It’s hard to decide which part of the new museum I am most drawn to. It’s a close call between the beautifully understated library, where hundreds of books trace the history of the Holocaust and preserve the haunting memories of survivors, and the striking digital donor board, which proudly guards the central foyer.  

The donor board tells a compelling tale of a different kind – a story of a community that, through ingenuity and tenacity, has prospered in Australia. As I cast my eyes across the board, I silently acknowledge and thank these donors, who over the past 40 years have so generously ensured the continuity of MHM, ever mindful of the responsibility to honour the six million Jewish victims of the Holocaust, to preserve the museum’s precious collection and to educate against hate.  

A close inspection of the names also reveals the striking lack of people under the age of 60. My generation, it seems, has been overly reliant on our elders when it comes to supporting this vital institution.   

This is the issue that the FutureGen initiative is hoping to address. Our committee plans to harness the excitement generated by the new, award-winning building and the deeply moving permanent exhibitions, to promote engagement with MHM and to ensure it continues to have a profound impact, well into the future.  

A new generation has become the custodians of survivor stories. For me, this privilege and the accompanying responsibility, has been underscored by the recent passing of my grandmother who was a Holocaust survivor.   

FutureGen will support MHM in its quest to amplify the voices of Holocaust survivors and educate about the dangers of antisemitism. I hope everyone will feel inspired to take up the mantle of this important mission at this critical time in our community’s history.  

Romy Moshinsky is a memoirist and publisher. She is a proud member of the FutureGen Committee and her business, Real Publishing, is sponsoring the FutureGen launch on 18 April.