On Friday 3 July at Balam Balam Place on Kulin Land, 100 people gathered for a candlelight vigil and talanoa as part of the Pacific Peace Pilgrimage 2026.

The Pacific Peace Pilgrimage was organised by the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons, Quakers Australia and the Pacific Conference of Churches to cooincide with two significant anniversaries. July 1 marked 80 years since the United States used its first post-war nuclear weapon detonated above Bikini Atoll in the Marshall Islands.  July 2 marked 60 years since the first French nuclear weapon was exploded above Moruroa Atoll in Mā'ohi Nui, beginning three decades of atmospheric and underground testing.  The impacts live on in memories and in radiation that continues to harm and pose future threats for countless generations.

Today we’ll hear Luisa Tuilau reading her poem Bravo, The Brunswick Rogues Choir and friends, Dimity Hawkins from the Nuclear Truth Project, Nic Maclellan - Independent Journalist who has worked in the Pacific region for many decades, and special guests Samuel Barton - President of the Marshall Islands Student Association and Frances Namoumou from the Pacific Conference of Churches.