A warm welcome to Australia to Frank van Beuningen, the new Consul-General of the Netherlands in Sydney. Frank arrived in Sydney last month. Before his posting Down Under, he worked as a diplomat on special assignments and had several postings, among others in Afghanistan, Germany, Sri Lanka, Iraq, Ivory Coast and Zimbabwe. Besides working on economic diplomacy and trade promotion, Frank has dealt extensively with security policy, counter-terrorism and human rights issues.
In the Netherlands Frank was the co-founder and later director (1998 – 2002) of the Advisory Council on International Affairs, a think tank that advises the Dutch government on a regular basis on all aspects of foreign and security policy. He has a degree in international affairs from the Erasmus University in Rotterdam. Frank is married to Jennie and together they have two adult children.
After having been in Sydney for nearly two weeks, Frank says “he feels like a dog with two tails”. He states: “I am looking forward to working with the team on the optimising of consular services and the potential for Dutch companies to partner with Australian counterparts to achieve sustainable trade and investment for both our countries. I cannot wait to get to know the Dutch community. I am very interested in its history”.
More information can be found here:
Dutch Australian 
My name is Hendrik van Beuningen and my father was Antonius van Beuningen and he married Maria Jansen from Nijmegen and came to Australia with myself and younger brother Frank in October 1952. I knew my Dad came from a large family. He was a Courier for Prince Bernhardt during the War. I am married to an Australian lady and have three children and five grandchildren I am retired and living in Townsville. My parents settled in Western Australia and had three more children, two boys and one girl. Up to now we were the only van Beuningen family in Australia. I would like to welcome you here and one never knows but we could be related. Our daughter Anthea who lives in Melbourne was at a breakfast yesterday where you heard you speak. Should you wish to contact me my email address is van_b@optusnet.com.au. Enjoy your time in Australia Regards Henry van Beuningen