March 2018 / Newsletter #40

New Consul-General of the Netherlands in Australia

We are pleased to welcome Frank van Beuningen, the new Consul-General of the Netherlands, to Australia.

Frank arrived in Sydney earlier this 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”.

On Saturday, Frank had his first radio interview with SBS Dutch radio. Please click on the button below to listen to the interview (in Dutch) and learn more about our new Consul General in Sydney.

We wish Frank and his family a great time in Australia and look forward to working with him!

Interview SBS

Raadgevend referendum 21 maart 2018

Beste Nederlanders in het buitenland,

Op 21 maart 2018 vindt in Nederland een raadgevend referendum plaats over de nieuwe Wet op de inlichtingen- en veiligheidsdiensten (Wiv). Als Nederlander woonachtig in het buitenland kunt u ook deelnemen aan dit referendum.

Om te stemmen heeft u zich geregistreerd als kiezer in het buitenland. U kunt uw stem uitbrengen middels een briefstembewijs. Het is ook mogelijk om iemand te machtigen om voor u te stemmen.

Uw briefstem kunt u sturen naar het adres van uw briefstembureau dat op de oranje envelop vermeld staat. De briefstemmen moeten uiterlijk op de dag van de verkiezing 21 maart 2018 om 15.00 uur lokale tijd bij uw briefstembureau zijn binnengekomen. Houd rekening met afwijkende postbezorging. De Gemeente Den Haag raadt u ten zeerste aan om uw stem zeker drie dagen vóór de verkiezingsdag te versturen.

Voor Australië en Nieuw-Zeeland is de Nederlandse ambassade te Canberra aangewezen als briefstembureau. Het briefstembureau is op 21 maart 2018 open van 7:30 uur (lokale tijd) tot na de telling. Voor het inleveren van de briefstemmen is het bureau open tot 15:00 uur lokale tijd. Het hele proces van stemmen ontvangen en tellen is voor publiek toegankelijk.

Voor verdere informatie over stemmen vanuit het buitenland en de werkwijze van de Gemeente Den Haag kunt u terecht op: www.denhaag.nl/nl/bestuur-en-organisatie/verkiezingen/kiezers-buiten-nederland/stemmen-bij-het-raadgevend-referendum-als-u-in-het-buitenland-woont.htm

For English: https://www.denhaag.nl/en/municipality-of-the-hague/elections/dutch-voters-abroad/voting-on-the-advisory-referendum-if-you-live-abroad.htm

Ook kunt u voor vragen contact opnemen met de Gemeente Den Haag via +31 (0) 70 353 4400 of met Buitenlandse Zaken via +31 247 247 247.

27th and 28th of March: the Consular Team visits Melbourne for passport applications

Passport applications in Australia should normally be submitted at the Dutch Consulate General in Sydney by appointment.

However, the Consular Team of the Dutch Consulate-General in Sydney will be visiting Melbourne on Tuesday the 27th and Wednesday the 28th of March to provide the opportunity to submit an application for a passport and/or identity card under certain conditions.

This opportunity is mainly focused on those applicants who experience difficulty travelling due to medical conditions and are unable to travel to Sydney. This can be demonstrated with a medical certificate by your treating medical doctor. If the interest exceeds our capacity, then the Consulate will make a selection.

People who do not fall into the above category can also submit a request. The Consulate determines by capacity how many people from this second category can be assisted, and will make a selection if necessary. For this decision it will be taken into account that Dutch citizens with a dual nationality can apply for a 'Declaration of Dutch citizenship' by post (instead of a passport) in order to retain their Dutch citizenship.

You can request an appointment by sending an e-mail to the consular team at the latest on the 16th of March via syd-ca@minbuza.nl. In this same mail message you must demonstrate why you are unable to travel to Sydney and if applicable, add the medical certificate.

In response to your e-mail, you will receive a message no later than Wednesday the 21st of March, indicating whether we are able to assist you and if so, where and when you are expected. Requests received later than the 16th of March will not be processed.

Extra information: it is also possible to submit an application by appointment in the arrival hall at Schiphol/Amsterdam or at various Dutch (border) municipalities. See our website www.nederlandwereldwijd.nl

Dutch nationals who also have Australian nationality - in accordance with Australian regulations - have to travel back and forth on their Australian passport. Children with dual nationality must be in possession of a Dutch passport (or a Declaration of Dutch ownership) on their 28th birthday to retain their Dutch citizenship.

Finally, regarding the extra effort that this service requires of the Dutch consular staff and to help you as much as possible, we ask you to limit yourself to one email and to await further information from the Consulate.

Thank you for your understanding.
The Consular Team, Consulate General Bondi Junction

David Gianotten Keynote Presentation at Sydney Design Festival 2018

Get ready to drive design forward with a city-wide celebration for Sydney Design Festival 2018. With a program of international keynote presentations, design exhibitions, panel discussions, tours, workshops and more. Don’t miss Sydney Design Festival’s keynote event, a fascinating evening with Office for Metropolitan Architecture (OMA) Dutch architect David Gianotten.

David is the Director of the new OMA brand in Australia, recently launching OMA’s first realised structure, MPavilion in Melbourne with partner Rem Koolhaas. Alongside Rem Koolhaas, Gianotten has worked on large-scale architectural projects on a world-wide stage. As partner-in-charge of OMA, David has overseen some of the world’s leading architectural projects including the Taipei Performing Arts Centre, the masterplan of Feyenoord City and the upcoming New Museum for Western Australia.

For David Gianotten architecture is all about people. Gain an insight into the hugely prolific practice of OMA as David Gianotten explains the role of architecture in creating meaningful dialogue and change within society.

Leading Thinker Series

Professor Arjan van Timmeren presented a range of Dutch solutions for urban challenges as part of the Committee for Melbourne’s Leading Thinker Series. The Leading Thinker Series features experts who provide new and thought provoking insights into current and long-term issues of importance to the Committee’s agenda for Melbourne.

Professor Van Timmeren is Chair in Environmental Technology & Design at the faculty of Architecture at TU Delft and Scientific Director of the Amsterdam-based institute for Advanced Metropolitan Solutions (AMS). He highlighted a few of the 82 projects currently underway in Amsterdam, for example the bridge that is being 3d printed from waste collected from the Amsterdam canals.

Arjen van Timmeren was also present at the opening of the exhibition of ‘Sydney Urban Solutions’, a collaborative project between the University of Technology Sydney, AMS and Delft University of Technology. Australian and Dutch students jointly presented their urban solutions for Sydney City Centre and Pyrmont. Consul General Frank van Beuningen gave a speech to kick the night off.

Coal Creek Museum Community Park and Museum in Korumburra, Victoria

The Winter Olympics 2018

The Dutch Winter Olympic campaign ended this weekend with both Irene Schouten and Koen Verweij picking up bronze in the mass start race. At the end of the closing ceremony, the Olympic fire was extinguished. Ireen Wüst carried the Dutch flag into the Olympic Stadium. In South Korea Ireen won her fifth gold medal and became the first speed skater in Olympic history to win 10 medals in total, eclipsing equestrian great Anky van Grunsven to become the most decorated Dutch Olympian.

In total, the Dutch finished the competition in fifth place with 20 medals – eight gold, six silver and six bronze – five above the set target. The Olympics saw many success stories such as the Dutch podium takeover in the ladies' 3000 meter by Carlijn Achtereekte (gold), Ireen Wüst (silver) and Antoinette de Jong (bronze), the Netherlands' first-ever short track gold medal by Suzanne Schulting and the surprise win by Esmee Visser who won gold in the 5,000 meter speed skating event in Pyeonchang after having crowdfunded her appearance at the games.

Sven Kramer even became, after winning gold at the men's 5000 meter, the first men’s Olympic speed skater to win an individual event three times straight. Forging an Olympic record in the process.

Congratulations to all and until the next Winter Olympics in 2022!

Carole Overmaat, the new editor of the Dutch Courier

The Dutch Courier has a new editor. Former Editor Cor Lefel, who has done an amazing job putting the paper together for over 10 years, has given the reins to Carole Overmaat (seen above), known to most in and around Melbourne from her Dutch TV productions on Channel 31.

The Dutch Courier has been a part of the Dutch Community since 1970, when it was published on behalf of the Associated Netherlands Societies in Victoria. Originally the idea was to be able to connect all the different Dutch Clubs in Victoria, like an extended newsletter, an idea that was conceived by Max Leening.

This Dutch newsletter has spread its wings since the early days to become a national newspaper for the Dutch Community by still keeping in touch with the Dutch clubs and organisations, adding general news and stories about the Dutch in Australia.

The subscription cost (AU$33 per annum for 11 editions) of the monthly paper hasn’t changed. If you would like to become a subscriber please send an email to: admin@dutchcourier.com or phone Carole on: 0437 757 393. Please also use this number if you want to advertise or contact her via Facebook.

Facebook Dutch Courier

Suitsupply launches its Australian flagship store in Sydney

8 March 2018

MARCH 2018—Suitsupply, the European brand renowned for its focus on expertly crafted men’s tailoring, will launch its long-awaited Australian flagship store in Sydney this March. Located at the Pitt Street entrance of 5 Martin Place, the welcome arrival of the acclaimed men’s fashion retailer reaffirms Sydney’s growing standing as a hub of style and culture, and as a highly sought-after destination for international brands.

Due to launch in March, Suitsupply will join other luxury retail and gourmet dining destinations to complete the extensive offerings at 5 Martin Place. The store will be found in the historic banking chamber of the redeveloped “Money Box” building in the heart of Sydney’s bustling downtown. In its signature aesthetic, the store offers a spacious, vibrant atmosphere where customers can enjoy shopping full collections of seasonal suits, jackets, shoes, outerwear, accessories and attire—as well as a full Custom Made to Measure department and an in-house tailor for quick on-demand alterations while you wait.

In an industry where fast fashion dominates and craftsmanship is quickly disappearing, Suitsupply introduces a better option, one where no attention to detail or quality is ever spared. They have received widespread accolade from the likes of GQ, Esquire, and, perhaps most notably, a Wall Street Journal blind test that rated a US$600 Suitsupply suit in a first- place tie with a US$3,600 Armani suit.

SUITSUPPLY SYDNEY
5 Martin Place Shop T3
Sydney, NSW 2000

GRAND OPENING: 8 March 6:00-9:00 PM

FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:
Kirsten Zwijnenburg
Tel: +1(917)913-6757
Email: press@suitsupply.com

RSVP: Events@suitsupply.com

Travel tip

In case you lose your passport it is always handy to have a hard or soft copy of the passport at hand e.g. on your phone or sending a copy to a friend or family member you can trust.

Dutch and Australian nationality?

If you are not in a position to visit the Netherlands Consulate-General in Sydney to renew your passport, you can apply for a Dutch Nationality Certificate. This might be especially interesting for people who also have Australian nationality and want to maintain their Dutch nationality.

A Dutch Nationality Certificate is not a travel document and can’t be used as such. Please be aware that if you hold Australian nationality you have to travel out and back into Australia on your Australian passport. The Dutch Nationality Certificate is valid for 10 years. You can apply for such a Certificate by sending the following documents to the Netherlands Consulate-General (P.O. Box 261, Bondi Junction NSW 1355):

- Legalised copy of your Dutch passport;
- Proof of legal residence in Australia, e.g. recent letter of the Australian Immigration Department or a legalised copy of your Australian passport;
- A copy of an official document containing your name and address, e.g. electricity bill, bank statement; and
- Payment of 46AUD (subject to exchange rates) by providing us with a credit card authorisation form.

If you are a minor or if this is the first application after becoming an Australian citizen, further documents are needed. Please click on the read more button to check our website for more information.

Please check your passport

Our consular staff in Sydney are experiencing an enormous amount of phone calls and emails from people who realise that their passport is about to expire and they can’t travel on it anymore.

Please be aware that if you are travelling through or via most Asian countries your passport needs to be valid for at least 6 months after leaving the country. A lot of Asian countries (as well as New Zealand) do not accept handwritten emergency passports so the only solution is to apply for a new passport using the emergency fast track option. It will then take about 10 working days to issue a passport (not including the time needed by Australia Post to get the passport to you).

Therefore please check your passport and book an appointment to avoid disappointment. Please click on the read more button below to visit our website for more information.