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July 2018 / Newsletter #44

Portrait of Abel Tasman at Groninger Museum

The only known portrait of Dutch explorer Abel Tasman has arrived at the Groninger Museum [https://www.facebook.com/GroningerMuseum/?fref=mentions]. It was 375 years ago that Tasman, from the Dutch village of Lutjegast, became the first European to ‘discover’ the island that now bears his name: Tasmania. It has always been presumed that Jacob Gerritsz. Cuyp painted this work in 1637, when Tasman was a Dutch East India Company captain who had not yet become famous. Experts in the Netherlands will now try to establish if Cuyp was indeed the painter. The portrait will be on display until January 2019. It has been brought to Groningen with support from the National Gallery of Australia, Canberra [https://www.facebook.com/NationalGalleryofAustralia/?fref=mentions], the National Library of Australia [https://www.facebook.com/National.Library.of.Australia/?fref=mentions] in Canberra and the municipality of Grootegast. The embassy assisted in bringing these parties together for the handover of the loan request in December 2017.

More Information [http://www.groningermuseum.nl/en/content/portrait-abel-tasman-comes-home-groningen] One Young World Sydney Caucus 2018

Consul-General Frank van Beuningen hosted the One Young World Sydney Caucus 2018 at the Consulate General in Sydney. One Young World [https://www.facebook.com/OneYoungWorld/?fref=mentions] (OYW) is a non-profit organisation that gathers young leaders from around the world to develop solutions to the world’s most pressing issues. Frank’s opening speech was followed by two speakers. Usman Iftikhar, CEO of the company Catalysr [https://www.facebook.com/Catalysr/?fref=mentions] and Commonwealth Young Person of the Year, and Dan Ryan, spokesperson for OYW. This year’s annual OYW Summit which will be held in The Hague, the Netherlands in October 2018.

One Young World [https://www.oneyoungworld.com/attend-summit-2018?gclid=CjwKCAjw68zZBRAnEiwACw0eYUEeBEgAemN1AlftiyE_idZZWtRGP06N4__Z2LLbXrGcaH7vNFVCKRoCMZIQAvD_BwE] European Association for Business and Commerce

Deputy Consul General Alida Ritsema attended a corporate luncheon at the European Association for Business and Commerce (EABC). To officially launch the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations between Australia and the EU, Commissioner Dr. Cecilia Malmström spoke about how an FTA between Australia and the EU has the potential to set the benchmark for what can be achieved between like-minded partners. Australia and the EU share a commitment to a rules-based global trading system and to an open market.

Read More [https://www.clustercollaboration.eu/eu-international-support-services/european-association-business-and-commerce] Briefing Conference in The Haque

In June, 100 trade and economic affairs officers from the Dutch missions came to The Hague for the Briefing Conference. During the conference delegates were updated on developments in trade policy and Dutch private sector initiatives. Highlight of the week was the speed dating session where companies had the opportunity to ask questions on doing business in more than 75 countries. Rolf Karst, our Senior Policy Officer Trade and Economic Affairs, was there to represent Australia. Interest proved to be strong with a full schedule of 15 companies looking to expand their business into the Australian market.

Clean2Antarctica project

Dutch couple Edwin and Liesbeth ter Velde, founders of the Clean2Antarctica [https://www.facebook.com/clean2antarctica/?fref=mentions] project, are planning to drive across Antarctica in a solar-powered vehicle made from recycled plastic. Aim of the trip is to encourage people to reuse their waste. Similarly, Dutchman Wiebe Wakker from Plug Me In [https://www.facebook.com/PlugMeIn/?fref=mentions] is raising awareness for clean energy. He recently arrived in Australia with his solar car.

Read More [https://www.clean2antarctica.nl/en/adventure-change-0] 2020 Invictus Games

HRH Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex has confirmed that the fifth edition of the Invictus Games will be held in The Hague, the Netherlands.

Harry said in a statement that the games will be held in 2020 and that the event will ‘motivate hundreds of servicemen and women using the Invictus Games to inspire their recovery from physical and mental injuries’. This year the event takes place in Sydney, Australia in October and over 500 men and women from 19 countries are expected to take part.

Read More [https://www.dutchnews.nl/news/2018/06/prince-harry-confirms-invictus-games-2020-will-be-held-in-the-hague/] Australian Bicycle Summit

What better place for a Dutch Consul-General than the Australian Bicycle Summit? The Netherlands has a big cycling culture and there are almost 20 million bicycles in the Netherlands, which means there are more bicycles than people! The Australian Bicycle Summit provides a unique occasion each year when Australian bicycle sector organisations join industry & corporate leaders and government decision makers to engage on progress, investment, policy and future strategy for bicycling.

Read More [https://www.bicycles.net.au/2018/05/2018-australian-bicycle-summit-in-sydney-with-transport-for-nsw-as-event-partner/] Travelling? Check your passport!

Frequently, consular staff in Bondi Junction is confronted with disappointed travellers being refused by airlines on their way to their travel destination (e.g. Bali) because their passport is no longer valid for 6 months after leaving the country of destination. Please be aware airlines are quite strict about this rule because they will be fined and are responsible (read: have to pay) for your return home if the country of destination refuses you entry.

A destination as Bali does not accept hand written emergency passports which means that a traveller has to apply for a new regular passport. This might take up to 2 weeks. To make sure you can enjoy your holiday, always check the validity of your passport before booking!

Can't make it to your appointment? Please cancel!

Applications for passports are by appointment only. Book an appointment using our appointment website [https://www.vfsvisaonline.com/Netherlands-Global-Online-Appointment_Zone1/AppScheduling/AppWelcome.aspx?P=wClNiU4hmfBtBSfTMP3wVn00rGAUYRxphZxioDYfEy0=].

If, for any reason, you are not able to make the appointment, please cancel the appointment. At the moment we are experiencing a waiting list for appointments. Other applicants would really appreciate it if you would cancel your appointment to shorten the waiting list.

Bring a complete application to shorten processing time

Almost 80% of the passport applications is incomplete which causes delay in the processing of the application. Top 3 of missing items: a copy of the Dutch passport, proof of legal residence in Australia, correct passport pictures.

On the Dutch website [https://www.nederlandwereldwijd.nl/documenten/publicaties/2018/01/01/checklist-documenten-bij-aanvraag-paspoort-of-id-kaart-in-het-buitenland] you can use the new passport tool to get a check list of all documents you need to bring to your appointment. A passport tool for the English website is in development.

Applicants with only Dutch citizenship can obtain proof of legal residence at [https://www.border.gov.au/Busi/Visa]. Applicants that also have Australian citizenship can bring the original and a copy of their Australian passport.

All foreign documents must be legalised/authenticated by the appropriate authorities. Australian documents (e.g. birth certificates, marriage certificates) must be authenticated by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs with a so called ‘apostille stamp’. Apostille stamps are obtainable from the Australian Passport Office, authentication section in your state’s capital.

Passport photos

Bring correct passport photos. In general, passport photos used for Australian passports are too big to use for your application for a Dutch passport. Please check the website for the requirement. [https://www.netherlandsworldwide.nl/living-working/passport-and-identity-card/photo-for-a-passport-or-identity-card/australia]

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