In 1944, after the departure of U.S. forces, Camp Columbia took on a new identity—as the seat of the Netherlands East Indies (NEI) Government-in-Exile. This was the only time a foreign government operated on Australian soil. The Dutch presence was deeply significant: it included both civil and military elements, with over 2,000 people based at the camp by the end of 1944.
General Simon Spoor headed the Netherlands Forces Intelligence Service (NEFIS) from Wacol. The Dutch Women’s Army Corps (VK-KNIL) was also formed and trained here. Under the command of Lt Gen L.H. van Oyen, the NEI military and administrative staff worked closely with the Allies to plan for the return to the Dutch East Indies after the Japanese occupation.
The Dutch remained at Camp Columbia until 1947. Afterwards, parts of the site were used for post-war migration programs and military training. Today, the heritage of this unique Dutch-Australian chapter lives on in the preserved bushland area known as Pooh Corner.