Wednesday, 2 April 2025

 Ann-Marie HERMANS (South-Eastern Metropolitan) (09:54): I rise to acknowledge the Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day, which commemorates the 110th anniversary of one of the gravest horrors of humanity. From 24 April 1915 to 1923, an estimated 1.2 million Armenians, 500,000 Assyrians and 350,000 Greeks were persecuted and murdered. The Armenian genocide is said to have started when 250 intellectuals and community leaders were arrested and executed. In September 2023 I visited the ancient land of Armenia as part of an Australian parliamentary delegation and had the opportunity to learn more about the atrocities firsthand at memorials and museums. In January 1925, 100 years ago, in an old mechanics institute hall in Frankston, Professor Atkinson’s lecture helped Victorians learn about the persecution of the Armenians in mass executions, crucifixions, forced marches, rape and starvation, resulting in everyday Aussies raising funds and clothing to help displaced Armenian refugees. Today the Armenian community play an important part in the South-Eastern Metropolitan region, with the Armenian General Benevolent Union in Rowville, the Armenian language school and sporting youth and women’s groups meeting regularly in Springvale. As we stand with the Armenian, Greek and Syrian communities – and I note that community-minded Greeks and Assyrian families also live in the south-east – we recognise the horrors of these persecuted Christian people and affirm our commitment to justice and truth, ensuring that genocides and tragedies like this are not dismissed or forgotten so they may never happen again.