Anzac Day Reflection – 25 April 2017

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Marrickville Peace Park Signage

During an Anzac Day address in 2013, the former Governor of Tasmania, the Hon. Peter Underwood AC, emphasised the following: “All our remembrances and honours are meaningless, unless we also vow to become resolute about peace because that is what those whom we remember and honour on this special day thought they were dying for.”1

In keeping with this memorable statement, an Anzac Day Reflection was held in Richardson’s Lookout – Marrickville Peace Park on Tuesday 25 April from 10.30am to 11.30am.

The event was organised by Gallipoli Centenary Peace Campaign (GCPC) and attracted people from a range of groups, ages and backgrounds. Continue reading Anzac Day Reflection – 25 April 2017 →

Launch of The Honest History Book in Sydney

Anzac and history

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

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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

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un-sdgMarrickville 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

Indigenous Affairs, ,

Sorry Day 2016A 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

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Tree Planting Anzac Day 2016An 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

WW1 and Civil Liberties, , ,

Fr Charles JergerOn 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

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The Solidarity Choir

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

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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

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Prof Rana Mitter
Prof. Rana Mitter

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 →