Transition Margaret River and Amnesty Margaret River joined forces with support from the Shire, Fair Harvest, Tig Le House and local volunteers to stage Margaret River’s first ever peace weekend.
The activities on the theme ‘I Can Be A Peacemaker’ coincided with a visit by Dr. Sue Wareham OAM and Dr. Peter Underwood, from the Medical Association for the Prevention of War.
WA’s Amnesty International Branch President Leonie Alexander and Vice President Marsha Reid were in town from Perth to show their support for the event.
The weekend of celebration was launched at the Organic Garden where locals gathered for morning tea to meet the keynote speakers. Amnesty member Pauline McLeod said a dinner at Fair Harvest had Dr Wareham and Dr Underwood discussing the threat of nuclear weapons.
“Local photojournalist David Dare Parker's haunting images of war scenes and the Rohingya refugees from Myanmar provided the introduction to Dr Wareham’s powerful message about the need for the world to ban nuclear weapons,” Mrs McLeod said.
“Hundreds of people over the weekend wrote personal messages on postcards, designed by primary children from the Yallingup Steiner School and Margaret River Independent School, to ask federal politicians to sign the 'Politicians Pledge' supporting the United Nations Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons.
“The postcards will be hand delivered to the politicians in Canberra by Dr Wareham.”
“Talented local musicians entertained the crowd at the Peace Park Festival at Memorial Park on Sunday, all volunteering their time for the cause.”
Children enjoyed face painting and mask making and tied their hand-written peace messages on the community peace fence.
Ian Hackett from Tig-Le House conducted a popular mindfulness session to inspire festival goers.
“It was truly a weekend of celebration and action. It was inspirational, a real team effort by so many associated with Amnesty Margaret River, Transition volunteers and of course with the tremendous support of the Medical Association for the Prevention of War,” said Mrs McLeod.
Close to $700 was raised over the weekend to be donated to the UNHCR to help Rohingyan Refugees stranded in Bangladesh.
Nicky Lefebvre
I am a journalist, photographer and content creator based in the beautiful Margaret River wine region, covering all aspects of our community including local news, sport, entertainment and events, as well as providing a platform for our readers to share their voices direct from regional Australia.
I am a journalist, photographer and content creator based in the beautiful Margaret River wine region, covering all aspects of our community including local news, sport, entertainment and events, as well as providing a platform for our readers to share their voices direct from regional Australia.
