Over 100 people attended this year’s Anzac Day Reflection held in Richardson’s Lookout – Marrickville Peace Park on Friday 25th April. This was the seventh time that the event has been held in the Peace Park since 2016. Continue reading Anzac Day Reflection in Marrickville – 25th April 2025
John Butcher passed away peacefully on Invasion Day 2025 following a long illness. He is survived by his partner Julie, his son Ben, Ben’s partner Sylvie, and his brother and sister Peter and Marie.
John was a tireless advocate and activist for peace, social justice and the environment.
In particular, John was for many years an active member of the Cooks River Valley Association (CRVA) and its president for seven years (2012–2018).
Many important initiatives were undertaken by the CRVA under John’s leadership. These included the annual Candles on the River event, the container deposit scheme campaign, the Non-Swimming Carnival and the CRVA water testing program. Continue reading John Butcher Obituary: 09.03.1943 – 26.01.2025
On 5th August, the Gallipoli Centenary Peace Campaign held a public forum at Sydney University on the topic ‘Anzac – why does it last?’
John Butcher (Convenor, GCPC) spoke briefly at the start of the forum about GCPC’s origins and objectives. This was followed by Dr Wendy Lambourne (Senior Lecturer and Deputy Director, Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies) who summarised the teaching and work carried out by CPACS.
The main speaker, Prof Joan Beaumont (Strategic and Defence Studies Centre, ANU) and author of the acclaimed Broken Nation: Australians in the Great War, was introduced by Prof. Mark McKenna (Department of History, Sydney University).
The forum marked the official launch of the Gallipoli Centenary Peace Campaign.
John Butcher’s opening remarks can be heard here.
The text of Joan Beaumont’s address can be read here.
Audio recordings of Mark McKenna’s introductory remarks and Joan Beaumont’s address can be found here.
GCPC’s program of activities can be accessed here.