Migrant 'Welcome Walls' now open for public registration

15/8/04
Premier Geoff Gallop has announced that registrations are now being taken for name inscriptions on the Welcome Walls at the Western Australian Maritime Museum.
The announcement came as the Welcome Walls' architects gave the public its first glimpse of what the finished project would look like.
Dr Gallop said the Welcome Walls would be a lasting tribute to migrants who arrived in WA by sea.
The port of Fremantle was the gateway not only to WA but to Australia for millions of migrants who arrived here by sailing ship, steamship, naval vessel and ocean liner.
The Welcome Walls, a new attraction at the WA Maritime Museum on Fremantle's Victoria Quay, will honour the significant contributions that these migrants have made to the State and will celebrate individual lives.
Striking engraved walls, which record people who arrived through the port of Fremantle, will border the new outdoor gallery that greets visitors to the museum.
The Premier said the name listings on the Welcome Walls were open to anyone who arrived in Australia through Fremantle.
"If you, your parents or forebears arrived in Australia through Fremantle Port, you could immortalise your heritage by listing your family's name on the Welcome Walls, due to be unveiled in December," Dr Gallop said.
"An engraved inscription of the name, year of arrival and ship of passage will cost $66.
"This cost will include a listing on a special website that can be accessed by family and friends around the world and on the 'Passages' database - an historical computer database accessible within the Maritime Museum.
"The database will offer a growing, dynamic information resource with fascinating archival photographs and records of the port, the ships and the people who stepped ashore here.
"Individual listings on the database will include more information supplied by the migrant or their family or descendants."
The State Government is contributing $650,000 towards the project. This comprises $500,000 for construction and $150,000 towards staffing, advertising and development of the database.
The Premier said the listings were a way that people could record their own heritage or pay tribute to parents, grandparents or even great-great-great-grandparents, who made a new life in this country.
"These people have made an immeasurable contribution to the State's social, economic and cultural development," he said.
Registrations can be made by completing a registration form and returning it to the Maritime Museum, in person at the Maritime Museum, or on-line.
Telephone 1300 858 438 for a registration form, or register on line at http://www.museum.wa.gov.au/maritime
Premier's office: 9222 9475