ABC partners MHM in new Holocaust resource for students and teachers
ABC Education and the Melbourne Holocaust Museum have partnered together to develop and launch a great new Holocaust education resource for all Australian students and teachers: Journeys of Hope.
Kim William ABC, Peter Gaspar, Nina Bassat, Annabel Astbury ABC, Eve Graham, Charles German, and André Dubrowin
The Journeys of Hope resource consists of five short video interviews with Holocaust survivors who immigrated to Australia as children. The selected interviewees are Nina Bassat, Peter Gaspar, Eve Graham, André Dubrowin and Charles German.
In the films, they share their immigration stories and everyday life experiences in their new country. From the ship journey from war-ravaged Europe to first days at school in Australia, each interviewee shares candid and poignant reflections on their lives so far in Australia. Each interviewee ends with their own message of hope for young people and their futures.
More than 27,000 survivors migrated to Australia after the Holocaust. They were seeking safety, security, and a new place to call home.
The short films are accompanied by a set of classroom activities mapped to the Australian Curriculum and bonus video material that examines objects from the Melbourne Holocaust Museum’s collection.
Journeys of Hope is an important resource for every Australian classroom. It explores part of the country’s rich migrant history, the struggles of adjusting to life in a new country, and the triumphs and successes of building a new future in Australia.
ABC Chair Kim Williams spoke at the joint launch yesterday and said, “Tonight, we launch an important project, the result of a strong creative partnership between ABC Education and the Melbourne Holocaust Museum.”
“The education resource we officially launch tonight – Journeys of Hope – provides a valuable tool for students and teachers in learning about the heroic survivors of the Holocaust who settled in Australia, invariably as refugees.”
“The testimonies here are a vital link to those historical events, and we are fortunate to have such a durable resource available.”
“As so many here tonight know all too well, the Holocaust teaches us not only about the evil which populated Europe at that time, but also of the dangers in taking the institutions that protect us, for granted. It reminds us that democracy itself is forever fragile and that catastrophic results can follow if we do not protect and defend it.”
“I cannot help but feel presently we all would benefit from visiting this Museum and the history and wisdom it provides.”
Holocaust survivor Nina Bassat AM said, ““We … felt embraced by the democratic values and the fair go attitude …. there was no hostility. This is no longer the situation. …This is not the hospitable Australia which embraced us.”
“In our messages to the students, we all advocated kindness, respect for people and respect for the democracy in which we are fortunate to live.”
“Hopefully, this is a message that will resonate with and inspire the students who watch Journeys of Hope, and the series will have the desired effect of creating a kind and thoughtful generation, a generation that feels empowered to speak out against discrimination and injustice. We share a common humanity and if we can only hold on to that thought, we might create a better world.”
Dr Steven Cooke, CEO of the Melbourne Holocaust Museum said, “Our museum was founded by survivors. Their testimonies have always been central to our work. They offer a personal connection to historical events, transforming abstract numbers into human stories. Through firsthand accounts, we gain a deeper understanding of the emotions, experiences, and resilience displayed by those who endured the Holocaust. This partnership with the ABC allows more people than ever before to engage with these vital testimonies and their lessons for the present.”
The Melbourne Holocaust Museum is the largest institution in Australia and is solely dedicated to Holocaust education, research, and remembrance. Founded by Holocaust survivors in 1984, it houses more than 1,300 survivor testimonies and 12,000 artefacts. Since opening its doors, the museum has educated more than 800,000 students, sharing memories, truths, and hope to inspire the next generation.
Annabel Astbury, ABC Head of Education, said, “The stories shared here not only shine a light on Australia’s migration history and the achievements and contributions to community of those who have made Australia their home, but also allows students to benefit from the insight, compassion and experience of these important, older Australians.”
ABC Education makes available over 3500 high-quality educational resources for use at home and in the classroom for every Australian.
Journeys of Hope with the accompanying educational resources can be accessed via ABC Education, the Melbourne Holocaust Museum and will be available on demand via ABC iView.
https://iview.abc.net.au/show/journeys-of-hope
