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This past week, July 16 2025 marked the 80th anniversary of the first nuclear explosion ever conducted. Code named ‘Trinity’ and detonated on Native American land in Alamogordo, New Mexico, the 21 kiloton bomb had severe impacts for many of the communities who lived in — or downwind from — the area.
Those living downwind from the Trinity tests in the Tularosa Basin - called ‘Downwinders’ - would suffer lifetimes of illnesses from increased radiation exposure and would not receive any compensation from the United States government until 1990, when they received a $50,000 one-time compensation pay-out.
The radiation contamination from Trinity poisoned the soil and water, in turn poisoning those who lived off the land, like the family of Tina Cordova, the founder of the Tularosa Basin Downwinders Consortium, who is the fourth generation in her family to have cancer since 1945 and whose father died of cancer at age 71.
“Our lives were changed forever after Trinity. We have never lived a day without the threat of a nuclear exchange with a rogue nuclear-armed country. […] It’s world history,” said Cordova last week.
The United States government knew well “in advance of the detonation at Trinity that radiation was damaging to human health and very dangerous. They full-well knew that the bomb was going to create fallout that would likely affect many, many people across New Mexico. And they still moved forward.”
Three weeks after the United States detonated their first atomic weapon, they dropped two more on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, killing more than 210,000 people, demonstrating the indiscriminate power of nuclear weapons and spurring the global nuclear arms race.
Alongside the victims of Trinity, Hiroshima, and Nagasaki, the global victims of nuclear testing worldwide continues to grow.
Former Bilgola Plateau gentleman Colin Casey was involved in the first Atomic tests at Woomera and suffered debilitating health issues as a result. At dawn on 15 October 1953, the British detonated the first atomic bomb on the Australian mainland at Emu Field, about 480 kilometres north west of Woomera in the desert of South Australia (testing had begun at the Monte Bello Islands off the north coast of Western Australia the previous year). A second bomb was exploded at Emu Field on 27 October.
After these detonations at Emu Field, the British decided that their program of tests might continue and asked the Australian government if a more permanent proving ground might be established. Maralinga was chosen and regular British atomic testing began there on September 27, 1956. Seven atomic bombs were detonated at Maralinga in 1956 and 1957 with a further series of “minor trials” in which at least another 300 nuclear devices were exploded.
Atomic testing at these sites, and at Woomera, has left a lasting legacy. The sites were officially “cleaned up” in 1967, However, there are continued concerns about the effect of radiation exposure on the people involved in the tests. There have been numerous incidences of radiation sickness, chronic illness and birth defects amongst the Australian and British service personnel and in the Aboriginal communities on whose lands the tests occurred.
In September 2011 it was announced a small number of Veterans of British nuclear test in Australia in the 1950’s and 1960’s would be entitled to health care and compensation. Then Veteran’s Affairs Minister Warwick Snowdon said former RAAF personnel had been excluded because their involvement had fallen outside the currently legislated nuclear test areas or time periods.
Later, the small number of veterans who were previously excluded from compensation and healthcare benefits due to the limited scope of the original legislation, were entitled to these benefits. This change came after a recognition that some personnel involved in the maintenance, transportation, or decontamination of aircraft used in the tests, but located outside the original designated test areas or timeframes, were unfairly excluded.
When the news service interviewed Colin in 2011 he explained; '' I was a Radio Technician with No 6 Squadron flying Lincolns. The Squadron with support personnel was sent to Woomera where 6 aircraft were to track the path of the radio activity released by the blast so a warning could be given if it headed towards Sydney or Melbourne.
The first blast was at Emu Field about 100 miles from Woomera but our aircraft operated from Woomera which had a longer strip.
When they returned the radio active canisters were removed and the radio active dust was washed from the wings and fuselage with soap and water. After refuelling they returned to follow the cloud. Because the aircrew were in radio activity for long periods they were more affected than ground crew. To some of us it was an adventure. I was 18 years at the time. Veterans Affairs have recently granted me a Health Card.''
Colin passed away in 2020.
Both former Barrenjoey High School student Naruaki Cann, who was born in Hiroshima, and Pittwater resident Mignon Bonwick OAM, addressed council's July 15 2025 meeting in support of a Motion ''International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN) – Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons and Endorsement of the Cities Appeal''.
This was the second time Mignon had addressed the council. Ms Bonwick also spoke on this matter at the August 2022 council meeting.
The Motion called on the council to note the upcoming 80th anniversary of the detonation of atomic bombs over the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki on 6 and 9 August 1945, respectively and commit to flying the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN) flag (a nuclear weapon trapped in the peace symbol) at the Dee Why Civic Centre on significant days including August 6, the 80th anniversary of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima (1945) and 9 August 2025, the 80th anniversary of the atomic bombing of Nagasaki (1945), as well as 21 September 2025 – International Day of Peace and 26 September 2025 – International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons (ongoing).
The Motion also called for the council to endorse the Cities Appeal, a project of the Nobel Peace Prize-winning ICAN, alongside 50 other Australian councils, specifically for councils.
This time Ms Bonwick explained what ICAN is and what the Cities Appeal is. Mignon also tabled a petition, signed by former Curl Curl resident Raymond Cox, who was deceased by the time the petition was submitted last week - he passed away in October 2022 - but had been involved in the signing of the Pacific peace treaty. Mr Cox is also honoured in this area for his work to restore the Curl Curl environment, in the 'Ray Cox Viewing Deck' at Curl Curl Lagoon.
As a World War 2 veteran, he actively lobbied to protect the peaceful sanctity of Manly Warringah War Memorial Park - the only war memorial created by protecting natural bushland. His shining example also inspired the King St, "Avenue of Honour"- where the planting of locally indigenous shrubs pay tribute to servicemen and women.
At 18 Ray joined the Royal Australian Air Force marine section, air-sea rescue unit. These experiences of war, in particular his presence at the surrender of the Japanese 2nd Army at Morotai, affected him deeply. Ray was on the barge that brought General Blamey ashore and witnessed the surrender.
Years later he wrote:
' It was in the clearing—a large table with aides seated—a squad of armed guards—General Blamey, facing east appeared between table and guards. Somehow the Japanese General appeared marching towards Blamey, his sword across his outstretched arms, hands open. About two paces from Blamey he bowed, stepped forward, saluted Blamey who returned the salute, both turning toward the table and signing the surrender document.
It was only part of a very adventurous day for me, I had been at war for years, 19 years old, and rather reflective that some of my closest comrades were no longer there to share the moment.'
AWM: ''MOROTAI, August 9 1945. GENERAL SIR THOMAS A. BLAMEY, COMMANDER IN CHIEF, ALLIED LAND FORCES, SOUTH WEST PACIFIC AREA, ACCEPTED THE SURRENDER OF 2 JAPANESE ARMY FROM ITS COMMANDER, LIEUTENANT GENERAL F. TESHIMA IN A SPECIAL SURRENDER CEREMONY HELD AT 1ST AUSTRALIAN CORPS SPORTS GROUND. THE CEREMONY WAS ATTENDED BY REPRESENTATIVES OF ALL AUSTRALIAN SERVICES, AND TOKEN FORCES OF US, NETHERLANDS EAST INDIES AND INDIA. SHOWN, GENERAL BLAMEY SIGNING THE INSTRUMENT OF SURRENDER WATCHED BY MAJOR GENERAL W. BRIDGEFORD, GENERAL OFFICER COMMANDING 3RD DIVISION.''
AWM: ''Morotai. 1945-09-09. The surrender ceremony of the 2nd Imperial Japanese Army. The surrender document was signed by Lieutenant General F. Teshima, watched by a large crowd of Allied service personnel.''
Ray Cox was given a lithograph copy of the surrender document, which his family have framed.
There are a number of older and younger residents of the Manly to Barrenjoey peninsula who are directly impacted and actively work towards promoting peace for all peoples in our area. The younger generation in particular want representatives to speak up on their behalf and be part of the solutions.
In 2017, the Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN) for its "work to draw attention to the catastrophic humanitarian consequences of any use of nuclear weapons and for its ground-breaking efforts to achieve a treaty-based prohibition of such weapons". ICAN, founded in Melbourne in 2007, is a coalition of non-governmental organisations focused on eliminating nuclear weapons through a treaty-based prohibition.
Mignon's address was:
Thank you for this opportunity to speak to Council. This motion tonight is a little unusual for a Council, so I wish to explain.
It has come about through ICAN - This stands for the “International Campaign to abolish Nuclear Weapons”. This organisation has received a Nobel Peace Prize in 2017 for their ground breaking work. ICAN developed a format to bring about a “Treaty” to stop the use of these weapons. It begins with the local councils signing on to “The Cities Appeal”. Once signed by Council, it then moves to a Federal Level. Already there are 94 Signatories(countries).
The reason it begins at Council level is because if there were to be any crisis, the Councils are considered to be first responders.
However I would like to now add a few personal thoughts as to why “The Cities Appeal” should be signed..
I grew up in the 1950’s being terrified of Nuclear Weapons and wars. When I became a teacher, I taught in many schools in Victoria and NSW and I found children of all ages, often expressed similar concerns. I do not want my grandchildren growing up fearful of these things. As it is, I know, Climate Issues affect all seven of them in different ways.
We, the people of the Northern Beaches can at least show our children and grand children that we take these issues seriously and that we will work to improve these problems. For this “Cities Appeal” it’s a simple signing.
You may well think a disaster like Hiroshima is never going to happen here. While the likelihood of this happening here on the beaches is minimal, it could still happen. Unexpected things do happen, as they have in countries worldwide. We are hearing more and more news lately of wars escalating and just a few weeks ago a nuclear site was attacked in Iran. The dangers are current.
To the Councillors, when it comes to voting don’t walk away from the issue. Show your families, friends and constituents where you stand and that you want to abolish these shocking weapons once and for all. Have the courage to speak for your people.
There is also a Parliamentary Pledge. Any current member of a state, territory or federal parliament may sign the Pledge to support the Treaty. Parliamentary Pledges have been signed by Dr Sophie Scamps, Ms Jacqui Scruby, Ms Zali Steggall and Mr Michael Regan. All of our politicians have signed!
I believe by agreeing with this motion, we can go home tonight feeling as if we have done all that we possibly can to improve the world as we know it today.
Naruaki Cann said in his address to the councillors:
'I address the council as a Japanese and Australian local. I was born in Hiroshima, but grew up in Newport and Avalon, having attended Avalon Primary and Barrenjoey High.
In my teen years, I reconnected with my Japanese ancestry, and as part of this reconnection, I learned more and more of the tragic violence endured by the people of my home city almost 80 years ago.
In a few weeks many councils, cities, and countries will mourn for the victims of the Hiroshima and Nagasaki atomic bombings for the 80th year. How far have we, as a species, come in those 8 decades? I think, not far enough.
Almost 80 years ago, around 280,000 everyday people lived in Hiroshima when the atomic bomb was dropped. Not far off from the population of the beaches I’d add. It is estimated that 237,000 people were killed directly or indirectly by the bomb’s effects, including deaths from burns, radiation sickness, and cancer.
I first learned about the bombing, visiting Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum as a child. Much of the information went over my head - I think most of it was incomprehensible. How could the beautiful, humble city I was born in and visited so often have been reduced to ash in living memory. Can we as civilised people abide by the existence of nuclear weapons? Can we live peacefully knowing hundreds of thousands of lives could be destroyed in an instant again?
Today, in our world, the nuclear weapons are far more powerful than the one dropped on my first home. The one dropped on Hiroshima had a yield of about 15 kilotons. Presently nuclear arsenals contain warheads over 10x more powerful.
Should a 200 kiloton bomb be dropped in the centre of Sydney CBD, it would be knocking right on the doorstep of the Northern Beaches LGA, shattering windows and injuring residents as close as Manly Vale and Balgowlah. As a young Australian, I fear for our future. With the way the political climate beyond our borders goes, the fear these weapons could be used again is becoming too real.
I believe the devastation of these weapons should never be something anyone should have to even consider. But we do. Ever since August 6th, 1945, a creeping fear has been embedded into us with the proliferation of nuclear weapons. A fear that one day, all we know could be reduced to ash at the push of a button.
It would bring my family pride to know we live in a council that’s on board with the ICAN Cities Appeal. To live in a ward that can represent and respect the diversity and histories of all its peoples, as it strives for our collective peace and safety.
Hiroshima, Nagasaki, The Maralinga, never again!'
In speaking to the Motion, Cr. Miranda Korzy stated:
'I’d like to thank (Pittwater resident) Min Bonwick for bringing this issue to our attention and Naruaki Cann, a long term resident, for discussing his family’s experiences and his feelings about nuclear weapons.
I’d also like to say that we have all welcomed young people like Naruaki to speak at council and others like Councillor Hrnjak to actually sit at the council table with us. So when they bring an issue like this to council, I believe we should show them the respect they deserve for sharing their insights with us.
This is a major concern and indeed fear for young people on the Northern Beaches, as I know from my own children. And this motion is directly relevant to council.
In any nuclear emergency, councils will be the first responders on the ground, responsible for the long term clean up as well as re-establishing community infrastructure and life - probably without much centralised government support.
That’s why the motion calls for us to endorse an appeal directed specifically at councils - not federal governments - to voice our concern about nuclear weapons.
We will not be joining the radical fringe by signing up. Other councils like City of Sydney, Randwick, Ryde, Bayview, and Georges River are amongst the many who have done so.
Neither does it take much awareness of current international affairs to understand that the situation is particularly fraught at the moment. And that modern nuclear weapons are many many times more powerful than in the past. And that they could be launched at Australian sites with 40 seconds notice these days.
Therefore I believe it is important to do everything we can to protect our community from this possibility and to support our young people by passing this motion.'
Dr Sophie Scamps MP, Member for Mackellar, Zali Steggall OAM MP, Member for Warringah and Jacqui Scruby MP, Member for Pittwater are signatories of the ICAN Parliamentary Pledge. In 2022 our local Federal MPs signed an open letter calling for nuclear non-proliferation and Australia’s ratification of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons.
The UN's Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) is a legally binding international agreement that comprehensively bans nuclear weapons, aiming for their total elimination. It was adopted on July 7, 2017, and entered into force on January 22, 2021. The treaty prohibits the development, testing, production, manufacturing, acquisition, possession, stockpiling, use, or threat of use of nuclear weapons. It also prohibits the stationing of nuclear weapons on national territory and requires states to assist those affected by the use or testing of nuclear weapons and to remediate contaminated areas.
The TPNW has been signed by 94 states and ratified/acceded to by 73 states, as of February 2025, but not Australia.
While Australia previously voted against UN resolutions supporting the TPNW, it abstained in 2022 for the first time, marking a shift in its position. New Zealand and Indonesia have welcomed Australia's shift in voting.
Likewise, the Northern Beaches Council won't be announcing its endorsement of the ICAN Cities Appeal. With most councillors 'abstaining' from voting for the motion, 3 actually voting against it, and Cr.s Hrnjak, Hackman, Glanville and Korzy the only supporters, the council remains among those that continue to avert their eyes, ignore those they're there to represent, and hope others will keep fighting all the fights for them; even those that are about signing up for peace.
Worth noting:
The City of Wollongong passed a motion celebrating the entry into force of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons on the 1st of February 2021. On Monday June 16th, 2025 Wollongong City Council (NSW) unanimously passed a commemorative motion which acknowledged the 80th anniversaries of the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, reaffirmed its support for the UN Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW), and resolved to write to the Australian Government in relation to Australia’s progress on the TPNW.
The ICAN Cities Appeal was endorsed by the City of Randwick on 27 November, 2018. On Tuesday June 17th, 2025 Randwick City Council (NSW) passed a commemorative motion which acknowledged the 80th anniversaries of the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, and noted the councils ongoing membership of the Mayors for Peace initiative and previous support for the UN Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons.
The ICAN Cities Appeal was endorsed unanimously by the Inner West Council on 13 November 2018. On Tuesday June 17th, 2025 Inner West City Council (NSW) unanimously passed a commemorative motion, prepared and submitted by Councillor Oliva Barlow, which acknowledged the 80th anniversaries of the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, and reaffirmed its support for the UN Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW).
The ICAN Cities Appeal was endorsed unanimously by the City of Sydney on 29 October, 2018. On Monday June 23rd June, 2025 The City of Sydney (NSW) unanimously passed a commemorative motion which acknowledged the 80th anniversaries of the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, reaffirmed its support for the UN Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW).
The ICAN Cities Appeal was endorsed by the City of Wollongong on 12 February, 2019. On Monday June 16th, 2025 Wollongong City Council (NSW) unanimously passed a commemorative motion which acknowledged the 80th anniversaries of the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, reaffirmed its support for the UN Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW), and resolved to write to the Australian Government in relation to Australia’s progress on the TPNW.
The ICAN Cities Appeal has also been endorsed in NSW by the Georges River Council, Bayside Council, Waverly Council (where Japanese bombs fell during WWII), Lane Cove Council and City of Ryde Council.
Hiroshima Peace Day is observed every year on August 6 to remember the tragic event of World War II in 1945 when the atomic bomb was dropped on Japan's Hiroshima which led to extreme destruction and loss of life.
Nagasaki Peace Day in 2025 will be observed on Saturday, August 9th, commemorating the 80th anniversary of the atomic bombing. This day is dedicated to remembering the victims and praying for lasting world peace without nuclear weapons.
The Nagasaki Peace Memorial Ceremony will be held at the Nagasaki Peace Park, where a Peace Declaration will be delivered. The event includes prayers for the victims and a call for the abolition of nuclear weapons. Other activities, such as the Peace Lights ceremony, will also take place, involving candle lighting and wishes for peace. The day serves as a reminder of the devastating consequences of nuclear war and a call for global peace and nuclear disarmament.
Ahead of the 80th anniversaries of the US nuclear bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in August, the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear (ICAN) has launched an online memorial honouring the estimated 38,000 children killed in the attacks. It features more than 400 profiles with details of the children’s lives, their agonising deaths and the grief of surviving family members. The children range in age from infants to teenagers.
Plans are underway for a Pittwater commemoration on Saturday August 9th, despite the absence of recognition by the council.
Although this may be a simple commemoration compared to those that take place elsewhere, all day every day presents an opportunity to promote the right of the upcoming generation to be heard - especially when they're calling on the rest of us to complete the work that should have been done by now - the right to live in peace and safe from harm.
Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons
Sixteen years after the Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombings the United Nations called for a treaty to combat the spread of nuclear weapons. This action prompted widespread international concern about the threat posed by nuclear weapons.
In July 1968 the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons was opened for signature. This landmark international treaty aimed to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons and technologies and to promote peaceful cooperation in the use of nuclear energy.
The treaty, implemented by 1970, was extended indefinitely on 11 May 1995. In all, 191 countries joined the treaty. This includes the five largest nuclear-weapons nations, with the United States of America, the Soviet Union and the United Kingdom signing in 1968; and France and China joining in 1992.
Australia signs the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, 27 February 1970. Photo: National Archives of Australia
The Whitlam government, which came to power in 1972, decided to ratify the treaty, signifying Australia's full commitment to its obligations in 1973.
Since signing, Australia has been a strong supporter of the NPT, playing a key role in ensuring its indefinite extension in 1995.
The NPT commits non-nuclear-weapon states not to acquire nuclear weapons, ensures the right to peaceful nuclear energy, and commits nuclear-weapon states to pursue disarmament.
The Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty is the only binding commitment for the purpose of nuclear disarmament. It has been agreed to by more countries than any other disarmament agreement in history.