Object numberM2017/003:003b
DescriptionPhotograph of Ervin Forrester at the presentation of Honorary Australian Citizenship to Raoul Wallenberg. The event was attended by former Prime Minister Julia Gillard and the Governor-General of Australia; Wallenberg is the only individual to receive such an honour in Australia. The invitation was donated by attendee Ervin Forrester (formerly Ervin Fenyo), who was saved by Wallenberg following his arrest and sentence by the Hungarian Arrow Cross.
Raoul Wallenberg was a Swedish diplomat, who in applying his extraordinary negotiation skills, aptitude for language and bold methods, saved thousands of Jewish lives in WWII. Recruited by the US, War Refugee Board, Wallenberg was appointed legation secretary of the Swedish Diplomatic mission in Budapest in 1944, where he commenced a risky, audacious undertaking to rescue Hungarian Jews under the guise of neutrality. Establishing Swedish safe houses offering shelter to Jews and issuing thousands of Swedish certificates of protection or ‘Schutz passes’, he and his team worked tirelessly to prevent deportations, block executions and distribute resources. When Soviet forces liberated Budapest in January 1945, Wallenberg was arrested, amid suspicion he was an American spy. Despite ongoing negotiations and diplomatic appeals, his ultimate fate has never been ascertained. He was 33 when he disappeared.
The legacy of Wallenberg’s rescue mission has a contemporary resonance. For the survivors, such as Ervin Forrester, his selfless courage and humanity offered hope in dark times and will never be forgotten by these individuals or their descendants. Wallenberg continues to be remembered and memorialised as a beacon of compassion and heroism. Reference to his deeds live on in film, books and in the various organisations, buildings, parks and schools that bear his name. Monuments, statues, sculptures and artworks in his honour can be found across the globe. He was granted honorary citizenship in Canada, Israel and Australia and recognised as a ‘Righteous Among the Nations’ by Yad Vashem in Jerusalem.
Raoul Wallenberg is remembered for his exemplary and unwavering humanity; for his belief in human rights and his conviction in protecting those rights at all costs. His life, however it may be memorialised, is a dutiful reminder to every individual to stand against oppression and persecution.
Raoul Wallenberg was a Swedish diplomat, who in applying his extraordinary negotiation skills, aptitude for language and bold methods, saved thousands of Jewish lives in WWII. Recruited by the US, War Refugee Board, Wallenberg was appointed legation secretary of the Swedish Diplomatic mission in Budapest in 1944, where he commenced a risky, audacious undertaking to rescue Hungarian Jews under the guise of neutrality. Establishing Swedish safe houses offering shelter to Jews and issuing thousands of Swedish certificates of protection or ‘Schutz passes’, he and his team worked tirelessly to prevent deportations, block executions and distribute resources. When Soviet forces liberated Budapest in January 1945, Wallenberg was arrested, amid suspicion he was an American spy. Despite ongoing negotiations and diplomatic appeals, his ultimate fate has never been ascertained. He was 33 when he disappeared.
The legacy of Wallenberg’s rescue mission has a contemporary resonance. For the survivors, such as Ervin Forrester, his selfless courage and humanity offered hope in dark times and will never be forgotten by these individuals or their descendants. Wallenberg continues to be remembered and memorialised as a beacon of compassion and heroism. Reference to his deeds live on in film, books and in the various organisations, buildings, parks and schools that bear his name. Monuments, statues, sculptures and artworks in his honour can be found across the globe. He was granted honorary citizenship in Canada, Israel and Australia and recognised as a ‘Righteous Among the Nations’ by Yad Vashem in Jerusalem.
Raoul Wallenberg is remembered for his exemplary and unwavering humanity; for his belief in human rights and his conviction in protecting those rights at all costs. His life, however it may be memorialised, is a dutiful reminder to every individual to stand against oppression and persecution.
Production date 2013-05-06 - 2013-05-06
Object namephotographs
Materialphotographic emulsion, paper, paper
Dimensions
- width: 136.00 mm
height: 101.00 mm
Credit lineSydney Jewish Museum Collection, Donated by Mr Ervin Forrester