Pass the Baton - Commemorating 80 Years Since the End of WWII

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.

Ms. Ogura was only eight years old when the atomic bomb devastated Hiroshima. Since then, she has dedicated over 40 years to sharing her experience in English with 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 and the 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 the New South Wales 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.

Event Details:

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
Language: English only

Media Invitation & RSVP:

Please RSVP by 15 July 2025 to confirm your attendance by replying to this email with the names of the attendees. A pre-event press call with Ms. Keiko Ogura will be held at 11:30 AM on event day at the venue. If you wish to attend the press call as well as the event, please indicate this in your RSVP.

Media Contact:
Haruka Shinno
Japan Club of Sydney Event Curator
Email: [email protected]