Klaas Woldring's Page

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About Me:: Retired academic
Currently President, Dutch Australian Cultural Centre

My interests:: Governance and management in Australia. Ph. D. in government. Taught a variety of subjects at Australian Universities from 1970 - 1999). Prior to that worked in hotel management (Hilton, Sydney)

My connection with the Netherlands:: Born and partly educated there (Groningen, the Hague). Left Holland in 1959, migrated first to South Africa, later, in mid 1964, to Australia. Four children, two born in SA, two in Australia, seven grandchildren. Kept in touch with relatives and friends in the Netherlands ever since we left. Visit there every four years on average. Married before leaving Holland to Aafke. Woldring family was naturalised in 1969.

At 4:52pm on July 10, 2008, Klaas Woldring said…: Well, on the last three occasions the stop in the Netherlands was around two or three weeks only, part of much larger trip either in Europe or through the US and back via Fiji. But it is always an experience to see your relatives again and the cities where you have lived and worked. One thing always strikes us a problem though the traffic in the Randstad, so busy there and yet very Dutch, full of memories for us. Better to take the train, still travelling well there. My wife and I both grew up in Groningen but lived, studied and worked many years in Amsterdam and the Hague. Yes, there always changes of course but much stays the same as well. As the French say: Plus ca change, plus ca la meme chose. Australia can learn a lot from the Netherlands, we believe, and it's not just playing football. The Dutch electoral system would be much better for Australia, the unitary structure ditto. Prison management, drug policies, euthanasia policy are models to follow - and are much talked about here. There is upswing in Dutch migration to Australia. Mostly young, well educated families. A different type of migrant as compared to the 1950s and 1960s. I think this trend will accelerate. They come for a few years, initially, but I think most will stay.

At 4:24pm on July 10, 2008, Jo said…: Thanks for joining, Klaas. And for telling us about yourself. After all this time, I now know more (too). I am not jealous of your return trips every four years - I think! ....Well, maybe a little. It's such a nice tae-off location to the south of France, or to ireland, or...... Mmmmmm.