The Dutch Reformed Church, Cleeland Street, Dandenong, Photo 1971.
During the 1950s and 1960s the Dutch along with many other nationalities emigrated from their countries to what was then the municipalities of Dandenong and Springvale. They soon made their mark on enriching the area in various ways, some went into the market garden and flower farm industry and others were butchers, bakers etc.
The brick church was built in the 1950s after those that belonged to the Reformed Church had bought a site on Cleeland Street. They were amongst the first of the new emigrants to purpose build their own church. Some Dutch Catholics joined St Mary's Choir, Dandenong during the late 1950s-early 1960s, later forming their own choir, the St Gregorius Choir.
There was great excitement amongst the local Dutch community when a continental shop opened on Lonsdale Street selling a favorite called 'Dropjes' (similar to licorice). A Dutch butcher also moved into Dandenong in the 1960s then in the 1970s the Dutch club started.
The Reformed Church congregation eventually sold their site in Cleeland Street, building a new church and resource centre in Outlook Drive, which then opened in 1983.
Photo kindly shared to page by Anna Veldman. (her fathers' VW Beetle is in the foreground of the photo).
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