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On Monday morning, 21 September 2015, over 300 people from the Melbourne community woke up for peace and proactively supported the UN International Day of Peace, along with millions around the world through a significant meditation event held at the heart of the city in Deakin Edge, Federation Square between 7.45am and 8.30am.

This simple meditation event was lead by a team of special guest meditators; from teachers to practitioners; academics to business people; artists to sports individuals; and faith to non-faith representatives. As long-term practitioners of meditation, they each lit a candle for peace and held a powerful and peaceful half-hour meditation on stage, guided with gentle commentary, music and silence.

Faith leaders included:

• Bishop Philip Huggins, Anglican Diocese of Melbourne
• Jasbir Singh Suropada, Sikh Interfaith Council of Victoria
• Charlie Hogg, Director, Brahma Kumaris Australia
• Jonathan Keren-Black, Rabbi, Leo Baeck Centre
• Bhakta Dasa, Brahman priest, Inter-Faith Director, Melbourne ISKCON,
• Saara Sabbagh, Founding Director & President of Benevolence Australia
• Mojgan Tosif, Baha'i Community Victoria
• Reverend Ian Smith, Victorian Council of Churches
• Venerable Chi Kwang Sunim, Abbess of the Seon Centre, Kinglake

The meditation was by facilitated by ABC meditation artist Carmen Warrington along with musicians Michael Johnson (harp), David Jones (Tibetan bowls/percussion), Megan Kenny (keyboard).

Closing comments were provided by the CEO of Federation Square, Ron Gauci and Lord Mayor, Robert Doyle, and both, along with the Mayor of the City of Greater Dandenong, Sean O'Reilly, released 20 'peace doves' in the main Federation Square. The event was broadcast in the main Square as well as Dandenong Square. For more details of the event, please see www.wakeupforpeace.org.au.

'Wake up for Peace' is organised by 'Calm in the City', a not-for-profit venture which listens and engages with city communities to bring calm into the heart of the city. 'Calm in the City' is a community initiative supported by Brahma Kumaris Australia. For more information see: www.calminthecity.org.au