It is with great sadness that we have received news that Martin Hollander, secretary of the NSW Branch of the Australian Republican Movement, is believed to have died at New Zealand’s Whakarri/White Island volcano eruption which occurred on Monday, 9 December 2020. Also believed dead is his wife, Barbara, and, tragically, there has been confirmation that his two teenage children, Berend and Matthew, have died.

Martin was a fantastic contributor to the ARM, being the secretary of the NSW Branch since 2017. He was just recently elected again as secretary last month. He was a strong believer in an Australian republic, seeing the issue from a unique perspective with his wife and children born in the United States and having worked and lived overseas for many years.

I know many of you would have met Martin at the various ARM events over the years. I think you would agree with me that in addition to his contribution in trying to make Australia a republic, he was also one of the nicest people you could meet, a genuinely great bloke.

Please see attached a short video in memory of Martin. The ARM had the opportunity to sit down with him earlier this year to record a conversation about his support for an Australian republic, and hear his story.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-9I5Ryb3hlQ

He will be sadly missed and our thoughts are with his family and friends.

Stephen Dametto