Michael Rabey with Elsa, Emily, Heer and Chloe in National Dress for Harmony Day and the unveiling of Peace Pole 523.
A beautiful ceremony was held on Friday, 21 March 2025 to mark Harmony Day and to unveil Rotary 100 Peace Pole number 523 at Radford College, Bruce ACT. Comments from that ceremony below:
Welcome MC - Katherine Rainger Senior Chaplain Radford College
We are gathering today to reaffirm our commitment to Peace locally and globally and especially in our relationship with each other and in our community.
Comments from Chris Bradbury Principal Radford College.
As an Anglican School, working for peace and justice is something that we strive to do, along with members of the Anglican Communion globally. Challenging violence and oppression, and working for justice, peace and reconciliation is one of the marks of mission of the global Anglican church:
Our desire for peace comes from the words and actions of Jesus Christ. After being abandoned by his friends in his hour of need, when he is reunited with them after the resurrection, the first words that Jesus says to them are "peace be with you"
The way of Jesus is the way of reconciliation and peace. We strive to also walk in this way of peace.
Peace, reconciliation and justice require a commitment from each of us. Peace begins with us and how we chose to relate to each other. The peace we desire is a peace based on equity and justice.
Comments Michael Rabey Coordinator Rotary 100 Peace Pole Project and member Rotary Club of Canberra Burley Griffin
Radford College has received Rotary Peace Pole 523 and joins over 600 similar peace poles that have been donated by Rotary Clubs to schools and parks in every state and territory of Australia.
Peace Poles carry the message May Peace Prevail on Earth in many languages. The first Peace Pole was donated by Masahisa Goi a Japanese man in 1955. He was distressed by the events in Japan during the second world war which included the nuclear bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. His wish was for such events to never happen again.
The location of the Radford Peace Pole sits in a beautiful Garden of Reflection at the front of the college.
Photo and text courtesy Canberra Rotary Peace Bell Facebook page.
Rotary Community Service Awards, 23 March