Both of the teams for the day assembled at the Royal Children’s Hospital, a very highly esteemed institution in Australia, and indeed in world medicine. Met by Julie Webber of Public Affairs, we were introduced to the CEO Dr Tony Cull, who accepted the Harmony Torch, and spoke to us of the hundreds of children in the hospital, some of whom are quite seriously ill.

Tony explained that there were over 10,000 families per year that use the hospital's services. We met with some of these families and children in an Activities Room, and they were very intrigued to hold the torch and speak with us. It was heart-rending to hear of children stricken with such ill-fortune. We closed our ceremony with a silent prayer and meditation for the families and children in the hospital today.

Our next engagement was a reception in the chapel of the Australian Catholic University in Melbourne for the World Harmony Run.

Welcomed by Mary Campbell, the Community Engagement co-ordinator, we were surprised to find we were treated to a presentation, instead of having to give one! Mary stated that world harmony is not just an ideal, but is possible – not just imaginary, but is real – and that the philosophy of the World Harmony Run matched the ACU mission perfectly: to involve the community.

Associate Professor John Sanders, from the ACU School of Exercise Science spoke about Sri Chinmoy’s vision for the World Harmony Run as a quite profound movement in the world to bridge the gaps amongst peoples.

Mr Corey Joseph, a state hockey player and former ACU student was invited to accept the torch on behalf of students, and then passed the torch around the group assembled.

A World Harmony Run Torch-Bearer Award was presented to Mr. Joe Perry, who was surprised and humbled to accept the award. Joe is engaged in making a real difference in the world, and among his activities has helped raise over $15,000 for the Medical Centre in Bacau, East Timor.

We made our way through the Melbourne traffic to the Richmond West Primary School, to meet with the Principal Mr Peter Lord, who accepted our visit very graciously, as we had given the date incorrectly for this last minute appointment.

Nevertheless, it was a delightful meeting, with children who were bursting with enthusiasm and so much energy, that it could not be contained.

Like bubbles that kept erupting, the joy, laughter and hilarious clowning around was infectious, and one team member was overheard saying it was quite a contrast to the quiet wonder of some of the children in tiny country schools. This particular school has a tradition of many, many different nationalities and cultures being represented, and in recent times a large number of families from the Sudan, Somalia, Vietnam and East Timor.

The children were transported with even more joy with the interaction of the “Guess the Nationality of the Runners” game, and the passing of the torch before a short Harmony Torch relay around the grounds.

– Mrinali Clarke (Australia)

Just after midday we visited St. Kilda Park Primary School. We ran into the playground and as we turned the corner to the courtyard where all the children were assembled we were astounded by the thunderous welcome we received. All the children were brimming with excitement at the sight of the torch!

The children had a ball of a time trying to guess what country each of the international runners is from. We are still amazed by the replies we get. An enthusiastic bunch of kids from the cross country running team then joined us for a lap of the adjacent park. They passed the torch to and fro with laughter and joy as they ran.

Before we left the school, some of the pupils read out poems they had written about Harmony. It was amazing to hear such articulate and expressive poetry from these budding poets.

We had some chill time before the next ceremony so we enjoyed the view down at the beach.

Our final meeting of the day was at Victoria Police Centre where we met with Commander Ashley Dickinson. He expressed his admiration for the World Harmony Run and described his own various involvements in initiatives promoting harmony throughout the State of Victoria.

– Colm Magee (Ireland)

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:
Mrinali Clarke (Australia), Sushmitam Rouse (Australia), Anubha Baird (Australia) Friederike Makowka (Switzerland), Nayaliya Lehonkova (Ukraine), (New Zealand), Angela Muhs (Germany), 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), Peter Elliot (Australia)

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

Gallery: See more images!

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