The Alice Springs Launch
of the Decade to Overcome Violence
Saturday 26 July 2003
"A Ripple in the Centre."
It was a perfect day of Winter sunshine, the Red Centre magnificent. The carefully crafted program for the Launch with morning conference and afternoon pilgrimage carried through with some high moments of inspiration and emotion and minor variations to account for the exigencies of the day.
morning welcome
The morning program began with a welcome to the indigenous lands of the Arrente people given by one of their leaders Betty Pearce. There followed devotions led by Rev. Lindsay Faulkner of the John Flynn Memorial Church (and Moderator of the UC Northern Synod) on behalf of the Alice Springs Ministers' Fellowship. Then came a welcome and a brief address by Her Worship the Mayor of Alice Springs Ms Fran Kilgariff. And after that the illustrated Keynote address by Rev. Dr. Jon Inkpin, NCCA Program Manager for the DOV (Decade to Overcome Violence) Program in which he gave the background to the Program, the intentions of the Program and formally launched the Program regionally in Alice Springs. He emphasised that the regional launches of the DOV Program were intended to be low key yet creating a ripple of concern that might spread with positive action for peace in ever widening circles.
community symposium on violence
A symposium followed after the morning tea break. In this session six representatives of government and community organisations provided five minute inputs about the functions of their organisation, problems of violence encountered and responses made. The speakers were: Rev. Mike Mills, Chair of Alice Springs Ministers' Fellowship, Ms. Robyn Manley of the Alternatives to Violence Program, Sgt. Craig Ryan, representing Commander Manison, NT Police, Hon Loraine Braham MLA Speaker of the NT Legislative Assembly and Local Member, Magistrate Melanie Little and Ms Michelle Costagne of Multicultural Services who also spoke about violence incurred by incapacitated persons. The presentations provided a fascinating mosaic of community responsibility, involvement and on going concern.
The Conference then broke into five discussion groups to consider the following topics:
1) Personal Peace -a basic answer
2) Alternatives to Violence - positive options
3) Who is my neighbour? - and if so?
4) Spreading Power and Forgiveness -further steps to reconciliation in the Red Centre, and
5) Doing Justice to All - components of a Christian world view.
In the plenary session that followed many important emphases were made. A common thread in the reports was the need to understand where one is coming from personally and the resolution of conflict within as a prerequisite to participation in the wider quest for peace.
sharing the Walpiri Yapaku peacemaking story
After lunch, Rev. Ivan Jordan of Yuendumu who is the National Consultant on Aboriginal Ministries for Australian Baptists, introduced a session entitled,"Making community peace - sharing the Warlpiri Yapaku experience". In his illustrated presentation Rev. Ivan Jordan outlined the concerns of the Warlpiri Christian leadership for a strife torn neighbouring community and in action taken to achieve reconciliation. He was supported in his presentation by two Walpiri church leaders, who spoke of their concern and involvement. This was an inspiring example of what might be achieved at grass roots (or red sand) level.
Afternoon Pilgrimage:
a commitment to the community...
The afternoon Pilgrimage was memorable, undertaken in a small bus provided by courtesy of the "Old Timers" Home with a volunteer driver from the Uniting Church The pilgrims were first received by the Mayor on the lawns in front of the Civic Centre. In a simple ceremony the Mayor greeted the pilgrims, listened to a brief statement about the DOV Program, appreciated prayers offered for her and all having civic responsibility and received a Scroll signed on behalf of the Alice Springs Ministers Fellowship, the NT Council of Churches and the NCCA . The Scroll offered solidarity with the Civic Authority in every positive action to implement good local government and to encourage such action as is appropriate to facilitate peace through the "Decade to Overcome Violence" program. The Mayor was assured of our good will and prayers. In receiving the Scroll, the Mayor stated that she would table it at the next Council Meeting. There followed informal conversation and the Mayor graciously came to the bus to see the pilgrims on their way.
In the dry Todd River bed the pilgrims sought to affirm solidarity with alienated people, the beautiful River Bed being the scene for so much violence associated with alcohol. The National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Ecumenical Commission's "Prayer for the Journey of Healing" was repeated and the pilgrims picked up and slowly released handfuls of sand as token of their grief of alcohol abuse and its underlying causes. In the shade of a river gum tree there was time to think, and Ivan Jordan spoke movingly of how the Walpiri people of Yuendumu rejoiced in singing of Jesus, the One who sat in the dust.
The pilgrims then journeyed through the Gap to the Central Australian Aboriginal Alcohol Program Unit, there to be greeted by staff and invited to sit in a circle of chairs in the grounds of the Unit as most of those undertaking the program came to sit down and join in. An outline of the work of CAAAPU was provided by the Manager . There followed a brief statement of what the DOV Program was about, followed by prayers for staff and residents of the Unit and repeating together the "Prayer for the Journey of Healing". As a symbol of hope and peace, ten white helium filled balloons were handed out to residents who at a given signal released them and watched them soar into the sky and finally out of sight. The pilgrims were given a cool drink and then as a special and unexpected privilege were invited to share in CAAAPU's daily ceremony. It is a smoke ceremony held in a sunken, circular pavilion with the participants forming a circle around the inside perimeter, the fireplace for the smoke being in the centre. Each person in turn lets the smoke enfold them as a cleansing of any hurts and ill feelings and enables them to start a new day afresh. There is a final linking together of hands and the repeating of a prayer for grace for the day. This was a moving experience for the pilgrims. The sense of acceptance was palpable.
The final journey for the day took the pilgrims up Anzac Hill to the War Memorial overlooking the Town The memorial is in the form of a Cross with the words "Lest we forget" inscribed. Anzac Hill commands a breath taking view of the Central Australian Landscape on all sides with the backdrop of the McDonnell Ranges. There were a number of sight seers. We gathered in a small half circle. There was a brief talk about the cost of war and its effect on a household. There was mention of the true role of a Defence Force in "defence rather than in "preemptive strikes" Prayers for peace were offered and a simple, beautiful wreath with inscription laid at the base of the Memorial. The words "Lest we forget" were repeated and there were concluding moments of silent reflection.
Thanks be to God
Rev. Dr. Lloyd Kent, Secretary/Executive Officer, N.T. Council of Churches. 30 July 2003
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