The Northern Rivers peace group ‘Remembering and Healing’ (RaH), now in its twelfth year, is organising two public events for ANZAC Day to remember the suffering war brings on all sides, and to make a strong commitment to peace and non-violence.
Former mayor of Lismore Jenny Dowell is a patron of RaH. ‘This is an annual opportunity to gather to reflect on our personal role in promoting peace,’ she said.
‘Through the sharing of beliefs and experiences, we can appreciate the common humanity that unites us and the diversity that makes us a rich interesting community where everyone belongs.’
What’s happening
At 5pm on 24 April there will be an ANZAC Eve gathering at Lismore’s St Andrew’s Anglican Church in Zadoc Street, on the theme of ‘Celebrating our Diversity and our Commitment to Peace’. The public is invited to join with community leaders and representatives of different religions and non-religious groups.
Anglican Bishop Murray from Grafton will be one of the speakers.
The gathering will remember war and the suffering it brings. It will also promote a violence-free future, both locally and globally. The event will conclude with a ceremony of lighting candles for peace.
At 11am on 25 April there will be an ANZAC Day Reflections event at Lismore City Hall: ‘Valuing Peace on ANZAC Day – Reflections on War and Possibilities for Peace’.
Organisers say this will be an opportunity for participants to explore individual experiences and reflections on ANZAC Day in a safe and facilitated group. Lismore’s ex-deputy mayor Simon Clough will be the facilitator.
The gathering will offer an opportunity to share deeply about the impact of war on us, our families and our country. Orgainsers say the intention is to provide an opportunity to visualise and join efforts to create a different world.
Everybody is invited to both of these gatherings, which will be followed by refreshments.
More information is available at the RaH website, and on Facebook.
The Anzac legend designed to make a nation of people shut up, and not ask questions about the reason we go to war about the continued involvement of Australia in wars and conflicts across the globe 11 years ago we saw the release of collateral damage shining a light on the wholesale slaughter of of iraqi civilians by US and allies including Australia just recently we saw images of Australian troops jumping from helicopters executing unarmed afgan civilians.. you won’t see me or mine lining the streets on Anzac day.
Rubbish
You IGNORAMUS, pal. My name is David Walker age 69, ex 36 Argyle St Mullumbimby, where I grew up. My 1st job was the PMG Technician School in Strathfield in 1968, then 8yrs Navy service + Uni at SCU, then the corporate world in Sydney. My parents were both in WW2 in the RAAF, my step-father was also in that war in the Army. My Father suffered PTSD so bad they had to keep him in a mental institution in Brisbane until his death in 1973. I recall visiting him only ONCE at that facility, I was 11months old, I never saw him again. I saw my Mother fall apart as a result of my father; prescription drugs, losing herself in fiction books and spending literally all day in bed. That opened the door for my brother 7yrs my elder to ridicule, humiliate, physically and mentally abuse me. All that was attributed to war. Yes, unfortunately that brother is still alive today. So Dennis, you won’t line the streets on Anzac day, then you should visit me at Laidley Nth in Qld & I’ll take you horse riding, then we can have a light sparring session in my gym with 10oz gloves. Pal, enjoy your lifestyle at the sacrifice of many others. Be sure, your “mine” read this post & let them judge. *** Heads-up to all, why did my Father fall apart? Flying bombing & rescue missions on Catalinas out of Karumba Qld to the Sth China sea, he was the Flight Engineer, those missions created the foundation of PTSD, but what really tipped him over the edge was flying Australian POW’s back to Australia from Clark Air base in the Philippines. re: internet photos. Again Dennis, enjoy your lifestyle.
Then you should know better.
Well said, Dave. Unfortunately some men and women have to fight for peace in their homeland. Many, such as your father, carry the traumas of service to their grave but in the process can cause family divisions, kindred trauma and even worse. Ask any ex-serviceman or woman what they think of war and the answer will be the same “It is stupid”.
War is futile Australians sacrificed for nothing At the end of ww2 Australia the same Australia that wants you to remember the state version of its imvolvment in wars gave citizenship to at least 127 German scientists and engineers who were sent to Australia between 1946 and 1951. They included 31 Nazi party members and six members of the elite SS but we don’t talk about that,instead we portrait ourselfs as the underdog that sacrifed everything.
Dave, you are clearly affected and I’ve never seen a vet who isn’t.