In 1955, Masahisa Goi, deeply impacted by the devastation of World War II and the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, decided to organise neighbourhood meetings in Ishikawa, Japan.
He wanted to share a simple yet powerful message: “May peace prevail on earth”.
Goi’s initiative was born from a desire for collective unity transcending race, and cultural, religious and geographical boundaries.
Over time, the small neighbourhood reunions attracted larger audiences, eventually gaining momentum nationally.
In 1976, a pole bearing the growing movement’s peace message in several languages was erected at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial.
That’s how the Peace Pole Project was born, eventually spreading worldwide.
Today, the project has more than 200,000 Peace Poles planted on every continent, including at the pyramids of Giza in Egypt, the United Nations headquarters, Mt Everest, and even the North Magnetic Pole. These poles serve as a reminder of the shared desire for peace and harmony across the globe.
The project has established partnerships with NGOs, rotary clubs, the United Nations, schools and universities around the world.
Jo Bliss, a yoga and meditation instructor and Lisa Shortridge, a retired chiropractor, are bringing the movement to Shepparton.
In recent months, they have organised workshops to raise awareness around the project in the Goulburn Valley to get as many people and organisations involved as possible.
Ms Shortridge first encountered a Peace Pole when visiting Queensland.
“We came across this amazing outdoor cathedral, called the Green Cathedral, with a stunning view of the beach and the sea. Near the entrance was a Peace Pole; I’d never seen one before, and it was just amazing.”
“It stopped me in my tracks; to think that people installed it to encourage others to focus on peace for a moment was truly moving.”
Ms Bliss recalls her first encounter with one in Saigon, Vietnam.
“After visiting the Cu Chi tunnels and the Peace Museum (which is more of a war museum), I felt uneasy because what I saw that day made me question what I had been taught at school about the Vietnam War,” she said.
“Suddenly, I was grappling with the different narratives around who the monsters were and who the good guys were. I kept wandering in the Peace Museum when I saw a Peace Pole. It prompted me to pause and reflect.”
Driven by Ghandi’s famous quote, “Be the change you want to see in the world,” the pair are committed to spreading a message of peace in the Goulburn Valley and connecting with other peace-loving people, communities, councils, schools and organisations.
“Peace starts on a personal level, extends to the household, and finally reaches the community level,” Ms Bliss said.
According to Ms Bliss, the Peace Pole Project is a great starting point for a broader conversation about community connection.
If you’d like to get involved, visit the GV Peace Pole Project Facebook page for more information and to stay updated about upcoming events.