Veronica Lind
- Oct 27, 2022
- 3 min read

National Monument to Migration grows with 876 new names

✦ The National Monument to Migration at the Australian National Maritime Museum was unveiled on the 23rd October 2022 in Pyrmont.

The National Monument to Migration honours the thousands of migrants who have come from all over the world to call Australia home. Every single name inscribed on the wall carries its own unique story, as well as a common one of hope and a celebration of a new life, of taking root and thriving in spite of challenges.

The monument faces Darling Harbour and Pyrmont Bay, a symbolic site as it was right here where some migrants first arrived.

Photo: Marinco Kojdanovski #seamuseum

"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." - Daryl Karp, Museum Director

We are all part of the beautiful tapestry that makes up Australia's history.

Photos: Marinco Kojdanovski #seamuseum

Sharing migration stories

At the recent unveiling of the National Monument to Migration, 876 new names have been added. Every year, more names appear on the bronze-panelled wall, and it is a growing testament to the richness of Australia's immigrant culture and history. The wall currently features more than 31,000 names from over 200 countries, out of which 114 are Malaysians and 40 are Singaporeans.

When you think about the difficulties, heartbreak and sacrifices every single name on that wall has experienced, it really is very moving. It makes you pause and wonder what the stories behind each of these names are.

There were guest speakers at the unveiling and their names were among those newly-added to the Monument. They were Nick Lewocki, of Polish heritage, Eugenia Mirakas from Greece, Richard J. Arculus from the UK of Indian heritage and whose wife came from Jordan, and Stephen Nguyen, whose parents travelled in extreme circumstances from Vietnam. Every one of them shared their migration stories at the event.

Digital Publication: We Are Many – Stories of Australia’s Migrants as featured in Brilliant-Online

Click to Read this Digital Publication: We Are Many – Stories of Australia’s Migrants

Honour a migrant

If you have immigrants among your circle of friends, or whose families were immigrants, why not get curious about their stories and experiences? And if there is someone you wish to honour, the Museum is now accepting names for the next panel on the Monument. The next closing date is 22 December, 2022.

Australian Malaysian Singaporean Association AMSA

The Australian Malaysian Singaporean Association Inc (AMSA) celebrates 185 Years of Migration History and invited their members and guests for an information session on 26th October to help them understand how they can participate in the National Monument to Migration.

Adding a Name to the Monument and More

Tina Koutsogiannis, Partnership Manager at the Australian National Maritime Museum walked through how one can register to add a name to the Monument.

As an acknowledgement of your tax-deductible gift of $500, your name, or the name of a family member, relative, co-worker or friend will be etched in bronze onto the museum's Australia’s National Monument to Migration in recognition of their journey across the seas to make Australia their new home.

The $500 donation goes to the Migration Heritage Fund. It is part of the Museum's ongoing commitment to telling Australia's migration stories. A brief biographical note will be published on the Museum's website. Right now, the Museum is collecting a selection of stories from all of these names. A compilation of all these names is a way to tell the story of modern Australia.

Read their Stories

To acknowledge your support, you will receive:

A personal inscription in bronze on Australia's National Monument to Migration.
Donors can contribute a brief story about the person being honoured. This dedicated online profile page can have a maximum of 3000 characters with a maximum of 10 photos and can be securely managed and shared with friends and family.
Research functionality: search other names who may have arrived via the same vessel / time.
Exclusive invitation to a donor recognition ceremony for new inscriptions on the National Monument. The next ceremony will be held in May 2023.
A tax-deductible receipt.