🇯🇵 Hiroshima Survivor Keiko Ogura Speaks in Surry Hills

Surry Hills residents and beyond are invited to a significant commemorative event this August, as the Japan Club of Sydney presents "Pass the Baton" at the NSW Teachers Federation Auditorium. This free event marks 80 years since the end of World War II and offers a unique opportunity to hear directly from Ms. Keiko Ogura, a Hiroshima atomic bomb survivor and globally recognised advocate for peace.

Ms. Ogura was just eight years old when the atomic bomb devastated Hiroshima. For over four decades, she has dedicated herself to sharing her harrowing experience with international audiences. Her extraordinary journey has even led her to engage in dialogue with descendants of historical figures such as former US President Harry S. Truman, a former Enola Gay crew member, and physicist J. Robert Oppenheimer. Notably, in 2023, she was the sole hibakusha (atomic bomb survivor) to address world leaders at the G7 Summit in Hiroshima, where she also met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Ms. Ogura's testimony is more than a historical recount; it's a profound call to action, consistently challenging listeners with the question: "What can we do for the future?" She embodies the spirit of Hiroshima's enduring message: "Let all the souls here rest in peace; for we shall not repeat the evil." Her presence in Surry Hills serves to "pass the baton" of remembrance and hope, inspiring future generations to learn from the past and commit to lasting peace and a world free from nuclear weapons.

"Pass the Baton" is made possible through the generous support of various partners, including Japan Airlines, NSW Teachers Federation, the Australian National Maritime Museum, Ken Done Group, Sumitomo Australia, and the broader Japanese community, alongside donations raised via a GoFundMe campaign. All Australians are encouraged to join this important act of remembrance and hope in Surry Hills on August 8, 2025.