n the presence of the Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Australia, H.E. Mrs Marion Derckx, at an event hosted in May 2022 by the Pooh Corner Environment Centre and Dutchlink Brisbane a plan was launched to preserve the last remaining heritage items of Camp Columbia (which are situated in the Pooh’s Corner Bushland Reserve). This precinct is of international importance and its history has largely been lost. At the meeting it was suggested to investigate an international collaborative project to save the last remnants of the Camp and tell the very important story of the Camp through the creation of a heritage and cultural site within the Reserve.
The Dutch Government had provided a grant to the University of Queensland for archaeological research at the previous Camp Columbia. At the meeting findings of this project were presented to the Ambassador and representative of Brisbane City Council, Queensland History, Heritage, Military and Environmental Organisations and members of the Dutch Community. Click here for the Archaeological Research Project.
Below, pictures of the Camp Columbia Event 19 May 2022 by Vaughan Kippers
Ambassador Marion Derckx, Mr. Sjef Ijzermans – husband of the Ambassador, Honorary Consul Mrs Marjon WindDeputy Consul General Alida Ritsema, Mr. Sjef Ijzermans – husband of the Ambassador, Her Excellency Mrs Marion Derck, Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Australia, Paul Budde, board member of the Dutch Australian Cultural Centre, Emeritus Professor Ian Lilley of the University of Queensland, Ralph Vossenberg, President of DutchLink Brisbane & Ed Parker, Co-ordinator of PCEC & Vice-President of CDEA, outside Entrance to Pooh Corner Environment Centre, before Presentations about Camp Columbia, 100 Wolston Road, Wacol, BrisbaneAmbassador Marion Derckx, Paul Budde, Ian Lilley, Ralph VossenbergGuests arrivingThe official party. Ambassador Marion Derckx, Mr. Sjef Ijzermans – husband of the Ambassador, Honorary Consul Mrs Marjon Wind, Deputy Consul General Alida Ritsema, Senior Policy Officer, Cultural Affairs Dr Xenia HanusiakThe delegatesMC Ralph VossenbergMC Ralph VossenbergWelcome by Ed Parker to the local guestsTresentation Paul BuddeDaniel Sleath, Keith Stoneman finders of Dutch WWII artifactsShow and tell of the Dutch WWII artifactsShow and tell of the Dutch WWII artifactsShow and tell of the Dutch WWII artifactsPresentation Ian LilleyPresentation Ian LilleyPresentation Ed ParkerPresentation Ed ParkerConclusions Paul BuddeFinal words from the AmbassadorAfter the presentationsGuests Mingling after Presentations about Camp ColumbiaWalkers Listening to Ed Parker on Kangaroo Circuit in Pooh Corner Bushland Reserve after Presentations about Camp ColumbiaWalkers Listening to Ed Parker on Kangaroo Circuit in Pooh Corner Bushland Reserve after Presentations about Camp Columbia
