Our History
Netherlands Society Abel Tasman
The Club was initially known as the Netherlands Society Abel Tasman and first opened its doors on the 1st November 1958 in Barkly Street, St Kilda.
The journey to find a new home
The premises at Barkly street became too small and the Club temporarily moved to premises at 16 Dickens Street, Elwood in February 1970. This building was formerly known as the cabaret club Moulin Rouge.
Our current home in Carnegie
Finally the Club relocated to the current premises at 60 Rosstown Road in Carnegie! The official opening was on Saturday 8th December 1972. The Club opened its doors to many sub-clubs, for example a Bridge Club, Klaverjas Club, Biljart Club, Table Tennis Club, Dam Club, Jokers and the Soccer Club.
15 year anniversary
The Club celebrated its 15 year history. This day marked the 332 year anniversary of sailor/explorer Captain Abel Tasman having set foot on Australian soil. Among its achievements during 15 years of establishment was membership of over 300, the purchase of its very own premises, establishing the Club as a non-profit organisation and many more. The band for the 15th anniversary was The Jantjes which is apt as in Dutch ‘jantjes’; is the nickname for a sailor. The Club enjoyed a time of great popularity and regular full houses.
Dutch Club Abel Tasman
The Club changes its name to its present one:
Dutch Club ‘Abel Tasman’.
Fire
Bad luck struck when the Club suffered from a fire which started around 4am. It took 15 firemen and 25 minutes to contain the fire and part of the Dutch Club was burnt to the ground.
Rebuilding the Club
Thanks to a select group of members the Clubrooms were rebuilt. It took many long hours, many generous pockets and dedicated volunteers and the Club was erected again with its large dance floor, spacious seating and fabulous bar. In 1981 a kitchen was started up by Paula and Theo Derks and hot snacks were made on a portable gas cooker, rolls, coffee and tea were also available.
A New Start
The Club was officially reopened on the 18th June 1982 and it was a celebration of its uniqueness since it was one of the truly multi-cultural clubs in Victoria in the post war era. The Club can boast a membership of not only Dutch but many Australian, Greek, English and many other nationalities.
Increased Popularity
The people who helped rebuild the Abel Tasman came from all cultures and walks of life. The Club once again slowly grew and in 1987 it had a membership of 550.
Location, Location...
The Abel Tasman is in a very good location – in November 1998 the building was valued between $220,000 and $260,000. Now it is worth many times that. Time can make a big difference.
Refurbishment
In 2006 a new committee was formed with Roel Rolleman as President and Michael Gijsberts as the Vice-President. The new commitment made was to preserve the Club for the generations to come. Funds were borrowed from the Association in order to refurbish the whole building. The result is a new bar, kitchen, dance-floor, sound system and multiple screens to show sporting events. The showing of the 2006 World- and the 2008 European Soccer Cups were a great success, even though the games were aired in the middle of the night!
Also in 2006 the Association’s ‘Koninginnebal’ was held at the Abel Tasman and has now become a yearly tradition.