{"id":1242,"date":"2011-09-20T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2011-09-20T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bahai.org.au\/index.php\/news\/state-and-community-leaders-pay-tributes-at-anniversary\/"},"modified":"2017-10-14T04:53:11","modified_gmt":"2017-10-14T04:53:11","slug":"state-and-community-leaders-pay-tributes-at-anniversary","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bahai.org.au\/index.php\/state-and-community-leaders-pay-tributes-at-anniversary\/","title":{"rendered":"State and community leaders pay tributes at anniversary"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"State
Among the quests attending the anniversary reception and service were, Pittwater MP Rob Stokes (back row, second from left), Pittwater Mayor Harvey Rose (front row, fifth from left) and Baha\u2019i representative, John Walker (back row, second from right)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

State and community leaders have paid eloquent tributes to the role played by the Baha\u2019i Temple of Sydney since it opened 50 years ago this month.<\/strong><\/p>\n

New South Wales Premier Barry O\u2019Farrell sent a message to be read at a reception held on 18 September before a special anniversary service. The events marked the beginning of a week of celebrations and services.<\/p>\n

“This is a momentous occasion not only for the Baha\u2019i religion but for New South Wales as a whole,” said Premier O\u2019Farrell in the message, read by Pittwater MP Rob Stokes.<\/p>\n

“The Baha\u2019i community plays an important part in New South Wales\u2019s diverse social fabric, and it is important that we continue to promote and celebrate diversity, tolerance and community in this State,” Mr O\u2019Farrell said.<\/p>\n

“This idea encapsulates the ethos of the Baha\u2019i religion as it seeks to unify all religions and humanity \u2013 this Temple and the Baha\u2019i community have indeed achieved this,” he said.<\/p>\n

“I believe there is a lot to be learned from the Baha\u2019i Faith, which through its values of unity and equality has only enhanced the multicultural tapestry of New South Wales.”<\/p>\n

Unity in diversity<\/strong><\/p>\n

The capacity-attended service was characterised by the Baha\u2019i principle of unity in diversity. The choir sang in an Aboriginal language (Wirradjuri dialect), Arabic, English and Samoan.<\/p>\n

Readings were from Baha\u2019i, Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, Jewish and Islamic scriptures.<\/p>\n

Among the readers were two who had also read from scripture at the inauguration in 1961, Stanley Bolton and Allaine Duncan.<\/p>\n

Another reader was the State MP for Pittwater, Rob Stokes, who told the reception the people of Pittwater “feel privileged to have this Temple here”.<\/p>\n

“It stands as a silent sentinel of faith, of inclusion, of a real spiritual strength,” Mr Stokes said.<\/p>\n

Pittwater Mayor<\/strong><\/p>\n

Pittwater Mayor Harvey Rose told the reception it a was privilege to be attending the anniversary celebrations.<\/p>\n

“This place has been a beacon for 50 years,” Cr Rose said.<\/p>\n

“It\u2019s a beacon from the sea, the land, and the sky. It is also a beacon which lights the way to a better world where antagonism and division is replaced by unity, construction and hope.<\/p>\n

“The Temple plays an important role in our local community and the broader Australian community. It is totally part of our community and part of our area.”<\/p>\n

Cr Rose, a longtime resident of the area, recalled the time of the construction of the Temple, and also the many positive events held in the grounds, including the Peace Expo in 1986, attended by 10,000 people, and events promoting the equality of men and women and other progressive causes.<\/p>\n

\u201cOur society is enriched and ennobled by the Temple,” he said.<\/p>\n

“Pointing out religious unity and commonality is a very important task.\u201d<\/p>\n

Referring to the persecution of Baha\u2019is in Iran, Cr Rose said: \u201cYour example of overcoming adversity and finding a positive way forward is a beacon for us all. For all you do for our community, for all you do for the world, thank you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Temple is for all<\/strong><\/p>\n

Mr John Walker, who attended the inauguration 50 years ago, said the Temple is for the benefit of all people, regardless of religion, race, class or nation.<\/p>\n

Mr Walker said the decision to build the Temple was made when one planned for Tehran could not go ahead due to persecution of Baha\u2019is in that country.<\/p>\n

The anniversary celebrates the achievements and dedication of a small band of about 380 Baha\u2019is living in Australia at the time of construction– now there are 19,000 Baha\u2019is, he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cAustralia as a whole has changed much over the past 50 years, becoming a dynamic, outward-looking multicultural society,\u201d Mr Walker said.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis process will continue over the next 50 years and the Baha\u2019i community stands ready to work together with other Australians in making the world a better place. \u201c<\/p>\n

The reception began with a “welcome to country” by Michael West on behalf of the Metropolitan Local Aboriginal Land Council.<\/p>\n

Other special guests attending the reception and service were State MP for Burwood Charles Casuscelli; the Mayor of Warringah Michael Regan; prominent Australian jurist Justice John Dowd; and the son of the architect who supervised the Temple’s construction, John Brogan. About 10 people at the reception indicated they had attended the inauguration in 1961.<\/p>\n

At the reception a \u201cFriends of the Baha\u2019i Temple\u201d facility was launched so that interested people can receive information about coming events, what\u2019s happening at the Temple and how they can be involved.View the video from the reception and opening service on vimeo<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n

Download the 50th Anniversary program<\/a> Be<\/a>come a Friend of the Baha’i Temple<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

State and community leaders have paid eloquent tributes to the role played by the Baha\u2019i Temple of Sydney since it opened 50 years ago this month.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":13,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[13,1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1242","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-media-releases","category-uncategorised"],"yoast_head":"\nState and community leaders pay tributes at anniversary - Australian Baha'i Community<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/bahai.org.au\/index.php\/state-and-community-leaders-pay-tributes-at-anniversary\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"State and community leaders pay tributes at anniversary - 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