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Give Peace a Chance
In a moving call for peace on Anzac Day, over 80 people gathered in the golden afternoon light at Peace Park in Katoomba to reflect on war and ask the hard questions about its grim reality. The day was interspersed with reflections, poetry, a minute of silence, and songs by The Bearded Ladies Choir.
MC Jon Atkins, from the Blue Mountains Peace Collective, emphasised that we need to “learn from past military disasters so that we can minimise them occurring in the future … an important way of honouring our war dead.”
Jon Atkins
He stressed that tributes paid to the victims of WW1 (and other wars) need to be inclusive. These victims include the 250-300 Indigenous Australians who lost their lives in WW1 (out of an estimated 1,000-1,300 who enlisted); “those that returned with debilitating psychological or physical injuries”; those that suffered on the home front when their loved ones were killed, maimed and traumatised; as well as those who campaigned against the war and opposed conscription and who were then “vilified and punished by the State for the principled stand they took.”
Dharug man Chris Tobin
Dharug man Chris Tobin recognised the sacrifice of those Indigenous Australians who lost their lives: but with sadness, not pride. He pointed out that Australia’s terrible past treatment of Indigenous people is still happening to Indigenous peoples around the world and “just because you take something doesn’t mean it’s yours”. Despite this, he urged people to put down their guns: “We’re going to win by love and education.”
“When we acknowledge Country,” he continued, “we’re dismantling the nationalism that is so destructive around the world.”
Rev. Mark Hillis
The importance of questioning the Anzac narrative was reiterated by Rev. Mark Hillis from the Leura Uniting Church, who read from Australian historian Henry Reynolds in Pearls and Irritations, and historian Dr Naomi Parry Duncan, the co-author of New South Wales and the Great War, who described herself as “a pacifist who wrote a book about war”.
Dr Naomi Parry Duncan
What is clear from history is that Australia in 1915 “was one of the most democratic, prosperous and well-managed societies in the world; the product of over a hundred years of nation building … The war opened up deep and damaging divisions in Australian society that were at best latent in 1914. Class division and resulting industrial strife intensified. The conscription debates of 1916 and 1917 tore communities, families and friendships asunder.” (Reynolds)
Naomi elaborated on this: “War sucked the life out of our economy. Sixty-two thousand people were killed; one hundred and fifty thousand were maimed … it’s not defence, it’s war mongering.”
She spoke with deep emotion about waking early that morning and seeing an incredible dark moon in the shape of a sickle and thinking of all those living in conflict today: “We are all people under one moon and one sun. Down with nationalism and up with collectivism!”
Rowe Morrow
Quaker Rowe Morrow spoke of how the impacts of war go on for generations, starting with the dispossession of Indigenous nations. It’s something she’s seen and felt as she’s worked in refugee camps around the world over the last 50 years. She recalled that even as a child she’d been haunted by “the terrible things they do to young men” when she visited convalescing returned soldiers at the Sunset Home in Perth.
She went on to speak of the “immorality of destroying peace for gain”, and the ‘fake news’ that sends young men to be maimed and die so that some may profit.
Rowe then read the poem Weapon by Judith Wright, which highlights the self-destructive nature of the types of power and ambition that drive this ‘fake news’: the power and ambition which take countries into war and destroy our compassion for those we kill.
“We will have to find a way through this age of untruth,” she urged.
Weapon, by Judith Wright
The will to power destroys the power to will. The weapon made, we cannot help but use it; it drags us with its own momentum still.
The power to kill compounds the need to kill. Grown out of hand, the heart cannot refuse it; the will to power undoes the power to will.
Though as we strike we cry ‘I did not choose it,’ it drags us with its own momentum still. In the one stroke we win the world and lose it. The will to power destroys the power to will.
Tom Coley’s ‘Peace Memorial’ in Peace Park, donated to Blue Mountains City Council by the sculptor in 2009.
Poets Brian Bell and June
Peace Building
The Anzac Day Reflection was organised by the Blue Mountains Peace Collective. This local group formed in June 2023 when Don McGregor, Bruce Cornwall, Kathie Herbert, Eunice Goodberg, and Rev. Mark Hillis and Rev. Myung Hwa Park from the Uniting Church in Leura, met to see what they could do to advocate for peace. Their first event, a Vigil for Gaza, attracted around 70 people on 18 October of that year.
In his last reflection, Jon Atkin recalled an Anzac Day address in 2013 by the former Governor of Tasmania, Peter Underwood AC, who said:
“All our remembrances and honours are meaningless, unless we also vow to become resolute about peace because that is what those whom we remember and honour on this special day thought they were dying for.“
“At the time, Peter Underwood also called for a Peace Institute to be created – not a bad idea!” said Jon.
Jon then went on to outline the Peace Collective’s recommendations for peace building.
1. Support official recognition of the Frontier Wars and the impact they had on Indigenous dispossession.
He quoted historian Henry Reynolds who has said:
“Our National Day of Lament is for those that died overseas in wars chosen for us by our great and powerful friends, most of the time against enemies who would never have been able to threaten Australia.
How is that commensurate with frontier wars fought in Australia about ownership and control of the continent itself? For us, this must be of far greater significance than the balance of power in Europe or the scramble to carve up the remains of the Ottoman Empire.”
2. Call for substantial reform of war powers by the Commonwealth Parliament
The Peace Collective supports the Australians for War Powers Reform (AWPR) and their long campaign to democratise existing war powers.
In response to the parliamentary report on how Australia makes decisions to send service personnel into international armed conflict, which was tabled in Parliament on March 31, 2023, Australians for War Powers Reform argued that the outcome of the review was very disappointing.
While the Committee recommended some changes by promising better transparency and accountability, Australians for War Powers Reform criticised the report for refusing to adopt a fully democratic system where MPs are able to vote before Australia joins an overseas war.
Compared to many European parliamentary democracies, Australia can still be classified as having weak powers related to parliamentary action required for the deployment of military force overseas.
3. Back the signing and ratification of the UN Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (also known as Nuclear Weapon Ban Treaty)
The Treaty has been signed by 94 nations. Of these 73 nations have proceeded to ratify it.
Australia has yet to sign and ratify the Treaty.
4. Call for independent foreign and defence policies
As Paul Keating has argued, both the Coalition and Labor’s commitment to the AUKUS pact diminishes our security and compromises our sovereignity.
Do our policies serve to defend the nation or are they geared to serving the hegemonic interests of ‘a powerful ally’?
Given Australia’s membership of the United Nations, and in accordance with the UN Charter, do the policies serve to maintain international peace and security and uphold international law?
5. Support genuine ‘remembrance’ on Anzac Day
How can we protect Anzac Day as an occasion devoted to reflection and mourning and prevent it from becoming a political tool or a justification for future bloodbaths?
Learn more about history as well as future predictions to inform your decision making in the present. You can do so at these upcoming local events; Blackheath History Forum: 24 May 4-6pm, Blackheath Public School. Historian Stephen Gapps will be in conversation with Dr Naomi Parry Duncan about his latest book Uprising: War in the Colony of NSW 1838 to 1844. Dr Keith Suter’s presentation on Global Directions, 5pm Sunday 25 May, Leura Uniting Church
Blue Mountains City Council has joined ‘Mayors for Peace‘: a global movement calling for the abolition of nuclear weapons and lasting world peace. Help grow this Reflection on Peace into an even bigger annual event. See similar actions being taken in Marrickville by the Marrickville Peace Group: https://marrickvillepeacegroup.org/ )
Thought about doing yoga but never tried it? Join Sheila Annis from Mountain Mist Yoga in Woodford to experience how this rich and vast practice can lead you on a path to better health, and can even be practised from a chair! Reserve your spot for the Chair Yoga session on Sat 28 Feb at the Planetary Health Wellness Weekend in Katoomba here (link in profile): https://events.humanitix.com/planetary-health-wellness-weekend
Learn more about Mountain Mist Yoga here: https://mountainmistyoga.com/
Join multi-award-winning photographer Sue Lightfoot at the Planetary Health Wellness weekend on Sat 28 Feb as she shares how taking up photography to manage her mental health after PTSD has opened up a life filled with creativity, compassion and consciousness. Living a creative life has expanded to include creating permaculture gardens from recycled materials and finding multiple ways to give back to the community. Through creativity she has learnt "to see and feel the world, to live with awe and wonder, to change lenses, shift [her] focus and embrace all forms of light … to enjoy nature and mother earth and accept we are all connected.” She’s been inspired by Miksang, Tibetan for “good eye”, which is a form of contemplative photography that is about seeing and photographing the world exactly as it is, rather than how we want it to be, focusing on colour, light, texture, and pattern. Her session is free but reserve your place here (link in profile): https://events.humanitix.com/planetary-health-wellness-weekend
Learn more about Sue and her work here: www.suelightfoot.com
We are Nature, and the more intimately we connect with the living world around us, the more alive we are. Hone your observations and connect more deeply in an inspiring nature journalling workshop led by Anna Barnes from @ArtFoodCultureNature on Saturday 28 February at the Planetary Health Wellness Weekend. Bookings essential here (link in profile): https://events.humanitix.com/planetary-health-wellness-weekend
“When we see with clear eyes, we know that we are surrounded by beauty. Let yourself fall in love with your life by paying attention”. John Muir Laws
How can we engage our hearing to connect more deeply to nature around us? Join us at the Planetary Health Wellness Weekend on 28 February and 1st March to hear from one of the most inspiring and engaging presenters we’ve ever had at the Planetary Health Centre. Author and acoustic ecologist Andrew Skeoch will guide us into hearing the languages of nature. Learn how we can develop our auditory awareness, identify species by ear, recognise behaviours and repertoire, and find empathy with the voices of other beings. Andrew’s presentations are an immersive weaving of evocative recordings, fascinating spectrogram analysis and original ideas. You’ll hear the natural environment around you in a whole new way. Each morning at the Wellness Weekend Andrew will also lead Deep Listening Immersive Field Workshops demonstrating how to increase your sensitive auditory perceptions of the extraordinary natural world around us. Tickets available here (link in profile): https://events.humanitix.com/planetary-health-wellness-weekend
This event has been made possible because of the generous support of Greater Blue Mountains Rotary and the Katoomba and Upper Blue Mountains Bendigo Community Bank.
We are looking forward to this (Em)power(ing) tools presentation being delivered by Robyn Catchlove, Sherlie McMillan, Suzie van Opdorp and Teja Brooks Pribac at our Planetary Health Day on Sat 28 Feb. It`s free but you need to register to attend here (link in profile): https://events.humanitix.com/planetary-health-wellness-weekend
This interactive presentation explores an unexpected but deeply empowering practice: using power tools. With the help of co-presenters and their favourite tools, the session demystifies DIY and shows how accessible practical skills really are. Beyond the satisfaction of building and repairing, working with power tools fosters confidence, patience, and problem-solving skills. It can also be financially empowering, reducing dependence on paid labour, and reinforces the belief that challenges—practical and personal alike—can be worked through with focus, persistence, and curiosity. This session invites participants to reconsider what empowerment can look like, and how hands-on making can translate into resilience in everyday life.
It`s one of many events during our Planetary Health Wellness Weekend at the Planetary Health Centre in Katoomba on 28 Feb and 1 March and has been organised in collaboration with Rotarians 4 Planetary Health and Greater Blue Mountains Rotary
Medicine and healthcare is changing. Join Dr Madhu Tamilarasan, a Lithgow based GP and sports medicine doctor on Sat 28 Feb at our Planetary Health Day and Wellness Weekend, for a conversation about Lifestyle Medicine. The tagline for her practice is "General practice done differently". The practice is encouraging physical activity in the community because research clearly shows that going from no exercise to just 10 minutes of physical activity per day is where the biggest health benefits come from. Any patient who attends an appointment by "active transport" - such as walking, running, cycling - instead of by motorised transport, receives a small discount on their consultation fee that day. Lifestyle medicine focuses on treating the root causes of disease rather than just managing symptoms. Register here to attend Dr Tamilarasan`s session to learn more about its benefits for individuals, community and globally (link in profile): https://events.humanitix.com/planetary-health-wellness-weekend
Places are booking out quickly for the inspiring talks and workshops at the Planetary Health Wellness Weekend in Katoomba on Sat 28 Feb and Sun 1 March. View the full program and register to attend here (link in profile): https://events.humanitix.com/planetary-health-wellness-weekend
Each morning, you have the chance to join Andrew Skeoch, renowned wildlife sound recordist and author of `Deep Listening to Nature`, for an immersive workshop and walk to hear the intricate conversations happening in the natural world around us.
There will also be: • nature journalling • mindfulness • creativity • (Em)power(ing) tools • Ikebana • Shared Reading • Tai Chi and Qigong • Chair Yoga • Mental Health First Aid • exercise, sleep and your health • how to share loss and grieving for and with animals • and a celebration of the many faith-based groups in the Blue Mountains focused on healing our land, healing ourselves.
A huge thank you to Greater Blue Mountains Rotary and Katoomba and Upper Blue Mountains Bendigo Community Bank for sponsoring this wonderful weekend.
We’d love you to join the Planetary Health Centre for an inspiring Planetary Health Wellness Weekend on Saturday 28 February and Sunday 1st March in Katoomba! We’ve collaborated with Rotarians 4 Planetary Health (part of Greater Blue Mountains Rotary) and the Blue Mountains Interfaith Group, to create a program focused on the many ways we can improve our physical, mental, spiritual and emotional health in a weekend of community and nature connection, talks, workshops, stalls and delicious food.
The weekend kicks off with our third Planetary Health Day on Saturday and finishes with an Interfaith Gathering on Sunday.
Each morning, you have the chance to join Andrew Skeoch, renowned wildlife sound recordist and author of `Deep Listening to Nature`, for an immersive workshop and walk to hear the intricate conversations happening in the natural world around us.
View the full program and register to attend here (link in profile):
• Deep Listening immersive field workshops • Mental Health First Aid • nature journalling • mindfulness • creativity • (Em)power(ing) tools • Ikebana • Shared Reading • Tai Chi and Qigong • Chair Yoga • exercise, sleep and your health • how to share loss and grieving for and with animals • and a celebration of the many faith-based groups in the Blue Mountains focused on healing our land, healing ourselves.
A huge thank you to Greater Blue Mountains Rotary and Katoomba and Upper Blue Mountains Bendigo Community Bank for sponsoring this wonderful weekend.
We had a thoroughly enjoyable final Skill Share Saturday for the year yesterday with Qigong, Fashion Upcycling, Seed Saving and Bushcare! We shared seeds from local gardens and harvested carrots, as well as Mizuna, Broad Bean, Daikon and Land Cress seeds from the Planetary Health garden. We then packaged up (and shared) our first Upper Mountains Seed Savers packs for our fledgling Seed Bank. In Bushcare it`s very exciting to see whole new areas of the Planetary Health Precinct open up as we remove invasive weeds. It`s been a year of great progress as we`ve restored habitat for wildlife and given local native plants the opportunity to flourish and re-establish on the site.
Join the Planetary Health Centre this Sat 6 Dec for the last Skill Share Saturday of the year: Qigong at 9am, Seed Saving & Gardening Group at 10am, and Bushcare at 1.30pm. One perfect day with great company, great coffee and food, and great steps for living a healthy balanced life, while also contributing to the health of our planet for present and future generations. All ages welcome!
Registration links in profile and below.
Register for Qigong here: https://bit.ly/48wlHjD Register for Seed Saving & Gardening here: https://bit.ly/4prcRe7 Register for Bushcare here: https://bit.ly/4oAFDrz
We have a rare opportunity to learn about the newest and best possible ways to support family and community members struggling with mental health issues, at a free talk and afternoon tea provided by Upper Blue Mountains Sunrise Rotary at the Planetary Health Centre at 2pm this Saturday 29 Nov. Hear from Peter Joseph AM, Chair of the Black Dog Institute, and Professor Helen Christensen AO, Fellow of the Australian Academy of Science and former Executive Director and Chief Scientist at the Black Dog Institute. They`ll be in conversation with journalist Emma Rossi. Dr Christensen is a pioneer in using the internet to reach young people struggling with depression. Her digital mental health interventions are used by millions globally, delivering evidence-based therapy for depression, anxiety, and suicide prevention. Her research uses data from smartphones and wearables – like movement, screen use, and sleep – to detect early signs of mental health issues. Bookings essential here (link in profile): https://bit.ly/4oOnYxz
This Saturday Sherlie McMillan from Rotarians 4 Planetary Health will be running a workshop on How to use a sewing machine from 9am at the Planetary Health Centre in Katoomba. Learn how to set up a machine, service it, troubleshoot when it`s not sewing correctly, and learn some basic sewing skills.
Bookings essential here (link in profile): https://events.humanitix.com/how-to-use-your-sewing-machine
NB. This class is a prerequisite for our very popular Fashion Upcycling classes held once a month.
“Every body can help the planet” is the tagline of Earthly Remains, a not-for-profit organisation set up to advocate for human composting as a more sustainable death care option in Australia.
