The final Bloemencorso in Aalsmeer

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
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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
4 - www.hollandfocus.com
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2
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t
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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
Take a leisurely browse through the Clog Barn, where
you will discover a treasure of souvenirs - e.g. Delft blue
pottery - and special gifts and fascinating daily clog making
demonstrations. You can also view the North Coast’s largest
collection of Diecast Collectable cars and motorbikes.
Clog Making Demonstrations 3 times daily 11am, 2pm and 4pm.
www.clogbarn.com.au
Dutch Village
Don’t miss OMA’S COFFEE HOUSE
Delicious meals
Dutch pancakes, Croquettes,
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Take a delightful stroll around
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working windmills and working
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Village adults $5, children $3.50
and pensioners $4.50.
A Family Fun Adventure
215 Pacific Highway, Coffs Harbour
phone: 02 6652 4633
open 7 days from 8 am
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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www.hollandfocus.com - 9
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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Marcia
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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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
16 - www.hollandfocus.com
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.
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ou
did y
Carriage hire for weddings,
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Contact Chris and Col Rump on:
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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.
Own the First Map of Australia,
the ‘Duyfken Chart’
Size: 565x510. In colour $46,
Laminated $60,Two maps: $82
All prices postage included
Send a cheque and your details to
Henry Van Zanden
PO Box 49N
Campbelltown North
NSW 2560
Antique Clocks
Buying, Selling & Restoration of
Antique Clocks & Barometers
by a qualified clockmaker.
220 Stirling Hwy, Claremont 6010
ph: 08-9385 3054
See our website:
www.dutchtimepieces.com
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.
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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!
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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,
FREE TO NEW
SUBSCRIBERS
Subscribe to holland focus
and receive a free CD:
exclusive to holland focus
Frans Hertoghs’
“Tien Misvattingen over het Nederlands”
pay for one year subscription
(six issues) and get the CD free
send the form on page 67 to holland focus
to order the CD:
existing subscribers AU$ 10.00 per CD (excl. postage)
non-subscribers AU$ 15.00 per CD (excl.postage)
ring +61 (0)3 9751 2795
or email [email protected]
holland focus
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’
One of those Dutch words that is
hard to translate.
At DutchCare we have
translated it into “home”.
Whether it’s in your own home through a
community aged care package or one of
our homes where we can provide you
with 24 hour care.
With our commitment to the
Eden Alternative philosophy we enable
our elders to “live” life through
companionship, involvement in decision
making, companionship and activities.
We can also help you work through the
maze of aged care services.
DutchCare
PO Box 8219
1105 Frankston-Dandenong Rd
Carrum Downs Vic 3201
Call us for more information on
03-9782 6633
Visit our website www.dutchcare.com.au
www.hollandfocus.com - 37
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,
imported directly from Holland
holland focus
Fill your ‘shopping cart’ with all the Dutch goodies and wait for delivery at your door
from Delft Blue to licorice, food and gifts it is all available on our website and more products are added regularly
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
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novels.
Several times Alida travelled
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to Europe to research the
history of World War II
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concentration camps, before
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writing her book ‘Prisoner
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number 329’.
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This book should be given to
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the children and grandchildren
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of the people who suffered
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under the Germans during
������ ����� �� ������ ��� ���������� �����
this war, as not to forget the
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atrocities that people suffered
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during that time.
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To order the book see page 33
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for more information.
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40 - www.hollandfocus.com
�
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
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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.
ideal Christmas present
SPECIAL OFFER!
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but don’t know what to buy?
Why not give a 1 year subscription to
holland focus for only $27.50
Bonus for existing subscribers: we will give you a
present too by extending your subscription with
one free extra edition for every new gift subscription
Use subscription form on page 67
Don’t forget to let us know who you are
holland focus
www.hollandfocus.com - 43
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
44 - www.hollandfocus.com
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.
www.hollandfocus.com - 45
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
48 - www.hollandfocus.com
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
KLM Winter Sale Now On!
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.
01 Oct 07 – 31 Mar 08
Amsterdam & Europe from A$1790.00 incl tax
Book early for best deals.
Contact the friendly staff at Hawthorn Travel
Conditions: Book until 30 Nov 07
Travel 01 Oct 07 – 30 March 08
No minimum stay, maximum stay 90 days
60 Burwood Road, Hawthorn
Victoria 3122, Australia
Phone (61 3) 9819 2322
Toll Free 1800 679 365
Fax (61 3) 9818 8402
[email protected]
www.hawthorntravel.com.au
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.
Chocolate Letters and
more Christmas stock
available
Save
up to 75%
on well known brands of Groceries,
$1 each
The Dutch Company
and Hak vegetables
$2.60
$2 each
Ruhrtaler Christmas Stollen 200g
butter, rum or marzipan
Assorted biscuits 300g
Aviateur Patisserie
$2
behind cheese cake shop
phone/fax: 03- 9762 9088
$3.50 each
$2 each
or 3 for $5
Zentis Marzipan 50g each
Shop 3/89 Boronia Road
Boronia Vic 3155
Boronia
$4
$0.70 each
or 3 for $2
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
Supa Cheap
Groceries
Snack Food, Dairy and Confectionary
$1
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.
Schluckwerder 125g
Christmas Chocolates
$2
$1.20 each
Hille Candy Cake 350g
$2.20
$1.65
3 for $4.50
Fresh Bake 260g
6 Almond Fingers
Trading Hours:
Mon, Tues, Wed 9am-5.30pm
Thurs, Fri 9am-6pm
Sat 9am-5pm
Richter Greif 300g
Fried Herring in marinade
$4.95
$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.
58 - www.hollandfocus.com
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.
www.hollandfocus.com - 59
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
holland focus
ADDRESS
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editor and publisher
iet Fuijkschot
[email protected]
contributors to this issue:
Marianne van Buuren, Yolanda Edens, Pim Feijen,
Edo Fuijkschot, Marcia de Groot, Frans Hertoghs,
Chris Lampe, Henk-Jan de Meer, Johan de Rooy,
Jacob van Splunter, Jan Weijdt
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