The great unveiling of the RCB Peace Pole installation at Burnside Primary school during the whole School assembly on the Friday before the 2025 International Peace Day After a successful initiative at her previous school, School Principal Rachel McLennan worked with RCB President Andrew Bradley and Youth Programs Director Ana Kuusk to have pole number 147 of South Australia installed at the school. Utilising Rotary peace day materials, a senior and junior class led the specifically dedicated assembly attended by over 700 students, parents and teachers reflecting on ‘may peace prevail across the world’. Such initiatives are part of South Australia and global Rotary peace and youth engagement initiatives, including the in progress Adelaide walking trail map of locations and the global Rotary Peace pole location map.
The Peace Pole program had its beginnings in 1955. You can now find Peace Poles in close to 200 countries with over 250,000 placed around the world. They are one of the most recognised monuments dedicated to peace on earth. Peace Poles are set into the earth, with the Universal Peace Message ‘May Peace Prevail on Earth’ written on each side in four languages. They symbolise our common wish for a world at peace. They stand as a silent vigil, reminding us to think and act in the spirit of peace.
Rotary Clubs across South Australia invite schools, preschools and children’s centres to help spread the message of peace by placing a Peace Pole at their site. The Peace Pole project was one of several initiatives developed to recognise the 100 years of Rotary in South Australia during 2023 and 2024, and due to its success continues today.
By joining the Rotary South Australia Peace Pole project, you automatically become part of a large peace pole trail, commencing at the Adelaide Oval where the #1 Peace Pole stands, and extending out to all other Rotary Peace Pole locations across the state and beyond.
We are fortunate to have been gifted a peace pole. International Day of Peace is observed around the world on 21 September. Our Peace Pole displays the words, ‘May Peace Prevail’ in English, Kaurna, Aslan and French.