Go Dutch by the lake

A GATHERING of Ballarat’s Dutch or Dutch-related community will be held at the Lake View Hotel on Sunday 29 December.

Going Dutch will run from noon to 3pm, and organiser Yvon Davis said there will be Dutch music playing and Heineken beer flowing, and orange clothes are encouraged.

“According to the 2021 census, almost 900 people living in Ballarat were born in the Netherlands,” she said.

“But over 4000 have one or both parents born in the Netherlands.

“The Dutch settled early in Ballarat due to the gold rush, with the best-known Dutchman at the time Jan Vennik, who was a gold miner, arrested for treason at the Eureka Stockade, later released and pardoned.

“After World War Two, many Dutch migrated to start a new life in countries such as Canada, New Zealand and Australia, with quite a considerable number settling in Ballarat and surrounds – many at the time being assisted by Father Leo Mars.

“Since then, the number of Dutch migrating has slowed since the large migration numbers in the ’50s and ’60s, however there are still Dutch settling in Ballarat, due to the space, even the weather and sometimes due to falling in love with an Australian partner.”

Ms Davis said the Dutch related in Ballarat and surrounds Facebook page held a coffee morning a few years ago with many Dutch people in attendance.

She said it is hoped many Dutch, or Dutch-related people, will get together again this time.

“The idea is to organise more regular get-togethers,” she said.

Bookings are free but essential. Food and drinks will be at participants’own cost.

Visit the Dutch Related in Ballarat – Lunch at the Lake View – 29 December 12–3pm listing on Eventbrite, or the Dutch related in Ballarat and surrounds Facebook page for more information. The event will be held upstairs.