The running started today from the NSW/ACT border:

Joining us was a long time friend of the Sri Chinmoy races, the Charge de Affairs of the American Consulate, Dan Clune, who ran all the 12.3 kms into the Parliament House ceremony with us.

Parliament House

As well as the centre of Australian government, Parliament House is one of Canberra's most imposing and beautiful structures – the ideal choice for several past Peace Run and World Harmony Run ceremonies.

Once again, the team was welcomed to Canberra on the perfectly manicured grass in front of the forecourt, on a day when the weather could not be faulted. Prachar Stegemann, the co-ordinator for both Australia and the ACT, began the welcoming ceremony with a brief meditation for peace and harmony.

Then the team appeared, running uphill from the Old Parliament House.

Reflecting Canberra's role as the National Capital, Federal

politicians and diplomatic representatives from several nations were there to welcome the runners. Firstly, Indigenous representatives in a "Welcome to Country" spoke of the importance of harmony with nature and the environment – issues that were never more pertinent than they are today.

Bob Randall, one of our National Patrons, performed one of his moving songs, accompanying himself on guitar.

"Here's to peace and harmony amongst all people," he added. "May peace remain right throughout the nation. We have a lot of work ahead of us, but we'll get there if the will is there to do it and we follow it by the actions of the heart."

A.C.T. Senator Gary Humphries, a long-time friend of the World Harmony Run, honoured the event: "It reminds us that being in a state of peace is not merely a passive exercise, where we wish for peace for our communities, but it is in fact an active decision, a choice by each of us."

Australian Greens Senator Christine Milne, a renowned environmentalist, spoke next. "I take from this Torch the strength and the hope and the generosity of people who are carrying it around the world, and the nations that are signing on to it, and the people behind the whole Run. I take from that a welling-up of human willingness to become one again."

From the diplomatic representatives, we heard moving
statements of support from:

Her Excellency Mrs Karin Ehnbohm-Palmquist, Ambassador of Sweden

His Excellency Mr J. L. Lanyasunya, High Commissioner of Kenya

Mrs Evisaki Kedrayate, Acting High Commissioner of the Republic of the Fiji Islands

Mr Roberto Mengoni, Deputy Ambassador of Italy

Artem Alexandrovich, First Secretary of Russia

Miss Nadia Ghiorghe, Consul of Romania

Daniel Clune, Deputy Chef de Mission and Acting Charge d'Affaires of the United States of America (who had run with the team from the border)

While space does not permit us to publish all their speeches on this page, we are sure that they all agree with the sentiments of Mr Lanyasunya: "Harmony is needed within families, is needed in communities, is needed within countries and also in the world. So we are here to support this Harmony Run, and hope that Sri Chinmoy's vision of a harmonious co-existence of the people of the world will be realised, if not today, then in the years ahead."

The ceremony finished with a soulful rendition of the World-Harmony-Run theme song by three students of Telopea Park High School – Lyn, Subasini and Nistha. Fittingly, the vocal harmonies were sublime.

- Noivedya Juddery (Australia)

 

 

 

Holy Trinity Primary School

This afternoon the team visited Holy Trinity Primary School.

What an uplifting experience this was for the whole team! Bob Randall joined us there (guitar in hand!) and addressed some very moving words to the school before playing a song he wrote about the dreamtime.

His message of peace and unity shines through everything he says.

Every student in the school had written a prayer for peace, and a small selection of students was invited to read theirs aloud.

With kids like these, the future looks very, very bright. The school had each student's prayer compiled in a folder which they presented to us so we can literally carry their hopes, prayers and wishes for world harmony as we run around the continent.

The ceremony rounded up with each student being invited to hold the torch and make a wish for peace, before receiving an awesome Harmony Run sticker.

As we were leaving we discovered that one of the school's senior students, Brook, actually did an assignment on Bob Randall last year. Can you imagine her surprise when he walked though the door! Her face was an absolute picture of delight as she held the torch and posed for pictures with Bob (who also looked pretty chuffed).

We never found out what grade she got, but she couldn't have chosen a worthier subject. Thanks to Holy Trinity Primary School for an inspiring afternoon!

- Julie Anderson (Australia)

 

 

 

Team B - Tarago

In the afternoon we visited a small school in Tarago. We had run through Tarago yesterday, but being a Sunday of course the kids were not in school, so we returned today to catch up with them. The children were cheerful and listened intently as we spoke about the World Harmony Run. We played some games with them which brought smiles to their faces. Then each of the children had a chance to hold the torch and make a wish for harmony.

We had great fun teaching the children the World-Harmony-Run song and some improvised movements to go with it. The children picked it up in no time.

There was plenty of laughter and giggles as we ran around the playing fields with the children passing the torch amongst themselves as they ran along. You could really feel that this small group of children was quite familiar with the quality of harmony.

- Colm Magee (Ireland)

 

 

 

The day's formal commitments over, a few stops this afternoon were dedicated to getting some fun and iconic pictures recording our stay in Canberra, the nations capital.

– Prabhakar Street (Canada)

If you would like to place a link or a write a story about the World Harmony Run on your website, click here to Link to Us. We'll be happy to place a reciprocal link and list you on our Friends Online page.

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Team Members:
Prabhakar Street (Canada), Edi Serban (Romania), Standa Zubaty (Czech Republic), Sandro Zincarini (Italy), Runar Gigja (Iceland), Marichi Clarke (Australia), Misha Kulagin (Russia), Dima Lehonkov (Ukraine), Colm Magee (Ireland), Angela Muhs (Germany), Anubha Baird (Australia), Nataliya Lehonkova (Ukraine), (New Zealand), Julie Anderson (Australia), Peter Elliot (Australia), Rathin Bolton (Australia), Noivedya Juddery (Australia), Amalendu Edelsten (Australia), Prachar Stegemann (Australia)

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

Gallery: See more images!

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