Pauline Rockman leaves the Melbourne Holocaust Museum board after 30 years
The Melbourne Holocaust Museum (MHM) long-term co-President and visionary leader Pauline Rockman has stepped down from her role at the museum after 30 years.
The new board: Richard Michaels, Michael Debinski, Simon Szwarc, Helen Mahemoff George Braitberg, Karen Katz. Front: Natalie Bassat, Mary Slade, Abram Goldberg, Melanie Raleigh, Sue Hampel.
In early 1994 Pauline joined the museum as a volunteer in the testimonies department. Two years spent interviewing Holocaust survivors led to her becoming the Australian regional coordinator for the Shoah Foundation, where she dedicated 17 years to the collection and preservation of testimonies. She took on the role of MHM co-president in 2006.
The first woman to serve on the MHM Board of Directors, Pauline’s contributions to the community were publicly acknowledged in 2010 when she was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM). She continued her service by representing Australia at the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) and she was an influential advocate for March of the Living Australia, building awareness and public support for this important initiative.
Board Co-President Sue Hampel who has known Pauline since 2001, delivered a touching speech at the AGM, positing: “Pauline, with the support of the board, has done an exceptional job leading MHM over almost 30 years. Thanks to her commitment and dedication, the museum is positioned for an exciting period with our grand opening later this year. Pauline is stepping away from the board as co-president, but she will be ever-present at our museum.”
Pauline Rockman (Rt) receiving Life Governorship certificate from Sue Hampel.
The MHM awarded Pauline with a Life Governorship as a token of appreciation for her nearly 30 years of service to the museum. She will remain on the board as immediate past president.
It happened at the recent AGM where co-president Sue Hempel was joined as a co-president by Michael Debinski.
CEO Jayne Josem said: Michael has brought invaluable skill and passion to the MHM by serving as MHM vice-president since 2021 after joining as a board director in 2020. Commitment to family, community and social justice have guided Mike his whole life; values inculcated by his parents, who were Holocaust survivors.
Board Director Elly Brooks has also stepped down this year. Elly has been involved with the MHM Board for many years in a number of capacities, including as the former president of the Friends of JHC and as honorary secretary.
The MHM welcomed three new faces on the Board of Directors.
Dr Natalie Bassat is a medical practitioner who has 30 years of experience working in wide-ranging roles, including clinical research, medical education, mental health and more recently in women’s health.
Natalie is passionate about education and is a director of the board of Mount Scopus College.
Natalie is the granddaughter of Holocaust survivors and has a solemn duty to never forget. She is a dedicated advocate for Holocaust education, to honour and remember those who suffered and perished, and to educate future generations about the dangers of racism and intolerance.
Karen Katz has over 32 years’ experience as a lawyer and has worked with Rickards Legal since 2008.
Karen is the daughter of Holocaust survivors, both of whom are thankfully still alive to share their stories and experiences.
Karen went on the March of the Living youth program in 2014 with her parents, where she accompanied them as survivor guides, and has served on the March of the Living Board of Members from 2021 to 2022.
Karen feels strongly about keeping the memories and experiences of Holocaust survivors alive and believes that the Melbourne Holocaust Museum is vital to ensure that the legacies of those who died in the Holocaust are remembered.
Natalie Siegel, who will be joining us as a co-opted Board Director, has spent over 25 years working in the charity and community sector, with a particular focus on drug and alcohol, family violence, disability, and employment issues.
As the granddaughter of Holocaust survivors, she carries a profound sense of responsibility to honour her family’s history and preserve their memory. Natalie’s connection to the MHM finds its roots in her grandmother, Rosa Krakowski, whose impactful work as a guide spanned many years. As a member of the third generation, Natalie is inspired by Rosa’s contributions, and is resolute in upholding her grandmother’s legacy to keep telling the stories and continue to educate. Natalie will be joining the MHM team as a co-opted board director.
Further congratulations were in order for Simon Szwarc who was appointed as vice president, Mary Slade appointed as secretary, and Richard Michaels for his reappointment as treasurer.
Michael has brought invaluable skill and passion to the MHM and the memory of Holocaust survival in Melbourne by serving as MHM vice-president since 2021 after joining as a board director in 2020.
Mazal Tov on your well-deserved retirement Pauline.
A job well done.