Over the last 2 weeks, I’ve given the Dutch Australian website a total refresh.  Still a few small things to iron out – but would love your feedback. 

Is this your first visit here? Or are you a regular? What do you love? Did you find some useful or interesting information? What could be improved? Please take a few moments to let me know!

It’s been quite an emotional journey to look back on over 500 posts of both my own personal life and also the many connections between my two countries. 

Here’s a few thoughts to kick off Dutch Australian for 2024…

My own journey

I have created and maintained this website myself since 2010. You can read my very first post here. Since then, it’s taken a huge amount of time and some financial contribution. I’ve learned so much though – about myself and about others who have identity spread across two (or more) nationalities.  

My WordPress website and social media/community management skills are constantly improving trying to keep up with the many changes!

Mostly, I’ve been surprised by the continuous and ongoing connections between The Netherlands and Australia. We really do have a strong bilateral relationship, and I’m pleased to be a part of that, as are my two dual national children, who are now 14 and 16.

In 2023, I completed an online journalism course with the London School of Journalism to improve my writing.  One of my assignments was the Holiday in the Harz article.

I’m also the long term editor at TheHagueOnline and manage or contribute to several other websites and communities.

Attending in person Dutch Australian related events here in The Netherlands has been amazing in 2023. One of my highlights was meeting Australia’s Eurovision entry, Voyager, here in The Hague. 

Looking forward to seeing what 2024 has in store.

In July/August 2024, I am so excited to be visiting my family in Australia again! My last visit was July/August 2022. 

First I need to get through another Dutch winter though. Cold fingers as I type here in The Hague…I still am a Queenslander at heart.

The Dutch Australian Community

From that very first personal blog post in 2010, I already had a vision of creating an active Dutch Australian community – and to start 2024 there are now more than 7400 of you in our Facebook group!

Again, this is something I created and maintain mostly on my own, though appreciate the regular posts, conversations and connections there from all members of the community. You’re most welcome to post there after reading the group guidelines. 

Sometimes it’s challenging, when members clash or expectations differ. I’ve had to step in to moderate from time to time, which is not easy but part of growing a safe and thriving community.

Overall though, it’s a delight to read everything that’s going on in the group. I try to check it most days, though sometimes longer will go by if I’m busy with other things. 

Often, I will wake up here in The Hague and see that overnight, there have been literally hundreds of people active in the community in Australia with posts and comments! 

The majority of you are Nederlanders in Australië but there are also quite a few Australians in The Netherlands. Many of us live between the two countries.

If you’re already there in the group – see you soon! If you’re not yet part of the community – come join us.

There is also a Facebook page (which is less active than the group but does have some additional posts/information) and an Instagram page. 

I’m also experimenting with TikTok. I’m deciding whether to return to X/Twitter.

Articles

Would you like to submit an article of interest to Dutch Australians? Please read the submission guidelines then contact me.

Advertising/donations

Though I’m happy to volunteer my time to Dutch Australian as my long term passion project, if you or your business benefits from my many hours of hard work in building this community, I’d appreciate some financial contributions towards website hosting and other expenses. 

If you’re a business who would like to reach one of the largest and most engaged Dutch Australian communities in the world, please contact me. I don’t have set advertising rates, but happy to discuss and tailor something with you to create a campaign that suits your business and budget. 

If you’d simply like to make a donation in Euros or Australian dollars – thanks/bedankt! I did have a PayPal set up here on the site but it’s not working at the moment, so meanwhile, please contact me. We can be very “Dutch” and do a “Tikkie” or bank transfer!

Dutch Australian Partnerships/projects

I’d love to work with other Dutch Australians on mutually beneficial partnerships and projects – you can send me a connection request and message on LinkedIn or contact me via this website.

My “main job” is as a permanent part time lecturer in International Business at The Hague University of Applied Sciences. For around 10 years, I have taught here, and guest lectured at other educational institutions on topics such as communications, social media & marketing. I’m particularly interested in diversity & inclusion, EdTech and internationalisation.

My own business, Zestee, offers Dutch to English translation, communications consulting and more, so if your business needs support in this area, please let me know. 

I’m also a trained (online) journalist and enjoy receiving press releases, writing articles and attending events – please contact me to add me to your press list.

Language

Even after all this time, I still struggle with the Dutch language. In some ways, I’m ashamed of this. I feel that after so very long here, I should be fluent. I’ve certainly worked hard at it.

After discussing with many people – as well as my psychologist in the past – I’ve come to accept that I may never actually grasp the language as well as I would like. 

Even with AI and translation tools, I still find it really difficult to navigate Nederlands – I’m really different in Dutch.

I started learning late in life, and it’s not only a difficult language, a high percentage of Dutch people tend to switch to/prefer English. Or don’t have the patience to speak slowly with a non-native speaker. Or may not intend to but often exclude non-native speakers from Dutch conversations. Or sometimes even overestimate their English abilities leading to miscommunication with native speakers. It’s hard.

Still, I’d like to explore this more in 2024, so will create a series of posts on this. I am curious to hear of experience about learning Dutch from others too. 

Meanwhile, I will write predominately in English, though I can read and understand Nederlands quite well. 

I’m also happy to publish posts submitted only in Nederlands.

Wishing you a wonderful 2024

If you’ve made it this far through the post – goed gedaan!

Thanks for being here and wishing you an amazing 2024.

Renée 🙂