Other voices for SIEVX

Before and during the creation of the SIEVX Memorial, important and brave work was being carried out by others which we'd like to acknowledge here.

In particular, we appreciate the efforts of Marg Hutton, historian, who created the sievx.com website, an award winning archive of all media, parliamentary, and other documents relating to the sinking and its circumstances. Without this site it would have been very difficult for lay people like us to ascertain the facts, and in particular the accounts of the sinking and stories of the families on board.

Former diplomat Tony Kevin first pointed out discrepancies in the official version of events relating to our government's knowledge of the SIEVX sailing. He eventually published a book A Certain Maritime Incident (Scribe Press) which gave more background on the activities in Australia and in Indonesia linked to the sinking, and documented the story behind the headlines. Tony experienced considerable persecution for his stand, but continues to speak up about the need for an investigation into Australia's role. His lifetime of experience in the Dept of Foreign Affairs gave him an understanding of how governmental powers can be misused and he documented many inconsistencies in the official story of SIEVX that have serious ramifications.

Mary Dagmar Davies created the first SIEVX memorial online, known as Jannah. This is still archived on the National Library website.

Filmmaker Steve Thomas produced an acclaimed feature film on the life of Amal Basry called Hope. Amal, one of only seven survivors to make it to Australia, was a friend of all in the Memorial Project, and a passionate spokeswoman for the survivors. With Faris Kadhem she gave a detailed account of the military vessels that came in the night but did nothing to rescue the hundred or so people still fighting for their lives in the water. Amal died from breast cancer in 2007, a pole at the memorial was made for her by friends.

A SIEVX Memorial also exists on Christmas Island, where the boat was headed, and in Hobart, on the Domain overlooking the Derwent River, and in a number of the schools which participated in the project.


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