There are many good stories about Dutch migrants.
Despite these stories, the Dutch also have
the highest return rate of all migrants to Australia.
One third of them returned to Holland.
Naturalisation files
It is desired to refer to your submission of Form R.A. 4 in respect of Willem BOETJE […] who desires a change of surname to William BURTON. […] It is regretted that the request cannot be approved
Commonwealth Migration Officer
Like many other migrants Willem Boetjes became naturalised as an Australian citizen. His request for a change of surname however was denied. Bear in mind that your surname might be spelled differently in official documents, when searching your ancestors in the archives. (e.g. Kees became Keith; Jan became John; Guusje became Kusha)
Many migrants have their name enlisted on one of the Welcome Walls in Sydney, Fremantle or Albany.
Success stories
‘In dit land van belofte zijn voor mij vele beloften vervuld. Ik leef in een land met zonneschijn en ruimte, heb een toekomst en een nog grotere toekomst voor mijn zoon.’
[translation: ‘To me, many promises are fulfilled. I live in a land with plenty of sunshine and space. I have a future and an even better future for my son.’]
Richard Giesberts, ijmuider courant, 18 juli 1956
‘M’n huis is een droompje met elektrische verwarming en een ijskast en alle andere moderne gemakken, die het leven van een huisvrouw in Australië zo genoeglijk kunnen maken.’
[translation: ‘My house is a little dream with electric heating, a fridge and all modern conveniences that serves the life of a housewife in Australia.’]
Corry Giesberts, ijmuider courant, 18 juli 1956
Newspapers at the time were filled with success stories featuring happy families like the Giesberts family from Kootingal. This article reports on how the Giesberts saw their capital grow sixfold, with a house one can only dream about when you are ‘young and in love’. But also how they made new friends, and of old Dutch friends who came over to settle in Australia too. There are many migrant stories on Destination: Australia.
Two worlds
‘Zij zei dat zij heel erg naar het Sinterklaasfeest had verlangd, en naar Kerstmis, want voor die belevenissen heeft Australië de juiste sfeer niet.’
[translation: She said that she really missed celebrating Sinterklaas and Christmas as Australia lacks the right atmosphere for that.’]
WILLEKE TIMMERMAN, DE TELEGRAAF, 28 NOVEMBER 1964
‘Australië is een fijn land voor gezonde, sportieve jonge mensen, maar het heeft geen cultuur en geen verleden. De oudere Australiërs hebben van huis uit geen ruimere interesse dan hun biertje, hun televisie en de paardenrennen.’
[translation: ‘Australia is a nice country for healthy, young sporty types, but it doesn’t have any culture or history. The older Australians in general don’t have a broader interest other than having a beer, their television and the races.’]
WILLEKE TIMMERMAN, DE TELEGRAAF, 28 NOVEMBER 1964
Not every migration story however was a success story. There are many sad and sometimes even devastating stories in historic newspapers about homesickness and living in two worlds. The Dutch public opinion at the time, that only the failures were coming back, didn’t help either.