The Welcome Wall is a monument at the Australian National Maritime Museum. It was built to honour the people who migrated from different countries to settle in Australia. The stunning monument is 100 metres long, 2.8 metres tall, and has space for the names of 30,000 people.
This unique monument’s history dates back to 1997, with the first set of names inscribed in 1999.
Welcome Wall, National Maritime Museum, Darling Harbour Sydney
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. On the other hand, the story is available for visitors on the monitor at the maritime museum.
One of the Welcome Wall’s most important functions is unveiling new name panels, held biannually to commemorate new entries. In addition to the unveiling ceremonies, many visitors do not realise the monument was built at the maritime museum. This is significant because most migrants arrived by sea and by plane, thus making up an integral part of the country’s maritime history.
The wall is accessible all year round, and on most summer days, it is not unusual to see visitors strolling along the panels. This experience is fascinating because it also offers a glimpse into the migration journey. You can also explore the details of the Welcome Wall on the museum’s official website.
The wall is 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 visiting the Welcome Wall. Combine this with a visit to the museum for a fun day out.
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