DUTCH-AUST.SOCIAL CLUB “THE ROCKET” HISTORY
IN MARCH OF 1961 A DUTCH MIGRANT PRIEST ORGANISESD A LENTEN PROGRAM FOR THE CATHOLIC COMMUNITY. SEVERAL WEEKS LATER HE ASKED A GROUP OF PEOPLE TO ORGANISE A SOCIAL FUNCTION TO FINISH THE LENTEN PROGRAM.
SO IT WAS THAT DURING MAY OF 1961 A DANCE WAS HELD AT THE HENDY STREET HALL WITH GREAT SUCCESS. AND BECAUSE SOME WEEKS EARLIER THE RUSSIANS BLASTED A MAN INTO SPACE WITH THE ROCKET. THE THEME FOR THE DANCE WAS BASED ON A GIANT HANDMADE ROCKET STANDING IN THE HALL DURING THAT EVENT. BASED ON THE SUCCESS OF THE DANCE
BASED ON FAMILY EVENTS, LIKE PICNICS, CAR TREASURE HUNTS, FILM NIGHTS, DANCES ETC. RAN VERY WELL UNTILL IN 1967 A BREAKAWASY GROUP STARTED A DIFFERENT CLUB. HOWEVER AT A SPECIAL MEETING CALLED SOME 40 MEMBERS VOWED TO CONTINUE, STILL UNDER THE NAME THE ROCKET BUT NOW CHANGED TO D.A.S.C. THE ROCKET AND OPEN TO EVERYONE
WHEN IN LATE 69 THE THEN PRESIDENT DIED FROM CANCER, THE NEW PRESIDENT ELECT IN MARCH ’70, TONY VAN DER HOEVEN TOOK CHARGE IN OER THE NEXT DECADE IT GREW TO OVER 500 MEMBERS WITH SOME YEARS AS MUCH AS 20 – 25 EVENTS PER YEAR. AND HERE 35 YEARS LATER TONY IS STILL THERE.
THE CLUBHOUSE PROJECT WAS STARTED IN THE 80’S AND FUND RAISIN G TOOK PLACE. COUNCIL GAVE US A LEASE FOR 30 YEARS FOR A 3 ACRE SITE ON SUTTCLIFFE RESERVE, BUT DUE TO LACK OF MEMBERS INTERESTS THE BUILDING WAS NEVER FULLY COMPLETED ON SUTTCLIFFE THE SERBIAN COMMUNITY.
HOWEVER THE CLUB CONTINUED WITH NOW DOING A LOT FOR DIFFERENT CHARITY NEEDS WHERE PART OF THE FUNDS WENT TO.
THE ANNUAL ST. NICOLAAS CHILDRENS DAY OVER A 20 YEAR PERIOD SOME 2500 CHILDREN GIVEN PRESENTS AS WELL AS VISITS TO THE HOSPITAL, BETHANY BABIES AND OTHERS WAS A PRIORITY OVER THE YEARS.
NOW WITH THE NEED OF MEMBERS GOING A DIFFERENT WAY AND THE AGING POPULARITY CHANGE IN THE EVENTS ARE DIFFERENT NOW OVER 40 YEARS LATER AND WITH A REDUCED MEMBERSHIP WE STILL HAVE SOME 5 TO 10 EVENTS PER YEAR TO ENTERTAIN THE COMMUNITY AND WE HAVE VOWED TO CONTINUE AS LONG AS THE INTEREST AND NEED IS THERE FOR THE COMMUNITY.
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KARNAVAL CLUB THE “SWALLOWS”
KC THE “SWALLOWS” WAS FORMED ON 7TH OF JULY 1977
THE FOUNDING MEMBERS WERE:
- FIEN VERHOEVEN - PETER LANGEDIJK
- SJEFF MORELL - FRED TIMMERS
- PETER VAN WEES - HUB NEVEN
ALL O THE ABOVE WERE ACTING MEMBERS IN THE CLUB.
WIM VAN OOSTEN WAS IN THE FORMATION OF THE CLUB, BUT WAS NEVER AN ACTING MEMBER, AS HE WENT BACK TO THE NETHERLANDS BEFORE THE FIRSDT DANCE.
THE CLUB WAS FORMED TO KEEP THE LIMBURG (PROVINCE IN THE SOUTH OF THE NETHERLANDS) TRADITION OF KARNAVAL IN GEELONG.
DECEASED MEMBERS ARE:
- FIEN VERHOEVEN - ARIE & NEL VAN DORT
- SIEP VAN WEES - JO VAN WETERING
- SJEF MORELL - DICK WILTINK
- ANDRE PIJL - ADRIEN DEN DRIJVER
PAST MEMBERS:
- PETER VAN WEES - JOHN & ROLY VAN ‘T LAND
- HARRY & RENE PELLSERS - RON & LINDA VERHOEVEN
- ANNIE MORELL - MIES WETERING
- MIMI PIJL - MARTIN ROTHENGATTEN
- SAM GRANT - GERARD VERMEULEN
- TONY & MARY TOL - JOHN WHITE
- PAUL & JOY TOL - TOM IN’T HOUT
- DOORTJE TOL - JOHN & JUDY VAN BAKKUM
- PETER & GWEN VISSER
PRESENT MEMBERS:
- PETER LANGEDIJK - FRED & KATHY TIMMERS
- JO SPRONKEN - HENK JUFFERMANS
- RAY & BEPPIE BRINKMAN - FRANK & FRITS TE WIERIK
- NEIL CAMERON - HUUB & GERDA NEVEN
- JOHN KELBERG - NICK & MILLY SCHOONEMAN
- JOSEPH & JOHANNA CAUBERG
OUR PRINCE IS PATRICK ZONNEVELD
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DUTCH CARE
DUTCH CARE HAS BEEN AROUND MELBOURNE FOR MANY YEARS, BUT THE VOLUNTEER PROGRAM IN GEELONG WAS STARTED IN 1997. IN MELBOURNE THERE ARE AREA TEAMS AS WELL, BUT NURSINGHOMES DAY CARE PROGRAMS AND THUISZORG(HOMEHELP), COMMUNITY AGED CARE PACKAGES.
IT’S PURPOSE IS VISITING LONELY AND HOUSEBOUND PEOPLE IN THEIR HOMES FOR 1-2 HOURS PER WEEK. BUT WE DO FOLLOW CLIENTS WHO MOVE TO AGE CARE, VISITS IN HOSPITAL ETC., AND AT THE END THE VOLUNTEER WILL GO TO THE FUNERAL.
WE DO ORGANIZE SOCIAL EVENTS WHICH THE VOLUNTEERS AS WELL AS OUR “CLIENTS WHO CAN ATTEND” ENJOY. WE MEET AT VIRGINIA TODD CENTRE, ONCE PER MONTH, SOMETIMES FOR MEETINGS OR SOCIALS. WE ALSO TRY TO HAVE A COFFEE / CAKE SOMEWHERE IN AND AROUND GEELONG TO TAKE THE PEOLPLE OUT (SMALL GROUPS) WHEN THE WEATHER IS WARM ENOUGH.
MELBOURNE OFFICE IS STILL TRYING TO GET THOSE PACKAGES FOR THE GEELONG DISTRICT, THIS HAS BEEN TRIED MANY YEARS, BUT UP TO NOW UNSECCESSFULL.
AS SUCH WE HAVE NO COMMITTEE, NO FUNDRAISING, JUST A TEAMLEADER, WHICH HAPPENS TO BE ME AT THE MOMENT. WE DO GET SOME FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FROM MELBOURNE AND ALSO ARE INSURED UNDER THEIR PLAN.
WE DO GET SUPPORT FROM SOCIAL SUPPORT COORDINATOR FROM MELBOURNE, WHO COMES OFTEN TO OURMEETINGS AND SOCIAL AND ALSO IS THERE FOR ME TO ASK QUESTIONS VIA EMAIL.
ANY OF OUR VOLUNTEERS GO THROUGH THE SAME PAPERWORK AS DO CARE, RED CROSS ETC. VOLUNTEERS.
AT THE MOMENT MANY OF OUR VOLUNTEERS ARE IN THEIR LATE SEVENTIES, SO THERE WILL BE SOME CHANGES HAPPENING IN THE FUTURE, AS I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO GET SOME “YOUNGER” VOLUNTEERS, MEANS THAT SECOND GENERATION I’M AFTER.
AS ALL MY VOLUNTEERS KEEP TELLING ME TO GET SOME YOUNGER ONES, SO THEY CAN VISIT THEM IN THE FUTURE.
JAAP DEN DRIJVER, WHO HAS JUST BECOME A VOLUNTEER WAS RATHER SURPRISED AT HIS FIRST MEETING EITH US, THAT HE KNEW SO MANY DUTCH PEOPLE, BUT ONLY A FEW OF OUR VOLUNTEERS. THIS SEEMS TO BE THE SAME WITH OUR CLIENTS, VERY FEW WHO HAVE BEEN INVOLVED WITH DUTCH CLUBS AS WELL.
AROUNS VICTORIA THERE ARE DUTCH CARE TEAMLEADERS IN BENDIGO, SHEPPARTON, WODONGA, SUNSHINE, GIPPSLAND, BALLARAT AND WARNAMBOOL.
THIS YEAR OUR CONFERENCE WILL BE IN GEELONG IN NOVEMBER.
ADA
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GEELONG DUTCH 50+ CLUB
THIS CLUB HAS BEEN GOING FOR MORE THAN 25 YEARS AND WAS ESTHABLISED IN JULY 1980.
FIRST PRESIDENT WAS MARY FRIEND AND TRIJNTJE SCHOUTEN IT FIRST SECRETAY.
IT WAS FELT THERE WAS A GROWING NEED FOR THE ELDERLY DUTCH CITIZENS TO HAVE A PLACE TO MEET.
THE FIRST MEETING WAS HELD IN TOHBY HALL.
SOON THINGS BECAME REALY ORGANISED AND AT THEIR FORTHNICHTLY MEETING, THEY PLAYED CARDS AND BINGO.
MEMBERSHIP WAS $2. A YEAR AND EVEN NOW AFTER 25 YEARS THAT IS STILL $2.
A LADIES COMMITTEE STARTED MAKIN MOTNING COFFEE AND LUNCH.
BUS TRIPS WERE ORGANISE, TRIPS TO THE BOGONIA FESTIVAL, HOLLAND FESTIVAL, 5 BDAY TRIPS TO EDEN ETC.
LOOKING BACK OVER THOSE 25 YEARS THIS CLUB HAS BEEN AN IMPORTANT PART IN THE DUTCH COMMUNITY AND IS STILL HAVING FORTHNIGHTLY MEETINGS, WITH LUNCHES AND COFFEE SUPPLIED AND THERE ARE MORE THAN 100 MEMBERS AT THIS STAGE.
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GEELONG DUTCH BAY CITY CLOG DANCERS
THERE WAS A GROWING FEELING THAT THE DUTCH CLUBS HAD TO HAVE A VISUAL INDENTITY.
IN OCTOBER 1989 TH GEELONG BAY CITY CLOG DANCERS CAME INTO BEING.
MUSIC AND VIDEAO’S WERE BROUGHTOVER FROM THE NETHERLANDS AND IT FIRST PLUBLIC PERFORMANCE WAS HELD AT THE CORIO TECH. SCHOOL ON NEW YEARS EVE 1989.
THEIR FIRSDT PERFORMANCE WAS ONLY THREE DANCES.
THE FIRST PRESIDENT WAS JOHAN RIJNBOUT WITH HIS WIFE MINNIE WHO WERE INSTRUMENTAL IN GETTING THIS GROUP OF TO A FLYING START.
THEIR PROGRAM CONSISTS NOW OF APPROX. 30 DANCES WITH HAVING 6 DIFFERENT COSTUMES.
THEIR PERFORMANCE HAVE INCLUDED OCTOBER FIRST HOLLAND FESTIVAL, TULIP FESTIVAL, PAKO FESTA, NURSINGHOMES, SENIOR CITZENS CLUBS AND MANY MORE.
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GEELONG DUTCH CLUBS INC.
GEELONG DUTCH CLUBS ARE AN UMBRELLA ORGANISATIONWHICH WAS CREATED TO HAVE COOPERATION BETWEEN THE GEELONG DUTCH CLUBS AND PROMOTE ITS CLUBS CULTURE.
THE CLUB WAS ESTHABLISED ON 22 ND OF NOVEMBER 1984 ITS FIRST PRESIDENT WAS MR. HANS VAN DEN BOS AND ITS FIRST SECRETARY MRS. TRIJNTJE SCHOUTEN.
BEFORE THE GEELONG DUCH CLUBS WERE ESTHABLISED THE CLUBS WORKED ALONG SIDE EACH OTHER, WITH PROBLEMS ARISING THAT SEVERAL EVENTS WERE HELD ON THE SAME DAY, CAUSING FRUSTRATION.
NOW ALL THE CLUBS INFORM THE SECRETAY WHEN THEIR EVENTS TAKE PLACE. EVERY MONTH THE TWO REPS FROM EACH CLUB HAVE A MEETING.
OF SPECIAL INTEREST TO THE GEELONG DUTCH CLUBS WAS OUR ANNUAL ST. NICHOLAS DANCE, IN THE BEGINNING THE DUTCH WOMANS CLUB ORGANISED THIS ANNUAL EVENT, BUT WHEN PEOPLE GOT OLDER THE ANIMO GOT LESS, THATS WERE THE GEELONG DUCH CLUBS STEPPED IN AND HAVE BEEN ORGANISING THIS EVENT FOR THE LAST 10 YEARS THE GEELONG DUTCH CLUBS ALSO ORGANISES MOVIE MORNINGS, BBQ’S, DANCES, TRIVIA AFTERNOONS ETC.
ALL IN ALL THIS GEELONG DUTHC CLUB IS A IMPORTANT PART OF THE DUTCH COMMUNITY IN KEEPING IT ALL TOGETHER AND IS STILL GOING STRONG.
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GEELONG KLAVERJAS CLUB
THE GEELONG KLAVERJAS CLUB WAS FOUNDED IN THE 60’S BUT IT STARTED BEFORE THAT!
IN THE LATE 50’s, SOCCER PLAYERS FROM NORLANE OLYMPIA WOULD GET TOGETHER FOR A SOCIAL GAME OF CARDS, JUST TO PASS THE TIME ON A SATURDAY AND SUNDAY.
THAT WAS IN THE DUTCH INN-A COFFEE SHOP IN LITTLE MALOP STREET. IN THE MID 50’s, THERE WAS A BIG INFLUX OF DUTCH MIGRANTS IN GEELONG. THEY FOUND OUT THAT KLAVERJAS WAS PLAYED AND THEY ALSO CAME TO THE COFFEE SHOP.
AFTER A PERIOD OF TIME, WE DICIDED TO FORM THE CLUB. THAT WAS IN THE EARLY 60’s.
GEELONG CARD CLUB HAD ABOUT 60 MEMBERS, ALL WHO PLAYED AT DIFFERENT VENUES, WHICH WERE:
- THE PRIVATE HOUSE OF BOY SEITZ;
- WILLEM FRIEND, PRESIDENT
- NOL VOOGT, SECRETAY
- MIEN FRYENHOEK, TREASURE
- NORHT GEELONG HALL
- PALM RESTAURANT, RYRIE STREET
- MALLAGA RESTAURANT, MOORABOOL STREET
- COFFEE SHOP IN UNION STREET
- ROOM UPSTAIRS IN RYRIE STREET – NEXT TO MCDONALD
- KARDINIA HALL – MOORABOOL STREET
THE FIRST OPEN DRIVE WAS IN 1962 AGAINST BALARAT CARD CLUB. IT WAS HELD IN ABERDEEN CHATEU. CARDS WERE PLAYED DURING THE DAY AND A DANCE WAS HELD AT NIGHT. AFTER THE FIRST OPEN DRIVE, THIS BECAME AN ANNUAL EVENT. MANY CARD CLUBS FROM MELBOURNE, (BORONIA, BAYWATER – WILHELMINA, ABEL TASMAN) AND MANY MORE WERE INVITED TO JOIN OUT OPEN DRIVE ON A SATURDAY IN THE WEST TOWN HALL. WHICH HELD MORE THAN 300 PEOPLE. TODAY WE ARE IN THE WEST TOWN HALL. OUR CLUB HAS 36 MEMBERS, MOSTLY MADE UP OF FIRST AND SECOND GENERATION FAMILIES.
JOHN VAN DREUMEL
153 Pakington Street, Geelong West 3218 Phone: 0352216044 Fax: 0352232848
ABN 29 252 806 279 REG No: A0000022L Geelong Ethnic Communities Council - GECC trading as Diversitat