2010 International Day of Peace

A day-long celebration of the United Nations International Day of Peace was held in Martin Place in downtown Sydney on September 21. Many different community organizations and schools were involved, and a great deal of energy and goodwill was engenderedm making it a most successful day. We say “May Peace Prevail on Earth” at the beginning and end of the day.

The organizers, the Ministry for Peace Australia, prepared for weeks for this day-long program. The official opening included the representative of the Lord Mayor of Sydney and representatives of the major religions, who each offered prayers and blessings on the event.

We began the event with the usual crowd i.e. Uncle Max Eulo and a didgeridoo player then we had the World peace flame ceremony whilst a young Quaker called James Eccles played the viola. I then asked if he could play the viola together with the didgeridoo they both said yes and it was wonderful, exotic and unusual but beautiful sound.

: Multi Faith Blessing and Peace Message from City of Sydney Cr. Di Tomai… representing Lord Mayer of Sydney… left to right – Imam Asarogou, Head of the Indonesian Association of Australia, Rabbi Paul Jacobson, Mr Greg Ston PF, Cr Di Tomai and Biannca Pace

: Secretary General Peace Day message

: Christopher Woodthorpe, Executive Director UNIP and SG representative in Australia and New Zealand .. introducing the SG and his peace message. On stage Valerie Weekes UNAA NSW division President… and Biannca Pace

: Knox Grammar school Pipers all under 17 years

: 6 year olds from Masada (Jewish) College

: 16 year olds … Yr 10 dance troupe Youth Song Group

: Australian International Academy – Islamic School

: Indian Bollywood Dancers courtesy of Indian Consul

: Balinese Dancers courtesy Indonesian Consul

: Bhangara Dancers courtesy Indian Consul – we had Turkish and Moroccan dancers too

: Conga Line

: USA Consul’s rep Christine Getzler-Vaughan calling the USA Flag in the Nations of the World Ceremony … Consuls from (right to left) Argentina, Canada, Cuba, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Morocco, Spain, Switzerland & USA