No it isn't!!

This is not where the administration of the Dutch Australian Centre is handled.

The administration of the (now) Dutch Australian Cultural Centre, is taken care of, as it always was by a volunteer committee, called The Board, and is conducted in a light industrial area, further west of this purpose designed building.
The contents of the Dutch Australian Cultural Centre was moved there too and the report in the Dutch Weekly, published at the time of the opening of this museum, no longer apply: " Er staat nu een klein stempeltje in Chester Hill met een steving kloppend hart. " Roughly translated: _There now stands a small (Dutch-Australian) imprint , in Chester Hill with a strongly beating heart._

But management of the Abel Tasman Retirement Village realised that the building was needed for residents affected by dementia. However, subsequently it was realised that this building, designed to be a museum for preserving examples of Dutch-Australian heritage was not suitable for the use of residents with dementia and it was realised that the building was needed for the administration purposes, which were formerly looked after in the main building. Perhaps the planners of the village did not think far ahead enough about the expanding needs of the administration and staff.

Conversion is now complete and these needs can now be catered for in a much more spacious and conducive setting.

Meanwhile, the collection of Dutch-Australian heritage is somewhat uncomfortably accommodated behind the Dutch shop and restaurant, in Smithfield, hopefully kept as safe as possible from the dangers of dampness, which can be a problem there.

Chances of returning to suitable accommodation, similar to the purpose-built facility where _the heart was formerly beating_ are still remote. There _are_ advantages in the present location.

Possibly more Dutch-born people and friends and families come to the Dutch shop and restaurant than come to visit the residents of the Abel Tasman Village, the latter are not all of Dutch background.

Meanwhile, don't expect to find the Dutch Australian Cultural Centre, in Chester Hill. Come to 85 Market Street, in Smithfield, on Wednesdays and / or Sundays. Or contact us