ADELAIDE: The Armenian National Committee of Australia (ANC Australia) has welcomed the unveiling of a Genocide Memorial Monument in South Australia. The monument dedicated to the Armenian, Greek and Assyrian genocides comes after many months of planning and organising by community leaders.
In attendance were over 20 members of both State and Federal parliament, as well as over 400 members of the community including ANC Australia representatives from South Australia and Victoria at an official ceremony to mark the occasion.
The unveiling of the monument comes after both the South Australia Legislative Council and Legislative Assembly unanimously passed resolutions recognising the Armenian, Greek and Assyrian genocides in 2009, recognising and condemning the events of 1915-1923.
ANC Australia Executive Director Vache Kahramanian congratulated the South Australian Armenian, Greek and Assyrian communities on this historic event.
"The unveiling of this monument is testament not only to the memory of the victims of genocide but also to descendants of survivors who have called Australia home," Kahramanian said.
"South Australia has played an enormous role during and after the Armenian genocide by way of humanitarian assistance the people of that State provided. It is fitting to have such a monument erected."
A church service was held at St. Dimitrios Greek Othordox Church followed by the official unveiling at the Mausoleum of Holy Family in Salisbury Downs.
Special thanks from the Armenian-Australian community to the ANC Australia Adelaide office and the Armenian Cultural Association of South Australia Inc (ACASA).
