The final Clogball book launch took place in Sydney at Berkelouw Books in Paddington on Thursday 21 September.
For those unaware, Berkelouw Books began in Rotterdam in 1812 before relocating to Sydney in the 1940s following the destruction of the family business during the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands. That postwar journey brought a new start and new opportunities, like that of many Dutch migrants to these shores.
Launching the book was former Labor NSW Treasurer, Eric Roozendaal, whose father John features in Clogball. John joined Australia’s first Dutch migrant football club, Sydney Austral, at 16 and ended up playing for the club for 15 years. John was at the launch and is still going strong at 88.
Netherlands Consul-General, Hugo Klijn, spoke about the Dutch love of football and the Netherlands Embassy Shared Heritage program that provided me with a grant in 2018 to help with research for the book.
The terrific Stephanie Brantz was MC for the event. Stephanie is the daughter of Dutch migrants and wrote the foreword for Clogball.
It was so good to catch up with several people who featured in the book and who helped me in one way or another with Clogball. Many thanks to all who attended, and the staff at Berkelouw for their generous assistance and the great catering.
If you're in Sydney you can purchase Clogball through the Berkelouw Paddington store. http://berkelouw.com.au/stores/paddington
Comments