Rob McGuirk the Project leader of the Peace Bells project advised the meeting that he was very pleased and also very relieved to confirm that the bells were now installed in Rotary Peace Park just in time for the UN International Day of Peace on 21st September.
He noted that our bells were different to the World Peace Bells that are in several cities around the world. The first of these bells was installed at the United Nations in 1954 and there are now 22 such bells worldwide. We have three of these bells in Australia, in Cowra, Canberra and Albury-Wodonga. These bells are cast and accordingly much heavier than our peace bells which are made from aluminium. World Peace Bells are traditionally rung to celebrate the UN International Day of Peace, a day on which all conflicts worldwide are intended to be paused.
The Rotary Peace Bells symbolise that peace building is a collective responsibility. They are intended to be rung by anyone at any time and for the person ringing them to make their commitment to how they will take the Four Steps towards Peace to contribute to making the world, and more particularly their world a more peaceful place. The four steps being to, Seek Peace Within, Make Peace at Home, Create Peace in Your Community and to Foster Peace Between Peoples & Lands.
The Peace Bells are the first of their kind in the world and were designed by Assoc Prof Neil McLachlan who also designed the internationally renowned Federation Bells at Birrarung Marr. Rob noted that Neil was present at the meeting today and asked that he stand to be acknowledged for his work on this project.
Rob advised that the had taken our guest speaker United Nations’ representative to Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific, Damian Cardona Onses, to view the bells on Tuesday 17 September 24 and he noted that there was a gathering of Rotary Melbourne members and friends at the bells on Saturday 21 September on the International Day of Peace.
