Holocaust hero Raoul Wallenberg made first honorary Australian

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AUSTRALIA has paid tribute to Swedish diplomat Raoul Wallenberg, who saved thousands of Jews during World War II, by making him the country's first honorary citizen.

The recognition was made to mark the centenary year of Wallenberg's birth.

"The lives of those he rescued are Mr Wallenberg's greatest memorial and Australia is honoured to have survivors he rescued living in Australia today," Julia Gillard said in a statement.

"The award of honorary Australian citizenship is symbolic recognition of Mr Wallenberg's tireless devotion to human life during the Holocaust."

Wallenberg was posted to Nazi-occupied Budapest in July 1944 and rescued thousands of Hungarian Jews by issuing them protective passports in the final months of the Holocaust.

The then 32-year-old also acquired buildings to house as many Jews as possible and provide them with extraterritorial status.

He was last seen alive on January 17, 1945 as Soviet forces ousted German and pro-Nazi Hungarian troops. Mystery surrounds his fate but according to the official Soviet account he died in prison in Moscow in 1947.

Wallenberg had previously been recognised as an honorary citizen of the US, Canada, Hungary and Israel.

Governor-General Quentin Bryce will host a presentation ceremony at Government House in Canberra on May 6.

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Original piece is http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/nation/holocaust-hero-raoul-wallenberg-made-first-honorary-australian/story-e6frg6nf-1226620896921

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Holocaust hero Raoul Wallenberg made first honorary Australian