Messages of Support

“Here in the heart of the nation we celebrate all that we cherish about Australia; our system of government and the freedoms it gives; the protection we enjoy under the rule of law; our artistic, cultural and sporting achievements.

The newest national monument will celebrate the contribution of immigration to this country and remind us all how each successive generation of immigrants has created splendid opportunities for the next. It will honour the more than 10 million people who travelled from over 213 countries to help make us the great country that we are.

The concept of a linking bridge is fitting; symbolically connecting the multitude of personal stories and diversity of our immigrant background, aspects of which will be depicted in the artwork on the bridge’s surface.

For those Australians who trace their ancestry to immigration since 1788, the symbol of a bridge across the water will be particularly significant, because, whether they sailed on it, or flew over it, our immigrants crossed the water to make this country home.

Congratulations on this official launch. Base as it is on such a visionary concept, the Immigration Bridge is in every way a most welcome and symbolic national project. It will be a magnificent and relevant record of contribution by immigrant families to this country.”

His Excellency Major General Michael Jeffery, AC CVO MC (Retd),
Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia

“As an immigrant to this country at the tender age of 7, I continue to marvel at the warmth and generosity of the Australian people who from the very beginning have given me so much support. In turn, it is pleasing to reflect on the many contributions that migrants have made to Australian life in the most diverse array of fields. Medical science is no exception! The Immigration Bridge Australia project is a wonderfully ambitious and appropriate acknowledgement of the 10 million migrants.”

Sir Gustav Nossal AC

"The Immigration Bridge is an imaginative project which calls to mind how so many crossed the seas to settle in a distant land. In doing so they helped create a new society of many cultures. They also built bridges of understanding with their former homes. I wish this project well."

Sir James Gobbo AC

"Like so many other Australians, I came to this country as a refugee from the Japanese invasion of China at the beginning of the 2nd World War. I was lucky because I had a family here to help and support me. It might not have been as welcoming if China were not an ally during that war against the Fascist axis.I believe everyone should be given a chance to escape from oppression no matter what form that oppression might take."

Dr John Yu AC

“Our society is a successful product of our immigrant past, and our gift to our children. Commemorating the role of immigrants in the development of Australia is an essential part of understanding where we have come from as a nation.”

Professor Ian Frazer

“As an Australian composer I'm proud to be associated with this elegant symbol of our unity and our diversity.”

Ross Edwards AM

“A bridge is a most powerful symbol of a diverse population linked by a common purpose. This is a project well worth supporting.”

Gerald Stone

“A truly wonderful project which will both reflect upon the diversity of our heritage; and highlight the common goal that all immigrants had of building a new life in a new nation."

Doug McWilliam

As an Anglo-Indian migrant I would like to say that this superlative and unparalleled showpiece will bridge all Australians with one voice. We ought to pay a rich and legitimate tribute to those individuals who floated this concept of a monument in Canberra to honour the contributions migrants have made to the progress and development of Australia. Let us also applaud those left with the task to put it into operation

Joe Bailey, President, National Federation of Anglo-Indian Associations of Australia

"Nearly all Australians are descended from migrants who arrived from 1788. Nearly half either came from overseas themselves or were the children of those who did. These essential facts need emphasising and recording. The idea of a bridge across Lake Burley Griffin which would also be a memorial to past and present generations is an excellent one. Australians come from many backgrounds and all have interesting stories to tell about themselves and their ancestors. This project will help to record such stories, which are vital to understanding who Australians are and where they have come from.

Dr James Jupp AM, Australian National University 

“As one of the many migrants to Australia since the Second World War I think it is important to record their significant  contribution  to the development of Australia.  This bridge will show part of Australia’s history in a truly memorable form.”

Dame Elisabeth Murdoch AC 

“This innovative national monument will not only teach us about the many cultural backgrounds that make up our country and the invaluable contribution of migration to Australia’s social, economic and cultural growth, it will also be the bridge that promotes harmony amongst all Australians, now and in the future. I congratulate the committee on this visionary project which I am proud to be associated with.”

Dr B. (Hass) Dellal OAM, Executive Director, Australian Multicultural Foundation

"This is a great initiative.  It emphasizes that Australians have come from many different lands, that our culture is an amalgam from all around the world."

The Rt. Hon Malcolm Fraser AC CH

Messages of Support from both sides of politics
 

"The Immigration Bridge is an inspired concept, designed to represent and honour Australia's history of immigration since white settlement. Our culture is rich with the stories of people from all over the globe who have chosen to live in Australia. This will be an important monument to those stories. It will create a place where people can gather to experience and reflect upon the makings of our diverse nation.

Then Deputy Leader of the Opposition, now Deputy Prime Minister, Julia Gillard (21 August, 2007)

"As the elected representative of the most culturally diverse communities in Australia it is an honour to be supporting such a worthwhile initiative as the the Immigration Bridge.

Australia and immigration go hand in hand. Indeed the story of Australia can be traced around the waves of immigrants that have come from afar since 1788.

It is truly fitting that the nation's capital is home to all of these stories, to the story of Australia.

This is a marvellous idea and vision that will no doubt stand the test of time in much the same way as many migrant families and communities have settled and now call Australia home. 

I am proud to lend my support to this project and look forward to encouraging more people to get involved."

Then Shadow Assistant Treasurer, now Assistant Treasurer, Minister for Competition Policy and Consumer Affairs, The Hon Chris Bowen. July 30th 2007.

"I am pleased to have the opportunity to send my best wishes to Immigration Bridge Australia on the occasion of the national launch of the Immigration Bridge Australia project.

Since 1788 our society has been shaped by the contributions of successive waves of migrants to Australia. Nearly all Australians are either migrants themselves or descended from migrants who arrived in Australia some time over the last 218 years. The idea of a memorial in the heart of the national capital to recognise past and present generations of migrants is fitting recognition of the central role played by by these people in the development of Australia's national story."

Then Prime Minister, John Howard on the occasion of the National Launch, December 4th 2006. 

"I write to endorse the concept of the Immigration Bridge. On a personal level I have ensured that my Irish and English roots are commemorated there.

It is truism that the nation's infrastructure and white settlement was based on migration. It is crucial to remind Australians that, despite changes in the intake's ethnic, religious, skills and family make-up, there has been much continuity.The organisers are to be commended in ensuring that the fixation of some amateur historians with our war experience is balanced by the realities of indigenous subjugation and migration.

As a person who devotes some time to genealogy and has traced family contributions to Australia, I deem it a very worthwhile initiative.

Then Shadow Minister for Multicultural Affairs, Now Parliamentary secretary for Multicutural Affairs and Settlement Programs, The Hon Laurie Ferguson 

“As an Irish immigrant, I am very pleased to lend my support to this wonderful project. It will be a spectacular and inspirational piece of architecture which will serve as a national monument to migrants old and new.”

Senator Ursula Stephens

“.. in June 2002, I spoke in Parliament…on the subject of a National Monument to Immigration.. The motion was supported by both sides of the House.”

The Hon. Gary Nairn

“A bridge across Lake Burley Griffin, linking Acton Peninsula and Lennox Gardens, would afford greater access to and enjoyment of the Lake and its parklands.”

Jon Stanhope, ACT Chief Minister

"On June 24th 2002 I had the pleasure of speaking to a Private Members motion in the House of Represtatives calling for the establishment of a National Monument to commemorate Australia's immigration history

I am thrilled that within 5 years of that call, the monumernt, known as the Immigration Bridge, is well and truly underway to becoming a reality!"

Purchasing a spot on te Immigration Bridge for both my parents and my parents-in-law is, I believe, the most poignant and meaningful way to honour their contribution.

I look forward to the day I can take my family - Dad and the kids in particular - to Canberra for the opening of the Immigration Bridge."

Federal Member for Calwell, Maria Vamvakinou.

“As a commemoration to the contribution that immigrants have made to Australian development and culture, the bridge would not only have an important functional role but also would have great symbolism”

“Indeed the bridge would become an important tourist attraction in itself”

Jon Stanhope, ACT Chief Minister

The pedestrian bridge in the location of your proposal is a key initiative of the National Capital Authority’s Griffin Legacy project”

“Construction of the of the bridge will provide a symbolic and functional connection between the National Museum of Australia and the Parliamentary Zone”

The Hon. Jim Lloyd

“The contribution made to Australia through immigration is recognised in many ways in many places across the nation. However, the concept of a monument in the nation’s capital would be a fitting memorial. …the proposal has the support of the National Capital Authority and is in keeping with Walter Burley Griffin’s vision for Canberra”

The Hon. Philip Ruddock

“..I now wish to advise you that as a first generation Australian, born to parents who migrated from Palestine, I am fully aware of the benefits migrants have brought to our fine nation.In summary, I wish to thank you for bringing this idea to the attention of the House, and I look forward to rendering the organising committee any assistance for my electorate.”

The Hon. Joe Hockey

“ ..we need to acknowledge the many peoples who have chosen to make Australia their home.. A monument, such as the one currently being proposed for the nation’s capital, would be a worthy acknowledgement of the this significant achievement”

The Hon. Gary Hardgrave

"It will indeed be my pleasure to promote…an awareness of the contributions immigrants have made to the growth and formation of our Nation and the proposed monument to identify and honour their efforts.”

Alby Schultz, MP. Federal Member for Hume

“I am…pleased to give my full support to the initiatives contained in your motion”

Julia Irwin MP. Federal Member for Fowler

“I congratulate your Committee on the project which would recognise the enormous contribution that migrants have made to the development of Australia.”

The Hon. Peter McGauran