Q. |
Why Peace? |
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A. |
We believe people in all walks of life are looking for peace, whether it is in relationships within families, workplaces or communities, with themselves, or with the land. Bringing a focus to peace will, we believe, promote greater happiness in our community. It can increase understanding and encourage action to make peace a priority in our lives. |
Q. |
Why a festival? |
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A. |
The idea of the festival is to celebrate the positive in our community. It is a broad cultural program of variously entertaining, thought-provoking and enjoyable activities. Our festival program offers more than a chance to sit and listen. It is an opportunity to be part of something bigger, to participate, learn, share and contribute. The four day festival is part of a broader program of community-based activities that lead up to the festival. It allows for many individuals or groups to express and share something of peace. It provides great role models, interesting speakers, inspiring musicians as well as opportunities to bring people together and strengthen relationships. |
Q. |
Why Warwick and why Queens Park? |
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A. |
Warwick is the home of the Total Health and Education Foundation, the non-profit body which initiated the festival. It is set in a beautiful location on the Southern Downs in Queensland. The main festival day is held at Queens Park on the banks of the Condamine River, a symbol of connectedness as the headwaters in this area are the beginning of the Murray-Darling River system. The Condamine River has always been a part of Warwick’s life, it has nurtured communities from early times and today is still a source of pleasure and peace. |
Q. |
Why bother? |
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A. |
We are blessed with a great country to live in, levels of health and well-being higher than many places in the world. Despite this, individuals, families and communities are fragmenting under the various social and economic pressures at play. Using our time and energy to help each other find a way forward will not only add to our own happiness and peace but send ripples of peace to our family, workplace, community and beyond. Peace is possible. |
Q. |
Is it a religious festival? |
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A. |
No. We are not prescribing one way of finding peace. We believe your path to peace is an individual thing and simply offer ideas, inspiration, skills and company along the way. At the same time we understand that a religious approach is a great source of peace for many people and we welcome expressions of this through our festival program. |
Q. |
Why do we run alcohol-free events? |
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A. |
This is not a statement to say people shouldn’t drink. It is simply a way of expressing the idea that good times don’t have to rely on alcohol for their success. |
Q. |
Why do we support multicultural activities? |
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A. |
If we truly want to create a culture of peace in our community, we need to encourage ingredients of peace: inclusiveness, vibrancy, involvement, safety, respect. Seeing something of other cultures can help us understand them more and help to spread the message that we are not so different after all. |
Q. |
Why do we support the Aboriginal community? |
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A. |
The first people of this land have a rich and deep culture of tolerance and respect, the very essence of a peaceful community. Hence there has been a natural attraction between the festival and Aboriginal people who have contributed significantly to the festival since its inception, providing greater understanding of their culture and its capacity to help the broader community. |
Q. |
Who runs the Peace Festival? |
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A. |
The Peace Festival has been initiated by the Total Health and Education Foundation (www.thefoundation.org.au) and acts as the Festival’s auspicing body. A voluntary Steering Committee made up of community members has the hands on job of running the festival and they are supported by a large number of volunteers. Current Steering Committee members are:
Input and suggestions are welcome at any time. The committee can be contacted by email at info @ peacefestival.org.au or by phoning 07 4661 5420. |
Q. |
Where does the money come from to run the festival? |
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A. |
We are a non-profit organization which budgets to cover festival costs. If a small profit is made, it is invested in the next festival. Our primary source of funding to date has been grants from Dept Local Govt Sport & Rec, Dept of Communities, Arts Queensland, Queensland Events, Festivals Australia, Multicultural Affairs, Regional Arts Development Fund. These are sought in the planning stages of each festival and in each case are specific to a particular project. We are very grateful for sponsorship support we have also received in past years from sources such as USQ, Warwick Credit Union, Warwick Twin Cinema, Warwick Daily News and GJ Gardiner Homes. Southern Downs Regional Council has been a strong supporter of the festival from its beginning and continues to assist with venues and promotion. In addition, the T.H.E. Foundation has supplied ongoing support through the use of office space, equipment and volunteers. Fundraising activities such as film nights and donations also contribute to our income. |
Q. |
How long has it been running? |
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A. |
Our first festival was in 2005 with the theme “Peace in Our Own Backyard” This was followed by: 2007 “Finding Common Ground” 2009 “Creating Connections” Planning is under way for our next festival to be held: 29 April – 2 May 2011 “Everybody Counts” |
Q. |
How do I get more information or get involved? |
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A. |
Check our website www.peacefestival.org.au to get updates on our program or complete a volunteer expression of interest form. Call us on 07 4661 5420 or email info @ peacefestival.org.au Join our newsletter group by emailing to the address above. Register yourself as a volunteer on the Volunteering Queensland database – Southern Downs www.volunteeringqld.org.au . Our jobs will all be listed there by early 2011. |
