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Another Assyrian memorial planned

20 Nov, 2009 01:43 PM
There are plans for an Assyrian genocide park to be established and statue to be built in Fairfield city.

The Assyrian Universal Alliance have made an application to Fairfield city council to seek approval for the erection of the statue and renaming Bonnyrigg Park to the “gardens of Nineveh”.

The genocide park plans were supported by Fairfield councillors at the service committee meeting earlier this month.

The statue will be in memory of Assyrians who were killed in the genocides of the early 20th century.

Louis Boutrous, a well known local Assyrian artist and sculptor designed the 4.5 metre statue which consists of a hand holding the world globe.

This comes after another Assyrian memorial was opened in Fairfield two weeks ago in honour those who served in the Assyrian and Australian forces in both world wars and the refugees who perished in the Assyrian genocides.

Hermiz Shahen, who is the leader of the Assyrian Universal Alliance in Australia, said the Assyrian genocide memorial park and statue will serve to educate people on the crime of genocide.

“The Genocide monument will become a pilgrimage site and an integral part of Australia’s architecture, with a beautiful landscape it will create a perfect harmony with its surroundings,'' he said.

The Assyrian Universal Alliance was founded in 1968, with an aim of promoting the Assyrian name and rights and has been pushing for an Assyrian homeland.

The alliance is now based in Iran with a chapter in Australia centred at Fairfield.

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Why do you need two memorials for the Genocide? Two in two weeks? A site of Pilgrimage? Looking for an Assyrian homeland? Australian architecture, MY FOOT! This is AUSTRALIA, Captain Cook has already discovered us!
Posted by Bev, 20/11/2009 2:23:04 PM
Is someone drilling for oil!
Posted by david, 20/11/2009 10:26:11 PM
Can someone answer the following please? Why do you need such a large park and monument to commemorate? Why do you need to give the park this particular name? There are other memorials in fairfield already comemorating the same thing why another? If the alliance is based in Iran, shouldnt people be doing a pilgrimage to Iran, considering that Iran is closer to the seen of the Attrocities? Are there plans to expand this memorial in the future? Is this the first stage only? If this monument is approved, is there a comitment that it will not get any bigger in the future? It seems to me that if many visitors will come there must be a secret plan for future expansion, thats why such a large park has been chosen.Can someone get this in writing. where will they park? Will we living nearby be effected by this? Unlike other nationalities memorials, this one doesnt have any reference to , Australian soldiers? why is it being subsidised, allowed to be built on public land? I can invisage a grander plan at hand, us residents will be affected, i can see it growing much bigger in future, can someone get a comitment that it wont get bigger in future , in writing!
Posted by Luke Jef...., 21/11/2009 9:00:53 AM
Yes we need a monument dedicated purely for the Assyrian Genocide like other nationalities who have this and which i fully support. Genocide is a terrible thing to happen, in this case murdered 750,000 innocent men, woman and children. Also Bev your comment is wrong the other Assyrian monument was for the Assyrian Levies who fought with Australian soldiers, you should check the Council application and see what was submitted for that Monument. Perhaps we should refresh peoples memories and produce those documents.
Posted by Assyrian, 21/11/2009 9:55:10 AM
The Assyrians werent the only ones to suffer through genocide. So did the greeks. Fairfield is a multicultral city, with many different backgrounds. Why is it only this nationality that is able to get monuments built in Fairfield. Two in two weeks. If this is to be built , the greeks should also be included. Why not have one for all the nations that suffered genocide. If not it will only be a political monument, driven by votes, pursued by the cuncillors of Assyrian background who hold the power in council.
Posted by jim, 21/11/2009 3:19:30 PM
Well, surely we must honour and acknowledge the fundamental planning of this memorial. For those who wish to accompany the presentation I don't see why we must not embrace this day for those who suffered and fought for their rights. This will mean a great deal to those who shared similar experiences. So why not present those with a special ceremony. Another one won't hurt. Have some compassion and respect is what I say.
Posted by Giulietta Citton, 21/11/2009 5:39:18 PM
chilll out a little bit the first one was a plaque for the war memorial and this one is for martyrs ... SO STOP COMPLAINING ( a PLAQUE) in a public areaaa ... so please stop trying to ruin this for the assyrians as it means alot to us
Posted by assyrian, 21/11/2009 6:23:53 PM
the Assyrian monument is built to honour victims of the genocide. the small plaque for war memorial which was built two weeks ago at Fairfield, was meant to honour the Assyrian Livies who fought under the British command . you are mixing two different things together. Assyrians want to show their respect for the souls of victims of over half a milion people killed for being the indegenouse people of Mesopotamia, they wans to send a message for ignorant Assyrians like you who sell their nation because they are full of hatred and jealousy. you should be ashamed.
Posted by assyrian gurl, 21/11/2009 9:13:35 PM
First question how the hell does it affect you? If you want a memorial for your fallen soldiers put in some work and ask the councils approval there is no need for you to hate on Assyrians for respecting their martyrs. And for your information Assyrians helped fight with Australia in WW1, so yes i belive and so do many Assyrians that we deserve this memorial as do the ANZACS. GET OVER IT.
Posted by Assyrian Pride, 21/11/2009 9:45:29 PM
I done some home work overnight, Bev is right, the other memorial was also for the Genocide. It was in recognition of their soldiers and the civilian genocide that occurred. Why do need another? Dont worry about the documents, Look at the plaque itself Assyrian, but something tells me you already know. Someones trying to pull the wool over our eyes. I also found out theirs another one on church grounds just for this. If they already have two, one which was just opened two weeks ago, why do they want another outside my window. And just for the record, this new one isnt just a Plaque, Take off your rose coloured glasses.
Posted by L.J, 22/11/2009 8:32:06 AM
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The planned memorial.
The planned memorial.
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