The Rotary Peace Pole project was presented on the ABC Melbourne Conversation Hour on July 8 at 11am and led to some discussion on this project in the District. You may be interested to listen to the Conversation hour on ABC iListen from Thursday, 8th July.

Michael Rabey from the Rotary Club of Canberra was speaking about the Peace Pole project and how the Rotary Club of Rochester has given poles to 3 schools, Rochester Primary, Rochester Secondary College and Nanneella Estate Primary and how this project has also led to a growth in knowledge of indigenous languages. 

As part of NADOC week the ABC Radio in Melbourne, during their conversation hour, devoted the hour to a discussion about how indigenous language could be better incorporated into day to day life in Australia. Our Rotary 100 Peace Pole project shows how this can be done. During the interview Michael Rabey was invited to talk about how many indigenous languages have been featured on many peace poles around Australia. If you have the time click on the link and hear the podcast of the interview. Michael starts about 37 minutes into the program.

https://www.abc.net.au/radio/melbourne/programs/theconversationhour/the-conversation-hour/13428114

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-08-01/canberra-world-peace-bell-donations-needed-rotary-says/7677082?utm_campaign=news-article-share-control&utm_content=link&utm_medium=content_shared&utm_source=abc_news_web#

Download the Peace Pole Information Pack 

Peace and Conflict Resolution is one of Rotary’s seven causes and each year the month of February is devoted to celebrating and highlighting the various peace programs and initiatives.

One of Rotary’s Peace initiatives is the Peace Pole program. This program had its beginnings in 1955 in Japan and since then more than 200,000 peace poles have been installed in 200 countries around the World.

These poles symbolise the common wish for peace and are a reminder to think and act in the spirit of peace. They are internationally recognised as the most prominent symbol and monument to peace. The poles stand as a silent vigil for peace to prevail on earth. The peace message is written in four languages; one panel on each side of the Peace Pole.

As part of the Centenary of Rotary in Australia, New Zealand and Oceania, which is being celebrated in 2021, the Rotary Club of Canberra Burley Griffin, has established a Peace Pole Program for clubs and primary schools. Originally planned to plant 100 poles in 100 schools, they reached their goal and have decided to continue the project.

The Board of d9560 Passport Club approved the purchase of four Peace Poles earlier this year. Arrangements are under way for two to be ordered as soon as the languages have been agreed. Gladstone West State School has chosen English, Hindi, Tagalog and their local Aboriginal language. Emerald Christian College are yet to advise their four languages.

We hope to plant the Poles at both Schools on World Peace Day, which this year falls on Tuesday 21 September. A ceremony will be held at both Schools and the words of the Chinese Philosopher, Laozi are read out by school students and Rotarians. Laozi’s words are:

If there is to be peace in the world, There must be peace between nations.

If there is to be peace between nations, There must be peace in the cities.

If there is to be peace in the cities, There must be peace between neighbours.

If there is to be peace between neighbours, There must be peace in the home.

If there is to be peace in the home, There must be peace in the heart.

ANCHORING a quest for peace in the community are also the dedicated members of the Rotary Club of Maryborough - Sunrise, including Ron McLean, Geoff Buchanan and Willy Paes. With the design arising from Maryborough artist and fellow Rotarian Willy Paes, who "proposed a design which draws together aspects promoting peace, and connecting air, land, water, steel, timber and fire in a design that is truly representative of the Fraser Coast community," club president Glenda Pitman said.

"Rotary has a strong focus on peace - we fund fellowships at universities around the world to address conflict prevention and resolution, and fund various projects to address underlying causes of conflict such as poverty, unequal access to resources, ethnic tension."

The EClub of the Outback is also awaiting the arrival of two peace poles in Languages of Country. One will be installed in the primary school and one in the secondary school.

The Peace Pole Project may be something that interests your club!