DUTCH FESTIVAL

Ms BETTISON (Ramsay) (15:43): I rise today to share with the house a recent festival in the northern suburbs, the Dutch Festival, held on Saturday 27 April. The Dutch Club at Greenfields holds this festival annually to celebrate the Dutch Queen's birthday. The festival was opened by the Consul for the Netherlands, Willem Ouwens. The official guests included myself, Gillian Aldridge, Mayor of Salisbury and councillors Betty Gill and Brian Goddall. Also, David Pisoni was in attendance.

It was a family-friendly festival, with face painting, jumping castles and many market stalls, including a stall selling a fabulous array of Dutch groceries. There was live music by the music duo, Dutch Treat, and klompen dancing demonstrations in what were some fabulous yellow clogs. One of the best aspects of the day was the interesting Dutch menu that was being served both inside and outside the club, including herrings, which I have to say I did not decide to participate in—they were a bit spicy, with their fresh onions—croquettes, sausages, and not forgetting some fabulous Dutch pancakes. Also, which was really interesting, was the availability of nasi goreng, which is a nod to the colonial heritage with Indonesia, the former Dutch East Indies.

The Dutch Club is a long-established community club in the northern suburbs and provides social connection for people of Dutch descent throughout South Australia. I would like to thank the committee—club President Gerrit de Vries, Vice President Bob van der Hoeven, Treasurer Eddy Korver and Secretary Connie Kramer. The club plays a very active role, offering a cafe and shop and also a function centre. Some of the most famous annual events they hold are the Saint Nicholas Ball and a New Year's dance. More importantly, they provide a very strong role of supporting people coming together socially as a community. Some of their regular events include 50 Plussers, Windmill Ladies, Gentlemen Matins, a billiards group, the Klaverjas cards group and the New Year's Dive.

One of the interesting things about our Dutch community is the majority of Dutch migration occurred post World War II, with 1952 being the year of highest migration of Dutch people to Australia. Many settled in Australia after Indonesian independence. The census estimates there are more than 300,000 people of Dutch heritage living in Australia. The people at the Dutch Club pay particular attention to the fact that this is a very interesting time in Dutch history with the abdication today of Queen Beatrix in favour of her son Prince Willem-Alexander. She is 75 years old and has reigned for 32 years over the Kingdom of the Netherlands.