Each name tells a unique story. Each story is one of hope.
Another 876 names have been added to the National Monument to Migration at the Australian National Maritime Museum, at the latest unveiling ceremony in Pyrmont yesterday.
The National Monument to Migration honours the thousands of migrants who have travelled across the world to call Australia home. Each year, more names are inscribed on the bronze-panelled wall which faces Darling Harbour and Pyrmont Bay – historically the site where many migrants first arrived. The Monument currently features over 31,000 names from over 200 countries.
The museum has worked closely with the Greek community over the past year in a special fundraiser to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the Greek War of Independence and to honour the contribution of Greek Australians in building our nation. Today, 244 new inscriptions were added, honouring people from both Greece and Cyprus – amongst these, the first ten Greek migrants to Australia.
Museum Director, Daryl Karp, said, ‘The story of migration to Australian shores is a foundational one in our maritime history. The National Monument to Migration honours the many people whose stories and contributions have shaped our nation. It is both a recognition and celebration of this wonderful diverse nation.
‘The experiences of the people whose names are inscribed on the Monument celebrate our commonality - love of family, community and striving for a better life. Some of their stories tell of loss and sadness, some of triumph - but, ultimately, all are about hope.’
‘We are grateful to our many donors to the Migration Heritage Fund, which underpins the museum’s ongoing commitment to telling the nation’s migration stories.’
Three speakers, whose names were amongst those newly-added to the Monument, shared their migration stories at the event – including Nick Lewocki, of Polish heritage, Eugenia Mirakas from Greece, Richard J. Arculus, of Indian heritage and whose wife came from Jordan, and Stephen Nguyen, whose parents travelled in extreme circumstances from Vietnam.
Donors are invited to contribute a brief story about the person being honoured and a brief biographical note is published on the museum website. The museum is amassing a selection of stories from these names; stories that, in turn, tell the story of modern Australia.
Organisations that have supported the Greek Bicentenary Fund include:
- The Greek Welfare Centre
- The Greek Herald
- The Greek City Times,
- The Greek Festival of Sydney
- AHEPA Australia
- AHEPA NSW
- The Lemnian Association of NSW
- The Sydney Restaurant Group
The museum is now accepting names for the next panel on the monument before the next closing date of
22 December, 2022.
For further information go to sea.museum/support/national-monument
ENDS