Photo Tasmanian Arts Guide
On Anzac Day, Wednesday April 25, the Ngara Institute is partnering with IPAN, the Independent and Peaceful Australia Network, to present a special Politics in the Pub focusing on peace.
Bobbi Allan of Ngara, says, ‘Anzac Day is an excellent day to focus on peace. I say that with all respect to anyone who has fought in a war, including my grandfather and father, veterans of World War I and II. Both of them thought they were fighting the war to end all wars, and in their quiet ways, both became peace activists afterwards.
‘We are very fortunate our speakers for this night are two of Australia’s most respected scholar activists: historian and author, professor Henry Reynolds, and the founder of the Sydney Peace Institute, professor Stuart Rees.
‘Henry Reynolds is a pioneering historian, one of Australia’s leading authorities on the history of Aboriginal people. Henry revealed history from an Aboriginal perspective when he published The Other Side of the Frontier in 1981. He has been a champion of Aboriginal land rights, fighting for reconciliation at a time when it was hugely unpopular and the backlash vicious. His courage, tenacity and commitment inspired a generation of Aboriginal and white Australian activists to persevere in their campaigns; his 1970s oral history project connected him with Eddie Mabo and greatly contributed to the High Court’s recognition of land rights.
Wars questioned
‘Henry Reynolds’s latest work focuses on Australia’s Unnecessary Wars. He dares to ask unaskable questions about why war is such a central, active force in our national story.
‘Professor Stuart Rees will join the conversation, focusing on his latest work on the issue of Cruelty as Public Policy – from the treatment of asylum seekers to the Israeli government’s treatment of Palestinians.
‘Anzac Day is a solemn day to have respectful conversations about what we can do to achieve peace, justice and stability with human rights, in an increasingly damaged, fractured and polarised world. Politics in the Pub is held at the The Court House Hotel from 6.30pm, April 25.
Breakfast event
‘Hear more from Henry Reynolds at a special breakfast event on Thursday April 26, at the Rock & Roll Coffee Company, Mullumbimby, 8–9.30 am. Numbers are limited and bookings essential: www.ngarainstitute.org.au/breakfast.’
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