Blessed Are The Peacewomen

Since 2010 the Queensland Branch of the Women's International League for Peace and Freedom have made the annual Peace Womens Awards. WILPF Queensland’s Peace Women Awards recognise the talents and dedication of women whose activities have promoted peace at the local, national and/or international levels.Among the women awarded in 2013 was Ravina Waldren, coordinator of Murri Ministry in the Archdiocese of Brisbane. Ravina received the award for her community building especially in the Indigenous community.

In a recent interview Ravina described  her life and work as  "are trying to bring people together and to create a greater understanding and a love and respect for everybody, of all different nationalities, all different backgrounds." She also spoke of her work supporting Indigenous Families who struggle with the ongoing experience of deaths in custody.

The Catholic Leader in Brisbane has published several moving interviews with Ravina exploring the meaning and significance of the apology to the Stolen Generations .

As a photographer and justice activist I have been mentored and guided by Ravina's gentle determination to  bring about reconciliation and justice for Indigenous Peoples. Through her I have come to know and love Indigenous people of  my birthland who carry the dreamtime story and spirit in dance, yarning and ritual.

I hope readers of this blog will add their congratulations and best wishes to Ravina on her reception of this award. You can email her at Email: murriministry@bne.catholic.net.au

Ravina Waldren and Sam Watson podcast 15 October 2011
Other 2013 recipients of the award were

Marianne Hanson
Ros Kidd
Aila Keto
Olivera Simic
Heather Millhouse

 Let us celebrate these women and their peacemaking work  in song: