The Australian National Maritime Museum extends its heartfelt thanks to the Vietnamese-Australian community, partners and supporters who helped bring to life the dedicated Vietnamese panel unveiled on the National Monument to Migration at the Museum on Saturday, 22 November.
The afternoon unveiling focused on the Vietnamese community panel commemorating the 50th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War.
Hundreds of family representatives and community members joined the Museum to witness the unveiling and celebrate the stories now inscribed on the Monument. In partnership with community leaders, donors and media supporters, the Museum added 347 inscriptions representing Vietnamese migrants to the National Monument to Migration—honouring resilience, courage and contribution.
The museum is home to the refugee boat Tu’ do (Vietnamese for ‘freedom’) which arrived in Darwin on 21 November 1977 after an incredible journey of almost 6000 km from Vietnam.
Funds raised will help the Museum move Tự do from temporary storage to a long-term display so its story can inspire future generations.
Ms Daryl Karp AM, Director and CEO of the Museum said: ‘The National Monument to Migration celebrates the long history of migrants who have shaped modern Australia. We are deeply grateful to the Vietnamese-Australian community for their extraordinary support in creating this dedicated panel to mark the 50th anniversary. Their generosity and commitment ensure that these stories of courage and resilience will be preserved for future generations. This panel is not only a tribute to those who made the journey but also a powerful reminder of the role migration plays in enriching our multicultural nation.’
The museum specifically would like to thank the following community groups and individuals for their support (in alphabetical order):
- Australian Vietnamese Health Professional Association
- Canterbury Bankstown Council
- Community & Cultural Connection
- Fairfield City Council
- Inner West Council
- Little Asia 2166
- SBS Vietnamese
- The Sunrise Daily
- The museum’s Tự do community reference group and in particular Julie Ly and Sheila Pham
- Viet Luan Newspaper
- Vietnamese Community in Australia – NSW chapter Dr Peter Thang Ha, President
- Vietnamese Community in Australia – NSW chapter and Dr Bill Tran
- Viet TV Australia - Ken Phan, Director
- Viet TV Australia - Kim Hoang Nguyen, Editor in Chief
- Vietnamese Women's Association in NSW
About the National Monument to Migration
The National Monument to Migration (Welcome Wall) at the Australian National Maritime Museum commemorates people born overseas who settled in Australia. Registration opens for limited periods each year and a donation applies for each inscription. The Monument is located on the Museum’s northern promenade facing Pyrmont Bay, a historic place of arrival for many migrants in Sydney. Its status was elevated to Australia’s National Monument to Migration in March 2021.
Media contact:
Steve Riethoff m: 0417 047 837 e: [email protected]