On Saturday, 12 April 2008, National Walks for Values were conducted in Capital Cities right across the Nation. Walkers carried banners, placards, balloons, brochures and handouts in Brisbane, Sydney, Canberra, Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth. Here is the pictorial narrative National Walk for Values in Sydney.
The 2008 National Walk for Values in Sydney
Saturday, 12 April 2008 in Sydney turned out to be one those magical and glorious days in Sydney, after a week of rain with only the latest Saturday forecast to be clear... many anxious minds kept wondering and asking What if it rained?... but the day dawned with sunshine and clear skies
Walk participants started to arrive at the assembly point at Prince Alfred Park from as early as 7.30am... volunteers were there to assist... and at 9.00am, the surrounds vibrated with touching music and instrumentals from Raghu and his team.
Professor Roger Packham of the University of Western Sydney started the day with an Introductory Speech:
"Australia has a long history of getting out to walk so as to let the world know what is being thought of a particular issue. Walking for something you believe in is acceptable in Australia... Today we are walking to promote the values that underpin our Australian society; Who can argue with the values of Love, Truth, Right Action, Peace and Non-Violence? These are universal and prized by all humans...it is these values that we want to see permeating through our education system." Roger Packham posed a question to the Walk: "As you walk, can I ask you to reflect on one of these values and their role in YOUR Life. Gandhi said "Be the change you want to see in the world... it is only the practice of these values that they become real. Let us ensure that Australian society continues to respond to all its challenges in positive and worthwhile ways"
Read the Introductory Speech by Prof. Roger Packham
Then it was time to get the Walk underway... a surprise addition to the day were the two Police horses who became our ‘Chariots of Peace’ for the day. In their normal day to day task they would be used to combat rowdy protesters, but TODAY they would lead our WALK. It soon became clear that this was going to be a vibrant day... Peace and happiness were in the air.
The Walk started with the 1200 strong crowd down the 1.5 km route of Marsden and George streets into Parramatta Park. The lady police officers on our ‘Chariots of Peace’ horses led the Walk, followed by the National Walk for Values Logo, and then Central Coordinator, Neville, with Jill and our invited guests—Lady Mayoress, Leeanne Barber, State MP for Parramatta Tanya Gadiel (representing the NSW Premier, Hon Morris Iemma) and Federal MP for Parramatta Julie Owens along with other guests and participants.
As the Walk progressed, you could hear the chant and feel the vibes of "Love All—Serve All" and "Help Evef—Hurt Never" from various sections of the Walk. The Sydney Walk had 4 floats dressed in rich colors depicting different Values
The National Walk for Values then proceeded to Pavillion Flat in Parramatta Park along Marsden St for 1.5 kilometres. Entering the leafy surrounds of Parramatta Park, the Walk proceeded through the Tudor Gates.
As the contingent entered the Pavilion Flat led by the Police horses, they were met by Uncle Wes Marne, an aboriginal Elder of the Darug clan who performed the Smoking ceremony at the gates of Pavilion Flat. The smoking ceremony signifies the cleansing and purification of the Environment. All participants walked through the smoke to the various marquees for the start of the Formal program.
As the Walk entered its destination point, our ‘Chariots of Peace’ the two Police Horses somehow knew that they had made their contribution to the Walk and would have to seek leave for their other duties for the day. In seeking leave of the National Walk for Values, they bowed with their legs crossed... the Lady Police Officers were overjoyed that they never been to anything like it.
The formal program began with the singing of the National Anthem. After addressing a few in-house issues, Uncle Greg Simms , another Darug elder, was introduced to perform the Welcome to Country ceremony.
The Lady Mayoress, Leeanne Barber (representing the Lord Mayor) welcomed everyone to Parramatta City and spoke on Multiculturalism and how volunteers contributed to the community cause. The Lady Mayoress said,
"Volunteers, people inspired by the value of the community, are really our social cement. They are the foundations and the builders of our civic society... They work without financial reward and without acclaim. They are people who have values which drive their lives and give them a purpose... and that purpose is our immense gain as a community"
Read the Lady Mayoress' Speech
Next was the keynote address from Tanya Gadiel, State MP for Parramatta (representing the NSW Premier, Hon Morris Iemma) who spoke of "Responsible Citizenship". She conveyed the best wishes of the Hon Premier to all Walk participants, and said
"Being responsible citizens can entail a strong overall commitment to do the right thing by others - an attitude that informs every important action or deed in our individual life.......Responsible citizenship can likewise imply simple deeds, such as donation, a good and timely gesture, being considered with neighbours and treating the environment with care.....Let's make this Walk For Values a propitious opportunity to enhance and strengthen our social harmony and unity of purpose as a nation....to nurture harmony with our own and our wider environment"
Read Ms Tanya Gadiel's Speech on Responsible Citizenship
Federal MP for Parramatta, Julie Owens spoke on "Values and Ethics in Business" and provided a telling message in saying that many businesses operate in a very in a "ethical and sustainable manner, thus deserve our support and custom; and those businesses that operated unethically should not have our custom". Ms Owens outlined how many companies are engaged in charitable and community based work through their respective Foundations. Other commercial businesses engaged in corporate philanthropy giving back to the communities that support them. Julie Owens quoted the UN Secretary General, Ban Ki-Moon who said " We need business to give practical meaning and reach to the values and principle that connect cultures and people everywhere"
Read Ms Julie Owen's speech on Values and Ethics in Business
In a moving talk on ‘Love in Action’ Father Chris Riley (CEO of the Youths Off the Street Foundation) spoke of his local and overseas experiences, including his work in Banda Aceh, Indonesia. He spoke to a range of value propositions saying that service was in giving and individuals sharing themselves with those around you. At the heart of it all was the question and a challenge to everyone present "What are we doing for the community around us?"
Following musical entertainment and other cultural items, our Central Coordinator, Mr Neville Fredericks provided the closing remarks for the National Walk for Values participants, and concluded that there had been a successful WALK gathering which had comprehensively promoted the practice of human values. Neville Fredericks said,
“This WALK FOR VALUES is a celebration of the best of Australian Culture. When each person lives these values, we will advance the well being of our society as a whole. Australians values Fairness and Equity—this distinguishes our Way of Life. We hope that this event will inspire more people to become exemplary citizens, to be good Neighbours, and to be caring family members through the practice of these five great Human Values—LOVE, TRUTH, RIGHT ACTION, NON-VIOLENCE AND PEACE.&rdquo
View the Photo Album of the Sydney National Walk for Values
©National Walk for Values. This site last updated 8 April 2009
Privacy