Government grants $750,000 to the Canberra Holocaust Museum and Education Centre
The Morrison Government is providing $750,000 towards the establishment of the Canberra Holocaust Museum and Education Centre.
Veronica Leydman, Josh Frydenberg and Alan Tudge at the National Jewish Memorial Centre
Minister for Education and Youth Alan Tudge announced the funding as part of commemorations for International Holocaust Remembrance Day.
Minister Tudge said.: “Today marks the anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz-Birkenau death camp and we pay tribute to those who lost their lives and families,”
This new memorial will allow Australian students, teachers and the wider community to better understand the Holocaust and its impact on our world.
Our government has committed funding, in partnership with respective state governments for the construction of similar centres in Victoria, South Australia, Queensland and Western Australia.”
Holocaust education is an important subject that all students should learn. This centre will help facilitate this.”
ACT Chief Minister, Andrew Barr said “Establishing a permanent Holocaust museum and education centre in ACT to continue educating our community about the Holocaust, the roots of prejudice and the ongoing need to maintain a respectful multicultural society is a worthy project.
ACT Jewish Community members Glenda Jeffery (at right) and Anna Casey light a candle during the International Holocaust Remembrance Day ceremony at the National Jewish Memorial Centre in Canberra
The ACT Government looks forward to supporting the ACT Jewish community with a financial and in-kind contribution towards the project as it develops and progresses over the coming year.”
The Government said the grant was a help to continue to educate Australians about this dark chapter in world history.
President of the ACT Jewish Community, Veronica Leydman said “I’m very grateful for this significant funding contribution from the Federal and Territory Governments, which will enable us to continue and expand our important work in Holocaust education. Such education plays a critically important role in protecting Australia’s democratic and multicultural values”.
Federal Treasurer Josh Frydenberg told ABC today: “It doesn’t matter if you’re Jewish or non-Jewish, understanding the Holocaust and learning lessons of the past is critical to a better future for all of us.”
At the event commemorating IHRD, six Holocaust survivors were paired with children lit memorial candles at the National Jewish Memorial Centre. The survivors and the children are members of the ACT community.
ACTJC Program Director Tamsin Friedland commented: “We’re very grateful for this Federal and ACT Government funding, which will enable us to continue our important work in Holocaust education, for all ACT residents and visitors. The Holocaust carries important lessons for all Australians, as we work to protect our democracy and our multicultural society against rising Antisemitism, right-wing extremism and other threats to our way of life.”
