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.
He will be sadly missed and our thoughts are with his family and friends.
Stephen Dametto
NSW Convenor
Australian Republic Movement
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