AUSTRALIA
(2005
World Peace Prayer Society Report)
Marcus Lee, Devonport
Community Walk to mark International Day of Peace on Wednesday, September
21, Devonport City Council's Bushland Coordinator conducted a community
walk in the Kelcey Tier Greenbelt.
Participants walked to see the city's first permanent peace pole that
was planted by members of the multicultural youth group Fresh Xpress
in June this year.
After visiting the peace pole and taking some commemorative photos,
the group walked to the Allison Track lookout to view the giant lizard
sculpture known as "Preeatenna".
(“Preeatenna” means “lizard” in the Tasmanian Aboriginal language,
reinforcing the important Aboriginal cultural links to the area.)
Members of the public were given some background about the making
of the peace pole and why the Kelcey Tier Greenbelt was chosen as
the location for it.
During the walk there were a number of opportunities to see native
wildflowers in bloom. The weather was fine and everyone who joined
in had a great time.
PJ Mahuvawalla, Western Australia
The 21st of September was the International Day of Peace.
This global occasion was celebrated in Cockburn by a gathering
of community members and guest speakers, including the representative
of the World Peace Prayer Society Mr. P.J Mahuvawalla.
The celebration provided an opportunity for individuals,
organisations and nations to create practical acts of peace on a shared
date.
Councillor Sue Limbert was one of the guests of honour at
the Cockburn Celebration. Cllr Limbert gave the participants an insight
into the meaning of peace in her speech.
“Peace
starts with the individual. Spreading peace is as simple as saying
‘hello’ to your neighbour. In many languages the word ‘hello’ means
peace.”
Guests
were invited to sing along with 4-year-old Nina Dakin- who inspired
the group with an angelic rendition of the “Peace Song”.
Greetings
and “May Peace Prevail on Earth”.
Thanks
to all those involved at the WPPS for a very harmonious “International
Day of Peace”, held on 21 Sept 2005. The Spearwood Library of the
Cockburn City here in Western Australia had sent out invitations to
the community, posted flyers, put up posters to announce the celebration
of the “International Day of Peace”. A display in the centre of the
Library for the WPPS was set up. The display featured many of the
activities and aspects of the WPPS.
The
Mayor of City of Cockburn was invited as the chief guest of honour.
But as he would be overseas during the “International Day of Peace”,
Councilor Sue Limbert graciously accepted to take the Mayor’s place
at the “International Day of Peace” celebration. The venue was in
the Civic Centre of the City of Cockburn (next to the Spearwood Library).
The
hall was prepared with another display featuring the WPPS, with the
copies of the International flags, balloons and other pamphlets.
Mr.
Duncan Furphy, Manager Library Services/City Librarian also graced
the event with his presence. On one side with “May Peace Prevail on
Earth” and WPPS booklets, was a candle. The attendees arrived by 10.15
am and the WPPS ceremony began at 10.30 am. We also had the presence
of two Promotions Officers from the Council.
Each
person received a Library (red) Cloth Bag with the following items.
1)
WPPS information pamphlet
2)
Peace Pole Project
3)
Cardboard sheets (cut/stick/make a Peace Pole) for group activity
4)
How to assemble your Peace Pole sheet.
5)
“May Peace Prevail on Earth” in various languages/flags to cut-out
and stick on cardboard Peace Poles
6) “May Peace Prevail on
Earth” Bumper sticker
7)
“May Peace Prevail on Earth” Button/pin
8)
Peace Song words
9)
Peace Pals information pamphlet
10)
“May Peace Prevail on Earth” candle (to take home)
11)
Global Link Newsletter (Summer 2005 issue)
12)
“International Day of Peace” information
13)
Proclamation for the “International Day of Peace”
14)
Write-up about the history of the WPPS
15)
8th Annual Int. Peace Pals Art Competition and Exhibition sheet.
16)
“What would you do for Peace?” – [For One’s inner Peace & For
the Community]
Questionnaire
sheet.
17)
Feedback sheet for Library info.
·
Luba Kambourakis who is the Adults Services Librarian, opened the
morning events with a brief speech of welcome, mentioning the WPPS
and the prayer “May Peace Prevail on Earth”.
·
Councillor Sue Limbert gave spoke next, elaborating on the role of
WPPS, and speaking extensively about the founder of WPPS, Masahisa
Goi, and his inspiration of “May Peace Prevail on Earth” prayer.
·
Councillor Sue Limbert was requested to light the Peace candle “to
send the light of peace to everyone in the world”, and officiated
the Peace Ceremony and celebration.
·
Nina rang a Tibetan Prayer Bell thrice, repeating “May Peace Prevail
on Earth”. (each time the bell was rung.)
· Nina sang
the “Peace” song, ‘Let there be Peace on Earth’, as a solo performance.
·
After her solo, the entire group sang the “Peace” song in unison.
·
PJ (Peace Rep. WA) gives his talk, mentioning the founder of WPPS,
the role and activities of WPPS, the Peace Pole Project, and ended
with “May Peace Prevail on Earth”. He also mentioned that the Book
“Peace Offerings” was now available at the 3 libraries of the City
of Cockburn to read, or borrow.. And that to please inform PJ if anyone
wishes to purchase copies. (The idea was to get all the State Libraries
(almost over 50) to purchase “Peace Offerings” to add to their book
collection.
·
PJ announced to the attendees of the coming “Making Peace Wind Chimes
Workshop” on the 15 Dec 2005, and that the invitations and information
will be sent out by the Spearwood Library.
·
Luba Kambourakis- conducts the making of the Cardboard Peace Poles,(group
participation).
·
Group discussion for 15 minutes, ‘On Peace Questionnaire –“What can
I do individually for Peace?” ‘
·
Vote of thanks and some group photographs for Council, Spearwood Library,
and local media.
·
Light refreshments served.
·
Event ended 12.15 pm.
The
Spearwood Library requested that the WPPS display (in the Library)
be left for another week. The Cardboard Peace Poles were taken to
the Library to be added to the WPPS display. (These would be collected
by those who made them at a later date.) Next year’s “International
Day of Peace” has been tentatively booked and I trust it will be a
bigger event. It has been a harmonious and sacred event.
Thanking
you, PJ Mahuvawalla-WPPS Representative for Western Australia.
2005
World Peace Prayer Society Compilation
PICTORAL
ARCHIVE OF PREVIOUS PEACE DAY EVENTS
May
Peace Prevail
On Earth
