over for twelve years and I did for another year.
My point is that, for most of that time I was very aware that there was excellent contact between the various Dutch-Australian organisations.
Not only built on the networks established via the migrant ships and migrant hostels, but chiefly through the Federation of Netherlands Societies, which held annual meetings – and still does!
There certainly was and is contact!
Evidence includes the hugely successful annual Orange Balls, the huge picnic day, arranged for a visiting Dutch naval ship. Too many examples to list!
These events were so well patronised because there certainly WAS contact.
I was always aware that there was a body that was similar to a chamber of commerce. Although I had nothing to do with it and I was certainly made aware of the plans for a cultural centre, when I was involved in the early broadcasts of the then, SBS 2EA radio station.
I harken back so often to the example of the unified protests that were so easily raised when it was first made known that K.L.M. Royal Dutch airlines would no longer fly directly between Sydney and Amsterdam.
Thousands of Dutch-Australians who had chosen the so-called assimilation mode, easily found out about this threat to their link with the motherland.
Today, as a member of the board of the Federation of Netherlands Societies, I attended a general meeting of the affiliated organisations.
There was, as far as I know, no Dutchlink official representative present.
Therefore, I do not understand how the establishment of Dutchlink is facilitating the information flow between all these organisations and linking them.
Their aim to attract those Dutch here in Sydney who not yet take part in the activities of the established organisations, just because they don’t know that these Dutch organisations exist, primarily through their website, on all Dutch happenings in Australia, is a most laudable one.
Having recently attended a function, organised by Dutchlink, ( of which I am a member,) I perceive the driving force to be particularly, that new-style cohort of Dutch-born immigrants who have come, much better prepared than my parents were.
This present cohort has knowledge and resources and, perhaps, just like my parents did, have come with the intention of testing the waters and if the Aussie life-style suits to stay, but otherwise, to move on.
They have not travelled five weeks together on migrant ships (as my parents and I and thousands did). They have not been thrown together in migrant reception centre (hostels) and, therefore do not have those ready-made connections.
They do seem to have better resources than my parents and my generation did.
There already is, in New South Wales long-established network: The Federation of Netherlands Societies. The wheel does not need to be re-invented. Possibly just needs a tune-up.
Are we linking up?
We need to talk!!
Na de verhuizing, hier, heb ik erg veel moeite met het bewerken van mijn web-logs en ben dus overgestapt naar punt, waar ik via joopmul en ook heteind mijn hart weer lucht.
(Zo zonde van al het 'werk (met liefde en plezier gedaan)', dat nu hier niet meeer zo staat, zoals ik het gemaakt had.)
Johanna is hier, in Sydney geboren. Heeft mij, met mijn ouders veel Nederlands horen spreken. Maar de eerste keer dat zij voor zich zelf, in Buiksloterplein boodschappen moest gaan doen, had zij even de zelfde ervaring als mijn ouders en ik hadden gehad, in Sydney, in 1956, als je de taal eigenlijk nog niet onder de knie hebt. Nu spreekt ze goed Frans. Behoorlijk Duits en behoorlijk Nederlands en Engels kent ze sinds ongeveer 1981. 
