Rotary club partners with school in peace pole initiative

A PEACE pole that originated in Japan 70 years ago has been installed at Ballina Coast High School as a symbol of unity and hope for the future.

Ballina-on-Richmond and the Satellite Club of Ballina Lifestyle Rotary unveiled the project at an official ceremony in the school garden.

The school has a close association with the Rotary club through the Interact program, in which students volunteer and raise money for people in need.

Students recently raised money to buy clothes for homeless people through the St Vincent de Paul Society.

The poles are part of a worldwide initiative, started in Japan by Masahisa Goi in the aftermath of World War II in 1955.

More than 250,000 peace poles have been installed worldwide, each inscribed with the message ‘May Peace Prevail on Earth’ in multiple languages.

“It’s a message that we all need to hear as a society and it all starts with the youth,” Rotary Club of Ballina-on-Richmond president Rob Chilman said.

“This has been in the works for the last year and it’s great that the school has come to the party.

“Hopefully it will be a symbol for decency and treating one another with respect throughout the whole community.”

Rotary district governor Lisa Hunt and Ballina mayor Sharon Cadwallader spoke at the ceremony.

“I am so proud that we are in partnership with the rotary clubs on this one,” Ballina Coast High School principal Peter Howes said.

“It’s our young people that are going to make the difference with peace in the world.

“We’re redeveloping the garden around the peace pole and it’s going to look fantastic when its finished.”

A second peace pole will be unveiled at Ballina RSL Club in the coming weeks.