The Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Australia and the Consulate General in Sydney are proud to support a range of projects and activities that will take place in 2016 to highlight the 400th anniversary of Dirk Hartog’s landing in Western Australia. On 25 October 1616, Dutch captain Dirk Hartog made landfall with his ship the Eendracht at Dirk Hartog Island in the Shark Bay area; and consequently became the first European to set foot on Western Australian soil. Recently, the first four Dirk Hartog 2016 initiatives to receive a Shared Cultural Heritage contribution from the Dutch missions in Australia were announced.
Commemorating Dirk Hartog | A publication by The Royal Western Australian Historical Society Inc.
The Royal Western Australian Historical Society Inc. (RWAHS) will publish a small book about the life and times, maritime voyages and explorations of Dirk Hartog. The publication is a joint initiative by researchers of the RWAHS and the Nationaal Archief (National Archives) of the Netherlands. The book, expected to be launched in August 2016, will be available for purchase at the RWAHS’ bookshop in Perth and can be ordered online through the RWAHS website.
Digital Dirk Hartog projection | Australian National Maritime Museum in Sydney
The Australian National Maritime Museum (ANMM) will present a large scale projection featuring visual representations about Dirk Hartog, the journey to Western Australia with his ship ‘Eendracht’, and the pewter plate Hartog left on the shore of Dirk Hartog Island. The projection will light up the external façade of the museum in Sydney’s Darling Harbour after dark to raise awareness of the anniversary. The projection will also be featured on the ANMM website and the Embassy’s Dirk Hartog 2016 website, and social media channels to reach a national and international audience.
Archives relating to the Dutch discovery and exploration of Australia | Western Australian Museum
Starting 1 January 2016, the Western Australian Museum will over a period of two years digitize VOC journals, documents and several single pages from the Nationaal Archief (National Archives) in the Netherlands. These documents relate to the four Dutch VOC shipwrecks that occurred in the 17th and 18th century and documents relating to the discovery and exploration of Australia. The documents will be transcribed into modern Dutch, translated into English and made available on a website, showing the original document with sliding panels in Dutch and English so that the texts can be compared in both languages.
2016 Shell Prom Picnic Concert | Canberra Symphony Orchestra
On Saturday 20 February 2016 the grounds of Government House in Yarralumla, Canberra, will be open to the general public for the annual Shell Prom Picnic Concert. The 2016 edition will celebrate the 400th anniversary of Dirk Hartog’s landing with an eclectic program including Australian and Dutch composers.
For details on picnic hampers, please visit cso.org.au closer to the date of the concert.
More information
www.dirkhartog2016.nl | Tw @DirkHartog2016 | #DirkHartog2016 | #DH2016
Dutch Australian 
Thank you for sharing! Femke Withag, Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands | Canberra
You are most welcome Femke, appreciate you keeping us up to date and for this great initiative. -Renee