Premier praises migrant contribution at opening of Welcome Walls

19/12/04
Premier Geoff Gallop has paid tribute to the valuable contribution of migrants at today's unveiling of the State Government's Welcome Walls project at Fremantle.
The Welcome Walls, located at the Western Australian Maritime Museum, capture in striking engraved panels the names of 7,997 people who have arrived through the port of Fremantle.
Dr Gallop said the walls created a special meeting place that was a tribute to all migrants and their descendants who had made an outstanding contribution to Western Australia.
"Today is a special occasion for a special monument that honours the significant place that migrants hold in our community," he said.
"As well as celebrating individual lives, the Welcome Walls are a formal recognition of the immeasurable impact that migrants have made on the State's social, economic and cultural development."
To complement the walls, a database of information called the 'Passages' database has also been developed. This database will include details such as date of birth, date of arrival, occupation on arrival and place of settlement. Some listings also include stories of people's lives.
The Welcome Walls were announced in February this year as part of the State's 175th anniversary and have been an enormous success with registrations 'sold out' within two months of becoming available. To date, more than 1,500 people have already registered for the next stage.
Stage Two will be located on the port side of the museum and information regarding this will be available on the museum website - http://www.museum.wa.gov.au/maritime or by phoning 1300 858 438.
An engraved inscription of the name, year of arrival and ship of passage will cost $66.
Registrations can be made by completing a registration form and returning it to the Maritime Museum, in person at the Maritime Museum or online.
Premier's office: 9222 9475