Tribute to role of Dutch community in the State's growth

12/1/97

Deputy Premier Hendy Cowan has paid tribute to the role played by the Dutch community in the growth of Western Australia.

He said the Dutch connection with WA was a long one, going back to the early 17th century.

Today Mr Cowan took part in activities celebrating the voyage to the 'Great South Land' in 1696-97 by Dutch navigator Willem de Vlamingh, in particular his journey up the Swan River.

It was the Dutch who originally named the river the Black Swan River.

Activities celebrating the visit were held today at various points along the river including Fremantle, Matilda Bay and Burswood.

Also taking part in today's Tricentenary celebrations was His Royal Highness, the Prince of Orange, who travelled from the Netherlands for the occasion.

Mr Cowan said one stunning achievement of de Vlamingh's expedition was to provide later European navigators with the first accurate map of the western coast of the continent.

In later years, settlers of Dutch origin had made, and continued to make, a valuable contribution to WA's culturally diverse society.

The Netherlands was WA's fifth largest trading partner within the European Union and companies such as Royal Dutch/Shell, with its major presence on the State's North-West Shelf, figured prominently in WA's economy.

"The Dutch influence on WA is a living and active one that now takes us forward to participate as partners in the economic dynamism of the Asian region," Mr Cowan said.

Today's re-enactment of de Vlamingh's journey up the Swan River was one of many events being held in WA as part of the Tricentenary.

Media contact: Peter Jackson 222-9595