New Holocaust museum to be built in Darwin with $750,000 federal government grant

The new Holocaust museum will be located next to the Darwin Military Museum and will join similar facilities in each state and territory across the country.

Acting Minister for Education and Youth Stuart Robert.

Acting Minister for Education and Youth Stuart Robert. Source: AAP

The federal government has committed $750,000 to help establish a Holocaust museum in Darwin.

Acting Education Minister Stuart Robert said the funding was part of the government's support for Holocaust awareness throughout Australia.

"The Holocaust was not just a crime committed against the Jewish people, but a crime against all of humanity that should never be forgotten," he said in a statement on Wednesday.

"It is vital we never forget the Holocaust and this investment will ensure we have dedicated spaces to remember those who lost their lives and reflect on the devastating impact on the international Jewish community."
The museum will be located next to the Darwin Military Museum and will join similar facilities in each state and territory across the country.

It comes after a report found that almost one-quarter of Australian adults had little to no knowledge of the Holocaust, and more than 70 per cent were not aware of any Australian connection.

It was the first national, large-scale survey of Holocaust knowledge and awareness, and prompted calls for more consistency in Holocaust education across the country. 

Although the survey found "broad, high levels" of Holocaust awareness, there were some critical gaps in knowledge, one of the lead researchers, Associate Professor Steven Cooke,

It also found that, on average, those with a comparatively higher level of Holocaust awareness had "warmer feelings" towards minority or disadvantaged groups, such as religious minorities, asylum seekers and Indigenous people.
The survey was broadly affirming for Brisbane teacher Lauren Hovelroud, who is an alumni of the Gandel Holocaust Studies Program for Australian educators. 

She said she is encouraged by the overwhelming agreement among respondents that "we can learn lessons for today from what happened in the Holocaust". 

“I think [that finding] is a powerful point of reference for us - not just for me as an educator, but for all Australians, to say, ‘this is something that is still relevant today,'"  

Ms Hovelroud said the survey also affirmed the role of education, with 66 per cent believing it should be compulsory for schools to teach about the Holocaust, and almost 80 per cent valuing Holocaust memorials and museums.
Among the researchers’ eight recommendations was the introduction of a consistent approach to Holocaust education across the country, along with proper and accredited teacher training, and the development of strategies to drive engagement with Holocaust museums. 

Mr Robert said the report shows "it is more important than ever that we invest in Holocaust education as a tribute to the victims and survivors and to ensure these atrocities are never forgotten and never repeated". 

Northern Territory Education Minister Lauren Moss said the museum would be an important facility for Darwin.

"It is important that our young people learn about the Holocaust, to help ensure these atrocities are never forgotten and never repeated," she said. 

With additional reporting by SBS News. 


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Published 2 February 2022 4:11pm
Source: AAP, SBS



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