Sutton Public School, sponsored by the Rotary Club of Bungendore and assisted by the Lake George Men’s Shed, has joined a Rotary initiative to put in place 100 peace poles in Australian schools by 2021, sponsored by 100 Rotary Clubs, to coincide with the centenary of the establishment of Rotary in Australia.
A peace pole ceremony, led by school Principal Clare Pritchard and the school’s Year 6 students, was held on Tuesday 3 December in the school courtyard. A message from the United Nations Secretary General, issued on World Peace Day 21 September 2019, was read by the Canberra Rotary Peace Bell Coordinator, Michael Rabey. Students read out the international peace message “may peace prevail on earth” in English, Ngunnawal, French and Japanese as displayed on panels on the pole. Students also read out the peace message of Chinese philosopher Laozi, which is read in conjunction with ringing of the Peace Bell.
As part of the 100 peace poles initiative, school students include a visit to the Canberra Rotary Peace Bell in Lennox Gardens and ring the Peace Bell as part of their visit to Canberra in Year 5 or 6. Principal Clare Pritchard mentioned the impact the visit had on Sutton’s Year 6 students this year and said that Sutton school students will in future participate in annual peace ceremonies in conjunction with World Peace Day.
The peace pole program had its beginnings in 1955 in Japan. More than 200,000 peace poles have been installed in some 200 countries around the World, symbolising the common wish for peace and a silent reminder to think and act in the spirit of peace.
More information on how your club can become involved, contact Michael Rabey <michaelprabey@gmail.com>
