For Those Who Came Across The Seas

Today’s Australia has been shaped by migration. We’ve come from all the lands on earth to build this great country.

The National Maritime Museum collects the stories of migrants to Australia, and the National Monument is one of our most important and visible ways of recognising the people behind these stories.

Over 30,000 names already appear on the 84 bronze panels that are joined together and run down the northern promenade of the museum, facing Pyrmont Bay.

The project was first announced in November 1997 and the first names were inscribed in January 1999.

With each name, interested people have the opportunity to write a 150-word story that describes their journey. This typically includes their country of origin, the time of their arrival, the reason for migrating and even how they settled into their new community. Note that even with the inclusion of the brief history, only the names appear on the wall. The story, on the other hand, is available for visitors on the monitor at the maritime museum. Twice a year new panels of names are unveiled with ceremony.

You can honour a migrant – a loved one, a member of your family, yourself, or a new arrival – on Australia’s National Monument to Migration at the Australian National Maritime Museum.

The wall is accessible all year round, and on most summer days, it is not unusual to see visitors strolling along the panels. This is a fascinating experience because it also offers a glimpse into the migration journey.

The wall is located on 2 Murray Street within the Australian National Maritime Museum at Darling Harbour. Perhaps there is no better way to embrace the country’s diversity and unity than by taking some time to visit the Welcome Wall.

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IMAGE CREDIT: Australian Maritime Museum and Reproduced courtesy International Organisation for Migration