SYDNEY: Over 1,000 community members came together on April 24th, 2026, to commemorate the 1.5 million lives lost during the first genocide of the 20th Century, the Armenian Genocide.
Held at The Concourse, Chatswood, the National Commemoration began with an opening address by Varty Garabet and Aren Kurumlian, welcoming an audience of elected representatives, media personalities, civil society representatives and Armenian-Australian and ethnic community leaders.
The commemorative event was attended by a broad spectrum of elected representatives, including: Mr Tim James MP - Member for Willoughby; Dr Hugh McDermott MP - Member for Prospect; Mr Mark Coure MP - Member for Oatley, Shadow Minister for Multicultural Affairs; Mr Matt Cross MP - Member for Davidson; Mayor Tanya Taylor - Mayor of Willoughby City; Clr Michelle Chuang - Willoughby City Council; Clr John Moratelli - Willoughby City Council; Clr Lyndal Howison - City of Ryde and; Clr Ismet Tastan - Inner West City Council.
In a strong demonstration of bipartisan support, the Co-Chairs of the Parliamentary Friends of Armenia in New South Wales, Mr Tim James MP and Dr Hugh McDermott MP, delivered compelling addresses underscoring the enduring importance of genocide recognition and truth-telling. Both convenors of the group used the platform of the commemoration to call for Federal recognition of the Armenian Genocide, and referenced the ethnic cleansing of the Republic of Artsakh.
The evening also showcased a rich program of cultural performances, reflecting the strength and resilience of Armenian heritage. Highlights included a traditional dance by the Hamazkaine Armenian Sydney Dance Ensemble (ASDC), a moving poetic recitation by Ms Zani Okgian, and choral performances by the Armenian Apostolic Church of Holy Resurrection Choir, the Hamazkaine Arshak & Sophie Galstaun College Choir, and the AGBU Alexander Primary School Choir.
A defining moment of this year’s commemoration was the keynote address delivered by Professor Bruce Scates, a distinguished Australian historian whose extensive research has explored Australia’s response to the Armenian Genocide.
In his address, Professor Scates offered a powerful and authoritative account of Australia’s humanitarian relief efforts, while also drawing attention to the ongoing failure of both the Australian Government and the Australian War Memorial to fully and accurately recognise this history. In a particularly moving segment, he reflected on a single photograph of an orphaned survivor, capturing the profound human cost of genocide and the lifelong impact on those who endured it.
The advocacy address was delivered by the Vice Chairperson of the Armenian National Committee of Australia (ANC-AU), Ms Sarine Nazarian, who strongly criticised the continued reluctance of major party leaders to formally recognise the atrocities of 1915 as genocide.
The evening concluded with a solemn closing prayer led by senior representatives of Australia’s three Armenian churches: His Grace Bishop Vardan Navasardyan, Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian Church of Australia and New Zealand; Monsignor Parsegh (Basil) Sousanian of the Armenian Catholic Church; and Pastor Hagop Sarkissian of the Armenian Evangelical Church.
Commemorations were also held throughout the same week in Melbourne, Adelaide, and Perth, as well as at the Meadowbank Armenian Genocide Memorial organised by the City of Ryde Council, with the total number of Australians commemorating the 111th Anniversary of the Armenian Genocide reaching thousands nationwide.
