01/08/2025
Japan Club of Sydney presents
“Pass the Baton – Commemorating 80 Years Since the End of WWII”
Sydney, NSW | Saturday, 16 August 2025
https://events.humanitix.com/pass-the-baton
This August, the Japan Club of Sydney will proudly present Pass the Baton , a powerful
commemorative event marking 80 years since the end of World War II.
Taking place at the NSW Teachers Federation Auditorium in Surry Hills, this free event offers a
rare and moving opportunity to hear firsthand testimony from Ms Keiko Ogura , a Hiroshima
atomic bomb survivor and globally respected peace advocate.
She was only eight years old when the atomic bomb devastated Hiroshima, and since thenMs
Ogura has dedicated over 40 years to sharing her experience in English to audiences from over
50 countries and regions worldwide.
Her unique journey has brought her into dialogue with the grandchildren of historical figures
such as President Harry S. Truman, a former Enola Gay crew member, and physicist J. Robert
Oppenheimer. 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 goes beyond recounting history—she listens, connects, and consistently
challenges audiences with the question:
“What can we do for the future?”
She embodies the spirit and heart of Hiroshima—the enduring message engraved at the
cenotaph that reads,
“Let all the souls here rest in peace; for we shall not repeat the evil.”She carries not only the memory of Hiroshima but also its hope for reconciliation, peace, and a world free from nuclear weapons.
Traveling to Sydney, Ms Ogura has come to “pass the baton”
— sharing her powerful testimony to inspire future generations to learn from the past and commit to lasting peace.
Pass the Baton is generously supported by an alliance of sponsorship partners as well as our
community. The GoFundMe campaign has raised donations of over $10,000:
https://www.gofundme.com/f/donate-to-help-pass-on-the-memory-of-atomic-bomb-survivors
We invite the public to join us in carrying forward the message of peace to future generations and to take part in this rare opportunity to hear a living testimony.
Event Highlights
● Live testimony by Ms Keiko Ogura in English
● Optional activities post-testimony, including a film screening, origami peace crane booth,
and panel exhibition detailing the realities of the atomic bombing
● Over 200 high school students and educators are set to participate from across NSW Public School Community, with the support of the NSW Department of Education
● Additional talks by Ms Ogura will be hosted at the Australian National Maritime Museum
on the following Sunday Afternoon and at Sydney Japanese International School on the
following Monday.
This commemorative gathering is not about mourning the past—it is a call to action, a
promise to carry the message of peace forward. With the support of partners including
Japan Airlines, NSW Teachers Federation, the Australian National Maritime Museum,
Ken Done Group, Sumitomo Australia, and the wider Japanese community, Pass the
Baton invites all Australians to join in this important act of remembrance and hope.
Date: Saturday, 16 August 2025
Time: 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM (Main Program)
3:00 PM – 4:00 PM (Optional film screening, origami, exhibition)
Venue: NSW Teachers Federation Auditorium, 37 Reservoir St, Surry Hills NSW 2010
Website: www.passthebaton.au
Admission: Free (RSVP required)
Format: In-person event with limited online streaming
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