The Camp Columbia Heritage Association (CCHA) is pleased to share the recordings from our international symposium Allied Co-operation in Brisbane during WWII: Australia, USA, Netherlands, UK, held on 30–31 August 2025 at The University of Queensland, St Lucia. The event marked the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II in the Pacific and highlighted Brisbane’s pivotal role as Allied headquarters.
Camp Columbia at Wacol was central to these stories: headquarters of the U.S. Sixth Army, home to the Netherlands East Indies government-in-exile, and later a migration and refugee camp.
The symposium brought together historians, researchers, community leaders, and diplomats to present new insights into the wartime presence of American, Dutch, British, and Australian forces in Brisbane. Their presentations explore not only military operations but also the political, social, and cultural dimensions of Allied co-operation.
CCHA works to preserve and share this history through research, education, exhibitions, and events. We invite you to watch, learn, and connect with us as we build awareness of Brisbane’s global wartime significance.
Start with our short highlights video for the key moments from the day, then explore the full speeches from VIPs and speakers in sequence. We’ve also included a rolling news section with updates, photos, and follow-ups as outcomes progress.
Videos by Peter Rasey
By 1/19 the videos combined had already more than 45.000 views
Quick view of short videos of the key developments of the symposium
Full length videos of the Speeches
Brisbane Lord Mayoral reception for the Allied Co-operation Symposium; A 80th Ann. of VP Day 2025
Welcome to Country Aunty Theresa: Opening remarks Paul Budde
Ambassador Ardi Stoios-Braken addresses International Symposium:- Allies based in Brisbane in WWII
Speaker & Member for Oxley Address to the WWII Symposium Allied Co-operation in Brisbane 1941 – 1947
Councillor Sarah Hutton welcomes delegates to this very important WWII Symposium St Lucia Campus Qld
Brisbane the Allied Capital of Australia
Day One Keynote Speaker Emeritus Pro. David Horner:- Strategic and political elements of WWII in Qld
Day One’s first Panel Discussion building the topic; Strategic and political elements of WWII in Qld
Day One’s 2nd Panel Discussion building the topic; Strategic and political elements of WWII in Qld
Day One Part A 3rd Panel Discussion building the topic; Strategic and political elements of WWII
Day One’s Part B 3rd Panel Discussion building the topic; Strategic and political elements of WWII
Day One’s Final Discussion a Panel of all the speakers; Strategic elements of this Symposium
Day Two Keynote Speaker Dr PaulJac Verhoeven- Legacy of Exile after WWII and Gov in Exile in Qld
Day Two session 2 : Allied Co-operation. Recap by Chair: Georgina Devin -Archives; Robyn Vandyk -AWM
Day 2 – 2nd Panel Discussion building the topic; Strategic and political elements of WWII
Presentations – the very last session was not recorded, here are the presentations.
Frances Larder ‘Buitenkampers’ (translated ‘outsider of camp’) and the relevance
of social history museum exhibitions.
Renee Belloni–My Father’s NEI Story.
Nonja Peters–Netherlands Indies Welfare Organisation for Evacuees (NIWOE): The Dutch Fairbridgeans.
News , Media, Others
Camp Columbia site clean up by BCC – Bus tour 1 September
ABC Radio interview Peter Rasey with Ian McNamara (Macca)
SBS Radio interview (Dutch) Bijzonder zwaard te zien tijdens symposium over rol van Nederland in Australië tijdens WOII
Podcast. SBS Dutch Radio interview with PaulJac Verhoeven director Museum Bronbeek:
The edition of Tribute below, contains an article on the Camp Columbia symposium written by Russell Paten, President Military Historical Society Australia – Qld Division
