Mon, 15 Mar 2010 - 23:00
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Fletcher Pays Tribute to Passing of Armenian Genocide Survivor in Federal Parliament

Federal Member for Bradfield, Paul Fletcher spoke in Parliament yesterday to mark the passing of and pay tribute to Mr Arshag Badelian, one of Armenian Australian community’s last survivors of the Armenian genocide.

Mr Budelian arrived in Australia in 1980, and died a couple of weeks ago aged 100.

Mr Fletcher said that the Armenian-Australian Community was an important part of the fabric of Australian society across the nation and on the north shore of Sydney, including in his the electorate of Bradfield.

He noted the role of the community in constantly reminding the wider Australian society of the tragedy of the Armenian genocide in 1915.

“The community and its leaders continue to work tirelessly to ensure this genocide is not forgotten,” Mr Fletcher said.

The Armenian National Committee of Australia President, Mr. Varant Meguerditchian said: “We thank Mr. Fletcher for his statement on the sad passing of Mr. Badelian – one of our community’s last remaining Armenian Genocide survivors.”

Media contact: Darren Bark 02 6277 4240