Each name on the monument signifies one main emotion – that of hope
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‘Your story is our story’ Museum’s Welcome Wall becomes the National Monument to Migration
On Sunday 21 March, Harmony Day, the status of the museum’s Welcome Wall was elevated to that of the National Monument to Migration, reports Steve Riethoff. 16
Signals 135 Winter 2021
THE NATIONAL MONUMENT TO MIGRATION 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. In a recorded address to those attending the latest ceremony unveiling new names on the monument, the Governor General of Australia, His Excellency, General the Honourable David Hurley AC DSC, stated: A little over 22 years ago, former Governor-General Sir William Deane presided over the official opening of the Welcome Wall in front of you today. During his speech Sir William described Australia as follows: ‘Our nation is the sum of us all – all those who came here, all those who were born here, and all those who are or have been Australian.’ Sir William said the great lesson of the Welcome Wall is that ‘our diversity has led to our unity.’ I agree with him.
