Welcome Wall ceremony September 2016. Image: Andrew Frolows / ANMM.
Kate Pentecost, Those who’ve come across the seas: New names unveiled on the Welcome Wall, Australian National Maritime Museum Blog, 25 September 2016
This Sunday, 25 September 2016, saw 882 new names unveiled on our migrant Welcome Wall in honour of all those who have migrated from around the world by sea or air to live in Australia. The museum unveils new names on the Welcome Wall twice a year. 2016 marks the 17th year of unveiling ceremonies, bringing the total number of names on the wall to a staggering 28,293. More than 200 countries are now represented on the Wall.
As a multicultural nation, with one in four of Australia’s 23 million people born outside Australia, the Welcome Wall is a celebration of diversity. It allows today’s Australians to pay tribute to migrant forebears, family members and friends by having their names inscribed on it. Located outdoors on the museum’s northern boundary, the wall faces Darling Harbour and Pyrmont Bay.
The special guest at the unveiling ceremony was Dr. Harry Harinath OAM Chair, Multicultural NSW who reflected on his own family’s migrant history and the importance of multiculturalism in Australia.