AUSTRALIA
(2004
World Peace Prayer Society Report)
Brisbane
I managed to arrange a World Peace Prayer Ceremony
for the UN International Day of Peace!
We had a delightful group of seven ladies who met
on a hilltop overlooking the ocean. We beamed our loving thoughts
of peace and healing energy out over the ocean to all countries, especially
those most in need at the present time, so that the Light of Peace
encompassed the earth, linking up with the global vigil of prayers
for world peace.
Infinite Peace to all those who strive for global
harmony!
Infinite Wisdom to all those who believe that violence
is the only solution to their problems.
Infinite Healing Love to all those who have been
injured through violence and terrorism.
May Peace Prevail on Earth
Sending you Infinite Love, Light and Peace.
Kerry McCarthy
WPPS Peace Representative
Byron
Bay
Celebrating
Peace in the Rainbow Region
The Byron Peace Carnival is a celebration of the spirit and culture
of peace in the Rainbow Region. Community members are invited to join
in the rally, parade and celebrations to be held in Byron Bay
on Sunday, 19 September.
The Byron Peace Carnival's origins are broad and
political, with both local and international significance. Since the
Aquarius Festival, over thirty years ago, the Rainbow Region has been
known throughout Australia for its culture of peace, and its people
have worked to maintain this culture through activism, vigilance,
and "walking their talk" of peace and love. The Carnival
gives local groups an opportunity to display the ways that they work
to build peace and a sense of community in the region.
From a global perspective, the Carnival coincides
with the United Nations International
Day of Peace, a day when all peoples of the world are called to
acknowledge the devastating effects of war and reflect on the universal
goal of peace.
The sky will be filled with the colours of the
rainbow as a huge peace flag descends to earth signaling the opening
of the festival. The spectacular, twenty-metre flag will be borne
by parachutists from Skydive Byron Bay and will land at the Festival site to be blessed by the elders of
the Bundjalung people.
Bold, bright rainbow colours adorn the peace flag
designed by Nimbin identity Benny Zable as the symbol for the Byron
Peace Carnival. The flag expresses the colourful diversity of our
regional identity, with the dove carrying our message of peace to
the people of the world.
Geelong
A friend, Chrysanne Ferguson, sent me a copy of the photo and
article in our local paper of the Peace Pole planting in our Botanic
Gardens on the International Day of Peace.
Jenny Funston
WPPS Peace Representative
Western
Australia
As
the International Peace Day (Tuesday 21 September 2004) was approaching,
communities around Perth,
Western Australia
had planned celebrations for the International Peace Day. However,
one community centre decided to celebrate a day earlier on Monday, 20 September 2004.
Our local newspaper The Cockburn City Herald had on page 3, an eye-catching
article “Giving Peace a Chance”, with a photograph of the organisers.
Dee and I had a Science
and Health display at the “Women Health and Wellness Day” held
on Friday 17 September 2004 and a chance encounter with the organisers
of this event who had visited this function, stopped by and invited
us participate in the Atwell Community Centre’s International Peace
Day celebrations.
Early on Monday morning, Sept. 20, we were at the Atwell Community
Centre and we set up our displays. WPPS had the centre focus, smack
in the middle of the function hall. Dee
with her Science and Health
display table was next to me.
The Atwell Community Centre decided to celebrate peace and
cultural diversity with the info stalls and displays. Tanya Linford,
the Community Centre Project Officer, City of Cockburn said the event
aimed to promote non-violent conflict resolution and let the community
learn about the community services available to them. The Atwell Family
Support and the Metropolitan Migrant Resource Centre helped with the
project which ties in with International Peace Day. So here was WPPS
with groups and events which included the International’s Women’s
Choir, Science and Health,
the Cockburn Library Services, Lakelands Senior High School, the Atwell
Baptist Church, Beeliar Senior Citizens Club, the Cockburn Baha’i
Community, Peace and Leadership Consultancy, the Cockburn Family and
Children’s Services, The Learning Centre Link, the Anglican Parish
of the Transfiguration (of Atwell and Success), Amnesty International
as well as henna body painting, belly dancing and children’s face
painting. We had a mid-morning get-together with refreshments - tea/coffee
and snacks. Visitors loved the indoor and outdoor displays and events
and it was a most delightful and relaxing day.
The celebrations began at 10 AM with the traditional
Aboriginal blessings and welcome ritual/ceremony, honouring the true
owners of the land. The welcome was made in both Aboriginal dialect
and in English by Marie Taylor, who is the Associated Lecturer for
the Kulbardi Aboriginal Centre at the Murdoch
University.
This was followed an address by the Chief Guest, the Hon. Dr. Carmen
Lawrence our Federal Member of Parliament (also Ex-Premier of Western
Australia).
The
WPPS display table had three small Peace Poles with “May Peace Prevail
on Earth”, an extra large poster with the words of the [Peace Song]
–“Let there be Peace on Earth” was hung as a backdrop. A table had
WPPS pamphlets, brochures, information sheets, “May Peace Prevail
on Earth” badges and bumper stickers, etc. The attractive “May Peace
Prevail on Earth” balloons added that festive touch to the display.
We had many visitors including the VIP Guests, stopping by and asking
questions on WPPS and the Goi Peace Foundation, the Peace Pole Project,
the Peace Pals Program, Youth for Peace, and other activities. Information
materials on all were presented, and genuine interest was shown by
all visitors.
The Peace Offerings Booklet (published by The Peace Pals Program
of the World Peace Prayer Society and the Goi Peace foundation) was
a big highlight and generated a lot of queries.
The “May Peace Prevail on Earth” badges were very popular,
and so were the Car Bumper stickers. The WPPS and Peace Pals websites
were promoted, as well as the Peace Pole and the Peace Wind chimes
Projects.
Thanks to the Atwell Family Support and the Metropolitan Migrant
Resource Centre who have helped make this event successful. Thanks
also to Tanya, Linda and Sam.
May Peace Prevail on Earth.
Dee and PJ Mahuvawalla
WPPS Peace Representatives
2004
World Peace Prayer Society Compilation
PICTORAL
ARCHIVE OF PREVIOUS PEACE DAY EVENTS
May
Peace Prevail
On Earth
