PERTH

The Western Australian 2006 World Harmony Run was launched at the annual Multicultural Festival in Bassendean, one of Perth’s older suburbs. Thirty enthusiastic children from the Eden Hills Little Athletes Club accompanied the World Harmony Runners as they carried the Torch for the last kilometre into the Festival.

The Mayor of Bassendean, Tina Klein, greeted the runners as they entered on to the stage, to the delight of the 1,000-plus audience. A brief ceremony was held where some of the Little Athletes read out messages about “what harmony means to me”. Everyone then joined in the World Harmony Run theme song, with backing music arranged by Maleenendra, one of the World Harmony Runners, and special choreographed actions to the song. The Mayor and CEO of Bassendean then took the torch down into the audience, so everyone could make a wish for world harmony as they walked a few steps with the torch.

ADELAIDE

Adelaide’s World Harmony Run team visited Star of the Sea Primary School at Henley Beach. Star of the Sea won the World Harmony Run theme song Music Competition last year and we were thrilled to return, sharing the light of the Torch with almost the entire school.

This time we were accompanied by a special supporter of the World Harmony Run: acclaimed comedy star Maria Bamford. Maria, visiting from the US, has been performing in the Adelaide Fringe Festival. Today she entertained the children with a special routine. Much laughter and joy pervaded the school, with happy, smiling faces eagerly explaining and demonstrating different aspects of “harmony” during the presentation.

When it came time for every child to hold the Harmony Torch and make a wish, everyone put their heart into the special wishes that emerged. The children also joined in singing the World Harmony Run song with the runners, clapping along enthusiastically. Time sped by into morning recess and after ducking away for a moment, a lot of the children eagerly returned to run around the oval with the World Harmony Runners, holding the torch and passing it to their friends as they ran fast laps.

  The official recorded version of the song was played aloud as we ran. Thank you to Star of the Sea, Principal Michael Honey and staff, and to our special guest Maria Bamford. One way harmony is achieved is through bringing happiness to others. What a great way to celebrate World Harmony Day!

CANBERRA

Students of Gordon Primary School were given a sneak preview of the Run, which will revisit the school in June. While they were excited by the presentation, and were keen to hold the Torch, the students were especially enthused by one other regular aspect of the school ceremonies: the stickers! They were willing to accept various challenges - push-ups, cartwheels, singing - for the joy of sticking the World Harmony Run logo to their T-shirts! Afterwards, the runners visited an unusual floral display to commemorate the day, which has greeted thousands of motorists driving through the city centre.

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