All posts by Jon Atkins

Launch of The Honest History Book in Sydney

13 April 2017Anzac and historyJon Atkins

The Sydney launch of The Honest History Book took place at Gleebooks in Glebe on 12 April 2017.

Launched by Alison Arrow, contributors to the discussion included co-editors David Stephens and Alison Broinowski, together with authors Vicken Babkenian, Judith Crispin, Mark Dapin and Paul Daley. A Q&A session with an audience of about 80 people followed the discussion.

The co-editors question whether the ability to look beyond war as the central pillar of Australia’s history and identity has been a casualty of the rush to commemorate all things Anzac. Continue reading Launch of The Honest History Book in Sydney →

Anti-Conscription Commemoration

4 November 2016WW1Anti-conscription movement, Conscription referendum 28 Oct 1916, WW1 conscription referendaJon Atkins

A number of events to mark the 100th anniversary of the defeat of the World War 1 Conscription Referendum held on October 28, 1916 took place in Sydney on 24, 26 and 28 October. The main venue for the anniversary was the Addison Road Community Centre in Marrickville which was a former military depot and site of anti-conscription and anti-war protests. Continue reading Anti-Conscription Commemoration →

International Day of Peace Observed

22 September 2016Internatonal Day of PeaceNuclear Disarmament, Nuclear Weapons Ban Treaty, UN Sustainable Development GoalsJon Atkins

un-sdg Marrickville Peace Park was the location for a local observance of the International Day of Peace on Wednesday 21 September. Organised by the Gallipoli Centenary Peace Campaign (GCPC), the lunchtime event gave participants an opportunity to reflect on war and violence in the world today together with strategies for achieving peace. Continue reading International Day of Peace Observed →

National Sorry Day 2016

4 June 2016Indigenous AffairsBringing Them Home Report, National Sorry Day, Stolen GenerationsJon Atkins

A candle lit walk along the Cooks River in Marrickville was held to observe National Sorry Day¹ on the evening of Thursday May 26. Organised by the Cooks River Valley Association (CRVA) and supported by Gallipoli Centenary Peace Campaign, the walk began at Richardson’s Lookout – Marrickville Peace Park and concluded in Steel Park. Continue reading National Sorry Day 2016 →

Anzac Day Reflection 2016

28 April 2016Anzac DayAnzac Day, Anzac legend, Gallipoli Campaign, genuine remembranceJon Atkins

An Anzac Day Reflection was held at Richardson’s Lookout – Marrickville Peace Park on Monday April 25 between 10.00am and 11.00am.

Organised by GCPC, this ‘Hour of Reflection’ attracted over 65 people. Unlike official Anzac Day commemorations, it offered participants an opportunity to reflect on all victims of war including:

Those who died in battle;
Those who were maimed physically and/or psychologically;
Those who suffered on the home front;
Those who opposed conscription and war.

Continue reading Anzac Day Reflection 2016 →

Public Forum on WW1, the Case of Fr Jerger and Civil Liberties

7 December 2015WW1 and Civil LibertiesDeportation, Fr Charles Jerger, Internment, WW1Jon Atkins

On Sunday November 22, a public forum on the internment of Passionist Priest, Fr Charles Jerger, during WW1 and his subsequent deportation in July 1920, was held in Marrickville.

Co-hosted by Gallipoli Centenary Peace Campaign and St Brigid’s Parish, the forum was addressed by three speakers: Dr Janice Garaty, Assoc Prof Douglas Newton and Dr Peter Manning.

What follows is a review of the three presentations. Continue reading Public Forum on WW1, the Case of Fr Jerger and Civil Liberties →

Launch of Marrickville Peace Park

14 November 2015UncategorizedJon Atkins

The official launch of Richardson’s Lookout – Marrickville Peace Park took place on Sunday November 8. The event attracted around 80 people.

Speakers included John Butcher (GCPC Convenor), Allan Barnes (Marrickville Aboriginal Consultative Committee), Clr Sam Iskandar (Mayor, Marrickville Council), Clr Sylvie Ellsmore (Marrickville Council), Linda Burney MP and Jo Haylen MP.

The Solidarity Choir sang a number of songs during the launch. Continue reading Launch of Marrickville Peace Park →

New signage installed in Marrickville Peace Park

28 September 2015UncategorizedJon Atkins

20150918_East — Marrickville Peace Park Signage

Congratulations to Marrickville Council for recently installing new signage in Richardson’s Lookout – Marrickville Peace Park. Refer to the photos of the signage below.

The original proposal to have Richardson’s Lookout re-named a Peace and Reconciliation Park was initiated by the Gallipoli Centenary Peace Campaign (GCPC) in early 2014 in anticipation of the Gallipoli Centenary commemoration in April 2015.¹

The reasons for this initiative were set out in GCPC’s Mission Statement which stated:

“The Gallipoli Centenary Peace Campaign does not believe that Australia as a nation was born in war. We honour and respect all Australians who have died and suffered in war both overseas and in Australia’s frontier wars and respect the contribution and suffering of their families and loved ones. We also honour and respect all those who have pursued the path of non-violent resolution of national and international conflicts. Continue reading New signage installed in Marrickville Peace Park →

On Forgetting the Second Sino-Japanese War 1937-1945

1 September 2015UncategorizedJon Atkins

China will be holding a major military parade in Beijing to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the end of WW2 on September 3, one day after the anniversary of Japan’s official surrender on September 2, 1945.

Noteworthy is the fact that the Japanese Prime Minister Shinz? Abe won’t be going, neither will US President Barak Obama, nor British Prime Minister David Cameron or any major western leader. Australia will be represented by Senator Michael Ronaldson, the Minister for Veterans Affairs. Continue reading On Forgetting the Second Sino-Japanese War 1937-1945 →

In Support of Adam Goodes

10 August 2015Indigenous AffairsAdam Goodes, John Pilger's documentary Utopia, Paul Daley, Peter FitzSimons, Sydney Swans, Waleed AlyJon Atkins

The racially charged booing and denigration of Sydney Swans’ star player, Adam Goodes, has reached a crescendo in recent weeks. His detractors include supporters of rival AFL clubs as well as some conservative commentators such as radio shock jock Alan Jones, journalist Miranda Devine and TV host and journalist Andrew Bolt.

On Channel Seven’s Sunrise program, Jones was reported as saying that opposition club supporters were reacting negatively to Goodes because they simply did not like his behaviour, including his “spear throwing and the running in and doing a war dance and so on and provoking people”. Continue reading In Support of Adam Goodes →