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Hunter Peace Group was established in 2016 to rekindle Peace Activism in Newcastle and the Hunter. Since then, we've made various advancements and achievements in the fight for peace.
Our Work and Achievements
Our Work and Achievements
Over the years since Hunter Peace Group’s inaugural meeting, members have achieved multiple issues raised at that meeting regarding our aims.
We successfully campaigned for City of Newcastle Council, under the Lord Mayorship of Nuatali Nelmes, to re-declare Newcastle to be a Nuclear Free City.
We have successfully achieved the establishment of a Peace Park in the City environs at Tighes Hill Reserve, Maitland Road Islington opposite the TAFE College. (Unfortunately, we have not managed to get the park renamed, however it is, at least on Google, named Tighes Hill Reserve incorporating City of Newcastle's Peace Park. We also have a small sign near the pergolas in the park which tells a little about the Hunter Peace Group.)
Our sign at Newcastle City Peace Park.
In 2022 we were very proud to be awarded the Newcastle City Council’s Community Group of the Year.
Each year since 2016 we have held a commemoration to honour those who lost their lives and suffered tremendous injuries due to the atomic bombings of Hiroshima on the 6th August 1945 and Nagasaki on 9th August 1945. Since these bombings many of the Hibakusha (the survivors of the onslaught) have been extremely vocal and active in calling for an end to nuclear weapons.
Hunter Peace Group has lobbied long and hard against the $368 billion AUKUS PACT, the trilateral agreement between the United Kingdom, United States of America and Australia which is purported to bring to Australia our first ever nuclear-powered submarines. It also has brought the expansion of the numbers of Marines coming on six monthly rotations to the Northern Territory, and the expansion of naval bases and airports to accommodate the nuclear ready subs from UK and USA that are going to be allowed to berth in Western Australia and probably other ports.
City of Newcastle Labor councillors Paige Johnson, Elizabeth Adamczyk, Declan Clausen, and Margaret Wood with Hunter Peace Group Secretary Lynda Forbes at the 2024 Hiroshima Day commemoration at Peace Park.
The Newcastle People's Chorus singing at Hiroshima Day 2024.
We have also seen the militarisation of our educations system, both in schools and universities, as well as the huge expansion of weapons manufacturing and military equipment and more since AUKUS was first announced by ex-PM Scott Morrison in 2018.
Here in Newcastle/Hunter/Port Stephens there is a huge increase in the number of defence manufacturing industries being established, particularly with the armament companies’ hub adjacent to Newcastle Airport.
We have written many letters to the relevant Parliamentary Ministers, Prime Minister; to Newcastle Herald (more times unsuccessfully), but two or three have been printed over the years and have also submitted letters the “The Beacon” Journal, which have been printed.
In 2022, Hunter Peace Group was very proud to be awarded the Newcastle City Council’s Community Group of the Year in recognition of our advocacy.
Leigh Shears Secretary Hunter Workers Unions (Newcastle Trades Hall Council) speaking at Hiroshima/Nagasaki commemoration event a couple of years ago. HPG thanks Hunters Workers for their strong support for our group and for peace and no nuclear port in Newcastle or anywhere. We also thank the Maritime Union of Australia Newcastle Branch for their continuing support .
We will continue our advocacy for Peace, a nuclear free world and an Australia that comes back to being a sovereign nation with its own defensive defence policy, rather than the current very aggressive offensive policy we have at present, and that we hold out the hand of friendship to our neighbours by peaceful trade agreements, rather than military ones.
In peace and friendship,
Lynda Forbes
Secretary
On behalf of Hunter Peace Group members.
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