DECEMBER 2007

AUSTRALIA and NEW ZEALAND bi-monthly magazine

-

price (incl GST) AUS $4.95 - NZ $5.00

- vol.2 no. 4 - NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2007

holland focus

The final Bloemencorso in Aalsmeer

A look behind the windows, Amsterdam’s Red Light District

Open Air Museum Arnhem

André Rieu 2008 Australia Tour

100 years Brons engines

frontpage photo by Yolanda Edens, Aalsmeer bloemencorso

CONTENTS ARTICLES______________________ 4 letters to the editor 7 André Rieu - Australia tour 10 Fruit en Flower Corso 20 Nederlands Openluchtmuseum 24 Volkszangdag Delft 30 BVN over op glasvezelverbinding 35 100 years Brons engine 37-41 book reviews 42 School’s Art Show, inspired by Ton Schulten 46 Dutch Business starts in Australia 47 A look behind the windows Amsterdam’s red light district 52 WA Windmill “The Lily” 54 Hongertocht 56 The Barnevelder in Tasmania 58 Dutchies in Carnarvon 60 The Other Side of the Maas 64 Profile of... Eddy van Reeuwijk 65 André Rieu in Maastricht

COMMUNITY NEWS_____________ 51 63 65 66

NSW reunion Queensland club news NSW club news SA club news

REGULARS_____________________ 3 Editorial 12 Edo - Crooke 13 Marcia - December in The Netherlands 16 Verbeeldingen - Frans Hertoghs 17 Dutch/Flemish cinema - Darren Arnold 19 Puzzel - Dutch Cuisine 26 Taals Taaltje - Stuur meer geld asb 27 Who’s Who 28 Kiwi Korrels - Frans Hertoghs 34 Pim column - Caravan Sold 44 Fryslân Boppe - skûtsjesilen 50 Plaatsnemen - De Broek aan

44 65 30

photo taken at Tesselaar Tulip Festival 2007

editorial

G’Day

Maori tourism, folkloristic entertainment or authenticity?

words and photos Jacob van Splunter

It takes some getting used to. I am in Rotorua and squeeze through the crowd in Te Puia, where the (cultural) history of the Maori is being told. Thus I get acquainted with a meeting house (wharehui). The building is used for cultural performances and hui (gatherings and meetings). Of course, the haka, the war dance of the men, has been placed on the programme of this cultural show too. On the other hand the poi (ball and rope dance) with its elegant movements, has been reserved for the women. Besides this the powhiri (welcoming ceremony), waiata-a-ringa (action songs) and the tititorea (short stick dance). These performances still reasonably guarantee the authenticity, some hangi’s, meals prepared in a geothermal Maori-oven, are ‘a bridge too far’. In different hotels in Rotorua the meals have become too touristmass-produce, and the Maori-culture has been degraded to a kind of folk amusement. I travel to Gisborne to be introduced to the Maori-culture on a smallscale. Dutchman Kees Weytmans has started the Knapdale Eco-Lodge in this town. Gisborne is the town where the sun first rises. In Knapdale they honour this with a ritual to greet the sun or, for the late sleepers, to tuck the sun in. To give this ritual more

style, the local Waka toa Maori-group performs as well. “I want the Maoriculture to have a significant place and this way people who visit Knapdale get to know the Maori-culture in a unique way and on a small-scale”. Thus I stand on a hill close to Knapdale watching a fascinating performance, while the sun gradually sets. In Whangara, an idyllic spot in a small sheltered bay, at the end of a small, dead-end road off the State Highway 35, about 20 kilometres north east of Gisborne, the same small-scaliness is to be found. State Highway 35 goes from Gisborne to Opotiki along the East Cape and is 340 kilometres long. Together with State Highway 2, which goes directly from Gisborne to Opotiki, this road offers the only access to a huge area, almost exclusively inhabited by Maori. It is a rough and very inaccessible territory. Whangara is made famous by the shooting of the film Whale Rider (2002). Whale Rider is a beautiful film about the old traditions of the Maori’s, but also about the generation gap, about pride, respect, will, strength and love. The film managed to get many (international) prices. Whangara exists of about ten houses and a marae (Maori-communityhouse). The visitor will not receive a

‘warm welcome’. No shops, not even a place to eat or drink something. However, plenty of signs with ‘private road’. The Ngati Konohi (a sub-tribe of Ngati Porou) do not particularly like hordes of tourists. To turn this place into a tourist resort would mean destroying it. But at the same time tourism would be able to form one of the (few) sources of income for people in this area, and that can offer a way out of the spiralling of a difficult economic situation. For the lovers of the Maoriculture this is thè place to visit. But I hope this will not happen in large numbers, to protect the authenticity. Finally I want to reflect on the new holland focus. It has been busy at the editorial office. The copy on your table has gained 24 pages in comparison to the last edition. This was necessary to be able to accommodate the growing advertisements and articles. We also are on the eve of the Australia Fair in Utrecht, of which holland focus is a joint organiser. In short, it sparkles at the editorial office and from the many positive responses it becomes clear, that you all appreciate those efforts enormously. That stimulates us to continue working with much enthusiasm on new editions of holland focus. Waka toa

your editor working hard

www.hollandfocus.com - 3

Als u informatie kunt geven over gezochte personen of als u een verdacht persoon ziet neem dan zo spoedig mogelijk contact op met Crime Stoppers. Voor informatie over verschillende gezochte personen is een beloning van AU$1000 beschikbaar gesteld. U hoeft uw naam niet te noemen. De persoon die belt krijgt een codenummer toegewezen, dat gebruikt moet worden in elk contact met de politie totdat de beloning betaald is. Bel gratis naar Crime Stoppers op 1800 333 000 of ga naar www. crimestoppers.com.au

I am writing in response to the letter printed in your July/August issue. To be honest their letter got me stumped. They claim that Maastricht is not in Holland, as there is no country by that name. I have been in Australia since 1950 and all mail sent to Holland was no problem to the Dutch post to deliver. They claim that Holland doesn’t exist on account that two provinces are called North and South Holland. From that statement one could draw the conclusion that since they live in Western Australia and I live in South Australia that Australia doesn’t exist. That is what I would call confusion. Sincerely H. Koopman, S.A. I have only just managed to catch up with your splendid September/October issue of ‘Holland Focus’. There’s no doubt about it, the magazine is just getting better and better! Here is my answer to ‘Who’s Who?’ Thanks to your generous provision of clues plus the fact that earlier this year I read his justly famous novel ‘Max Havelaar” for the first time, I had no difficulties identifying the person depicted as EDUARD DOUWES DEKKER. It was an unforgettable read! With best wishes, J.M.T. Groenewegen, NSW

gezocht

Ik ben op zoek naar Alisa Fiona Smit (geb. 13-09-1945). Alisa is de jongste zus van mijn moeder, wie kan mij vertellen waar zij is gebleven? Laatst bekende adres: 4/1485 Heatherton Rd, Dandenong (North) 3175 Vic. Alisa, als je dit zelf leest, wil je dan alsjeblieft contact met me opnemen?? Email: [email protected] Gré Weishaupt-Mulder

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f h 2 e t i wr

PO Box 169, Olinda Vic 3788, Australia E: [email protected]

Firstly, may I thank you for your prompt delivery of three books I purchased through you. I have started reading “Living with the Dutch” by Norean Sharpe and am finding it thoroughly enjoyable. I have written and submit to you a story in the hope that you may find it favourable for publication in your marvellous magazine: Holland Focus. I am a 53 year old wife and mother of both Australian (mother) and Dutch (father) mixed heritage. I have been subscribing to Holland Focus only just recently and have been enjoying reading your down-to-earth stories of everyday people, some of which are not unlike myself. I also work in the public school system, part time, as a Teachers Aide helping special needs children. Even though my story could be directed to anyone, I had an overwhelming desire to offer it to you in the hope that my fellow readers may find it of some comfort. My Reflection, by Julianne Roberts How many of us at some stage of our lives have not flinched or even cringed at suddenly catching sight of our image in the shop front window while passing by? Perhaps we’ve even struggled with the impulse to take a pained glimpse of our dial in the washroom mirror and if overwhelmed by the temptation, immediately regretted our lack of discipline! There are those times in our lives when the skill of actively avoiding the mirror is of great paramountcy. Perhaps it’s those teenage years when all you see staring back at you is a face full of angry skin eruptions. Maybe it’s that time our mothers warned us about when gravity takes its course with our bodies after those child bearing years. Well, there’s a solution to that: you have the bathroom mirror reduced in size to only reflect the absolute minimum needed for essential grooming – that is, nothing below the neck! All my adult life, my reflected image has been a reason for concern for me. The sight of myself in the mirror was not automatically a pleasant or celebratory occasion but more a catalyst for self-criticism or reproach. Oh! Look, I must have gained weight over Christmas again. There’s that tell tale double chin that seems to always make an appearance around January. I guess you could say: body image, not good! Recently, I have come to the conclusion that liking and accepting what you see staring back at you in the mirror is a matter of discipline, a choice. We can choose “ugly” or we can train ourselves to practice choosing “beautiful”. In addition we can see intelligence, kindness, compassion, understanding, wisdom etc. The day will pass regardless. We can choose to spend it thinking ugly thoughts about ourselves or spend the day looking at things less superficial. Negative thoughts, if practised enough, can become a habit. It’s time to practice something new and break the cycle of negativity. These days the last thing I focus on when I view myself in the mirror is my smile. Before walking away I give myself a big smile and remind myself that I may not always look like a top model but in the long run, it’s the character image reflected out to the world that gives the lasting impression. So, choose “beautiful” and wear a smile.

photo taken at Tesselaar Tulip Festival 2007

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Being a great fan of André Rieu you can imagine how pleased I was to receive your parcel with the message, that I had won the “Who’s Who?” competition. Thank you very much, I am sure my wife and I will enjoy “New York Memories” for many years. We love the magazine, so keep up the good work. Joop Barnhoorn Vic Ik heb een aantal maanden geleden (mrt/apr) een advertentie laten opnemen dat ik opzoek was naar een oude vriend van mij, ene Jos van Dijk. Hoewel hij zelf geen lid is van een Hollands blad heeft een vriend van hem de advertentie gelezen en hem hierin herkend. Vanmorgen de eeste mail van hem mogen ontvangen (eind goed al goed). Dat wilde ik toch even laten weten. Theo Laurense Thank you for such a fine publication, I must thank you also for the recipe for the bitter almond cookies. Would anyone know how I could get embroidery/cross stitch patterns of ‘Ot en Sien’ and other such projects? Deb Landmeter

THE CLOG BARN Experience the colour & charm of Holland without leaving Coffs Harbour

My name is Annemarie. I don’t know if you are aware of the difficulty in regaining Dutch Citizenship. I was born in Holland and even went to school there. Our family migrated from Holland in 1959. My dad decided to become a Naturalised Australian in 1966, because I was under age I was automatically Naturalised, and being a minor I was not able to give consent. Recently I decided that I wanted to travel through Europe, and I applied for my Dutch Passport, and after going through endless paper work etc, I was rejected on a clause (WNI) which basically means that if you were a minor and became Naturalised, you automatically loose your Dutch Citizenship, it made me feel that I was an outcast from my birthplace (Netherlands) I was told by the Sydney Dutch Consulate that there are hundreds of people in the same boat. Surely it is one’s right to regain their Dutch passport, if a person is born in a country? I wonder if this matter is brought to everyone’s attention, and people appeal, that this ruling can be reviewed? I gave them every document that they required for the passport, it took me months of going back and forth from the Melbourne consulate to do this. My question is, why would they put you through all of this, only to reject you, it just doesn’t make sense? I look forward to hearing what comments you and other people have about this matter. Or if there is an organisation in Holland that can help? write or email to Holland Focus

Clog Barn

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André Rieu - 2008 Australia Tour André Rieu comes to Australia. The Limburger violinist is with seven DVDs in the top twenty in Australia and thus extremely popular Down Under. Performances in Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide, Brisbane and Perth are on the agenda for November/December 2008. In September Andre Rieu was in Melbourne to promote his concerts. Holland Focus spoke with him.

André Rieu had always wanted to start an orchestra. “But I had nothing to offer the musical instrument players, only the ideas in my head”. Still in 1987 he managed to get 14 people together to start rehearsing in a cold rehearsal room. In 1988, the first concerts followed and were instantly successful. Rieu: “We were completely taken back when the concerts sold out. The director of the theatre was very enthusiastic and said that we could be booked for the coming 20 years”. The success remained. Some concerts were so popular that we did several performances per day. In Roermond we performed four times on the one day”, Rieu remembers. “But we were young, so we could cope”.

known people could afford that. Apparently I have now reached that status”. Rieu has blown new life in the waltz and brought it under the attention of the general public. He is also called ‘the King of the Waltz’. “It is fantastic to play the waltz. The waltz has the rhythm of the heart. That shows in the responses of the public: people get up spontaneously and start to waltz. It really is my favourite music”.

Décors Transporting such a large show to Australia takes some doing. André and the orchestral members travel by plane, the décors arrive by boat. “The décors are really marvellous: we use the Schönbrunn (Vienna) décor and splendid period costumes, skating rinks on both sides of the stage and a golden carriage with Sissy”. About 500 people are working to put the show together: 250 on stage and

Rhythm of the heart Meanwhile his Johan Strauss orchestra has developed into 43 members and on larger stages sometimes even 50. Had Rieu expected that his orchestra would grow like this? “I have not started to become big”, Rieu answered. “I simply had fun”. André Rieu gets a lot of support from his wife Marjorie. She helps him with the designing of the costumes and writes song texts. Together they also create the programme. André: “That just happened. She started helping me with translating songs. At first I did that from memory and that became too much for me. Marjorie offered to help me and that has not changed since”. André Rieu travels the world with his orchestra. In November/December 2008 he will perform in Australia for the first time. “I had wanted to come earlier, but such a venture is very expensive. Actually only wellwww.hollandfocus.com - 7

8 - www.hollandfocus.com

the same number behind the scenes. The décors are made up in triplicate to manage performing in more cities within a limited time. Rieu works with people from all over the world. In his orchestra are also two Australians: singer Mirusha (of Dutch parents in Queensland)) and singer Gary Bennett from Tasmania. “Music is international and doesn’t know boundaries”, says Rieu. “Everyone who fits in can participate. Tomorrow, for instance, I have an appointment with an aboriginal didgeridoo player to see how we can do the programme the Australian way”. Rieu certainly intents to incorporate Australian melodies in his programme and also wants - if successful - to produce an Australian DVD. Stradivarius André Rieu is one of few people in the world who has a real Stradivarius violin and he carries it everywhere. “A Stradivarius is the ultimate dream for a violin player. But only a few places sell Stradivarius violins. From the moment salesmen suspected I could afford a Stradivarius, they headed straight for me. You have to be very careful, because there is a lot of junk amongst them. The most important thing for me is that I can play it and that it sounds nice. When that is not the case, I do not want it and I will tell them. And when I suspect that it is a real one, I go to an expert”. However, André always carries a spare violin as well (not a Stradivarius). “It is purely for security. When a string has snapped during a concert I prefer to restring it and play the Stradivarius instead of replacing it with the spare violin”. Dreams Rieu and his wife Marjorie live in a real castle in Maastricht (in the south of The Netherlands). This too, is one of his dreams come true. “As a child I always read ‘Kuifje’ (Tintin) and captain Haddock lived in a castle. I wanted that too”. Both his children are also gifted artistically. The oldest is a painter and art historian, the youngest is the production manager of his father’s

shows. “Everything around and on stage are his ideas”, Rieu says proudly. André looks forward to his concerts in Australia. I really want to visualise Australia in my music. Ayers Rock, the kangaroos: people have to imagine it when they hear my music”.

WIN! New York Memories We have this CD of André Rieu to give away.

How many people were in his orchestra when he started? To be in the draw, please send an email with the right answer to [email protected] or a letter to PO Box 169, Olinda Vic 3788, Australia

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Fruit and flower corso

in The Netherlands Fruit and flowers controlled the weekend of 8 and 9 September. On Saturday 8 September the 46th edition of the fruit parade (Fruitcorso) took place in Tiel. In Aalsmeer on Sunday 9 September about 40 carriages decorated with flowers passed the 27,500 visitors for the 60th and last time.

words and photos Yolanda Edens

The Bloemencorso (flower parade) in Aalsmeer stops.

In Tiel about 90,000 people came to the annual Fruitcorso. ‘Appelpop’ attracted more visitors Lack of big sponsors made the event too expensive, hence too: according to an estimation by the event the last version turning into a very special event. On the commission, no less than 130,000 visitors came to day about 40 carriages, decorated with flowers, drove this free music festival. from Aalsmeer, through Amstelveen, to the Olympic The Fruitcorso traditionally starts with the laying of fruit Stadium. There a spectacle took place; the flower mosaics along the Tielse gracht by schoolchildren and carriages on show and artists performing. About 15,000 associations. The parade is preceded by the children’s people had gathered in and around the stadium. In the corso where youthful designers proudly show off their stadium the programme was opened by one thousand decorated bicycles or carts to the public. The carriages children attempting a world record by establishing a are built from seeds, vegetables and fruit, everything flower boa. With 1,027 meters the attempt succeeded and used must originate from The Netherlands. Citrus fruits is now submitted to the Guinness Book of records. have been prohibited. Most of the ‘trailer-designers and sticking-people’ only take a couple of months rest after the corso. In October the corso association meets to start on the designs for the next year. And although each year it is a race against the clock to get everything finished on time and to find sufficient volunteers, the Fruitcorso seems not yet ready for its last edition, for the time being.

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DECEMBER IN THE NETHERLANDS

Originally (oorspronkelijk) this was going to be an ‘ABC of Christmas’ - using Dutch words. What got me started was a news item that perhaps the new coach of the Socceroos would be Dick Advocaat. This got me thinking about ‘advokaat’ the drink, which was mentioned in the last issue of holland focus on p. 28, and then about ‘een borreltje’ (strictly speaking a glass of jenever – gin) and cadeaus (presents). At that stage my Dutch-Australian thoughts were only on Christmas (Kerst). Then, thinking about cadeaus, some memories of December in the Netherlands in earlier years carried me, of course (natuurlijk), to the celebrations associated with St. Nicholas (Sinterklaas) early in December (6th). The approach to gift giving in this traditional celebration was vastly different from the commercial emphasis on Christmas which happens here. We were with family in Amsterdam one year. The task was to prepare a gift (a surprise, which sounds somewhat like ‘sorpresa’) and write a verse or two for the person whose name you had been given. Great challenge and excitement. Thinking further about December in the Netherlands, thoughts then went to the end of the month – to New Year’s Eve. It was in Australia that I first heard the question – What are you doing for ‘Old and New’? (Oud en Nieuw) and it was always nice to hear it in the Netherlands. One of the New Year traditions which I first encountered was here in Melbourne. My mother-in-law was out here on a visit (een bezoek). There was great excitement on this occasion also – this time it was about the making of oliebollen. No translation I’ve come across does justice to the sensation of eating a freshly cooked oliebol dusted with icing sugar (literally, an oil ball but translated as an oil-dumpling or doughnut). With friends in Alkmaar we spent many a New Year’s day watching the concert from Vienna and sharing oliebollen and appelbeignets (apple fritters) or appelflappen (apple turnovers). I’m not sure

what the drink of choice was – elsewhere although not necessarily for New Year, I remember boerenmeisjes and advokaat with whipped cream – lekker! (this is another ‘hard to translate’ word – in Dutch it is said with such relish if you’ll excuse the pun. The dictionary translation – ‘enjoyable’ is a bit tame – ‘delicious’ is sometimes better). The drink, boerenmeisjes, according to one dictionary is apricots in gin. There is another drink in the same ‘family’ – boerenjongens – raisins in brandy. The connection in both cases sounds very rustic, boeren meaning ‘farmers’, joined with the words for girls and boys or lads – suggesting the country life sometimes shown in paintings by Bruegel. Another enjoyable part of the visits to friends and family was to come into the warm home and to be offered een stukje Kerstkrans (a piece of a pastry ring which is filled with almond meal, usually served warm, with the coffee). Gezellig! This is another word with atmosphere which is difficult to translate well – the full list of dictionary words is the best I can do to convey the experience of hearing and using this word – gezellig – sociable, pleasant, cosy, gregarious. For people from warmer parts of the Southern Hemisphere it is a great experience to celebrate Christmas during winter in the Northern Hemisphere. Perhaps it is because some of our Christmas cards still show the northern winter scenes – cold weather, darkness coming early, candles and lights and so we feel that we belong also to this different kind of festival spirit. Certainly we can understand the nostalgia felt by those who experienced such times when they were younger. My husband used to recite a little verse about de donkere dagen voor Kerstmis (the dark days before Christmas) and as well had memories of this kind of atmosphere being very conducive to the telling of ghost stories and subsequent, even enjoyable, tension. As I write this I feel nostalgia of a different kind. Many years ago, the family from Amsterdam mentioned earlier was here at Christmastime. One of the children was about four years old. He was very fond of a small Father Christmas which we had as a table decoration. I loved hearing him call it ‘het Kerstmannetje’ (literally, the little Christmas man). One of my favourite Christmas memories is from attending a service in a fine old church (kerk) in Zeddam in the Achterhoek on Christmas Eve (Kerstavond). We sat near a large carved wooden panel with scenes from scripture of the lives of Jesus, Mary and Joseph and enjoyed the singing of the choir (koor). Afterwards we came out into the cold night air – another part of a European Christmas. Greetings for Christmas are varied – ‘Zalig Kerst’, ‘Prettige Kerst’ are some we heard. We often spent tweede Kerst – literally ‘second Christmas’ - the English ‘Boxing Day’, with family friends in Didam. Oud en Nieuw is perhaps more a celebration for the grown-ups, although another memory from Alkmaar intrudes as I write. As soon as midnight comes on New Year’s Eve, the fireworks begin in the street. Some of us here have memories from childhood of fireworks night – again great excitement – but not for the dogs. What was a bit ‘sobering’ around Alkmaar and elsewhere I guess, was that the public letter boxes were sealed until after fireworks time. When the fireworks display for New Year’s Eve here is shown on TV, I phone Alkmaar to wish the friends an early ‘Gelukkig Nieuwjaar’. And so I say the same to you, and wish you many good times in 2008. Marcia de Groot www.hollandfocus.com - 13

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“Rabobank, The World Safest Private Bank” Rabobank is de enige bank in Australia met een AAArating van ratings agencies Standard & Poor’s en Moody’s. Deze fantastische rating heeft de bank nu al meer dan 25 jaar. In de afgelopen twee jaar is Rabobank uitgeroepen tot “The World’s Safest Private Bank” door het toonaangevende Global Finance magazine (2005 en 2006). RaboPlus is onderdeel van Rabobank Australia Ltd., en 100% eigendom van het vertrouwde Rabobank Nederland. Internet beveiliging is top prioriteit Als Europa’s (en natuurlijk Nederlands) toonaangevende internetbank, is er ruime ervaring in het toepassen van de best mogelijke internet beveiliging. Net als in ondermeer Nederland krijgen Australische klanten een gratis Vasco Digipass – een handig en veilig apparaatje dat samen met een pincode toegang geeft tot een rekening alsmede noodzakelijk is voor validatie van elke transactie. Zo kunt u met een gerust hart gebruik maken van internet bankieren. Meer informatie? In de enkele maanden, sinds de lancering in Australië, is er al meer dan AUD 750 miljoen op RaboPlus rekeningen gezet, een fantastische start voor de “boerenleenbank”. Want zoals u misschien weet, in de afgelopen 10 jaar is Rabobank Australië uitgegroeid tot de op twee na grootste kredietverstrekker voor Australische boeren, waaronder velen met een Nederlandse achtergrond. Edwin van Raalte, verantwoordelijk voor de RaboPlus business case en implementatie, verteld: “Tijdens de marktanalyse werd al snel duidelijk hoe groot de behoefte is in de Australische markt voor zaken als internet security, credibility en transparantie bij banken. RaboPlus heeft hier goed op in kunnen spelen met haar unieke klant propositie en internationale ervaring. Ons team is aangenaam verrast door de vele positieve reacties van ondermeer Nederlandse expats alsmede emigranten van het eerste uur op het nieuwe aanbod van Rabobank in downunder”. Als u meer informatie wilt over de spaar- en beleggingsproducten van Rabobank in Australië, kijk dan op www.RaboPlus.com.au.

www.hollandfocus.com - 15

Wie het lichaam voedt Is voor de ziel ook goed.

De Bakker

Who feeds our body May feed our soul.

The Baker

e zijn druk aan het werk in deze moderne zeventiendeeeuwse bakkerij. De bakker - zijn krullenkop maar nauwelijks in bedwang gehouden door een slappe bakkersmuts - is geconcentreerd bezig met zijn gespierde armen een flinke hoeveelheid deeg te kneden. Misschien heeft hij het deeg daarnet met zijn voeten voorgekneed, want zijn broekspijp is opgerold en zijn blote been steekt in een soort muiltje dat hij gemakkelijk uit kan schoppen. Onder zijn ruimvallende bloes draagt hij een voorschoot. Een knecht knielt neer om rijshout en takken te rapen om het laaiende vuur nog hoger op te stoken. Tegen de oven naast hem leunt de grote platte ovenschep waarmee het baksel in en uit de oven geschoven kan worden. Op de achtergrond zien we een vrouw met een schort aan, die juist aan komt lopen met de rieten boodschappenmand aan de arm. Misschien is het de bakkers vrouw, misschien een dienstmeid die versgebakken brood komt kopen. Op de achtergrond zien we vuur en rook uit de open oven slaan. Dat kan geen kwaad, want de grote overkap daarboven zuigt alle rook gemakkelijk op. De bakkerij heeft een hoge zoldering die de overtollige warmte opneemt en zo de werkvloer koelt. Toch heeft de oven heel wat te lijden gehad. Luyken laat duidelijk zien dat zowel de oven als de kap behoorlijk verweerd zijn. De bakker is omringd door zijn gereedschap: een elegante water- of melkkan, een versierde trommelzeef, een simpele houten trog en op de werkbank een deel van de enorme balans waarmee de ingrediënten kunnen worden afgewogen. Let op het ontbreken van houten kozijnen in de ramen. Zijn het dure glas-in-loodramen of goedkope tralies die aan de buitenmuur zijn vastgezet? Buiten schijnt de zon. Dat zien we aan de realistisch getekende schaduwen van de ramen. Hier wordt hard gewerkt aan een kwaliteitsprodukt.

Creator of the precious Bread, Our dearest food in life on earth, You even offer without dearth. To feed us with Yourself instead. May Bread, that fell out of the skies, Eternally our souls suffice.

n this modern seventeenth-century bakery people are quite busy. The baker - his curly head hardly controlled by a limp bonnet - is concentrating on kneading a massive lump of dough with his rather muscular arms. He may have pre-kneaded the dough with his feet, since his trousers are rolled-up and his bare leg sits in a kind of easy to take-off slipper. Below his wide shirt he wears an apron. His helper kneels down to collect brushwood and twigs in order to stir up the already roaring fire. Alongside him against the oven wall leans the wide flat shovel, used to handle the bread in the oven. In the background we see a woman walking in with a cane basket hanging from her arm. It might be the baker’s wife, or a servantgirl wanting to buy some freshly baked bread. In the background we see fire and smoke bellowing out of the open oven. That is no problem at all since the huge oven hood sucks up all smoke easily. The bakery has a high ceiling, capable of collecting a lot of heat and keeping the work floor cool. Still you can see that the oven has been hard hit. Luyken shows clearly that oven and hood are both quite weathered. The baker is surrounded by his tools: an elegant water or milk can, an ornamented drum shaped sieve, a simple wooden trough and on the work bench a huge scale to weigh the ingredients. Notice the absence of wooden frames in the windows. Do we look at expensive stained glass windows or at cheap bars fixed on the outside wall? Outside the sun is shining. We can see the realistically drawn shadows of the windows. People are working hard here to make a quality product.

I

O, Schepper van ‘t geliefde brood Als voedsel van het sterfelijk leven, Wat heeft uw mildheid ons genood Om ons Uzelf tot Brood te geven: O, Brood dat uit de Hemel viel, Stil ‘t hongeren van onze ziel.

Z

Jan en Kaspar Luiken: Het Menselyk Bedryf: Vertoond in 100 Verbeeldingen van Ambachten, Konsten, Hanteeringen en Bedryven; met Versen (1694)

Translated and edited by Frans Hertoghs

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Dutch/Flemish cinema

Welcome to the first of what will hopefully be many articles on Dutch and Flemish cinema. My association with Freek and iet goes back many years, and I’m delighted to be working with them again. The general idea of these pieces is to take a look at films and filmmakers from the Netherlands and Belgium, mixing the old with the new and the well-known with the more obscure. by Darren Arnold For this first venture I’ll take a look at a film that I have a with some skill, but it’s feeling many of you will have seen: Paul Verhoeven’s only the beginning of a Zwartboek (or Black Book, as it’s known in English.) This difficult, complex story as recent movie marks the long-awaited return to Holland for its the war heads towards its director, who some will remember from Dutch cinema of the final days. late 1970s/early 1980s and the likes of Soldaat van Oranje, Unlike many of the WW2 Keetje Tippel and De Vierde man. Many more will no doubt films we’ve consumed be familiar with Verhoeven’s Hollywood films: the notorious over the years, Zwartboek double-act Showgirls and Basic Instinct, plus sci-fi fables presents us with the including Robocop, Total Recall, Starship Troopers and troubling idea that there Hollow Man. were notable exceptions to After somewhat losing his way with his later US efforts, it’s the Dutch=good / German= pleasing to see that Zwartboek finds Verhoeven on top form. bad rule that many of us The return to his native country appears to have rejuvenated have grown up with. For the director, who must know that he has something to prove example, Muntze is depicted and appears to have tried his best to get everything right with as being a character more this one. interested in doing the right thing than following Hitler’s Anyway, the story: Dutch Jew Rachel Stein (Carice van orders, while some members of the resistance are shown up Houten) tries to flee the Nazi-occupied Netherlands of WW2, as being not incapable of selfishness and treachery. but the escape goes wrong and Rachel’s family is executed. There’s an awful lot to like about Zwartboek: primarily, Rachel joins the Dutch resistance, where she assumes a it’s big, shiny, old-fashioned entertainment, and despite the different name and hair colour, and is given the task of terrible times in which the film is set Verhoeven has clearly set seducing Nazi officer Muntze (Sebastian Koch) as a way of out to first and foremost capture the attention of his audience; infiltrating the enemy’s headquarters. Rachel manages this that he keeps us gripped for the entire duration of the not insubstantial running time is testament to the director’s talent. Van Houten makes for an attractive and likeable lead, and her Special offer to Holland Focus readers: relatively unknown status frees her from the baggage that a two nights accommodation for two in quality 3 ½ star big Hollywood star would have brought to both the role and comfort with sumptuous basket breakfast, with a film. Koch is also superb, and if you catch him in both this relaxing & romantic scenic tour by horse drawn carriage and German smash-hit The Lives of Others you’ll be in for to award winning winery and restaurant quite a double bill. While it’s not flawless (a scene late on in the film where Rachel is humiliated in front of a baying mob is as heavyA warm South Gippsland welcome awaits you with complimentary fresh fruit bowl, handed as anything in Verhoeven’s most excessive work), fresh flowers, and pillow chocolates. Zwartboek stands as one of the most outright enjoyable films - Dutch or otherwise - in recent memory. A nice DVD Normally $350, now $295 if you mention edition (which features exclusive interviews with Verhoeven ‘Holland Focus’ when booking. Offer available from December 3rd, and van Houten, as well as English subtitles) is available via Monday - Thursday only. www.tartanvideo.com. Proud breeders of Friesian horses

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at?

th w o n k

The ‘Droste effect’ is a visual effect in which a picture has a smaller picture of itself and is named after Droste’s cocoa-tins. www.hollandfocus.com - 17

18 - www.hollandfocus.com

Dutch Cuisine

Kruidnoten

Ingredients: 250g flour 3g baking powder 10g speculaaskruiden 125g butter 100g dark brown sugar 75g golden syrup

Sift flour, baking powder and speculaaskruiden in bowl. Add soft butter, golden syrup and sugar. Stir into a smooth dough. Make into small balls (about 1½cm Ø). Press lightly on greased tray. Bake in moderate (180°C) preheated oven for about 15 minutes.

ijk e smakel

CROSSWORD - KRUISWOORD Translate the questions into Dutch words. Some questions are the other way around (marked N-E).

Horizontal: 1 Christmas time 5 musical note 7 mass 8 record 10 short for Sinterklaas 12 name of helper of 10 horizontal 14 tear 16 date 18 everything 20 thrust 23 times 26 adverb 27 wind direction (abbr) 28 single 31 floor 33 moose 36 play! 38 live off 41 a spice 43 rag 45 there 46 old 48 French article 49 dart 50 new 51 TV station in The Netherlands Vertical: 2 eminence (abbr) 3 fin 4 Steam Ship (abbr) 5 myrrh 6 girls name 8 member 9 horse (slang) 10 Saint (abbr) 11 job 12 fits 13 kind of lighting 15 namely (abbr) 16 article 17 kind of flower 19 candy 21 at 22 one 24 rambles 25 scary 29 couple 30 doctrine 31 aristocratic 32 agitate 34 recently (abbr) 35 biblical book (abbr) 36 mineral (abbr) 37 honour 39 part 40 number (abbr) 41 toy for girls 42 a French street 44 demand 46 in our opinion (abbr) 47 digital university (abbr) solution in next edition

© holland focus

last edition’s solution

www.hollandfocus.com - 19

Nederlands Openluchtmuseum History with a sm

ile

words and photos Jan Weijdt

No doubt you will be familiar with the following situation; you are invited to a family gathering. After consuming coffee and cake, followed by a few drinks (alcoholic or not) the uncles and aunts start to dig up stories from the past. They mainly do that, because they’re surrounded by people their own age, so it takes a lot less explaining about situations that were more common in the olden days than they are at present. The audience knows what you’re talking about, they’ve been there too: The first cars in the village, the old steam trains powered by locomotives gradually replaced by electric trains. Electrical, automated washing machines invaded the house, hoovering instead of brooming. Dad went to work on his moped. What was it like to grow up with all those changes and find your own way? The generation of twenty- and thirty-something that presently form the core of the Dutch society have the opportunity to find the answers about these developments of the past. All they have to do is visit the “Nederlands Openlucht Museum” in Arnhem in the province of Gelderland. If you’re worried to find another one of those dusty, historically correct rubbish collections, rest assured, this is not the case. As mentioned before, this is a museum with a smile. Even a smile of recognition for some of you. 20 - www.hollandfocus.com

Many a visitor might wonder why the museum was founded in the first place. What motivated the founders? Well, in the year 1912 a number of influential citizens of Arnhem worried about the possible loss of Dutch traditions and regional cultural values, because of the increasing industrialisation and urbanisation of Holland. These citizens obtained the estate De Waterberg as a leasehold property from the city of Arnhem. To start the collection they transported and rebuilt six, in their vision, important buildings. With this inventory the Nederlands Openlucht Museum opened its gates to the public on July the 13th 1918. Of course with the intention to expand the collection whenever possible. Is it fun to be there on a rainy day? Since the museum opened its gates with the six formerly mentioned buildings, the collection has been expanded and changed significantly. More than eighty buildings can now be visited. And a couple of historic electrical trams (streetcars) transport the visitors warm, dry and comfortable through the entire park. Some of the latest attractions are the remembrance project Holland-Rama and the exhibitions Een bonte stoet, Wat mag het zijn and the Spaarstation Dingenliefde. Making you forget your rainy day for hours. The contemporary development the rural parts of Holland are experiencing has been highlighted in a monumental family farm that had to be moved from its original position because of the construction of the tracks for a high speed train. This farm is known as the “Woonboerderij Hoogmade”. Its history goes back as far as the year 1640. Since 2003 this farm serves as an educational project at the Openlucht Museum. The fate of the Dutch Moluccans after WW II comes alive in the so-called “Molukse Barak”. This old wooden barrack was

time, before being able to return to their islands in Molucca, Indonesia. Despite the lack of interest from the Dutch Government, even nowadays, the museum considered the Moluccan question to be crucial for the historiography of The Netherlands. The 1929 strike of the East-Groninger farm workers –went for almost one year – is exposed from the same perspective and is considered a black page in Dutch history. HollandRama Close to the main gate of the museum is a strange, eggshaped building, nearly 10 meters high and covered with

copperplates. No doors at ground level to enter the building. The entry is in the basement of the building near the main gate, where the way of living of the modern average Dutchman is on display, by means of several small exhibitions. Also on display are utensils, pictures and amateur movies that give a fairly good impression of how our parents and ancestors lived. HollandRama is a sort of time capsule that takes you by the hand on an informative journey through Dutch history. The technical staff of the museum has invented an ingenious mechanism to let visitors travel through the building. Thus taking them to the right spot for each momentum in time: From a visit to the bottom of the former “Zuiderzee” to a small 18th century canal somewhere in Gouda. Small shopkeepers and their trades Nowadays unification is the trend in supermarkets and general stores. The milkman and grocer have vanished into thin air. Instead we enjoy the blessings of supermarkets. No one will ask in the old-fashioned way: “What would you like” (wat mag ‘t zijn?) or: “It’s slightly more, is that ok with you”? (‘t is wat meer, mag dat?)

once part of a camp at the village of Lage Mierde in the province of NoordBrabant. It is comparable with the barracks from concentration camp Vught near ‘s Hertogenbosch, used by the Nazis to imprison people before being transported to other camps in Germany. This alone was considered to be a disgrace for these Moluccans, who have always been the most loyal subjects to the Queen in the Dutch Indies (now Indonesia). This barrack shows what these people went through after arriving in this cold and hostile climate and how they were left to believe that it would be only for a short period of www.hollandfocus.com - 21

is a children’s playground, carefully restored and rebuilt with all sorts of attractions from the year 1925 (approx.) and an old-fashioned Amsterdam’s children labyrinth.

To bring back those memories the museum has rebuilt a shopping street with different small shops that have long gone. To name a few: a pharmacy, candy shop, drugstore, a man’s hairdresser, a tobacconist and a toyshop. They used to be real shops in different parts of the country and operated from 1816 up to 2004.

And that’s not all. Fancy freshly baked bread; this is the place to be. In the before mentioned shopping street is an oldfashioned bakery with an oven fired with faggots. It really is a treat to smell the fresh bread, warm from the oven. The Brabander Café from Budel is a must for wit-beer, old fashioned Ranja, boerenjongens or a café-late. Some things are a must when re-discovering your Dutch childhood: poffertjes. At the end of the shopping street, entering the marketplace called Zaanseplein, is an original Old Dutch poffertjeskraam.

A restored and functioning brewery from the village of Ulvenhout (near Breda) has been brought back to life by the museum. A collection of unique brewery tools and various pints, mugs and glasses have been conserved and are on show. The history of brewing beer is documented, especially about Brabant. That region is regarded as the cradle of beer brewing in Holland. That is, according to the museum. Electrical trams at the museum In 1912, the first trams started in Arnhem. Famous models were the GETA 70, – 75 and -76. The last one came into service in 1929 and the city of Arnhem was very proud of it, as it really was the state of the art tram at the time. Rotterdam

had the same type of trams. The GETA 76 was rebuilt by the museum. Since 1996 several trams have been in use in the museum park. The tracks form a circle with a total length of 2.1 km with 6 stops. All tram rides are free. No need to buy tickets. Catering Restaurant De Kasteelboerderij caters for approx. 300 visitors with smorgasbord facilities. It is accommodated in a former country house that originates from Oud Beijerland. An old Inn from Zwolle, called “the Hanekamp” is a real pancake paradise for children. But the chef also prepares some ‘ancient’ meals like stoofpotjes. Outside, in the Inn’s garden 22 - www.hollandfocus.com

Youngsters could go overboard with the old fashioned push-bikes, flying Dutchmen, hoops or stilts near the poffertjeskraam. How to get to the museum? By car from all directions approaching Arnhem-Noord (near the A12), follow the road-signs: “Openluchtmuseum en Burgers’ Zoo”.

address: Nederlands Openluchtmuseum Schelmseweg 89. 6800 AP Arnhem. T: +31 (0)26-3576111, website: www.openluchtmuseum.nl The museum is open from the 1st of April till 31 October, every day from 10am till 5pm. On sufficient demand free English spoken guided tours will be available on Sundays at 1pm. Call the above telephone number to check whether this tour is actually available.

Orange Alert

For different, Dutch design you can’t miss House of Orange. (No, really, you can’t miss it. It is painted bright orange!)

From the achingly hip Dutch design incubator that produced Tord Boontje, Marcel Wanders, Moooi, Hella Jongerius and the Droog collective, House of Orange is newest addition to the seriously cool wave washing through the streets of Armadale, Melbourne. Take the tulips, windmills, clogs and the little boy who stuck his finger in a dike to save his country, mix it with that globally coveted Dutch design aesthetic, and you’ve got House of Orange. A treasure trove for the hip hunter, with something for every budget. Created by Dutch/Australian husband/wife team, Hans and Ursula van Schoonhoven and named after the Dutch house of royalty, House of Orange brings to Australia for the first time an exclusive range of eclectic, affordable Dutch home wares and accessories. Traveling between Australian and Holland, Hans and Ursula identified a market for affordable Dutch design. The result brings a little Amsterdam chic into every home, celebrating Dutch design, with a sense of style that doesn’t take itself too seriously. Featured in the collection is Growing Veip, the celebrated European home wares label and mainstay in designer dwellings across Europe. House of Orange is the only

concept store in the world outside of Barcelona built around the Growing Veip collection. The Growing Veip aesthetic begins and ends with colour and is unlike anything available in Australia. There are brights (hot pink, yellow, sea green, Cuba blue) metallics (moss green, aubergine, silver, grey) and monochromes (black and whites) represented in glass, resin and ceramic. The current seasonal range takes classical, baroque and romantic designs, and reinterprets them. Old motifs like butterflies and cameos are reborn with a striking element of cool. Antlers morph into bowls and flying ribbons into candelabra. Also in the quirky mix are one-off pieces handcrafted by Hans, (such as a dissected lamp stand emerging from the wall like something from a Magritte painting) and a selection of cards and posters from Amsterdam including iconic works from Dutch national treasures Dick Bruna (Miffy) and Mondriaan. Neighboured by Market Imports and Sanders and King in Morey Street, House of Orange is next to Armadale Station, behind the Kings Arcade. Visit Hans and Ursula and experience for yourself the difference of Dutch design. See advertisement on page 10.

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www.hollandfocus.com - 23

Volkszangdag

Jeanne Bouwmeester

After 38 years Delft had its Volkszangdag (Folk singing day) again. Volkszangdag was a yearly happening for the children in group 7 and 8 (at the time it was called the 5th and 6th grade). It started in 1923 and the last one was in 1969. Pierre van Hauwe, and before him Mister Bak, were the conductors of this event.

Months before the actual Volkszangdag Mr. Van Hauwe visited the schools regularly and practiced with the students and ‘ordered’ them to learn the words of the songs. On the day the students had to gather at school and walk to the Markt in rows of two. ‘Hoog op de gele wagen’, ‘Boven Gent rijst’ and the song ‘De Zilvervloot’ are only a few of the songs that everyone, who ever participated, will remember. The ‘canons’ were an all time favorite. Pierre van Hauwe was a very strict conductor. “Open your mouth wider” is one of the fraises he still used at this 2007 Volkszangdag. The 87 year old conductor reckoned he is still the same as he was all those years ago. “Only a bit greyer, but still as strict as ever”, Van Hauwe joked.

bake your own Poffertjes

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ring Maria Bast on 03-9737 9878 POFFERTJESPAN MAKERS 28 The Wridgeway, MT. EVELYN 3796

24 - www.hollandfocus.com

Delft

About 3,000 ‘old’ volkszangdag-singers gathered at the sunny Markt to indulge in this nostalgic concert. The youngest participant was 50 and the oldest 93. Jeanne Bouwmeester had this idea of doing a small retake of the Volkszangdag and asked on her website www. jeannebouwmeester.nl if people would be interested. Mr. Van Hauwe was approached and liked the idea and many people followed. Jeanne was a bit overwhelmed on Saturday the 25th of August when the Markt filled rapidly with the participants and onlookers. The participants had to gather at the Beestenmarkt and walk - behind their old school sign – the short distance to the Markt. With the never changing décor of the Nieuwe Kerk at the back and the Stadhuis in front every old Delftenaar (or Delvenaar as they like to call themselves) who travelled to Delft for this occasion felt homesick. Only one person could not be found on the Markt: the mayor of Delft didn’t consider this event worthwhile, although the media from all over the country was present and old Delvenaren throughout the world tuned in Stadsradio Delft (www.stadsradiodelft.nl) to be part of this nostalgic happening. Jeanne is considering turning it into a yearly event. photos by: Jeanne Bouwmeester, Martha van Loenen and Gerard van den Bergh

HAT TOURS FOR CYCLE HOLIDAYS IN HOLLAND

Cycling is fun! For 18 years now the Dutch tour operator HAT Tours in Purmerend organises cycling holidays in Holland and abroad. The best way to get to know a country or region is by bike. Pleasure and relaxation always come first when you travel with HAT Tours!

Guided Cycling & Sailing Holidays in Holland Stay: During each Bike & Barge holiday you’ll be staying and eating aboard a cosy sailing hotel barge. This ship travels with you from port to port and will transport your luggage, meaning you’ll have a ‘light’ cycle tour! All ships are provided with double cabins that have private facilities. Furthermore you’ll find an attractive dining & recreation room, sundeck and - on some ships - a separate bar. If you’re not in the mood for cycling please stay aboard on the sundeck and enjoy the landscape floating by! Fellow travellers: during these small-scale tours you’ll be with 20-25 fellow travellers of all ages. The cycling speed will always be ‘easy going’ as not everybody is in the same physical shape. You may get to know Italians, French, Americans, English and Germans, but also South-Africans and residents from New Zealand. Everybody has a common wish though to experience a relaxed and somewhat active holiday. Daily activities: The daily cycling trips (average app. 45 km) are fit for anyone that knows how to cycle. This means you are leisurely pedalling from app. 7am to 4pm. Usually there is enough time to take a break and do some sightseeing along the route. After all: It’s your holiday!

Full board: Each day starts with a large biker’s breakfast. You prepare your own packed lunch (bread, fruit and drink) at breakfast. When you have freshened up after your cycle trip, you may enjoy a good 3-course dinner. Bicycles: For all cycling holidays in the Netherlands we supply fine bikes of good quality. They are provided with hand brakes, at least 7-speed gears and a saddle bag. In France bikes with 21speed gears are used. Tour guidance: All Bike & Barge Holidays will be accompanied by an enthusiastic and multilingual (English, German and Dutch minimum) tour leader. He/she guides you along the fixed itineraries, informs you and will invite you for some interesting city walks. Crew: The crew of the ship will ensure that your stay aboard is as pleasant as possible. The captain is responsible for the safe transportation of the passengers and their luggage. The chef and his assistant take care of your meals. The crew will be there for your questions and help. See advertisement elsewhere in this issue of Holland Focus!

LEKKERE ROOKWORST Made to a Traditional Dutch recipe, by Götzinger Smallgoods owner, Antony van der Drift fijne vleeswaren

Available from all good Delicatessens, IGA stores (Qld, NSW, Vic), or call for your nearest store available direct from the factory Delicatessen at 126 Lahrs Rd. Yatala, QLD

GÖTZINGER SMALLGOODS P.O. Box 6136 YATALA DC QLD 4207 Ph: +61 (0)7 5549 3955 Fax: +61 (0)7 5549 3944 [email protected] www.gotzinger.com

TaalsTaaltje door Frans Hertoghs

STUUR MEER GELD ASB Ik zal het maar meteen bekennen: ik ben geen echte rugby-fan. Ik weet het, ik hoor ook de favoriete sporten hier min of meer te volgen, zodat ik met de buren mee kan praten. En dan hoort voor een oude voetbalminnaar rugby nog wel tot de pruimbaardere sporten. Ik kan daar overigens nooit naar kijken zonder dat ik moet denken aan het oer-Hollandse hardrijden op de schaats, korfbal en kaatsen. Al jaren levert Nederland daar Europese en Wereldkampioenen aan de lopende band. Min of meer bij gebrek aan concurrentie. Want onze speciale vorm van schaatsen blijkt elk jaar weer opnieuw een Nederlands onderonsje, waarbij we bij gebrek aan tegenstanders keer op keer met medailles beladen terugkeren. Wat zijn we toch goed, he. Met rugby is het al niet veel anders. Deze typisch Engelse kostschoolsport is internationaal gezien min of meer beperkt gebleven tot de landen van het oude Engelse Imperium. Plus een paar landen Frankrijk en Argentinië, waar rugby duidelijk een minderheidssport is. Dus gooit Nieuw-Zeeland, waar rugby wél de nationale sport nummer een is, hoge ogen bij de wereldkampioenschappen. Maar het Gemenebest bestaat vooral op papier en rugby kachelt langzaamaan ook op wereldniveau achteruit. Zodat “wereldtop-landen” als jawel Nieuw-Zeeland, Australië en zelfs Zuid-Afrika een zuidelijk-halfrond-competitie moeten spelen bij gebrek aan tegenstanders van formaat. Maar goed, dit stukje gaat gelukkig niet over rugby maar over taal. Op TV een verslag van een rugbywedstrijd van een Zuid-Afrikaanse tegen een Nieuw-Zeelandse ploeg. Met een half oog volgde ik het kluwen kreeftsgewijs over het veld voort-struikelende spelers. Het leek wel een veelpotige spin, waaruit af en toe de ovale bal als een glibberig ei te voorschijn schoot. Toen schakelde de camera even naar de toeschouwers. Spandoeken gaven de tribune het aanzicht van een slordige waslijn en automatisch las ik de verschillende opschriften. En zo zag ik met een glimlach het halve laken dat twee enthousiaste donkere meisjes de camera voorhielden: MAM, STUUR MEER GELD ASB, ELISA. Ook handig, dacht ik, zo kun je nog eens gratis telefoneren. Als je weet dat mam thuis ook zit te kijken heb je voor een oud stuk laken en een kwart spuitbus een noodkreet geslaakt waar ze niet omheen kan. En ineens, als een bliksemflits, realiseerde ik me, dat dit de allereerste keer was, dat ik geschreven Nederlands op de TV te zien kreeg. Een paar seconden stond de mededeling schermgroot in honderdduizend huiskamers, verlevendigd door de brede armzwaaien van de twee aardige meisjes die er overigens volstrekt niet uitzagen of ze honger hadden. Voor Engelstaligen bevatte dat spandoek onzinwoorden. Als er nu gestaan had: MAM, ZEND MEER PENNINGEN, dan hadden een superintelligente Engelstalige misschien nog wel kunnen opmaken wat er stond, maar toevallig zijn dit keer de Nederlandse 26 - www.hollandfocus.com

woorden totaal anders dan de Engelse. En nu zag ik ook pas, dat er niet stond a.u.b. maar asb. En ik herinnerde me ineens dat alstublieft in het Afrikaans wordt uitgesproken en geschreven als asseblief. En zo was de internationale verbinding compleet. Juist door deze vreemde afkorting kwam ik erachter dat het eigenlijk iets buitengewoon vreemds was, wat ik op het scherm te zien kreeg. Het ging hier namelijk om Afrikaans Nederlands, een tak van het Nederlands die behalve de woorden Boer en baas aan de wereld het vreselijke woord apartheid heeft nagelaten. Wat ik op het scherm zag was dus geen Nederlands van Nederlanders. Het was de nauwelijks getolereerde en altijd verdrukte taal van een bijna even verre uithoek van het Britse Imperium. Het Britse Commonwealth, dat de wereld nog steeds verdeelt in Engelse en barbaarse gebieden, zij het dan voornamelijk nog op het gebied van de sport. ZuidAfrika, een Nederlandstalig gebied dat pas een eeuw geleden slachtoffer werd van Britse land- en geld honger. En het deed me goed om te zien, dat het Nederlands daar in Zuid-Afrika ondanks de Britse overheersing nog steeds springlevend is. Ook bij zwarte mensen. Maar het grappigste komt nog. De verslaggever las de tekst even voor. ‘Mam, stuur meer geld alstublieft,’ zei hij letterlijk, en hij vertaalde het voor zijn luisteraars: ‘please send more money, mum’. En toen realiseerde ik me pas, hoe ongelooflijk deze taalsituatie was. Immers, de verslaggever sprak zonder enige twijfel ook Nederlands. Hij kon niet alleen de tekst lezen en begrijpen, maar zelfs correct uitspreken. Op een manier die de Nederlandse afkomst verraadde. En sterker nog, de regisseur, die uit de verschillende camerabeelden die scènes kiest die aan het publiek vertoond worden, had dat spandoek uitgekozen, omdat ook hij wist wat erop stond en zich realiseerde hoe leuk dat eigenlijk was. En zo gaven we elkaar allemaal een zuiver Nederlands knipoogje, in de marge van een verslag van het zieltogende rugby. Een donkere moeder in een huiskamer ergens in Zuid-Afrika, haar dochter op de uitzinnige tribune, de vertederde regisseur die zich temidden vervolg pagina 27

Who’s Who? It is not certain if the man, whose statue is seen on the photograph below, was born in 1586 or 1587, but it is certain that he was born in the harbour town Hoorn in the north of Holland. When he reached the age of 13, his father sent him to Rome where he lived for 6 years and learned several languages. When 19 or 20 years old he made his first trip to the East Indies (now Indonesia) on a ship called De Gefioen. He returned in 1610 and wrote a report about this trip. Although this report does not reveal much about what happened during that time, it is certain that the leader of this expedition was murdered by Bandanees during negotiation. It is believed that this is the reason why our subject hated the Bandanees and massacred them later. After making several trips to the Indies he was promoted to governorgeneral and in 1619 he conquered Jakarta, the capital of Indonesia, and renamed it Batavia. While attempting to optain a monopoly on certain spices he got in conflict with the English, which resulted in a bloody fight. He returned to Holland in 1623, but in 1627 he became governorgeneral once more and went back to the Indies. Although he suffered from a serious illness, he still managed the Indies firmly. In the year 1629 he suddenly became very ill and died in the night of the 21st of September. His body was buried in the town hall, as the church had been burned down in a siege the previous year. There are several statues in Holland reminding of this person whose saying was:

‘Do not despair; don’t spare your enemy, because God is with us’. Send your answer, name and address (before 14 December 2007) to: Holland Focus, PO Box 169, Olinda Vic. 3788, Australia fax: +61 (0)3 9751 2795 or email: [email protected] The correct answers will go in the draw for the book

Sinterklaas Overzee by Paul Faber

© Chris Lampe

Who is this man, who became one of the most important persons during the Dutch Golden Age?

last issue’s “Who’s Who?” van het massieve geweld op het veld een klein menselijk grapje veroorloofde, de grinnikende verslaggever die heel even iets van zijn eigen achtergrond liet zien en de immigrant die het bij toeval allemaal waarnam. Ach, wat had ik graag even met ze willen praten, even laten zien hoe prachtig onze taal hier de halve wereld omspande, hoe geweldig het is, als die simpele Nederlandse woorden je een kleine kijk geven op de ver verwijderde levens van totaal vreemde mensen. Maar dat ging natuurlijk niet. Het moment maakte plaats voor een nieuw vechtpartijtje. Het spandoek kwam niet meer in beeld, de verbinding was verbroken. Maar toen ik het toestel uitschakelde de springboks hadden natuurlijk flink klop gekregen - toen dacht ik eventjes heel sentimenteel: ‘Ik heb u lief, mijn Nederlands.’

Eduard Douwes Dekker, better known by his pen name Multatuli, this statue is in Amsterdam The winner of this Who’s Who is:

Ria and Harry Janssen, Vic

Congratulations www.hollandfocus.com - 27

KIWIKORRELS

Vrijgevige Dief

Een inbreker die de gestolen spulletjes terugbrengt en ook nog de schade vergoedt. Het lijkt te mooi om waar te zijn. In Nieuw-Zeeland gebeurt het en dat leidde tot interessante discussies over schuld, berouw en boete. Nu is Nieuw-Zeeland natuurlijk geen Utopia. Inbraakjes, diefstallen, kleine criminaliteit zijn ook hier aan de orde van de dag. Toen Graeme en Shirly Glass ’s ochtends thuiskwamen in hun huis bij Queenstown vonden ze hun voorruit aan diggelen in het voortuintje. Maar dit keer was er niets gestolen. Integendeel. De complete buit lag netjes op de keukentafel: de laptop, de credit card, de camera, het was er allemaal. En er lag zelfs nog meer. Allerlei nieuwe spulletjes die gekocht waren met hun eigen creditcard. Naast de onbekende handschoenen en een Nike-baseballpetje lag een keurig briefje. Van de dief, dat hij vreselijk veel spijt had van zijn daad en dat hij alles zou vergoeden - zodra hij genoeg geld had. De familie Glass - what’s in a name? - was al lang blij dat de buit weer binnen was, maar had de inbraak toch maar aangegeven bij de plaatselijke politie. Die kwam even kijken en ondernam begrijpelijkerwijze geen verdere stappen.

Frans Hertoghs

Einde verhaal? Nee hoor, enkele weken later vond Glass onder een steen in de voortuin $150 cash. Meer dan genoeg om hem schadeloos te stellen voor de $100 eigen risico van de glasverzekering. Hij houdt geld over. Maar het feit dat de anonieme gentleman-inbreker alwéér stiekem in hun tuin was geweest gaf de Glassjes toch niet zo’n veilig gevoel. Het echtpaar kreeg de indruk dat de dader ergens in de buurt rondhing en ze hem elk moment tegen het lijf konden lopen. Een beetje eng, zeiden ze. En dus kwam de politie weer langs. Ze wilden best vingerafdrukken nemen van de bankbiljetten, maar dat zou de biljetten helaas ongeldig en onbruikbaar maken. Bovendien heeft zo’n vingerafdruk-onderzoek alleen maar zin als de dader eigenlijk al bekend is, omdat geld door zoveel handen beduimeld wordt. Maar, liet de politie weten, het onderzoek naar de dader van de tenietgedane inbraak wordt voortgezet. Ze waren zelfs al iemand op het spoor. De veiligheidscamera’s in het centrum hadden al iemand geregistreerd met nét zo’n petje. De ongebruikelijke inbraak veroorzaakt nogal wat discussie en commentaar. De meeste mensen reageren positief op de berouwvolle dief. Zand erover zeggen ze, hooguit een schop onder de kont en beloof dat je het nooit meer zult doen.

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Een onverwacht groot aantal mensen wil de dader toch confronteren met zijn criminele gedrag. Want ook goedgemaakte misdaad is en blijft strafbaar. De inbreker geconfronteerd worden met zijn misdaad. Hij moet maar leren dat hij met terugbetaling echt niet wegkomt. Enkelen pleiten zelfs voor gevangenisstraf, als afschrikwekkend voorbeeld voor andere would-be inbrekers. Vooral slachtoffers van misdrijven reageren vaak fel en onverzoenlijk. Maar het meest vreemde is de reactie waarbij de familie Glass wordt aangevallen. Vooral door vergevingsgezinde berouwbeschermers. Wat zeuren ze nou, die zogenaamde slachtoffers, zeggen ze misprijzend, ze hebben toch alles terug? Wees toch een beetje vergevingsgezind! Denk eens aan al die slachtoffers die na een inbraak hun spullen voor eeuwig kwijt zijn! Kortom, kennelijk is niet alleen de misdadiger te laken, maar ook zijn slachtoffers. Tel uit je winst. Ik denk niet dat de gentleman-inbreker ooit gepakt wordt. Tenzij hij zich ook nog vrijwillig aangeeft. Maar dan is hij gek.

Snappez-vous?

Op school leer je bij het vreemdetalenonderwijs in feite maar twee dingen. Het eerste is dat het absoluut onmogelijk is om een vreemde taal te leren (de leraar kan er zelf ook niet veel van!). Het tweede is, dat dat ook volkomen nutteloos is aangezien je die vreemde taal nooit hoort of ziet. Tenslotte kent de hele wereld Engels, niet dan? Vreemde talen zijn dode talen. Toch begint er iets te veranderen. Als je categorisch weigert een woord Spaans of Chinees te spreken, hoe kun je daar dan je wol verkopen, of je wijn, je schapenvlees of je clean green Nieuw-Zeeland? Het antwoord is zo overduidelijk, dat kiwi’s vrijwel uitsluitend handel drijven met andere Engelstalige gebieden, met name Good Old Engeland. En dat wordt dank zij de EU allemaal minder. Meer vreemde talen in kiwiland dus. Maar om dat goed te kunnen doen moet er vroeg begonnen worden, vindt men. De houding moet veranderen. En daarom zijn er cursussen gemaakt voor het basisonderwijs. Jong geleerd is oud gedaan. Bravo. Er is alleen een klein probleem: onderwijzers kunnen al helemaal geen vreemde talen. Zelf hebben ze misschien wel ooit wat lessen Frans gehad maar zo slecht dat ze geen woord durven spreken, laat staan doceren. En zo kwamen ze ons - erkende Nederlandse talenwonders - vragen of wij misschien alsjeblieft niet wat lessen Frans zouden willen geven. Nu wil het toeval dat mijn vrouw lerares Frans is en dat Frans oorspronkelijk mijn tweede taal was. En daarom hebben we maar ja gezegd. Over enkele weken gaan we voor de klas: een uur of twee per week, in alle klassen. Allemaal voor niks natuurlijk, ouderparticipatie en voor het goede doel. Zelf gaan de onderwijzers er gezellig bij zitten in de klas. Pikken ze zelf ook nog lekker een net echt stukkie Frans op. Kunnen ze ‘t volgend jaar zelf. Snappez-vous?

Zelfs in Nieuw-Zeeland begint het door te dringen dat vreemde-talenonderwijs wel eens belangrijk genoeg kan zijn om er vroeg mee te beginnen. Maar het gaat dan natuurlijk wel op z’n kiwi’s. Met de talenkennis van de Nieuw-Zeelanders is het bedroevend gesteld. Verder dan een tiental woorden Maori brengen de meesten het niet. Maar dat is niet zo heel erg. Ze spreken allemaal Engels of althans een soort Engels, en omdat bijna alle toeristen Engels spreken levert dat zelden problemen op. Kiwi’s horen bij de allereentaligste mensen ter wereld. Het vreemde-talenonderwijs hier is dan ook in de regel van een bedroevende kwaliteit. Neem het vak Frans. De kiwi-leraren hebben een uitspraak die geen Fransman verstaat. Veel van die docenten kunnen nauwelijks een Franse krant of tijdschrift lezen, een nieuwsuitzending of een film volgen. Dat is best begrijpelijk. Frankrijk ligt precies aan de andere kant van de wereld. Het dichtstbijzijnde Franssprekende eiland Nouméa ligt hier toch nog altijd vele duizenden kilometers vandaan. English translation on hollandfocus.com Bovendien hoor je op de Nieuw-Zeelandse TV RONDNEUZEN? of radio nooit een woord Frans, zelfs geen Frans chanson. En Franstalige kranten of tijdschriften Our CYCLING & SAILING HOLIDAYS show the real Netherlands: attractive old Dutch towns, pretty sceneries and interesting museums. After a wondermoet je met een kaarsje zoeken - om over Franse ful day of relaxing & pedalling with your tour leader you find the hotel boeken nog maar te zwijgen. barge, with your luggage aboard, waiting for you in the next port. If you feel like cycling, just stay aboard & enjoy the landscape floating by. Vreemde talen zijn bij het secundair onderwijs dan don’t Explore your roots on our 8-day tour Highlights of Holland which offers an attractive combination of towns and countryside. Small roads ook een keuzevak. Ik heb veel kiwi’s gesproken and bicycle lanes will lead you to polders, lake areas and dunes. You’ll naar hun buitenlandse talenkennis gevraagd. visit old Dutch towns like Haarlem, Leiden and port town Hoorn. Visits to museum the Rembrandt House and to a working windmill are included. Met uitzondering van immigranten en soms hun kinderen kon niemand die ik gesproken heb kon in Ask for our free 2008 brochure with all cycle holidays! enige vreemde taal een gesprek voeren of een krant Your own group travel with family or friends cruising on your ‘own’ hotel barge? Let us make you a tailor-made lezen. Ze deden er meestal een beetje lacherig over, offer for a cruise or a cycling holiday! zo van een paar jaar les in gehad maar echt nog Internet: www.hat-tours.com geen dankjewel kunnen zeggen, hahaha. Tel: +31299-690771/Fax: 475951

www.hollandfocus.com - 29

Nederlands nieuws strak BVN gaat begin 2008 over op glasvezelverbinding

Dankzij BVN televisie blijven Nederlanders en Vlamingen in het buitenland niet verstoken van Nederlandstalig nieuws, actualiteiten-, amusement- en kinderprogramma’s. Sinds een half jaar worden programma’s aangeboden in twee TV-blokken van 12 uur. Voor Nederlanders in Australië en Nieuw-Zeeland levert dat een TV-gids op die niet ‘past’: het journaal midden op de dag, wanneer iedereen aan het werk is en Sesamstraat tegen middernacht. Maar dat gaat veranderen. Op dit moment worden de signalen vanuit Europa per satelliet verspreid en belanden via diverse tussenstations in Azië. Van daaruit worden de signalen naar Australië en Nieuw-Zeeland gezonden. Dit proces verloopt volgens Europese tijden. Hoofdredacteur Joop Daalmeijer van de Wereldomroep heeft echter goed nieuws te melden: “Begin 2008 gaan we gebruik maken van een glasvezelverbinding en hebben we de satelliet niet meer nodig. Daarbij wordt er een machine in gebruik genomen die de uitzendingen ‘in de wacht kan zetten’; dus zich aanpast aan het tijdverschil. Het Nederlandse journaal van 20.00 uur wordt dan in de wacht gezet tot de meest geschikte tijd om in Australië uit te zenden, bijvoorbeeld tussen 18.30 – 20.30 uur. En Nederlandse kleuters in Australië kunnen Sesamstraat voor het slapen gaan bekijken.” Daalmeijer kan nog geen exacte datum geven wanneer het glasvezelnet in gebruik zal worden genomen, maar dát het er gaat komen, is in ieder geval zeker. Programmering BVN is een samenwerkingsverband tussen de Nederlandse Publieke Omroep, Radio Nederland Wereldomroep en de Vlaamse VRT. Het programma-aanbod wordt afgestemd op de diverse doelgroepen van bovengenoemde omroepen. Er ligt veel nadruk op nieuws en achtergrondrubrieken, afgewisseld door drama en amusement. Daarbij wordt gekeken naar de kenmerken van de Nederlandstalige emigrantengroepen in diverse landen. “In sommige landen zijn overwegend oudere emigranten, anderen trekken juist jonge mensen aan. Daar stemmen we het programma-aanbod zo goed mogelijk op af”, aldus Daalmeijer. “Bij het aanbod van kinderprogramma’s letten we op het educatieve niveau en de aandacht die wordt besteed aan de Nederlandse cultuur en taal, zoals Klokhuis en Sesamstraat aan30 - www.hollandfocus.com

words and photos Yolanda Edens

bieden. We zijn daarin beperkt doordat we slechts één zender tot onze beschikking hebben. Je kunt het natuurlijk nooit iedereen naar de zin maken.” Daarnaast zijn er in veel landen ook praktische belemmeringen door het ontbreken van een goede breedbandverbinding. Reacties van kijkers worden altijd beantwoord en suggesties worden serieus meegewogen bij de keuzes. Buren Auke Jager houdt zich bezig met het maken van televisieprogramma’s speciaal voor de doelgroep Nederlandse emigranten en expats. “Oudere emigranten zien graag dingen van vroeger terug en voor expats hebben we bijvoorbeeld ‘Typisch NL’ gemaakt. Ik probeer voortdurend door de ogen van de emigrant te kijken. Wat houdt hen bezig? Wat is voor hen interessant om te blijven volgen van Nederland? Welke ontwikkelingen zijn er?” In oktober startte de Wereldomroep met ‘Café De Buren’: een nieuwe serie op BVN die de verschillen en overeenkomsten tussen de Nederlanders en de Vlamingen belicht. Zoals liedjes, eten en typische gewoonten. Het wordt een praatprogramma van ongeveer 25 minuten, gepresenteerd door de Vlaamse Tine van den Brande en de Nederlandse Karin van de Boogaert.. Naast gesprekken worden per aflevering vier filmpjes getoond over de ontwikkelingen in beide landen. BVN heeft hiermee de primeur: de serie wordt volgend jaar pas uitgezonden via de publieke omroep (Nederland 2). WereldKrant De Wereldomroep bracht tijdens de zomermaanden de WereldKrant uit, een digitale krant uit die met name op campings en in hotels werd verspreid onder de Nederlandse gasten. Onlangs besloot de Wereldomroep deze gratis WereldKrant dagelijks te gaan maken. Nederlanders in het buitenland kunnen zich gratis abonneren op deze krant die elke ochtend via de e-mail wordt verzonden naar de abonnees. “Waar je je ter wereld ook bevindt: elke ochtend blijf je keurig op de hoogte van al het Nederlandse nieuws, geheel gratis.” De abonnee kan zelf de keuze maken om de krant op zijn computer te lezen of deze uit te printen. Abonneren op de Wereldkrant kan via de link op de site van Holland Focus.

s ook op tijd in Australië

!

highlights van BVN TV worden maandelijks op hollandfocus.com geplaatst

This spring over 450,000 tulip bulbs plus over 600,000 other spring flowering bulbs of all the colours of the rainbow exploded across 3 acres at Tesselaar Tulip Festival, Melbourne. Red tulips are the colour of love, pink tulips are for romance and calm. Orange tulips are the Royal house of The Netherlands and stimulates ambition, inspires and creates. Purple tulips are for children’s love, dignity and passion.

for breakfast, lunch, dinner or in between

available at selected supermarkets

Bergen op Zoom in NSW We did expect to come across several Dutch names during our travel through Australia. But when we crossed a little river - north of Walcha (NSW) - with the name ‘Bergen op Zoom’ we had to know the ins and outs of it. In the interesting local Pioneers museum the pleasant manager, Mr. A. Levingston, told this remarkable tale. We go back to approximately 1810 The Netherlands are fighting against the French troops and in Brabant the army of Napoleon fights against an army of mercenaries in which Scotsmen are fighting too. After a fierce battle these soldiers are defeated by the better organised French firing power. Many are killed and only some are imprisoned. Amongst the prisoners are Jervis and John McLean. The French commanding general is enormously impressed by the integrity of these two Scotsmen and he decides to give them back their freedom near Bergen op Zoom. In welcoming Bergen op Zoom the wounded but strong young men are well cared for by Brabant’s beauties who are very impressed by these brave soldiers. But some years later the two brothers decide to migrate to a country more privileged than their poor Scottish fatherland and to test their luck in Australia. Around 1820, they arrive in Sydney where the story goes that rich cattle grounds have been discovered in the north. In 1818 during his expedition Lt. John Oxley described this countryside as: ‘Hills, dales and plains of the richest description’. Many decide to test their luck. words and photo Jaap and Irma Roskam during their travel in 1996 The Scottish brothers too, around 1830 they get hold of a so called ‘run’ In of 191,000 acres in the area between geuren en kleuren the current Armidale and Walcha. vertellen ….. Remembering the good times in the Rijmvertelling Brabant countryside, they decide over het liefdesleven van de to name their property ‘Bergen op zeven kleuren Zoom’. The possibility exists that they became the largest stock breeders of New England. Then unfortunately the brothers were less successful, they invested large amounts in still more cattle, but the market was too small for the enormous quantities of meat. High financial debts forced them to sell their property. This was unbearable for John and with the loss of his dream he took his own live in 1841. ‘Bergen op Zoom’ was split up and today in this Highly Historical New England only a little river, a bridge and some land around it still bear this ultra-Dutch name.

Boekje in envelopformaat geschreven door

Jannie Schoenmakers geillustreerd door

Ton Schulten

Cadeautje om te versturen In Nederland uitverkocht AU$10 Dit is inclusief posttarief binnen Australië +61(0)3 9584 3539

AU$27.50

Postage within Australia included send your cheque or money order to the writer

Alida van den Bos 45 Riesling Road Bonnells Bay NSW 2264 Australia www.hollandfocus.com - 33

Pim

Caravan sold! Since early spring, our caravan was for sale. The previous year we had bought the oldie for a song. Before the purchase my partner underwent a knee operation, as a result camping in the tent would not be a good idea and we had to search for more comfortable holiday accommodation. That could have been a holiday house, but we do love a Spartan ‘gedoe’

in the country. The caravan it was. We hardly used it, and now it had to go again. Excellent condition, as a matter of fact, considering. Recently I cried out that it had been checked out no less than 5,000 times on Markplaats.nl. (a Dutch sale website). My partner answered in response: “Fine. But I can still see it standing outside”. Recently an interested prospective buyer called her all the way from Estonia near the Baltic Sea. In a kind of English the sale price was asked and whether the price was negotiable. And if he and his mates could come and have a look at it on a certain date. In a kind of English my partner answered his questions nicely. After months hope was shining of getting rid of the caravan at last. That night we had a drink to celebrate. On the agreed day we waited excitedly for the Estonian purchasers. We have looked up the English translation of “Goede reis gehad?” (Did you have a nice trip?”) and of the terms ‘overschrijving’ (transfer) and ‘vrijwaringsbewijs’ (proof of indemnity). To kill time, we conversed in English. When the day slowly passed the tension got higher and we took turns to look through the window to draw the visitors to us. At about five o’clock I angrily went for a walk, the

Dutch Clocks in Oz • Zaanse, Sallanders, Schippertjes, Frisian Tail Clocks • and a variety of other clocks from Holland located in Clayfield Qld. 4011 visit by appointment only ring Rob Schmidt on 0432 832 800 www.dutchclocksinoz.com.au 34 - www.hollandfocus.com

mobile switched on. Nobody turned up that day. Not even a phone call. Goodbye day-off. “We nearly got rid of that thing. And perhaps a nice story on top of it”, I remarked at night. “If you look through the window tomorrow morning, perhaps both wishes came true”, my partner said dryly. I found that slightly prejudiced, but ok. Any way, it was still there the next day. We were given a second chance. The pleasant Jacek from Poland finally released us of the caravan in the middle of September. Outside and inside had been checked out quickly, a rip in the awning; no problem. The drawer, well filled with cutlery, got a careful nod and the statement that new tires and gas pipes had been fitted was only answered by Jacek with “Nice”. No, it had to be dry and clean and not smelly. And it smelled nicely for sure - the caravan because we had sprayed before they came. That apparently was the most important requirement for a successful sale. Asked for the new destination of the caravan, Jacek said he would take it to Poland. Where he wants to start a camping. ‘Wat je ver haalt is lekker’ (things you get from far are always nicer), my granddad always said. Our caravan has been selected to provide lodging for the first guests. No temporary shelter for hard working and tired Polish builders in The Netherlands, as we first thought. No, the recreational purpose will still be it. An excellent idea. I blink away a tear when the caravan disappeared around the corner. Not so. Pim Feijen Do you sometimes feel like having the genuine Dutch cheese with the traditional taste which is hard to come by nowadays?

Henk Vriend from Enkhuizen, Holland will send them to you Go to his website, learn about his craftsmanship and the dispatch options and place your order

www.vriendkaas.com email: [email protected]

100 years Brons engines

old glory does not fade The enormous old-fashioned 1-cilinder Brons engine stands throbbing willingly and stamping regularly. Smoke is driven through the exhaust and from time to time an enormous bang resounds. Grey haired heads look around admiringly and the men bump each other: “Most kiek’n! (Look now!) That ancient machine still runs like a train. Craftsmanship!” The event ‘100 years Brons engines’ was certainly a sight for sore eyes. It was also a reunion for all those old mates, who had sailed using the machines or who, or perhaps their fathers, have worked with in the Brons factory. Many old Brons engines were placed in and around an old stone depot of the former Brons engine factory in Appingedam (province of Groningen), where this event took place on 8 and 9 September. Engines which have done service in agricultural equipment and pumping stations, but especially on coasters. A number of those machines are still functioning. They are maintained by individuals and volunteers with much devotion. Amateurs, who put their heart and soul in it, to keep the Brons engine ‘alive’.

by Ad Langelaar and Pim Feijen photos Pim Feijen

The founder of the company, Jan Brons (1865-1954) was born on 20 January 1865 in the Groninger Wagenborgen. His father had a carpenter’s workshop and also built houses and farms. At these building jobs they both came into contact with newer techniques, like threshing-machines. During repairs the working of this type of machines was watched closely by them and Brons Jr. came under the spell of technique. But the first engine that the builder Jan Brons constructed in 1891, did not want to start. Not surprisingly, because in the book he used, the English word ‘Petrol’ had been translated with ‘Petroleum’ instead of ‘Benzine’. www.hollandfocus.com - 35

In that time - we are talking about the end of the 19th century - the German Rudolf Diesel was busy developing his famous diesel engine. Initially he did not succeed, as adding the fuel proofed to be difficult. Brons, who by then had studied this engine closely, did not succeed either. Nevertheless Brons wanted to build a similar engine and invented a type of piston-aid to add fuel. It did not work. However, with a minor adjustment an engine using the first pre-chamber design had been produced. This discovery made Brons world-famous. He made an engine which could run on diesel or gas oil, without a fuel and air pump. The principle is shortly called ‘gasverstuiving’ (spraying-cup). At the time this was a sensational discovery, because this was much cheaper than the systems the competitors used. Brons obtained a German patent on this invention in 1904. The demand for this new engine was so overwhelming that they decided to build a new factory on the Damsterdiep in Appingedam. On 1 April 1907 the new factory started employing 47 people. Over the years Brons had top years but also years reaching an all-time low like the pre-war recession and during both World Wars. In 1957, on the occasion of the 50th anniversary the memorial book “Volle Kracht Vooruit” (Full Strength Ahead) was launched, in which the fifty years of the company are described beautifully. Further progress made the size and the capacity of the engines grow steadily. As from 1971 Brons cooperated with the machine factories Bolnes and ‘De Industrie in de Nederlandse Motoren Combinatie’. Unfortunately Bolnes withdrew shortly afterwards so the further development of the Turbo-diesel-motor came out of the pockets of the remaining two factories. In 1975, a total of 500 employees worked in both factories. In the year 1976 Brons Motorenfabriek merged with Machinefabriek Industrie in Alphen a/d Rijn, but the competition was fierce and the heart and soul was already gone by then. During the entire history of Brons the number of employees went up and down. Although the discharging of employees was mainly caused by the fulfilling of military conscription and pension. Because the orders already declined over a number of years, Brons was forced to reorganise in 1987. 36 people were dismissed. In 1989, 82 years after Jan Brons opened his factory, the Brons engine factory was taken over by the American engine manufacturer Waukesha. Not all of the remaining 117 employees were employed by the new owner; again 37 people were given notice. 36- www.hollandfocus.com

Meanwhile the engine production of Waukesha has stopped in Appingedam and the supply of components for Brons engines was sold in 2004, a definite end to the production of engines in Appingedam. Indeed the factory doesn’t make engines anymore, but undoubtedly the old diesel engines of Brons will continue to keep turning for a long time. In the region Jan Brons was also known as a social employer and his care for the employees was far ahead of the time. The company had good labour agreements (read: better than other employers), as a result people liked to work for Brons. Brons was also involved in the social house building in Appingedam; before the war entire streets were still occupied by factory workers of the Brons Motorenfabriek. The ‘Stichting tot in standhouding van Bronsmotoren’ (Foundation of conserving the Brons engines) has plans to establish a museum in the old factory hall on the complex. A user agreement has been signed already. This old factory hall, still with the big tap from 1906, breathes the atmosphere of a gone-by era. Therefore this location has been imminently arranged to give the industrial heritage of Brons a worthy spot. Further information, photos and forum: http://home.hccnet.nl/a.langelaar/brons.htm

BOOK REVIEW children

A little Sydney adventure A few months ago we went to the tourist areas of Sydney looking for a little gift to send overseas to celebrate a new baby on the way. We wanted something made and produced in Australia, not costing a fortune. We came home empty-handed and totally frustrated. Where was that cute little story about the Botanic Gardens or the Opera House? An activity book about Sydney would have been fine too. You’d think a child’s puzzle with an image of the Harbour Bridge and a ferry wouldn’t be asking too much. How wrong we were! So we set out to create something ourselves. One of us would write the story while the other one would illustrate it. “The Sydney Marching Mouse Band Competition” and the “Sydney Activity Book” were born. A super photo of the Harbour Bridge provided the backdrop for a puzzle. To make life easier for parents and foreign visitors alike,

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we decided to call on some of our friends to provide translations of the texts. Now all we needed was an Internet site, which became ank-studios.com It’s been a steep learning curve, but lots of fun. We can’t wait to start a story about Melbourne, but that will have to wait until the New Year and after the baby is born! In the mean time we hope you will join us in our new adventure by visiting our website soon. To order the book see page 33 for more information

‘Gezellig’

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boekbespreking

Sydney reisgids met Nederlandse blik Wie denkt dat een nieuwe reisgids over Sydney niet veel nieuwtjes meer zal brengen, kan nog wel eens voor een prettige verrassing komen te staan bij het lezen van Sydney, geschreven door de Nederlandse journalisten Marc van den Broek en Tim Dekkers. Ook het fotowerk is van de hand van de Nederlandse Anya van Lit die afwisselend in Amsterdam en Sydney woont. ‘Sydney’ leest als een spannende roman; wanneer je eenmaal begonnen bent, kun je de gids maar met moeite wegleggen. Onderwijl krijg je op een prettige manier allerlei leuke informaties en weetjes mee, maar de Australische wereldstad met een Nederlandse invalshoek belicht. Marc en Tim wonen beiden in Sydney en bekijken de Australische wereldstad met een nuchtere, Nederlandse blik. Zich afvragend wat een afkorting als BYO betekent en die na een tijdje snakken naar een Nederlands biertje of een echt stukje Edammer kaas. En die dan nog vinden ook! Met vlotte journalistieke pen, doorspekt met humor en regelmatig met een knipoog naar Nederland, nemen de schrijvers je mee door deze interessante stad, haar bewoners, de eigenaardigheden, het uitgaansleven en de vele mogelijkheden die de stad en de omgeving bieden. De reiziger die Sydney al eens heeft bezocht zal zich afvragen waarom hij zoveel leuke dingen niet heeft opgemerkt en wetenswaardigheden heeft gemist wanneer hij de stad doorkruist met deze reisgids. Het antwoord is simpel: de meeste reisgidsen zijn met een zakelijke en toeristisch-verkoopbare ondertoon geschreven. Niets mis mee, maar als Nederlander is het een verademing wanneer er gewoon eerlijk staat dat het een raadsel is waarom een bezienswaardigheid het predikaat ‘mooi’ meekrijgt terwijl het eigenlijk foeilelijk is. Om daarna aan de hand van deze ‘Sydney’ gids op een terrasje neer te strijken voor een goede kop koffie op een geweldig plekje met prachtig uitzicht waarvan niemand ooit de moeite nam om het te beschrijven. Tot nu toe dan.

Yolanda Edens

‘Sydney’ van Marc van den Broek en Tim Dekkers is een uitgave van Dominicus stedengidsen. ISBN nr. 9789025741297 Nederlanders die in Australie wonen, kunnen de reisgids via de website van Onderste-Boven (www.onderste-boven.com) bestellen. Het boek kost AU$28 , exclusief verzendkosten. Bel of email rechtstreeks naar Mediabureau Onderste-Boven +61(0)2 9699 7287 [email protected] This book is only available in Dutch.

‘It’s All Dutch to Me’ - the website which offers you the best Dutch products available,

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If you don’t have access to the internet,

feel free to give us a ring and ask for a printed catalogue, we will be happy to send you a copy free of charge!

www.itsalldutchtome.com.au email: [email protected] phone: 02-6492 8579

the butterfly month

BOOK REVIEW

Ariëlla comes across as a fun loving girl when we meet at her hotel in Melbourne. The lobby in the hotel is not much so we decide to have a coffee and a talk in a nearby coffee shop. Ariëlla Kornmehl came to Australia to promote the English translation of her second book ‘the butterfly month’. Ariëlla was also invited to come to the Brisbane writer’s festival and is described as an Upcoming European talent. At the festival Ariëlla, together with the South African writer Damon Galgut, did a reading about her book and the apartheid difficulties that still exist in South Africa. The people attending the reading were well informed and asked intelligent questions about the still existing apartheid in South Africa. The fact that Ariëlla is Dutch was not relevant at all. Ariëlla also did radio interviews and was pleasantly surprised by the questions the listeners asked her. Ariëlla started writing whilst living in South Africa for two years. Ariëlla had studied philosophy and had no intention of becoming a writer. Her professor thought otherwise, he said that she should write a book instead of starting on her thesis to become a doctor in philosophy. Her first book Huize Goldwasser was well received in The Netherlands. She was overwhelmed by the interest from the media. The book is about mixed marriages, a Jewish girl who loses her family and boy friend. Recently this book has been revised by Ariëlla and is called De familie Goldwasser. Ariëlla must like tragedies as her second book isn’t quite about a happy person either. Joni has had a troubled childhood. Her father is too busy and her mother doesn’t show much interest in Joni’s emotional life. Joni decides to follow in her father’s footsteps and become a doctor. During her study she is attracted to Wouter one of the lecturers and starts a passionate affair with this older and married man. Joni, who is ready to have children, finds out that she is infertile. Her parents never told her that her mother took medication against morning sickness when pregnant with Joni. Joni can’t forgive her parents for not informing her earlier. And doesn’t think that Wouter has the right attitude towards the fact that she can’t have children, he already has children. Joni moves to post-apartheid South Africa and wants to start a new live. Not long after moving in her house a black woman comes to see her and tells her that she wants to look after Joni and be her maid. Joni isn’t interested, but the woman insists and moves in the back of the house with her two children. An interesting relationship between Joni and Zanele starts. Zanele cooks for Joni and does everything else in the household. After sometime Zanele starts to ask questions about Joni’s lack of boyfriends and finds out about Joni’s secret. Joni wants to help Zanele with the washing in the Laundromat, but is confronted with a hate for whites by the

other black women at the Laundromat; Apartheid the other way round. Ariëlla herself has experienced this apartheid approach from the black in South Africa. Although apartheid has finished in name it is still a big issue in this troubled country. “It will take generations before this will be a country without the apartheid problems”, Ariëlla says. Joni teaches Zanele’s daughter, who can’t read or write and feels attracted to Zanele’s son, who doesn’t like white women. The book describes Joni’s life in South Africa, the angst she feels and discrimination at work and at home. The book ends with a dramatic turn and leaves the reader with some questions. Ariëlla did have trouble with the ending of the book, she says: “I could have gone on for another 200 pages about Joni’s life, but I think that this ending is good. It is dramatic, but feels good.” Ariëlla is currently working on her third book. www.hollandfocus.com - 39

BOOK REVIEW

PRISONER NUMBER 329 The book follows the life of Hanz Joseph Gruber, a veterinary surgeon, during the Nazi occupation of The Netherlands. Hanz is from German origin, but became a Dutch citizen before the war started. Hanz looses his Jewish wife Rachel soon after the war started. Hanz joins the resistance and changes his name to Hans Groen. Whilst trying to warn a fellow-resistance worker he falls in the trap the Germans set for him and is sent to Camp Vught, where he starts a diary about the treatment the prisoners endure from the Germans. In Vught he gets his prisoner number 329 and the number stays with him when he is transported to Dachau in Germany. Hans is determent to get his story to the outside world. During his stay in Vught Gerda, a camp office worker, helps him to get the sheets of his diary out of the camp and to a publisher, thereby risking her own life. The story also follows Peter, who is from Polish origin and the leader of the resistance group Hans joined. Both get beaten ‘beyond belief’ to get them to reveal the names of the other members of their resistance group. The book also tells about the horrifying train trips the prisoners make to the camps in Germany and the many people that die during this transport. The hunger and

Alida van den Bos

treatment in the camps resulting in the death of many prisoners. The book is loosely based on actual experiences. By coincidence 329 was also the number of prisoners who were executed at camp Vught. The names and customary residence location of these 329 people are listed in the centre of the book. The official number of people that died of maltreatment and diseases at camp Vught is 749. The book is illustrated with photos from Camp Vught and Dachau.

In 1930 born in Arnhem, The Netherlands, Alida van den Bos migrated to Australia with her family in 1959. Alida has published short stories about her life-experiences and has also written six other fictional ���������� ������ ������������ �� ���������� �������� novels. Several times Alida travelled ��������� ����������� ���� ������ ������� ��� ������ ��������� ����������� ������� ��� ���� ��������� ���� to Europe to research the history of World War II ���������� ������ ������������ ����� ���������� ��� ������� ����� concentration camps, before ��� �������� ����� ���� ������ �������� ���� ����� ��� ������ ��������� ������� � writing her book ‘Prisoner ���������� ���� ����� ����� ����� ����� ���� number 329’. ���������� ��������� ������� This book should be given to ���������� ��� �� ����� ��� ���� the children and grandchildren ������ ������� �� ���������� ��������� �������� of the people who suffered ������������ �� ������� ������ under the Germans during ������ ����� �� ������ ��� ���������� ����� this war, as not to forget the ������ �������� �� �������� �� ����������� ������ atrocities that people suffered ������������ ���������� �� ������ ������������ ���������� ����� during that time. ���������� � ���� ����� ����� ���� ����� ���� To order the book see page 33 ������� ���������������� for more information. ����������������

������ ����� ����� �� �����

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40 - www.hollandfocus.com

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BOOK REVIEW

TATTOO DARLING The Art of Angelique Houtkamp Angelique Houtkamp is the inspirational Dutch tattoo mademoiselle of the contemporary art world. This fascinating monograph happily traverses her nostalgic, eclectic and beautifully rendered artistic wonderland with a strong focus on her fine art practice. Classic old school tattoo imagery mixes with mythological dreams, anthropomorphised creatures, nautical iconography, and haunting Hollywood romance, by way of Houtkamp’s distinctive painterly magic and eye for style. Watercolors and more recent oils glow from these pages. A true celebration of

Houtkamp’s vision, charms, and talents as a tattoo artist, painter, collector, and personality. Wonderful new art, inspiration galore, and swoonworthy photos of Houtkamp at work. Angelique “Angelique is the duchess of clean and exotique. She’s Particulars: RRP US$19.95 internationally loyal to her tattoo ISBN: 978-0-9577684-7-5 AUD$35 in Australia roots and her love Softbound Published by Outré Gallery of the past. Her Full Colour Press, www.outregallery.com work is deceptively simple, instantly recognizable 80 pages Release Date: Oct 1, 2007 and often humorous, I think she has the magic touch. From the fortune teller to the red light district, her pretty ladies of a sailor’s dreams take you to a mysterious, mythical place of a long lost era. I love it, she’s my soul sister!” - Sunny Buick “Angelique Houtkamp is not only THE DUTCH SHOPS a talented and versatile artist with NOW AT 3 LOCATIONS, NATIONWIDE more energy and determination as ten SYDNEY : 85 MARKET STREET, SMITHFIELD, 2164, PHONE (02) 9604 0233 regular people, she is also drop dead gorgeous. Something went completely BRISBANE : 1150 BEAUDESERT ROAD, ACACIA RIDGE, 4100, PHONE (07)3277 4869 PERTH : 5/121 JAMES STREET, GUILDFORD, 6055, PHONE (08)6278 1888 right when she was created. And if she wasn’t such a nice person, we would probably hate her.” - Cindy Hoetmer, best friend, novelist and columnist. Available from Outré Gallery www.hollandfocus.com - 41

“For Anything Dutch” • Delicatessen • Souvenirs • Oak Furniture

School’s Art Show

inspired by Ton Schulten

Every two years Our Holy Redeemer Primary School, Surrey Hills, organizes an Art Show. Each student produces two pieces of art which will be exhibited in the school hall. Annemiek Waters, teacher of grade 5 and 6, took the opportunity to focus on a well known artist from her native region Twente - Ton Schulten. Ton lives and works in Ootmarsum, The Netherlands. The 24 students in Annemiek’s class each wrote Ton a letter asking him permission to use his unique painting style for their art show piece. Coincidently during this time, the principal of the school, Liz Aitchison, was on a study tour in Europe and paid a visit to Ootmarsum and personally delivered the letters. “Ton and his wife Ank were unbelievably hospitable and welcoming people and very giving of their time’, Liz said. ‘They lead us around the museum, the magnificent gallery and shouted us a glass of wine in Ton’s favourite café”. Ton and Ank were enthusiastic about the undertaking and had no hesitation in allowing Annemiek’s students to use Ton’s work as a source of inspiration, as long as they didn’t copy his works or used them for commercial purposes. They

42 - www.hollandfocus.com

presented Liz with prizes to take home for the ‘artists to be’ as rewards at the end of the show saying that they would love to see their work once finished. Ton himself even suggested to be part of the committee that chooses the ‘winning artists’ since photographs of the completed paintings will be emailed to him by the students. “It’s all so special!” Annemiek said, “I’m almost more excited than the children”. The project was reason for Ank to advise Annemiek to make contact with Jannie Schoenmakers who is a close friend of Ton and Ank and who lives in Melbourne. A few years ago Jannie brought the extraordinary life story of both Ank and Ton into Australia together with a small collection of Ton’s screen prints, books and cards. In April 2002, Jannie gave a talk about Ton Schulten for the Erasmus Foundation in Melbourne. As it happened, this was on the exact same day that Ton was conferred a knight in the ‘Order of Orange Nassau’ because of his great contributions to the city of Ootmarsum. During the years Jannie’s collection of Ton’s screen prints has been exhibited in wine gallery Boutik on the Mornington Peninsula and

later in her home in Cheltenham. The school invited her to tell the miraculous story of Ton Schulten once more in the classroom. “There is nothing more interesting and helpful for children than to learn from someone other than their class teacher, especially when this person knows the ‘subject’ of their study”, Annemiek wrote in her invitation to Jannie. Jannie immensely enjoyed doing her presentation. “Time flew. The children were all ears while they were sitting around me on the floor in a half circle. I was standing in front of the class narrating and I was amazed by their attention and intelligent questions”. Later, in their individual reflections about Jannie’s visit, it was obvious that the children were greatly impressed by the stories she had told. They had gained a much better impression of Ton Schulten: his life, his inspiration and his driving force. From that moment on, the students and Annemiek were eager to get started on the actual piece of art. As a starting point, the children used a photograph of an Australian landscape or a scene with a special significance. They sketched this landscape roughly onto their art paper. After studying the art of mixing colours, colour moods and effects, the painting could finally begin, using Ton’s unique, colourful mosaic-like style. After many painting sessions, the creative talents of the students have produced wonderful pieces of work depicting landscapes showing the Sydney Harbour Bridge, Uluru, The Outback, the Twelve Apostles along the Great Ocean Road as well as favourite holiday destinations and their own homes. Teacher Annemiek wrote: ”We have gone through quite a learning process and besides having fun, the children have gained many new insights, skills and life experiences. The Art Show will be opened on October 25 and the 24 students of Annemiek’s class can’t wait to show off their special paintings. They are very proud of their achievements. Photos by Jannie Schoenmaker and Annemiek Waters clockwise from top: painting by one of the students; Jannie Schoenmaker (centre) and the school class; visitors from Australia, second left Ton Schulten.

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Fryslân

The slogan ‘Fryslân Boppe! united many Frisians against the Dutch (Hollanders). The slogan sometimes was adapted to: ‘Fryslân Boppe! Hollân yn ‘e groppe!’ meaning ‘Frisian Land above and Holland down in the ditch!’. Now it is the name of a series of articles in holland focus about a unique part of The Netherlands the province of Fryslân (Frisian Land). This is part five. words Henk-Jan de Meer photos: www.fotofonger.nl

Boppe!

~ Skûtsjesilen ~

Frisians like water and water likes Frisians. Every summer you will find many people sailing on the Frisian lakes in a diversity of boats, ships and yachts. Water events are not rare in Frisian land, so it’s not surprising that the most famous water event of Europe, the Sneekweek, takes place in this province. On top of that, we Frisians also build a special type of sailing boat of the type Tjalk: it Fryske Skûtsje. It Fryske Skûtsje (pronounced: skootsjhuh) was developed around 1855 and originally was a cargo boat. Skûtsjes were built from the 18th century until about 1930. Around 1200 boats were made, mainly built in Frisian land for the northern inland waterways. Nowadays only 80 of them are still sailing the Frisian lakes. The name skûtsje was originally used for boats that could handle a maximum freight weight of 12 ton. Later it was used for bigger ships that could handle 56 ton. Skûtsjes were first made of wood, but changed during the first half of the twentieth century to iron. They also adapted its shape, due

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to changing techniques, sailing routes and purposes of use. Usually builders and customers developed their skûtsje together. A skûtsje is 12 to 20 m long and on average 3.5 m wide, with a maximum of 4 m (based on the normal dimensions of Frisian bridges and sluices). It has a flat surface, round rims, round head and tale, bend stem, straight stern and a smooth sheer. It has a deckhouse and a fore- and an afterdeck. The cavity is limited to a maximum of 1.24 m. Competition The first sailing competitions started in the early 19th century. Mainly when there was no cargo to transport

and captains could win money prizes. Competitions were often organised by innkeepers during a village fair. Water transport became motorised, and it was hard to get cargo. Less skûtsjes were seen, but due to the fuel shortages during World War II lots of work was given to the skûtsjes captains again. Captains were required to sail more and more and they set up the Sintrale Kommisje Skûtsjesilen (SKS), (central committee of skutsjesilen). While the number of competition committees grew after the war, the number of skûtsjes dropped. In the fifties it was not possible anymore for a professional captain to make

Sksearnewalds

a living with a skûtsje. To preserve the skûtsjes, foundations were set up. Each foundation took care of one skûtsje taking part at the yearly sailing event Skûtsjesilen. That’s how the current SKS sailing race started, with skûtsjes sailing for towns or villages. The only exception is the skûtsje “d’ Halve Maen”, originally from the company Philips (Drachten). In 1981 a second organisation for skûtsjesilen was founded: the Iepen Fryske Kampioenskippen Skûtsjesilen (IFKS) (the Open Frisian Championships of Skûtsjesilen). In the seventies and eighties it was again – financially - possible, that persons, instead of foundations, owned a skûtsje. But the SKS only wanted skûtsjes in their competition with captains from families with generations of captains, not from families with a non bargee background. That’s why Frisian land has now two championships of Skûtsjesilen. Would you like to know more? Visit www.hollandfocus.com for more information about skûtsjesilen.

Skûtsje Woudsend

Skûtsje museum

The Aebelina The last wooden skûtsjes, originally called veerschip were all destroyed between 1945 and 1950. They weren’t rebuilt because the iron skûtsjes were preferred. They were bigger, stronger and iron lasted longer then wood. The famous shipbuilder Eeltje Holtrop van der Zee from Joure was one of the people that built wooden skûtsjes. In 1861 he built the 43 feet long and 11 feet wide veerschip called The Aebelina. In 1873 Wybe Peekema became the fourth owner of this ship and renamed the ship “Dorp Grouw” (Village Grouw). He sailed many competitions with Aebelina and she was very fast. In fact she was so fast and won so many prizes that in 1880 the ship was excluded from taking part in competitions. She won a total of 45 prizes. In 1909 the Aebelina was sold again and eventually this great fast ship disappeared. In the Frisian town Eernewoude, at the skûtsje museum, a replica of this ship is being built now. The start of the project was celebrated with a huge opening in September 2004. Present were three skûtsjesailors who in their early years saw these wooden ships sailing on Frisian waters. If all goes well, the replica of The Aebelina will sail the Frisian waters in 2009. Follow this project at www.houtenskutsje.nl.

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Dutch business starts in Australia words and photos Yolanda Edens

Herman Claassens was born in Australia, migrated with his Dutch parents to Holland and returned back to Australia at the age of 15. Being the 2nd generation Claassens in Australia he has a dream: “My dream is to become successful in Holland and purely from my heritage point of view the saying goes: ‘if you can sell anything to a Dutchman you can sell anywhere.’ “The fourth generation is already waiting in the wings. His company Australian Culinary Foods (ACF) could not only make his dream, but also the dreams of all people who want to export Australian products to the Netherlands, come true. ACF will establish warehousing and distribution in the Netherlands due to the country being extremely well positioned for the rest of Europe. Herman: “Initially we concentrate on the Dutch market in which we have established that consumers have a great interest in the Australian story and many have links to our country. There is a trend in the Netherlands for consumers to experiment with new food solutions.” ACF manages the logistics operation to connect Australian food producers into the Dutch markets through controlled collection, consolidation shipments and delivery processes. In Holland, distribution systems will be in place to efficiently manage all collection, warehousing and delivery. “ACF logistics will shorten

lead times for products to be on retail shelves and into consumers shopping baskets. The just in time model will benefit the wholesalers and distributors in reducing their stock inventory hence doing business with ACF is much more accessible with bottom line results”. Marketing and promoting Australia will be a key component of this drive. Opportunity If there is a way to go one direction, you can do the same the way back: exporting Dutch products into Australia. “O yes”, Herman confirms. “We also see a great opportunity to re-export to Australia specialized products from the Netherlands. In fact, this has already been done successfully for many years and food products that were considered gourmet products 40 years ago are now supermarket items.” The opportunity AFC offers is very attractive to companies, because AFC does the difficult part of the job. “The manufacturer or producer only produces: we do the rest”. Duties Exporting to the other side of the world isn’t that easy. It takes a lot of logistics just within Australia to consolidate products for exports and shipping times to Europe can take up to 6 weeks depending on routes the ship may take and volume in shipment. Herman: “The main problem is: they do not know what products they should export and not having done enough market research in the country they want to export to. Most manufactures have no idea of import cost especially in the European market with heavy duties. Or having not enough cash flow to produce large volumes and cover extended trading terms. The time difference, not speaking the language, not knowing where the best opportunities are, would be frustrating.” All these problems Australian Culinary Foods have embraced and developed a model to improve and minimize. “I’ll always have my Dutch heritage in check”, Herman says. “I still speak the language and have many family members there. If you want to do business with Holland, you can contact us in Australia. We are available 7 days per week to discuss business.” website: culinaryfoods.com

A look behind the windows words and photos Yolanda Edens

The ‘Red Light District’ or ‘De Wallen’, as ‘Amsterdammers’ call this historical part of their city, is world-famous for openly having window prostitution and many sex shops. Daily many tourists have a prying walk through this area between the Warmoesstraat, the Zeedijk and the Damstraat. www.hollandfocus.com - 47

In the narrow alleys the houses seem very close together - the front doors almost touch each other This is the area were the city of Amsterdam had its humble beginnings. In the 17th century Amsterdam was overrun by traders, sailors and adventurers. Often the many women, whose husbands were at sea, were very poor. At the time women generally did not work and if they worked the jobs were underpaid. However, prostitution made a ‘decent’ living. At first the men were approached on the street, in gambling houses, dancing houses and bars. Under the watchful eye of a ‘madam’ the men were then taken to the women who lived in the poorer areas of the Wallen. But the often very wealthy traders, who - after doing business - were looking for entertainment in the city, did not want to be seen there. A number of gambling house owners offered rooms to

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the prostitutes in ordinary houses. And the first (illegal) brothels were created. Despite the fact that prostitution was illegal and the inflicted punishment was heavy, the number of brothels continued to increase, frequently hidden behind an ordinary shopfront like a tobacco shop, a massage salon or a hairdresser. The prostitutes, working from their homes, lived throughout the city and drew the attention of their customers by knocking on the window from behind closed curtains. Later rooms with windows were built on the Wallen, to keep a better eye on the prostitution, but also for the protection of the women. Over the years the curtains were allowed to open wider and the women would visibly be seated behind the windows. In 2000, window prostitution was legalised and prostitutes received employment-rights too and their own trade union. Street prostitution is still prohibited though. Currently, in Amsterdam a total of 450 windows, behind them more then 1,000 prostitutes of several nationalities are working shifts.

Entrepreneurs In the centre of the Wallen area is the Prostitution Information Centre (PIC), also called the Wallenwinkel (Wallen shop). Here information is given to visitors by former prostitutes. The Wallenwinkel also organises tours through the Red Light district under the guidance of experienced prostitutes who have been in the profession and (some) still work occasionally. “Visitors frequently ask if we are forced to work”, is the experience of guide Denise. “Prostitution is often associated with slave trade, pimps, drugs and coercion. That certainly happens, but not often on the Wallen. The police regularly checks here. They make sure that no underaged girls are working. All prostitutes have to carry their passport. And the women also look after each other and possible newcomers. The women working here are all independent entrepreneurs and do not work with pimps. They rent a window like someone else rents an office or a factory”. On the Oudekerksplein stands the Oude Kerk - dating from 1250 - where the famous painter Rembrandt married his Saskia. The church-square looks out on four ‘working windows’. The curtains are closed, red neon-lights are on. “The Wallen area is a normal suburb. Other people work and live here too. Children go to school and on Sunday church services are held in the Oude Kerk”. In the narrow alleys the houses seem very close together - the front doors almost touch each other. Left and right

are windows with sparingly dressed women sitting or standing behind them. They vary in age from about 20 up to about 50. Innumerable people shuffle past the windows, at the same time leering curiously, as inconspicuous as possible. As it is early in the evening most passers-by seem to be tourists and not customers. Anyway, we don’t see anyone disappear in one of the houses. Taking of photos is not permitted. “You would not appreciate it either if someone with a camera storms in your working place and - without asking - takes photos of you”, declares Denise soberly. Enjoyment Most of the ladies working on the Wallen do this because they enjoy it. “It is a professional service”, Denise says. “In fact, some wives - with their husband’s consent supplement the family income by working here”. Denise has worked as a prostitute for more than 15 years, but thinks she is too old for the profession now. “I chose it, nobody forced me to.” However, she admits that circumstances in her childhood led to that choice. “I had no proper education and you can’t do much then. This was an easy way to earn money. In that sense I was ‘forced’ to make the choice. If my education had been better, I might have done something very different.” www.hollandfocus.com - 49

De broek aan door Frans Hertoghs

Plaatsnamen kunnen soms best gemakkelijk te verklaren zijn. Neem een plaats als Tegelen (LB), een oude meervoudsvorm van tegels. En wat bakken ze daar? Jawel, tegels. Woord en naam komen van het Latijnse tegula. Het Nederlands heeft dat woord overgenomen, inderdaad als tegel. En waar denkt u dat de naam Poeldijk vandaan komt? Jazeker, van poel+dijk. Ongewijzigd sinds 1280. En ’s Hertogenbosch? Inderdaad, het bos van de hertog van Brabant, waar hij altijd ging jagen - tot ze er een stad bouwden natuurlijk en er ander wild ging wonen. Geweldig, zulke plaatsnamen. Een kind kan de was doen. Maar soms is de verklaring echt verraderlijk. Neem nou een plaats als Sexbierum in de gemeente Franekeradeel (FR). Klinkt behoorlijk ruig, waar of niet. Maar de werkelijkheid is anders. De Friesen zelf zeggen Seisbierum en dat klinkt al wat braver. In 1322 schreven ze Sixtebeeren, en zo begrijpen we waar de naam vandaan kwam. Het betreft hier de bêre - oud fries voor huis - van een zekere Sixtus, een oude voornaam uit de tijd toen de Romeinen hun kinderen nog nummerden: Sixtus betekent nummer zes. Ze hebben het plaatsje vernoemd naar paus Sixtus II. Sexbierum betekent dus “bij de huizen van paus Sixtus”. Kan het nog braver? Maar soms ook kom je er helemaal niet uit. Neem bijvoorbeeld Alteveer. Daar liggen niet minder dan drie plaatsen met dezelfde naam in Drente en in Groningen. Alteveer (DR) ligt bij Roden. Het wordt pas in 1851 vermeld. Het zou best Oude Veer (oversteekplaats) kunnen betekenen, want het ligt aan het Lieversche Diep. Alteveer (GR) wordt pas in 1899 vermeld, als Alteveer. Daar is behalve een kanaaltje geen oversteekplaats te bekennen. “Het ligt aan het uiteinde van het wijkenstelsel van de Pekel-Aa. Alteveer Veen ligt een paar kilometer ten zuiden ervan. Het Alteveerkanaal loopt langs dit veengebied en door het plaatsje. Hieraan ontleent het de naam”. De verklaring die gegeven wordt in “Nederlandse Plaatsnamen” van Van Berkel & Samplonius luidt: al te ver. En dezelfde verklaring zou gelden voor het derde Alteveer (DR) in de gemeente Zuidwolde. Dat heet in 1850 Hoogten van Alteveer. Ook dat zou betekenen “AlTe-Ver” en dat zou dan wijzen op de slechte verbindingen in vroeger tijd en op de geïsoleerde ligging. Maar hoe zou dat kunnen? Je zou van een dorpje best kunnen zeggen dat het “net iets te ver” ligt, maar te ver voor wie dan? Het lijkt mij geen echte naam die de bewoners zelf voor hun dorp zouden gebruiken. Bovendien komt de vorm Alteveer verschillende keren voor, maar nooit Altevér. Dat geeft te denken. Maar misschien kan het toch ook weer wel. Want ook in Drente, in de gemeente Peize, ligt het plaatsje Altena. Dat wordt in vermeld als 1936 Altena, en dat zou dan betekenen “Al-Te-Nabij”. Maar als we verder zoeken dan zien we verschillende plaatsen die Altena heten, ook in 50 - www.hollandfocus.com

Gelderland, in Holland en zelfs in Brabant. Zouden die allemaal betekenen: “Te-Dichtbij”? Dat lijkt me wel erg kras. Kortom, al zijn het redelijk jonge namen, en lijken ze gemakkelijk verklaarbaar, ze zijn het niet. En nu komt dan eindelijk de Broek aan de beurt. Broek in Waterland bijvoorbeeld, wat is dat voor een naam? Gelukkig weten we hier wel een sluitende verklaring voor. Broek betekent oorspronkelijk “laaggelegen, slecht afwaterend, drassig en vaak ondergelopen grasland; moerasland, zompland”. Het woord is verwant aan het Engelse brook, “beek”. Het zal niemand verbazen dat in Noord-Holland veel van zulke gebieden te vinden waren. En zo vinden we daar ook aardig wat broeken die onderscheiden moeten worden. Deze Broek ligt in Waterland, de streek tussen het IJ, Monnickendam en Zaanland. Maar in de buurt vinden we ook nog Broekoord. En Broek op Langedijk, dat honderden jaren geleden gewoon Broec heette en in 1424 Broec opten dyck. Die Langedijk liep van St. Pancras naar het noorden. En vergeet niet Lutjebroek, de roemruchte geboorteplaats van de Nederlandse zoeaaf, Pieter Jansz.

PLAATSNEMEN

Rijdend door Nederland kom je soms de prachtigste plaatsnamen Lutje tegen. Zo vroeg ik me altijd af broe a k en Alt waar de Hoofdtaart was, als ik onder Veghel het dorp Zijtaart passeerde. En wat bezielde de zwijgende meerderheid van het Groningse dorp om het Doodstil te noemen? En wat roepen ze in het Limburgse Ohé dat deel uitmaakt van de gemeente Ohé en Laak? En waar is buiten in het WestBrabantse Standdaarbuiten en wie tenslotte heeft daar vlakbij een echt Stampersgat? Tja, hoe komen sommige plaatsen aan zulke merkwaardige namen?

Jong. Deze “reus uit Lutjebroek” sloeg met de kolf van zijn leeggeschoten geweer veertien Garibaldisten de schedel in voor hij zelf sneuvelde op het pauselijke veld van eer. Lutjebroek bestaat echt en wordt al in 1312 vermeld als Lutekebroec. Het oude woord luteke betekent klein, gering. We kennen het nog in pietluttig en luttel. En waar een Luttelbroek is, daar is natuurlijk ook een Grootebroek, dat kan niet missen. En u begrijpt, met overmaatse broeken heeft die naam dus niets te maken. Tot in Brabant toe kenden ze dezelfde broeken, al waren ze er misschien minder dol op, getuige het plaatsje Slibbroek, samengesteld uit de gewone woorden slib en broek. Als het vroeger ergens slijkerig was, dan zeiden ze dat ook, zoals te horen is in Slijk-Ewijk en Slikkerveen. En zo komen we tenslotte terecht in de Europese hoofdstad Brussel. Dat heette al in de vroege Middeleeuwen Bruoc-sele, ofwel Broek-sele, “zaal (of gebouw) in drasland”. In het Brabants viel de k- voor de -s- weg en werd het Brussele, Brussel. Zo kennen de Engelstaligen het ook, Brussels. Maar de Franstaligen spellen nog steeds Bruxelles, compleet met de oorspronkelijke -k-, conservatief maar correct. De vraag is alleen maar wie er in de van oorsprong Nederlandstalige Zalen tegenwoordig de Broek aanhebben!

Op zaterdag 15 september was er in de Rembrandt Dutch Club (Sydney) een reünie van “De

Waterman”. Emigranten die 50 jaar geleden met deze boot waren gearriveerd. Op de foto staan v.l.n.r. op de voorgrond Henk Kanis, Greet Langenberg en Chris Valkenburg Achter hen Theo Langenberg, Rita Valkenburg, Hans Verbeek, Enny Verbeek, Lis Verbeek, Bep Langenreis, Henk Verbeek, en Simon Langenreis.

Hermans Foods wish to introduce to you our

Direct Mail Order Service Many of our dedicated followers have requested this service for our sauces and sambals because not all flavours are available in retail stores. Together with AUSTRALIA POST we have been able to make this possible to anyone Australia wide. Please send your name and address and we will forward you all the information.

HERMANS FOODS P/L 59 JERSEY ROAD BAYSWATER VICTORIA 3153 PHONE 03 9720 3377 FAX 03 9720 3422

“The Lily” Windmill Travelling south on Chesterpass Road towards Albany, we were suddenly confronted with the sight of a fully fledged Dutch windmill. It was the type of experience that makes you blink your eyes for it is not just the windmill but also the scenery with the Stirling Ranges as a back drop. After entering the gate and carrying out a closer inspection we met the owner Pleun Hitzert. The thought had not been far from our mind that we would meet an eccentric Dutchman – on the contrary here was a focussed and level headed perfectionist who almost single-handedly, with wife Hennie created a unique piece of Holland in Australia. words Thomas Vanderveldt Pleun and Hennie migrated from Holland in 1980 because of traffic jams, environmental pollution and criminality. Shortly after arrival they decided to build their own house in Bedford Park after which events followed quickly. Coming from Puttershoek, on the river Maas, just west of Dordrecht, they missed the wide-open spaces of the Dutch countryside. Within two years he bought a property in an area with a view on endless wheat fields and the mountaintops of the ‘Stirlings’. Pleun told us that after thinking and plotting for four years he made a start in 1992. After another year the base structure was finished and he was ready to assemble the head and the sails, which were imported from Holland. It was built with primarily second hand materials. The

25,000 bricks came from a burnt down factory in 1905. Since then they acquired an old railway station building which now serves as a restaurant and coffee shop with a unique Dutch ambience. Pleun’s Lily is a copy of the original Lily in Puttershoek, that has been grinding flour since 1836. He has insisted on its authenticity and he too grinds flour for the local people and tourists alike. the grinding assembly THE MILLERS QUARTERS The two story accommodation is part of the windmill workshop and milling shed and has, for ten years, been

PRINS WILLEM ALEXANDER VILLAGE Netherlands Retirement Village Association Of Queensland Inc.

What are your plans for the future?

Imagine living in an environment that reminds you of “back home”. Inspired by the traditional “Zaanse” style architecture, the village offers many choices in accommodation and lifestyle, from independent living to the highest of care. There are 74 independent living units, 44 Hostel units, 14 one bedroom apartments and a 64 bed Nursing Home. Enjoy our friendly and happy environment. Many members of our dedicated staff speak Dutch as well as English, because we realise the importance of the mother tongue. You may like to visit the village and discuss your options for moving into this ideal village facility. Just ring us first to make an appointment, so we can be available to discuss opportunities for you. Prins Willem Alexander Village 62 Collingwood Road, Birkdale Tel.: (07) 3822 0800 Email: [email protected]

restaurant

the home of the founders of The Lily, Hennie and Pleun Hitzert. The unit has two (upstairs) bedrooms (queen & twin), lounge combined with kitchen and a bathroom. To access the bedrooms you have to go trough the workshop. The Lily has been selected as one of the 10 best selfcontained accommodations in: Footprints West Coast Australia handbook and was the Western Australian Regional Achievers Award 2005 Winner. The Lily Stirling Range Dutch Windmill & Foreshore apartments, web: http://www.thelily.com.au

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Hennie and Pleun Hitzert

The Lily Windmill is an authentic 16th century design brick “ground-sail’ mill. The five story full size Dutch windmill with its 22 ton cap and sail length of 24.6 meters, is one of the largest traditional windmills ever built in Australia. The Lily windmill is the only fully operational flour producing windmill in Australia.

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hongertocht On my (Ton van Vugt, centre) right hand is my grandson, four-year old Benjamin Reich who came from the US to walk with me. To my left (partially obscured) is my sister Annie. She, at the tender age of 6, walked with me in the original hongertocht of 1944-45. This time she supported me when, overcome with emotion, I stumbled the last kilometers into Hattem.

Seeing that the whole event had been organised via the Internet, participants met each other for the first time at the start in Rotterdam. The nine-day re-enactment was a success for several reasons: (1) The walkers formed a cohesive group and got on exceptionally well with one another; (2) The weather that can be so unpredictable, even in August, was exceptionally good. Warm on the first few days but cooler thereafter enabling us to maintain our average walking speed of about 5km/hour; (3) even though the route had been planned in the US, using Google Earth, the inland route chosen kept us away from the major traffic arteries and lead us through some of the most scenic parts of the Netherlands and (4) the reception and hospitality along the route was overwhelming both at the official level and from ordinary citizens. The activities from Epe to Hattem were very well organised by Jan Nitrauw of Wapenveld and Arie van Driessen of Hattem. A supermarket (C1000) provided all walkers with a breakfast and a lunch packet; at Windmill de Vlijt in Wapenveld participants received a Dutch pancake with stroop (syrup); the procession was escorted

by WW II army vehicles from “Keep them Rolling”; and a ride on horse-drawn carriages was offered in Wapenveld. Residents of two homes for the elderly in Hattem invited participants in for dinner and the next morning for coffee and cake. Participants received a standing ovation at the closing ceremony, attended by a crowd of about 500 people, in the over crowded St. Andreas Church in Hattem. Sunday saw a solemn procession from Hattem to the centre of the Old IJssel Bridge were flowers were placed at a plague that commemorates the crossing of some 200,000 fugitives from hunger before the crossing was closed and eventually blown up when the allied forces approached the IJssel River to liberate the western part of the Netherlands. Ton van Vugt concludes; “The most rewarding aspect of the re-enactment was the outpouring of emotions by the elderly survivors of the original hongertocht. Their emotions had been cropped-up for more than 60 years without few among the younger generation interested in their stories. These are now recorded on the organisations website www.hongertocht.org”.

Bossche Koek The origin of the Bossche Koek most likely goes back to the days of painter Jeroen Bosch. Five centuries later this generously filled cake is still known as ‘Bossche Koek.’ The famous bakers of Den Bosch used to bake this delicious treat and the recipe was passed on from father to son over centuries. Sadly, most of these ‘well-kept’ recipes were lost over time. One baker’s family, the De Backer family, still bakes the Bossche Koek using one of those original recipes. On the occasion of the birth of Princess Beatrix, the mayor of ‘s-Hertogenbosch ordered a large size Bossche Koek and sent it to Soestdijk (the former palace of Dutch Royalty). On this special occasion the cake was decorated with marzipan roses. Another large size Bossche Koek by Jan de Backer was sent at the birth of Princess Marijke (now called Princess Christina). When Jan de Backer suddenly died in 1988, it seemed he had also taken his recipe into his grave. Luckily it was found again in 2001 by his four-year-old grandson Jules in a building on the Parade (at present Café Cordes) in Den Bosch.

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You can order this ‘finger licking good’ Bossche Koek via the internet. It is even possible to have a personalised text on the banderole: “Especially baked for …” followed by the name of the recipient: a unique gift. If you would like to order the Bossche Koek please send an email to [email protected] or simply call +31 73 613 6162. (www.bosschekoek.nl). words and photo Yolanda Edens

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After all these years Jan de Backer’s original Bossche Koek is baked according to the traditional method once again. Connoisseurs prefer to eat the cake with a thin layer of butter to bring out the delicious flavour.

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$4 each

from $5.70 Schlünder Christmas Stollen 500g (more sizes available)

The Barnevelder in Tasmania The Barnevelder is the national Dutch breed of utility fowl famous for its deep, dark, red brown eggs developed at the end of the nineteenth century for the breakfast egg market in England. Up until the end of the Second World War, poultry and other forms of “smallstock” could be brought into Australia legally, as part of the “luggage” consignment allowed third class or “steerage” passengers coming out as migrants. Many breeds of farm animal have crossed the oceans in this way, in most cases, without any form of proper “consignment note” or written record being left for posterity. There is no paper trail to substantiate the story of the Barnevelder in Tasmania, a story that has been put together, piece by piece, in the past twenty years, following many conversations with poultry breeders, Dutch descendants and local farmers. There are three incidents worth mentioning here, to help substantiate my belief that what we have surviving, in Tasmania, are possibly the last surviving genepools from the original Dutch Barnevelder. The first fact is the unique character, appearance, and egg colour of the bloodlines now scattered around Tasmania – for in the last twenty years, I have bred and supplied over five thousand chicks or birds to every part of the state, as well as to every state on the Australian mainland, and recently I have been told that birds descended from my bloodlines have been sent back to Holland – though this fact has not been verified. In every aspect of size, shape and appearance it seems that the Tasmanian Barnevelder is still a close match to the earliest recorded descriptions of the breed made at the turn of the twentieth century, and my investigations have led to three probable importation dates. The best source points to the far south, through Port Huon, in the late 1920’s. Another likely entry point is through the north east, or east coast of Tasmania, in the nineteen thirties. A third, more recent, importation, made as late as the late nineteen sixties, may have come from Java, in 1941, via the Australian mainland, and then, in the nineteen fifties, down into Tasmania. I have witnessed some very sound verbal testimony to support the probability of all three imports, but to me the most important testimony as to the origin of the Tasmanian bloodlines came from a ninety three year old Dutchman, the son of one of the original Dutch breeders in Holland, who was brought to my farm in 1993, from Hobart, by his son. This gentle man was quite ill at the time, and suffering from emphysema, but his mind was sharp as a tack, and when he first set eyes on my birds I can still remember how he suddenly went pale, and began to shake, and then in a quaking voice asked if he might see some of the eggs. When I brought these out, and placed them in his hands, he stood for several 56 - www.hollandfocus.com

words Paul Healy photos George Huizing

Paul Healy long minutes, in silence, and stared, and then, with tears in his eyes, began to explain that he had not seen eggs like that since 1929, at home on his father’s farm. For the past sixty years, he also told me, he had searched everywhere, hoping to find similar survivors of his father’s bloodlines. Further to this he also said that he had no doubt at all that the fowls in my yards were original Barnevelders, most probably from his own father’s famous bloodlines. He had spent many years as a young man working with his father’s flocks, and pointed out several prominent features in my fowl that he remembered from his dad’s stock. I will never forget that morning, and the look in that man’s eyes when I gave him a pen of six hens and two cockerels to take back home. It remains the best thing that has happened to me in all my many meetings with poultry lovers, and to my mind, it is the ultimate testimony to the truth of the origins of the Tasmanian Barnevelder. If any person reading this has any idea of the identity of these people, or if you have any family record, anecdote, history, or specific knowledge of the breeding or importation of the Barnevelder into Australia and Tasmania, I would be most pleased to hear from you. Eggs The best eggs were highly glossed, and of a colour which varied from ochre through to burnt umber, often blending various shadings of rich red mahogany. It is important to note that the true Barnevelder egg was not the duller, dark brown, almost chocolate coloured product of the French Marans fowl, which many modern strains of Barnevelder in Europe and Australia now produce. The Marans egg is a lovely feature, in its own

right, but the Barnevelder egg must be a predominantly rich, glowing, vibrant shade of red brown, in some eggs seeming as though the pigment had been oxidized. Some eggs are also speckled with darker spots which, by themselves, can seem to be chocolate in colour. In the first two decades of the twentieth century, a lot of intensive work was done with Barnevelder flocks, to standardise the plumage colours, markings, type, and size of the fowl, and what emerged, by 1920, was a medium sized utility breed of striking looks and fine proportions with tight, dark glossy plumage and reasonably long legs – in short - the ideal type for a free range fowl who was a productive layer of the darker egg as well as a good supplier of that soft, finer grained, dark silky meat which was in big demand in Belgium and France. Barnevelder numbers probably reached a peak by 1920. After that, a greed driven search for very large, and then even larger eggs of the darkest, deepest hues - to fetch a price premium at the market - almost ruined the Barnevelder. Then, in the mid nineteen twenties, a massive outbreak of disease (possibly Newcastle’s Disease) decimated flocks which were already declining in numbers as the poultry industry moved from a free range to factory system of production, and once the poultry industry moved largely indoors, the breed would not recover its commercial status. The Barnevelder was not bred for permanent cage conditions. One of its best assets was its ability to thrive on the range, in open conditions, being able to lay through the bleakest spring and autumn weather on the central plains of The Netherlands, and it is this ability which makes the breed ideal for all round open ranging in Tasmania. Following the disease outbreak, and then a slow rebuilding of surviving flocks by a few dedicated Dutch breeders, the original Barnevelder strains surviving in Europe were almost completely wiped out when the bulk of the fowls were either eaten by a starving population, or else taken by the occupying German forces of WWII. Then, in the nineteen fifties and sixties, when Dutch breeders tried to resurrect their national fowl, surviving numbers were so few (some reports suggest that only four or five birds, from a single bloodline, actually survived the war), that the flocks could only be rebuilt with imports from Britain, but the fowls brought back to Holland after the world war were vastly different birds to those which had been sent to Britain in the early decades of the century. The Barnevelder in England was ruined as a utility fowl by exhibition breeders whose first priority was the breeding of a larger, heavy bird, with finer plumage, that would stand out in the showpen. It was bad enough that the rate of lay should be ruined by poor crossbreeding for the showbench, but in England, and in Germany (where the breed is now more popular than in Holland!) as well as in Holland, at some point some of the reconstructed lines of fowl were obviously crossed with Marans, to recover the dark egg, but the newer colour produced was not that of the true Barnevelder. It was these lines of reconstructed fowls which were obviously brought out to the Australian mainland, in the nineteen sixties, and it was there, in Victoria, in 1981, that

the writer bred his first English Barnevelders, which, despite my best efforts to breed better birds, suffered from all of the inherited problems of the heavy exhibition strains. Then, in 1985, I left these birds behind in my move to Tasmania, to settle on a beautiful small farm on the banks of the Huon River, and it was not long before I began to hear mysterious tales of very dark “Dutchfowl” that were said to have been very prominent, in years past, in farmyards scattered around the various parts of the Huon. Then began a fascinating six month search of every isolated farm and country road up and down the Huon and Derwent valleys, as well as along the east coast of Tasmania, and in the end I discovered two surviving sources of birds which were so unique, in appearance, as well as in the colour of their eggs, that they could only have been descended from original Dutch strains that must have been brought to Australia in the years before the Second World War. Finally I would like to invite anyone who has a deeper interest in the Barnevelder to join me for a meeting to form a Barnevelder Breed Society of Tasmania, which will follow a Barnevelder Breeding Workshop, to take place, at my farm on Saturday February 15, 2008. For details you can phone me on 03 6266 0257; or write to PO Box 7, Huonville 7109, Australia or email: [email protected]. For those interested in obtaining birds, I sell settings of fertile eggs from September to March, but if you would like to purchase pullets, you need to order quite early, as I only rear limited numbers of fowls each spring.

Hon. Consul of Tasmania Mr. George Huizing

Back in WA:

Dutchies in Carnarvon A gentle breeze is coming from the coast. Palm trees and beautiful flowers seem to be waving a welcome to us. This is our second Spring this year. And perhaps the second Spring of our live…. Carnarvon feels a bit like coming home. Three years ago we lived here for three months. We are familiar with the place and we still know a few Dutch people here. This is ‘gonna be good’. words and photos Marianne van Buuren The ‘Dutchies’ have prepared a great welcome for us. They come and get us from the airport and welcome us with ‘bitterballen’ and home made ‘Dutch nasi’. We have dinner at Joke’s. Annie and ‘Tjipke’ (= Jeff) van der Plaats (‘80 plus’) bring the ‘nassie’. This old happy couple celebrates their 55 wedding anniversary this week. They have lived here since the fifties and their story was written in May 2004. They are still very proud of it. It is a story about joy and sadness, about gain and loss. Like many other stories of emigrants in Australia and yet very unique. This time the focus is on two sisters; Joke and Mieke. The Wesseling family Joke Halfords is called Yoka, because she doesn’t want to be joked about. Born in Leiden in 1931, came to Sydney in 1963, where her brother Peter was about to marry his Diane. Joke was the representative of the family in Holland at the wedding. Mieke Edel is her sister, she arrived a few years later, in 1968. Both sisters have their own special stories to tell about how they finally ended up in Carnarvon. And be happy ever after. Both sisters were born in Leiden. Their father was Cor Wesseling, an employee with Peek & Kloppenburg, a well known and established shop for men’s clothes in de Breestraat.

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Each day a blue sky

The palm trees and the gentle breeze give you the impression that Carnarvon is Paradise. Well of course, that isn’t entirely true, because Carnarvon can also have ‘the blues’, with a lot of flies and very hot weather. But over all it is a very nice place to be. It has a little bit of everything you want in WA. 1000 km’s north of Perth, Carnarvon has a tropical climate with calm sunny winters and mild summers. It has the charm of the Outback with the luxury of modern times. A lot of accommodation, for every purse, a shopping mall and nice art shops and places to lunch or dine. The Fascines is a beach in the middle of town. A nice and clear spot to stroll, sit or swim. Beautiful shores and beaches, a paradise for anglers. An interesting history going back to 1876, when Lord Carnarvon first settled here. He was the British Secretary of State for the Colonies. The ‘one mile jetty’ remembers Carnarvon of its role as first port in the world to transport live stock on ships to markets. Blowholes, Shark Bay, Monkey Mia, Kennedy ranges, Mount Augusta, Coral Bay, Kalbarri, all those beautiful places within driving distances. What a place to be!

Father encouraged his children to go to Australia. He was a man with a view, according to his daughters. Brother Peter went first, only 20 years old at the time and he thought Holland was too narrow-minded. Mieke explains: ‘Going to Australia at that time was ‘in’. They made a lot of propaganda for it. It was post war and Holland was re-building. Not enough jobs, not enough space. Plenty of that in Australia!’ The family Wesseling had seven children. Three of them ended in Australia. At the time it didn’t cost anything to migrate to Australia, the only condition was: stay for at least two years. If leaving after this period, all you had to pay was the return trip. So Joke said good bye to her parents and came to Australia.

till they became pensioners. Then they moved to Carnarvon, because her sister Mieke lived and worked there and her husband always wanted to live away from the city. ‘It was an emigration within Australia,’ she tells us, ‘it was thousands of kilometres away from Sydney and we had to start all over again.’ But they loved it over here. Joke has been a widow for 11 years now and she never regrets to have moved to Carnarvon. ‘The only things I miss from Holland are the four seasons. Maar verder heb ik nooit een centje last van heimwee gehad,’ she remembers with a smile…

A real nurse Joke was the oldest daughter. She was a nurse and worked in the Academic Hospital in Leiden and Endegeest. She specialised in rehabilitation and also worked a while in ‘het Zeehospitium’ in Katwijk. ‘Ik had het witte kruis, het zwarte kruis en het ooievaartje’, Joke remembers, ‘So you should think I brought a lot with me. The only thing was that I didn’t speak a word of English!’ she laughs out loud. ‘The Dutch Embassy in Sydney looked a bit after all the young people who immigrated here, so they took care of me and placed me in a family as a servant and to learn the language. My first assignment was with the family of the director of the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, Dr. Heinz.’ Joke can still laugh about it: ‘But I could only cook Dutch food. In Holland I was not used to have parties at home with caviar and that.’ After that Joke went for a job in a geriatric house. As a ‘helpnurse’: ‘But I was very happy about it because I could live there and I could learn English! That went very well and after three months my English was good enough to get my registration as a ‘real’ nurse. ‘Ik was de koning te rijk,’ she remembers in Dutch, ‘mijn salaris ging omhoog, ik kreeg een cape om en een lange sluier, die ze in die tijd allemaal droegen. Echt Engelse stijl. En toen mocht ik als volledig verpleegster werken.’ Joke met her husband in Sydney and lived and worked there

First backpacker Sister Mieke was the youngest of the family and fourteen years younger than Joke. She worked at several jobs, e.g. the library in Leiden and she tried to do the nursing training. But after a period of sadness about a lost love and illness, she also was injected by the emigration virus. ‘I went to a propaganda evening in Leiden’, she says, ‘with a girlfriend. We applied and went. Just like that. I mean, if it didn’t work out we could always go back. Toch? Of course we first went to Sydney where my brother had rented a room for the two of us. We’ve had all kind of jobs, from working in factories with lemonade bottles to fruit picking in Victoria’. In fact you can say that Mieke was one of the first backpackers. She and her friend came all the way to WA. In Perth they couldn’t find a job and heard about the fishing industry in Carnarvon. ‘So we decided to go there. I met my ‘to-be’ husband over there; he was German and worked in the salt mines. We bought a caravan and lived there for a couple of years. We married in Leiden at het stadhuis in the Breestraat. Then we went back to Carnarvon and got two beautiful boys.’ And lived happily ever after? ‘Yes’, both sisters agree. Although Mieke is divorced and Joke a widow, they are very happy here. They are settled in and dear members of the Carnarvon society. For the last eight years Mieke has been working as a secretary at the local hospital. ‘Sometimes we think about living in Perth, after I retire,’ smiles Mieke, ‘But then, I think we are crazy to move away from here. So, yes, I think Carnarvon is our happy end.’

Joep en Marianne van Buuren are a Dutch couple. Marianne is a journalist. She and her husband Joep travel through WA. Joep is a medical general practitioner. In 1998, after 23 years of hard working he sold his practice, situated in a small village in Holland, Koudekerk aan den Rijn (near Leiden). In 2003 and 2004 they lived in and travelled through WA for almost a year, Joep working as a locum doctor in the outback. They have been in nine different places in the Pilbara, the Kimberley, Geraldton, Carnarvon and Bruce Rock. During their trip Marianne published several articles about their ‘adventures’. And now they are back. This time only for four months from July 1 till November 1, but they have visa for four years. Joep has been practising in a few outback places. They were in Quairading and Kellerberrin, in Laverton (next to the Great Victorian Desert) and Carnarvon. Next and last stop will be Boddington.

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The other side of

the Maas One of the most awesome things to do when visiting The Netherlands is to cross the Maas. From Eijsden to the North Sea the river Maas has been a source of inspiration for writers and poets, singers and painters, mothers with little children, young lovers and philosophic persons reflecting on life. It is possible to cross the Maas at quite a few places but one of the most pleasurable trips starts at Lottum, thè rose garden of The Netherlands. In front of the cute little, historic VVV (tourist-office) building in the middle of town is a parking area for cars and bikes and this is where this cycle tour starts. words and photos Birgit Blankers It takes less than half an hour by bike to get from the centre of Lottum to the ferry taking passengers across the wide river. Experiencing the tranquillity of this water it may be hard to imagine that this river has flooded large parts of the province of Limburg in 1993 and again in 1995. Dikes have been enforced and improved and the danger of new floods has become less likely. The absolutely safe and well looked after cycle tracks are a paradise for people who want to do some exercise and enjoy the surroundings. It might be a good idea to take water with you, but along the route are enough places where a variety of drinks and food are for sale. Don’t forget to bring your camera, as beautiful roses are all over the place and the view is just awesome everywhere. This area is known for its high quality white asparagus and fresh strawberries. May and June are the months to buy them fresh from the land. In July and August blueberries are for sale straight from the growers but it is pick-your-own. This only adds to the adventure and the taste is great. Every half hour a ferry goes from Lottum to Arcen. To cross the river will take about ten minutes and in those ten minutes you can enjoy a truly paradise-like view over the river and its banks. 60 - www.hollandfocus.com

Arcen On the other bank of the river lays Arcen, famous for its beautiful castle, botanical- and many other gardens. Entrance is not free but a visit to the gardens is worth every cent. The garden is divided into several themes like the African garden, the rock garden, a Japanese garden, the rose garden and many more. The gardens are an inspiration for every garden lover. Huge colourful arty animals are hidden in spots all over the gardens and are fun for the children to play with. A lazy cat looks from a tree branch down on the visitors and children can climb into a huge bear and slide down through a caterpillar into another garden. The huge fountain is a masterpiece of beauty and it provides some cooling during hot summer days. This is the real thing. Don’t worry about getting tired, hungry or thirsty. Benches are at several spots to give your feet a time out and enjoy the surroundings. Several lovely little restaurants to refuel on coffee, tea or other drinks and food are available. A really fancy restaurant is in the castle itself. It was built in the early 14th century and the first inhabitants were the Lords of Bueren. Next, through marriage, the castle was owned by the family Schenk van Nijdeggen. Their family weapon is still visible on the inside of the entrance gate. A lot has happened to the castle. A nasty fire destroyed a huge wing of the building and even though the castle has been rebuilt in 1855, this wing has not been renovated. Nevertheless, the place looks great and romantic, and exhibitions and parties are organised on a regular basis. A visit to the castle gardens of Arcen will take up a few hours, but you never get tired of visiting them. Coming from the gardens, across the road is

a historic watermill and also a ruin from the old defence wall around Arcen with its tower and beautiful view over the river. Yachts can follow the river right to France, a good idea for another lovely holiday. This tranquil place is very suitable for photo shoots. From there the cycle tour continues into the

direction of Velden. Velden is a cute little town with very beautiful historic buildings and surrounded by farmland. In Velden is a lovely pancake restaurant called Jagerslust with a lovely terrace and more than 20 different kinds and flavours of pancakes. The kitchen provides special diet pancakes as well. A playground for children is available. From Velden leaves another ferry to Broekhuizen with again a breathtaking view over the Maas. Broekhuizen Like this whole area Broekhuizen also has a very interesting

history. During the ‘80 year war’ the Spanish occupied the place under command of Lord Alva, a fact all schoolchildren in The Netherlands have to learn. After the Spanish the Prussians came, followed by the Austrians. In 1794 the French moved in and stayed for more than twenty years. From 1815, this was Dutch territory under King Willem I. During the Belgian revolution, the Limburgers fought alongside the Belgians and from 1830 to 1839 this was part of Belgium until the Dutch took over. Ever since Limburg has been Dutch territory, but due to their history and language many a Limburger doesn’t consider himself Dutch in spite of his Dutch nationality. Anyone that missed out on pancakes in Velden can still enjoy them at Het Pannenkoekenbos in Broekhuizen, where no less than 250 different kinds of pancakes are served. From Broekhuizen it takes about thirty minutes by bike to get back to Lottum. This is the last chance to take photos of the beautiful view of the Maas and its awesome natural and cultural surroundings in the late afternoon sun. Even though the Maas can be a wild threatening river, it is easy to understand why people love to live near it. photos clockwise from left: castle gardens in Arcen, ferry over the Maas, roses at Lottum, part of the old city walls in Arcen

THE NETHERLANDS, MARINERS AND TASMANIA, A FAMILY STORY OF CONTINUING CULTURAL CONNECTIONS words and photo Flora Fox-Meerding My childhood memories include meeting and mixing with Dutch ships’ officers from the 1950s onwards, when the Meerding family initiated and developed cultural interactions between Dutch migrants, mariners and Tasmania. “Henk & Mia Meerding migrated on the ship, the Johan van Oldenbarnevelt from the

Netherlands in 1952 with their 1 year old twin daughters, Flora and Els. In 1954 their first son Khen was born, followed by Mike in 1959. Henk, a qualified motor mechanic, initially worked in Hobart repairing trucks and busses for Donald Gorringe and Pioneer Tours. In 1953 he established his own car repair business, working in Franklin, Blackmans Bay and Kingston, with Mia as his qualified secretary, bookkeeper and partner in the business. In 1960 they bought and managed the Shell Blackmans Bay Service Station and Garage which is still owned by the family. Life involved much letter writing and reading to and from family back 62 - www.hollandfocus.com

in Holland. They felt isolated from their families and home country. Mia regularly listened to Radio Netherlands. Not being members of any church, they longed for company of like- minded people from home. They had many Dutch and Australian friends, but were always eager to hear Dutch news and meet people fresh from the old country.

The family always spoke Dutch when at home or together without visitors. The children were all bi-lingual by the age of two and learnt to read and write Dutch at home at the same time as learning English at school and later they studied formal Dutch courses at Hobart Matriculation College, courtesy of a Melbourne University. In 1961 the family visited Holland together for 6 months, traveling by P&O cruise ships, the Orion there and the Oronsay on the return journey, via the Suez Canal both ways. The children met their relatives and all their cousins. Three of those cousins were to become officers in the Dutch Merchant Navy.

From their Blackmans Bay home, Henk and Mia scanned the horizon and the Mercury Shipping News for movements of Dutch ships. With their binoculars they quickly recognized the distinctive triangles within the emblem of the Dutch vessels on the funnel and the horizontal red, white and blue stripes of the Dutch flag at the stern. The “Straat” ships were common. They knew what it was like to be a long way away from family in Holland. They wanted to connect with the Dutch mariners during their short visits and personally show them Tasmania, their new home, which they loved very much. Around 1962 Henk and Mia bought a Holden Station Wagon. They now had room to take extra passengers in the family car. A telephone call to the Zinc Works wharf as soon as a cargo ship had berthed resulted in eager acceptance of some local Dutch hospitality by the captain and officers. The family offered a trip up Mount Wellington or a day trip in the family car, followed by a home cooked meal. Usually Hobart was the ship’s first port of call after South Africa. Cadbury’s spilt cocoa beans crunched under-foot as the family skirted around the stacks of shiny zinc ingots awaiting loading near the gang-way. Day trips included visiting Russel Falls, the Huon Valley and Hartz Mountains, or a picnic in the dunes at South Arm Peninsula. We children would pile into the back of the station wagon, leaving room for three officers as passengers. The ship’s captain had first rights of refusal, of course. Speaking Dutch with well educated ships’ captains, navigators and engineers improved the family’s

language skills while giving them the opportunity to show off their State of Tasmania with pride.

Queensland

The captain or officers sometimes reciprocated with drinks on board and a tour of the engine room when they were returned to their ship. Occasionally they invited the family to a ship’s meal, depending on how long the ship was in port. Repeat visits ensued, with officers booking ahead and sometimes the guest numbers were more than we could fit in the family car. This regularly led to roping in Dutch friends and organizing parties with Dutch food, hospitality and dancing, either on the ship or in our homes.

Club events Saturday 3 November: Prince Ball with “The Stirrers” Sunday 25 November: Queensland Cup Cards Sunday 2 December: Sint Nicolaas voor de kinderen. Sunday 9 December: Sint Nicolaas Brunch Sunday 16 December: Carol singing Monday 31 December: Oudejaarsavond Ball Each first Thursday of the month: Jolly Oldies (over 60’s) 10am to 2pm Each Monday - and Wednesday evening: klaverjassen and billiards. address: 123 Pine Road, RICHLANDS, QLD 4077 UBD: 217 R6. Next to Lions Soccer club T: (07) 3271 5662 E: [email protected]

In 1970 a request from two visiting Dutch Navy ships for a large party, led to the formation of the Abel Tasman Dutch Australian Club. Henk and Mia were elected to the inaugural committee and they continued to be actively involved in fostering Dutch Australian cultural interactions until Mia died in 1988, followed by Henk in 1991. Henk and Mia’s children and grandchildren continue to maintain their Dutch language skills by keeping in contact with family and friends and regular exchange visits between Tasmania and the Netherlands.

Stirrers: 3 November: “Prince Celebrations” 4 November: “Prince’s Matinee”

Members of the family continue their involvement in activities, which include: • participating in the Abel Tasman Dutch Australian Club; • the Sister City relationship between Kingborough and the Netherlands municipality of Grootegast, (Abel Tasman’s place of birth.); and • Assisting the maintenance of cultural connections between Dutch visitors, migrants and the Tasmanian community.” photo: South Arm Dunes Picnic, 1962. (Left to right) Henk Meerding, Els Meerding, Dutch Maritime Officer, Mr Bessen, Mia Meerding

To all the Melbourne Crazy Whist members

We received permission to use the Beatrix Village Hall in Montrose once a month. Starting on Wednesday 20 February 2008 at 1pm, entree fee $2, includes coffee, tea and biscuits. New members are welcome no joining fee, just entree fee Ring Maria Meyer: 03 9728 1686 or Truus Feyen: 03 9779 4548 We are looking forward to your company.

Camira koffiemorgen: 6 November: Tussen 9 en 1 in de Camira Community Hall, Bruce Lane, Camira BAMBU (Nederlands Indisch): Koffiemorgen: 4e donderdag van de maand: Brisbane East (Dutch Village, Collingwood Road, Birkdale) 2e donderdag van de maand: Sunshine Coast (At Education Centre of the Hibiscus Retirement Resort, Sippy Downs) 2e zondag van de maand: Cairns (Community Hall in Smithfield) 1e zaterdag van december: End of Year Kumpulan

FOSTER PARENTS INDONESIA INC. Supports Indonesian orphanages, Sponsorships, Self-help projects

PLEASE GIVE IT YOUR SUPPORT

By becoming a sponsor for $ 20 p.m. By becoming a member for $ 15 p.a. By giving a donation $........ FOSTER PARENTS INDONESIA INC. PO Box 502, Drouin, Vic. 3818

ph/fax:03 5625 2417 or 03 5629 2351 www.hollandfocus.com - 63

Profile of:

EDDY van REEUWIJK Johan de Rooy

photo Bonegilla J. van Splunter

Eddy is an unassuming man. We found out when we asked for a photo of him. Repeatedly! “He forgot”. It took some time to get his story from him and even then he did it on tape. So we switched on the tape recorder and distilled the following about our friend Eddy. He was born in Rotterdam in 1931.They lived in “Huize Isolde”, a large villa in the “Wagnerhof”. His life was like all youngsters, primary school, youth clubs etc. “Not much happened to me during that time”, says Eddy. It all changed in May 1940. He witnessed the bombing of his city and watched the Germans march in. He can tell you stories of the first years of the occupation when he often was where he should not be. But then, a youngster of the age he was at the time does not worry about danger. Life is one big adventure. He was brought to earth somewhat when the Germans stopped him one day and took his beloved bike from him. Eddy cried for days. But the war grinded on and the family had to leave Rotterdam. Winter 1944/45 took them to the Veluwe. They led a nomadic existence. They lived in Doorn, Leersum, Maarsbergen and Maarsen. It was a bad winter and they were happy to see the first Canadians. At last, the war was over. But now Eddy had a problem. He was two years behind in his schooling. His parents enrolled him in a crash course to prepare him for secondary education. Eddy completed this course and attended the HBS in Utrecht. Not for long as his parents moved back to Rotterdam and enrolled Eddy at the local MULO. In 1950 his parents started a business in Den Haag and Eddy moved again. There his luck changed, Eddy said. He met a lovely girl named Annie de Reuver. A niece of the Annie de Reuver of “Skymaster” fame. His Annie worked in her father’s meubelmakerszaak (furniture making business). Eddie wanted to take her to the movies but had to ask for her parents’ permission first. Luckily he got a yes-answer and from thereon things progressed nicely. In 1951 Eddy was conscripted in the Dutch army and for nine months followed a telegrapher course. He served his time and was discharged in 1952, to face yet another problem. Both his and Annie’s parents decided to give up their businesses. Too much red tape, says Eddy. They got together and planned their “Great escape”. EMIGRATION! Australia was chosen as their new home. Not that they knew anything about the place but it sounded good. They departed from Amsterdam on the Johan van Oldebarnevelt. A well-known name amongst emigrants. Eddy has nothing but praise for the “Johan”. 64 - www.hollandfocus.com

Good meals and excellent service. In Aden they encountered the dealers and money divers who swarmed around the ship. Suddenly there was a great commotion. A shark had bitten a diver. Nobody came to the rescue and the diver was taken. Then business went on as usual. A few weeks later the “Johan” unloaded the two families in Melbourne. There they boarded a train with destination BONEGILLA. They were not happy there. Their section of the camp was run by Germans. With the war wounds still raw this called for frictions. Luckily their stay in this camp was not for long. They were glad to leave Bonegilla and move to Adelaide. Never mind the long train trips before we arrived in

Adelaide and settled in the Glenelg Hostel, remarked Eddy. This hostel was heaven compared to Bonegilla. He found work in Adelaide as an electrical salesman. Two things were against him. He knew next to nothing about the electrical business and the imperial weights and measures confounded him. Eddy mastered both. In 1977 he set up his own TV shop. In 1986 he found out he was diabetic. He soldiered on for a while but then decided to call it a day. He now lives in retirement in the pleasant suburb of Sturt. As an afterthought the tape tells us that Eddy and Annie married in 1955 and we had to ring him to find out if he had children. Yes, Eddy and Annie have three daughters; married, with children. Six!! Although retired, Eddy is more active than ever before, he says. He is the PR man for the state’s NESWA branch. His sport is Table tennis which he loves with a passion. Every other Sunday evening you can hear Eddy on the local radio station where he presents a Jazz programme. He is also a member of the Royal Nautical Association. Then there is such a thing as “baby sitting”. Many grandparents know what this entails. Eddy declares, “I’m a lucky man!” How has he assimilated in the Australian society? Well, in the beginning we found it hard. It was a good thing we had family with us. Years later, when Annie and I visited the Netherlands again we found it a lovely country with lovely people...BUT......I think we have outgrown our fatherland. We are happy where we are!

André Rieu in Maastricht Ja we zijn weer thuis. Terug van een prachtige vakantie in Nederland. We hebben een gezellige en heerlijke tijd met familie en vrienden gehad. Mijn familie had een reunie georganiseerd, mijn zeven broers en alle aanhang. Meer dan zestig mensen in een achtertuin: Ja, er zijn nog grote tuinen in Limburg. Jan zijn moeder leeft ook nog. Ze is 93 en woont in een bejaardenhuis. Dus daar werd ook een bijeenkomst gehouden voor een familiefoto. Ook hebben we veel gezien; Van Giethoorn met z’n vele grachten langs de huizen tot Sittard, de geboortestad van Toon Hermans, met ook een Toon Mia en Hermans huis voor haar broers ongeneeslijk zieke mensen. Maar een van de hoogtepunten was Maastricht, waar we naar de André Rieu show gingen. Het was een geweldige avond met een bijzondere atmosfeer. Ons spandoek “Gluck Auf uit Australië” is een paar keer de lucht in gegaan, tot vermaak van de mensen rondom ons. Op die avond kwam voor het eerst de nieuwste aanwinst op de buhne; een Australische zangeres uit Queensland, met Hollandse ouders. We hebben echt laten horen dat we haar alle geluk wensen voor een mooie toekomst met het Strauss Orkest (gejuigd tot we hees waren). Intussen hadden we ook in de krant (Het Limburgs Dagblad) gelezen dat André Rieu naar Australië komt. Tegen de tijd dat de volgende Holland Focus uit komt is André inmiddels in Australië geweest om zijn concerten voor volgend jaar aan te kondigen. Hij zal in alle hoofdsteden optreden. Zijn decor zal een replika van slot Schönbrunn zijn. En dat twee keer. Want terwijl hij in de ene stad optreedt wordt er in de volgende stad alles opgezet. Voor deze tour worden 80 containers uit Nederland verstuurd. Aldus het Limburgs Dagblad. Dus iets meer dan de normale twee koffers per persoon. Elk optreden wordt een geweldig feest. Geen idee wat de prijs van een toegangskaartje zal zijn, maar het is iets wat door niemand gemist mag worden. Ik kijk er zelf heel erg naar uit. Vooral nu ik het al gezien heb, wil ik die atmosfeer nog eens beleven.

links Gary Bennett (uit Tasmanië) en Mirusha (uit Queensland) foto’s: Mia Joosten

Nu we weer thuis zijn is het volop ‘Club’ geblazen. Er was meteen al een feestje en een kaartcompetitie. Nu zijn we aan de voorbereidingen begonnen voor ‘Leidens Ontzet’. Als gewoonlijk komt Herman met z’n goeie ouwe liedjes. Nee beter nog; liedjes van die goeie ouwe tijd. Het wordt deze keer weer haring met witbrood en hutspot. En zoals altijd een Rembrandt toetje; ijs met slagroom en advokaat. Dat gaat er altijd in als koek. Over koek gesproken, de koffie daarbij is bodemloos. Deze keer hebben we ook weer een show met The Nannas en the Poppas. Die weten met zingen en tapdansen de harten te veroveren. Dan is er in november het Karnavalsfeest van het jaar. Een nieuwe prins zal ‘Prins Kortepootjes’ vervangen. Helaas is deze avond al zo goed als uitverkocht. Maar in het nieuwe jaar zal er een avond met de nieuwe prins zijn. Wie tot Prins wordt vernoemd is een groot geheim. Ja een beetje spanning mag er wel zijn. De reden dat deze avonden goed bezocht worden is grotendeels te danken aan de band ‘The Masters’. De continental band die iedereen de vloer op krijgt. Zelfs mij. Dan december. De drukste maand van het jaar. Op zondag 2 december is het Sinterklaasfeest voor de kleine kinderen. Boekingen kunnen per telefoon; even mij thuis bellen op (02) 9623 4503 of in de club (02) 9623 2569. Voor een vastgestelde prijs hebben de kinderen een feestdag. Twee weken voor de grote dag moet u geboekt hebben, want de Sint moet alle presentjes op tijd inpakken. Op woensdag 5 december is het lunch met de Sint voor de ‘grote’ kinderen. Hier is ook weer Herman met die goeie ouwe liedjes. En de oliebollen ontbreken niet. Op 22 december is het Kerstbal. Ieder jaar zijn we vol geboekt. Dus vroeg erbij zijn of uitmissen. Voor beide 02- 9623 2569 dagen kunnen plaatsen besproken worden bij Leny op (02) email: [email protected] 9673 2106. Website: http://members.optusnet.com.au/rembrandtclub Het jaarlijkse ‘Carols at the Rembrandt Club’ gebeurt op 14 OPEN: Dinsdag’s van 10vm tot 4nm om te winkelen december en is gratis. en een kopje koffie te drinken. Mia Joosten Vrijdag’s vanaf 11vm tot laat. Je kunt er kaarten, biljarten, sjoelen, scrabbelen, Iedere dinsdag van 10 tot 4 winkel open. Holland Focus lezen en ook zingen. Koffie voor elke bezoeker. Iedereen is van harte welkom. Iedere vrijdag vanaf 11 uur scrabble, sjoelen, Informatie voor leden en hun gasten. kaarten, biljarten en gezellig bij elkaar zijn.

NSW

www.hollandfocus.com - 65

South Australia Johan de Rooy

TOUR DOWN UNDER In January 2008 the 10th Tour Down Under will be held in South Australia. This professional cycle event has grown from strength to strength and it will grow even faster next year. The cycling race has been upgraded by the U.C.I. as the ninth country with a Pro-Tour race, this over candidates China, Russia and the U.S.A. It will be the first Pro-Tour race outside Europe. The race will now undoubtedly attract more top teams and riders. Will we see a Dutch team in 2008? CLUB NEWS The official grand reopening of the DSWC Inc took place on the 19th of August. More than 300 guests listened to speeches from the President of the club, Mr. G. de Vries, the hon. Consul of the Netherlands in S.A. Mr. W. Ouwens and the spokesman for the Salisbury Council, Mr. T. Zappia. Music by John Kampes and the Greenfields Klompendansers took care of the floorshow. October 3rd is a memorable day for the inhabitants of Leiden, Netherlands. LEIDENS ONTZET is still remembered there with “Haring en Wittebrood”. But also at NESWA. On Wednesday 3 October they celebrated that event as well. The same menu plus a plate of “Hutspot”. The DSWC kitchen supplied the goodies. The carnival’s club the “RADDRAAIERS” used the club’s facilities to hold their Carnival Ball on October 27th. A good time was had by all. WHAT’S TO COME? Sunday 25 November is for the children. St. Nicolaas will visit the club accompanied by his “Zwarte Pieten”. Doors are open at 12 noon. Apart from the Holy Man and his helpers there will be many other attractions. Entree is free. Saturday December 2nd will be for the adults when they will dance the evening away at the St. Nicolas Ball. HE will be there as well. December 16th, carol service. Guest speaker will be Fr. Moester and we will sing Dutch and English carols. Starts at 2pm and the entire Dutch community is invited. Sunday December 31st will be the evening to see out 2007 and welcome 2008. The dance evening will start at 8pm and will go on till 1am. For more information about all these events ring the club on 08 8281-1441 or e-mail: [email protected] 66 - www.hollandfocus.com

The 50 Plussers will hold their Christmas lunch on December 10th in the D.S.W.C. Members free, non members $22 p.p. HAPPY NEW YEAR My wife and I wish the editorial team of Holland Focus and all its readers a prosperous 2008.

photos Will Kruise View inside the refurbished clubroom with people attending the Grand re-opening

Greenfield ‘klompen’-dancers Meral Nieman and Merylin Lock performed at the Grand re-opening of the club

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