“Let’s Talk Peace.”  The inauguration of Ballarat’s first Peace Pole, Ballarat, Victoria, AUSTRALIA

March 18, 2022

Inauguration of Ballarat’s First Peace Pole at Sebastopol Primary School. We pause to reflect on peace with the children who are our future.

About this event

Sebastopol Primary School students and staff members will celebrate the planting of Ballarat’s first Peace Pole with members of Ballarat Council, Compassionate Ballarat, Let’s Talk Peace Ballarat, Rotary International, Ballarat Interfaith Network, and the wider Ballarat community, as part of Harmony Fest. Peace and harmony are practiced hand in hand.

“A Peace Pole is an internationally-recognized symbol of the hopes and dreams of the entire human family, standing vigil in silent prayer for peace on earth. Each Peace Pole bears the message May Peace Prevail on Earth in different languages on each of its four or six sides. There are estimated over 250,000 Peace Poles in every country in the world dedicated as monuments to peace.”

It is very fitting that Sebastopol is the first school in Ballarat to plant a Peace Pole – as Sebastopol was named by miners who had just come from the Crimean war, saying that the mining blasts reminded them of the sounds of shelling during the 11-month siege of Sevastopol. 167 years later the children of Sebastopol Primary School will be reflecting on peace. “May Peace Prevail on Earth” is inscribed on the Peace Pole in Wadawurrung, English, Māori and Ukrainian.

“Planting a Peace Pole is a way of bringing people together to inspire, awaken and uplift the human consciousness the world over. Peace Poles are now recognized as the most prominent international symbol and monument to peace. They remind us to think, speak and act in the spirit of peace and harmony. Stand as a silent visual for peace to prevail on earth.” [https://worldpeace.org/peacepoleproject/]

(Proof of vaccination status will be required of all ceremony guests. Thank you very much for your cooperation)

We acknowledge this ceremony will be held on the traditional country of the Wadawurrung people of the Kulin nation and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging. We extend our respect to any First Nation people who will join us. We always remember that First Nation children played, danced, sang and learned together where our school stands.

If there is to be peace in the world,
There must be peace in the nations
If there is to be peace in the nations,
There must be peace in the cities.
If there is to be peace in the cities,
There must be peace between neighbours.
If there is to be peace between neighbours,
There must be peace in the home.
If there is to be peace in the home,
There must be peace in the heart.

Laozi