Perfect Melbourne running weather greeted us for today’s leg of the run. Teams split into two for the duration of the day. First stop for Team 1 was Hawthorn West Primary where runners were greeted by principal Robert Webb, teachers and the enthusiastic students. Representative students read out their powerful words on what harmony means to them. Thanks for those heart felt speeches. The school choir then gave a rendition of the World Harmony Run theme song, which inspired the runners to join in. World harmony is inevitable with children like these as our future. After the ceremony the principal accepted an award.

Yarra Primary School students all got to hold the torch after singing a song ‘We can do it’. This was the former primary school of one of our U.S running team, Marichi Clarke. Thanks Julie for organizing your fantastic kids. After this function some local firefighters who were visiting the school held the torch, this was one flame they liked to see burning. One of them was thrilled to hear that many of his heroes had held the torch.

Our next stop was a meeting with Councillor and Mayor of the City of Booroondara Jack Wegman. The cities motto is the ‘City of Harmony’. Thanks Mayor Wegman for your support and messages of encouragement. We enjoyed running through your beautiful city.

The Melbourne Girls School greeted us with a relay set up at the front gate, thanks Mary and to the girls who participated. Warren ran the torch from the girls school into Collingwood Primary where we met Team 2 at the gates and were met by an enthusiastic reception and a colourful banner that students had painted on world harmony. Well done, art work is certainly a great way children can promote harmony in the community and in their lives.

Team 2 started the day at Abbotsford Primary, a small multilingual school nestled in the leafy urban inner city streets of Abbotsford. We were greeted with a warm rendition of the World Harmony Run, followed by a performance of the classic Australian ballad, Waltzing Matilda in Chinese, much to delight of all. The students had painted a stunning banner, where each child had stamped their hand print in honour of world harmony.

North Fitzroy Primary gave is a huge reception. Around 300 students listened to an inspired speech by Connie Watson. Harmony Runners got to make a wish for harmony, which was placed as a leaf on their wishing tree.

The runners found Spensley Street Primary by listening to the Harmony Run song which they heard from a kilometer away! All the children at Spensley Street formed a giant circle on the oval whilst holding hands and everyone made a wish for harmony while holding the torch. Thanks kids for the great answers on what harmony means to you.

Carlton Garden Primary showed their speed and enthusiasm for World Harmony with a gallant gallop around their playground and basketball court. Everyone held the torch and joined with the hundreds of kids that participated in the Harmony Run today in Victoria. Thanks Melbourne for such a joyful day - Stuart

Harmonemail:
You can send a message to the runners or read the messages.