Sydney 2018

SYDNEY PEACE PROJECT

Stand | Sing | Remember

A wonderful day!

11 November, 2018
Government House, Sydney, NSW
Time: 1pm-3pm
Come wearing white top and white hat!

What is the peace project?

The Peace Project 2018 is an opportunity to engage as many young people and their families around the nation in November, 2018 to -

Stand together for Peace
Stand together for Veterans and their families
Sing to Remember
Rethink Remembrance

You are invited to join with The OZY Youth Choir Honouring Defence Service to recreate the original WW1 Photo below as we did last year on Bondi Beach. Register to be part of this special event.

One hundred years ago, Australia was known as a nation of singers. It was a time when music and poetry formed a vital part of Australian family and community life. Even through the dark days of the Great War, our soldiers were known for their music and singing and it became an important part of the recruitment process to keep morale high.

It should be no surprise to us that Australians embraced their tradition of singing to celebrate the end of the war as only Aussies can! According to Sir Evelyn Wrench’s account even in London, Aussies made their mark with dancing and song.

Despite the great losses touching the lives of every Australian family and community, 1919 was considered “The Year of Peace”. School children around the country held “peace parties” and the Government issued every school aged child a “peace medal” as the nation’s focus turned from war to peace.

As a fitting end to the Centenary of Anzac and to usher in the Centenary of the Year of Peace, His Excellency, The Governor NSW and Mrs Hurley are hosting this special Sydney Peace Project on the Parade Ground of Government House on Friday 2 November.

Both silence and singing are powerful ways a nation can collectively remember. A day such as Remembrance Day, 2018, can be a drawing together, of many faiths, and of none, unifying the nation in remembrance by the actions of extraordinary strangers who fought for their country; their mates; and their lives. It is hoped that after a time of silent remembering, communities across the nation will be unified together through our young people in song, compelling us to learn from the past, live in the present and build a bright and peaceful future.

Become a Peace Project Champion

Can't find a Peace Project in your town? Why not become a Peace Project Champion and run one in your area!
We are looking for Peace Project Champions who are willing to organise a Peace Project in their school, town or city. We will support you and give you what you need along the way!

What could you do in your community?

This is what we did with our Peace Partners on Bondi Beach, 11 November, 2017 to launch it - With an accompanying education resource package, this project is designed to raise awareness and enhance your local activities on Sunday 11 November 2018.

sing to remember

Remembrance Day, 11 November, 2017
Bondi Beach

The Peace Project Story so far...

Imagine an iconic beach, voices raised in solidarity and a powerful image being captured. A hundred years ago, schools across Australia came together in a series of patriotic displays. Tickets were sold, with all funds raised going toward the war effort. The Children formed the map of Australia, the Red Cross emblem at its centre.

On Remembrance Day 2017, the Peace Project for 2018 was launched on Bondi Beach. ABC reported “Today on Bondi Beach, a new way of remembering was born” and Sunrise did a live cross from the event on the beach.

The RSL Youth Choir invited schools, RSL clubs, families and whole communities to stand together with their Peace Partners as hundreds came to rethink remembrance and recreate a magnificent photo in this iconic location.

Remembering all generations of service men and women and their families, they sang in remembrance, for peace and for mateship. It was a special moment when everyone came together in song, “I say thank you for serving our nation....”.

Imagine what your school, community or organisation could do in your local area this year on 11 November for the Centenary of Armistice!

Become a Peace Partner and join us and other communities all over the nation as we stand and sing together as we look back and #rethinkremembrance, #singtoremember, #honourtheirservice and #honourtheirfamilies and as we usher in the Centenary of the Year of Peace for 2019.

The red cross emblem is reproduced with consent of the Minister for Defence under the Geneva Conventions Act 1957. In armed conflict, the red cross, red crescent and red crystal mean 'don't shoot!’ Misuse of the emblem in peacetime diminishes its protective power when it is most needed: in times of war and is a crime. You can help by avoiding (and reporting) misuse of the emblem in Australia. Download the Emblem App https://redcross.org.au/TheEmblemApp to report any misuses you see, or email emblemmisuse@redcross.org.au . For more information see the Australian Red Cross Emblem Guide https://redcross.org.au/about-us/the-emblem/guide-to-emblem-use .