Flag bearers for peace

Wednesday, September 24, 2014

Avondale hosts program as part of worldwide event

Brenton Stacey
Public relations officer
Avondale College of Higher Education
Cooranbong, New South Wales, Australia

Former members of the armed forces have joined with those supporting an international community to reaffirm their commitment to humanity’s ultimate but most elusive goal.

United Nations International Day of Peace

John Hegarty with the designer of the world peace flag, artist Sharon Davson. Credit: Summer Hull.

The United Nations International Day of Peace, which Avondale College of Higher Education hosted on its Lake Macquarie campus on Sunday (September 21), saw a call for a global parliament and a reminder that war profoundly affects those who serve.

Associate Professor Chris Hamer, founder and president of the World Citizens Association of Australia, spoke highly of the work of the United Nations. “Imperialism is dead, colonialism is dead, apartheid is dead and the number of deaths in battle each year is down by a factor of 10 in the past half century.” But ending wars, he said, called for a new community of democratic nations.

War made a hero out of William “Fighting Mac” McKenzie. The Salvation Army officer, one of the first chaplains ashore at Gallipoli and a wowser who won the hearts of the Diggers, is the subject of Associate Professor Daniel Reynaud’s research. Daniel, from the School of Humanities and Creative Arts at Avondale, reflected on some of McKenzie’s experiences. Despite his nickname, said Daniel, McKenzie would later describe war as being like hell.

The program also featured two musical performances: Avondale Guitar Ensemble director Terry Latham played John Lennon’s world-at-peace song “Imagine;” and Bonnells Bay Community Choir sang “Let There Be Peace.” The grandchildren of organiser John Hegarty, who represented the local branch of the Returned and Services League of Australia, rang a peace bell.

John told those attending the program he felt emotional about it—partly because it brought many community organisations together and partly because of its worldwide significance. “Everyone wants peace, but sadly many give up trying,” he says. “But there’s no doubt that together we can make a difference.”