SYDNEY: The Australian Institute for Holocaust and Genocide Studies (AIHGS) commemorated the 111th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide with its 30th Annual Armenian Genocide Commemorative Lecture, held on Tuesday, 15 September 2025, at New South Wales Parliament House.
The evening commenced with a solemn wreath-laying ceremony and prayer service at the Armenian Genocide Memorial Khatchkar (Cross-Stone) in the NSW Parliament’s Peace Garden.
More than 60 members of the Armenian-Australian community attended the commemoration, alongside members of the NSW Parliament and representatives from a number of Australian multicultural communities.
Among the elected representatives in attendance were Tim James MP, Member for Willoughby; Dr Hugh McDermott MP, Member for Prospect; Matt Cross MP, Member for Davidson; Tina Ayyad MP, Member for Holsworthy; Nathan Hagarty MP, Member for Leppington; Charishma Kaliyanda MP, Member for Liverpool; Mark Coure MP, Shadow Minister for Multicultural Affairs and Member for Oatley; Julia Finn MP, Member for Granville; The Hon. Natalie Ward MLC, Deputy Leader of the Liberals; The Hon. Damien Tudehope MLC, Member of the Legislative Council; and The Hon. Susan Carter MLC, Member of the Legislative Council.
Representatives from the Assyrian, Greek, Jewish, Cypriot, Tamil and Hindu, Palestinian and South East Asian communities also joined the commemoration, reflecting the importance of collective remembrance and solidarity across Australia’s diverse communities.
During the ceremony, wreaths were laid by elected representatives, Armenian-Australian community organisations and representatives of the broader multicultural community. Co-Chairs of the NSW Parliamentary Friends of Armenia, Tim James MP and Dr Hugh McDermott MP, delivered a short address reaffirming the importance of remembrance and education in preserving the history of the Armenian Genocide.
The wreath-laying was followed by a prayer service conducted by Rev. Frs. Ashot Abrahamyan, Avetis Hambardzumyan and Nishan Tovmasian of the Armenian Apostolic Church of Holy Resurrection.
The commemorative lecture then took place in the Jubilee Room of NSW Parliament, featuring a keynote address by AIHGS Vice President Dr Panayiotis Diamadis, an academic, educator and community advocate.
Dr Diamadis’ lecture, titled “Anzac Bread”, examined the upcoming inclusion of Australia’s humanitarian response to the Armenian, Assyrian and Greek Genocides in the NSW Stage 5 History Syllabus. The lecture explored the significance of this development for genocide education in Australia and the role that education can play in preserving survivor experiences, challenging denial and ensuring the lessons of past genocides are remembered by future generations.
Drawing on Australia’s historical humanitarian response to the Genocides, Dr Diamadis highlighted the enduring connection between remembrance, education and the promotion of human rights.
The evening concluded with a Q&A session, followed by a Vote of Thanks delivered by Mr Vicken Babkenian, an Executive Committee Member and independent researcher at AIHGS. Mr Babkenian acknowledged Dr Diamadis’ longstanding contribution to Armenian, Assyrian and Greek Genocide research, as well as the collaborative efforts of the three communities in advocating for genocide recognition and education.
Speaking on the importance of the lecture, ANC-AU Political Affairs Director, Sebastian Majarian, said: “For three decades, the Armenian Genocide Commemorative Lecture has provided an important platform to remember the victims, honour the survivors and ensure that the history of the Armenian Genocide is not forgotten. This year’s lecture is particularly significant as we look towards the inclusion of Australia’s humanitarian response to the Armenian, Assyrian and Greek Genocides in the NSW History Syllabus.”
He continued: “Education is one of the most powerful tools we have to preserve memory, challenge denial and ensure that future generations understand where hatred and persecution can lead. We are grateful to AIHGS, Dr Panayiotis Diamadis, the NSW Parliamentary Friends of Armenia and all those who continue to champion remembrance and genocide education in Australia.”
