A historian and scholar of the Holocaust will delve into the background of Wollongong art benefactor Bob Srederas after claims he was linked to the Nazis.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Historian, Professor Konrad Kwiet, will investigate Mr Sredersas' history, and report back to the council to determine what course of action should be taken if the claims are found to be true.
Wollongong City Council was made aware of documents linking philanthropist Mr Srederas to involvement with the intelligence arm of the Nazi SS in January.
At the time the council, which is responsible for the city's art gallery, chose to take no action. However once those claims were made public, its position was reviewed.
Now the council will work with the NSW Jewish Board of Deputies to verify claims Mr Srederas was a member of the Nazi Party's Schutzstaffel (SS) and Sicherheitsdienst (SD), its intelligence arm.
It also is understood a statement noting allegations and explaining investigations are ongoing will be placed at the Wollongong Art Gallery and on the gallery's website. Steps have also been undertaken to secure personal items of Mr Sredersas in the local studies section of the Library and a similar statement will be placed there for library customers.
Lord Mayor Gordon Bradbery, the council general manager Greg Doyle, council's community services director Kerry Hunt and representatives from the state Jewish Board of Deputies and the Sydney Jewish Museum met in Sydney on Thursday.
"We had a very productive and cordial meeting with Wollongong council and the Sydney Jewish Museum, and we have offered all our assistance to get to the bottom of these serious allegations," NSW Jewish Board of Deputies CEO Darren Bark .
"We're very grateful that council met with us ... It's a sign that they're taking this seriously, and that is much appreciated not only to the Jewish community, but to the broader Wollongong community, who deserve answers about this individual's past.
"This is about education and empowerment and ensuring the Wollongong community is informed about Mr Sredersas' history.
Sydney Jewish Museum CEO Kevin Sumption said there was also an educational angle to the investigation.
"The Sydney Jewish Museum, utilising our in-house expert in Emeritus Professor Konrad Kwiet, looks forward to working with the Wollongong council to review the evidence.
"We see the opportunity in assisting Wollongong Council as one of educating the community about the history of the 27,000 Holocaust survivors who made Australia home after the Second World War."
To read more stories, download the Illawarra Mercury news app in the Apple Store or Google Play.
Sign up for breaking news emails below ...
