An alternative, all-inclusive, multi-faith and multicultural service for ANZAC Day, attended by people representing 11 faiths and 53 countries, in ‘little-old Lismore’.
Video Sharon Shostak
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Another beautiful day of friendship, ceremony and healing, beautiful Sabina and RAHOW folk. Although I couldn’t be there in person on the day, part of me was with you all, and I’m very grateful for the chance to witness the day’s unfolding through this video. You have created another very moving day.
I know that many of you would be heartened to hear that the good people over at the Bentley Blockade had their own dawn service, complete with sharing of hurts and memories, but with an overall intention to birth even greater peace. This culminated with the chanting/praying/silently welcoming in of a Peace Pole, created by Peace-maker Michael Jack, and inscribed with the words “May peace prevail on Earth”. I looked up the Peace Pole Project, a global endeavour started in 1955 in Japan, and believe it would be very beautiful and powerful if they went up all over the country, and the globe (a flash mobbing of Peace Poles :-)). I now plan to, with my community’s support, install one in a wonderful community space very near to my home 🙂
A very well put together video by Sharon Shostak – thank you Sharon for covering our event so well.
Remembering a loved one who died or suffered as a result of their military service is one thing – creating a cultural tradition that encourages military service, or in any way romanticises war, is another thing altogether.
The Anzac Tradition needs to shift it’s focus away from glorifying, or mythologising war and place a far greater emphasis on peace. Rather than investing in the military, we need to invest more in those cultural values and attitudes that make war impossible.