The Australian National Maritime Museum today adds 1,040 names to the National Monument to Migration today, unveiled over two celebratory ceremonies at the museum in Pyrmont, Sydney.
Attended by hundreds of family, friends and community members, the ceremonies will feature guest speakers - including Dodzi Kpodo, a refugee from Ghana Africa, and winner of The Fathering Awards Australian Community Father of the Year 2023, and guest speakers from Hungary, Thailand and Italy.
The latest honourees join more than 33,000 names from over 140 countries already inscribed on the Monument, with more names added each year. This year’s unveiling includes a panel dedicated to migrants from Italy, in conjunction with community organisation Co.As.It. The Italian panel features 292 new inscriptions honouring 521 names.
The Museum’s Deputy Director, Michael Baldwin said ‘The National Monument to Migration is a living record and testament to our shared national heritage. The lived experiences behind each name inscribed on the Monument come from all over the world, but their stories are unified by the striving for hope for a better life.
‘The Monument is really a celebration of all who have come to build a life here, whose journeys to these shores have helped to shape our nation. Their families, hopes and aspirations have contributed to the making of the success story that is multicultural Australia.
‘We are grateful to our supporters and donors, especially for the Migration Heritage Fund, which allows us to continue to preserve and celebrate our rich national migration heritage.’
The Australian National Maritime Museum is home to the National Monument to Migration and its parallel digital hub, Faces of Migration, which shares the migration stories behind some of the people whose names have been inscribed on the Wall, adding new stories each year, as the Monument continues to grow.
Donors can also contribute a brief story about the person being honoured by the inscription, details of which are published on the museum website.
The museum is now accepting names for the next panel on the Monument, open until 22 December 2023.
For further information go to www.sea.museum/support/national-monument
ABOUT THE NATIONAL MONUMENT TO MIGRATION
The National Monument to Migration (also known as the Welcome Wall) at the Australian National Maritime Museum commemorates those who have migrated from countries around the world to make Australia their new home. The name of any person who was born overseas and settled in Australia may be registered on the Monument. Registration opens during limited periods each year and a donation applies for each inscription. The Monument is situated on the northern promenade of the museum, facing Pyrmont Bay which is historically a place where many migrants first arrived in Sydney.
The first names were unveiled on the Welcome Wall on January 24 1999, by the Governor General Sir William Deane AC KBE KStJ KC. On March 21, 2021, Governor General, General the Honourable David Hurley AC DSC elevated the status of the Welcome Wall to become Australia’s National Monument to Migration.
ENDS
For further information or interviews please contact:
Steve Riethoff
Head of Communications
m: 0417 047 837
e: steve.riethoff@sea.museum
