Team A

Today marked the half-way point in our journey around the continent of Australia, and also the Winter Solstice – the shortest day of the year.

Fresh after a day's rest we set off from the centre of Albany, running into the countryside to be once more surrounded by lush green fields interspersed by clumps of forest. The sky was completely blue with not a cloud in sight.

As we ran, motorists waved cheerfully and honked, adding a spring to our step. A chorus of croaking came from the marshes where frogs happily rested. There was one lake in particular that sounded like Frog City!

There were some nice ups and downs today making it very interesting for running. At midday we arrived in the quaint town of Denmark, its name originating from an explorer whose last name was Denmark. From there we set out for a ceremony at the Valley of the Giants Tree Top Walk.

Established in 1990, this is first Australian tree top walk that towers amidst a unique type of eucalypt forest filled with the amazing 'Red Tingle' tree. Red Tingles are some of the most enormous trees in the world and can only be found in a narrow belt in the region of Walpole.

At the entrance we were warmly greeted by Kim Barrow, President of the Denmark Shire, and Dave Tapley, Manjimup Councillor. They gave us an official welcome into their Shires before escorting us around the tree-top walk. The walk towers 40 metres up in the Red Tingle canopy and puts into perspective the majesty of these trees. It's easy to see why the early settlers dubbed this the Valley of the Giants!

After one lap of the tree top walk, Sandro decided to run another lap...

 

We also had the opportunity to walk at ground level amongst these giants. Some of the tree trunks were completely hollow at the base and it was possible to walk right through them.

From the Valley of the Giants we ran onwards to Walpole where the trees lining the road were so high they almost blocked out the fading afternoon sun.

At Walpole we were met once more in the centre of town by Councillor Dave Tapley, for the rededication and replanting of the town's 'Peace Tree'.

This beautiful olive tree was first planted on September 19 2000 to commemorate United Nations Millennium Peace Day. However, due to a needed car park expansion, the tree has had to be moved.

All gathered around to help lower the tree into its new home, each of us in turn adding some new soil around its roots. We were also delighted to see that the Manjimup Council had added a small plaque underneath the original UN plaque to commemorate this special occasion!

 

– Colm Magee (Ireland)

Team B

We had a light day of running, only 54 km between six runners. Today was Uddyogini Hall’s first day running with us here on the route to Perth. She has joined us for a week after recently being on the U.S. World Harmony Run for 5 weeks since the opening ceremony in New York this April. Uddyogini plans to rejoin the U.S. team next month from Rapid City into New York again for the closing of the American Run.

We welcome Uddyogini and the new energy and experience she brings to the Team. We are also grateful for her new get-up-and-go service for the runners as they begin and finish each leg of their run.

Our part of the run was especially beautiful with much of the running through eucalypt forest. The roads wound along gradual hills through a canopy of trees and I ran completely off-road, as if on a trail run through the bush. It was very inspiring and joyful!

A man pulled over his station-wagon ahead of us and sprung out of the car to see what we were all about. Ian held the Harmony Torch and stated, “I’m 83 years old! Keep up the good work. That’s wonderful what you’re doing!”

Running into the Valley of the Giants there were absolutely gorgeous trees and many cows munching happily – quite idyllic.

Entering the Valley of the Giants Tree Top Walk was magical. For the World Harmony Run Team this completed the trio of tree-top walks we have attended in Australia on-route (after the Tahune Airwalk in Tasmania, and the Otway Fly in Victoria). We were met here by the Denmark Shire President Kim Barrow and also the Manjimup Councillor Dave Tapley. We had just run through Denmark and after leaving the Valley of the Giants would next run through Manjimup this afternoon. Thank you for greeting us here on middle ground of the two shires! Here and at this time of midday also struck the midway point of our journey: halfway through day 56 of our epic 111-day journey around a continent!

We thank the staff and management of the Valley of the Giants Tree Top Walk for such a special ceremony and reception given to our team, complete with cups of tea we sipped upon whilst beginning our walk amongst the giants. These trees were mainly Red Tingle trees that only reside here and in a radius of 10 km; nowhere else in the world! They were really special. At the highest point of the tree-top walk on the swaying bridge, we rested at a circular viewing platform that was almost 40 metres high … and the trees still towered above us!

After descending, some of us continued to walk through the forest of these ancient trees, many of them over 400 years old! On this forest walk we saw hollowed-out trunks that you could walk through. Inside one tree on the ground was a leaf-shaped plaque inscribed, “Pause to hear the silence." It was awe-inspiring being there and after the thrills of swaying and meandering amongst the trees up high, we could now walk in contemplation to fully take in the majesty and profound stillness these gentle giants of nature offer so freely.

Tonight 8 members of our team are staying at Tingle All Over – the YHA in Walpole (and we were definitely tingling after a very refreshing swim in the inlet at Coalmine Beach!) Our gratitude to Peggy who is making our stay here in Walpole so comfortable and homelike.

– Kylie Williams (Australia)

Team C

The day started with a stunning view as we stood on Mt Clarence overlooking the city of Albany with its beautiful beaches and many islands in its famous harbour.

Albany is Western Australia’s premier regional city, and its first place of white settlement. Perched on the state’s southern tip, it is a city of beauty and warmth both from its climate and people. Albany's rapidly growing population is testimony to its reputation as an ideal place to live.

Next we went to the city centre to join in with the HMAS Albany Freedom of Entry Parade at the invitation of His Worship the Mayor, Milton Evans JP.

The presentation of 'Freedom of Entry', conferring the right, title, privilege, honour and distinction of marching through the streets of a city on ceremonial occasions ”with bayonets fixed, drums beating, bands playing and colours flying,” is a unique and historical ceremony.

Some historians claim that the Freedom of Entry ritual originated during the medieval struggle for power between British barons and influential city and borough corporations.

It was then customary for groups of armed men seeking entry to a city to be challenged at the city gate by the town sheriff. After indicating their peaceful intent, they were allowed to enter, only with arms sheathed, colours cased and drums silent.

With the passage of the years, this custom was amended so that local authorities wishing to honour a group or body of soldiers, would permit their entry into the city with swords drawn, drums beating and colours flying, signifying mutual respect and trust between the city and a unit of the armed forces.

Today, the granting of Freedom of Entry of the City enables local government bodies to honour a distinguished unit of the armed forces and so strengthen the ties between citizens and service personnel.

After observing this impressive ritual with the ship’s company of HMAS Albany and the WA Naval Band marching through the streets, we again met with the Mayor who introduced the World Harmony Run over the PA system to the assembled throng, welcoming our team again to the City of Albany, wishing us good luck and great success on our journey throughout Australia and the world. We felt as though we were also being granted Freedom of Entry to this beautiful city!

The Reviewing Officer representing the Royal Australian Navy, Captain Bronko Ogrizek gladly held the World Harmony Run Torch with the Mayor.

Also present was Peter Watson JP MLA, the Member for Albany in the Western Australian Parliament and a senior member of the WA Government.

Peter represented Australia in the 1500 metres at the 1968 Olympics in Mexico City, where he was a team member with his good friend Ron Clarke, one of our National Patrons for the World Harmony Run.

We were then honoured to present the Torch to Laurie Fraser MBE, President of the RSL (Returned and Services League), Albany Sub-Branch. Laurie proudly held the Torch moments after receiving news he had just become a grandfather!

Standa Zubaty from Czech Republic had a chance run-in with a fire ranger – it went better than it looks ...

Sometimes you keep running into someone until you realise that you are destined to meet. It was like that for a travelling couple from Switzerland who we saw at a lookout in Esperance a few days ago, then at another lookout in Albany. We hope to see you again, perhaps in Perth!

Before departing Albany we were encouraged to visit the Infinite Spirit Earth store, where we were met with very kind smiles and serene moods.

Thank you Shirlene and Jazz for your big open hearts and support in word and action.

We then paid a quick visit to a very old and beautiful church.

All this before we ran through the most majestic forest imaginable!

Lastly, a very big, big, big Thank You to Paula and David Jones, Managers of the Rest Point Holiday Village in Walpole, for receiving us at their idyllic sanctuary where our entire boys’ team is being hosted tonight.

– Runar Gigja (Iceland)

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Team Members:
Uddyogini Hall (Australia), Kylie Williams (Australia), Friederike Makowka (Switzerland), Nataliya Lehonkova (Ukraine), Angela Muhs (Germany), Elke Lindner (Germany), Shapathanal Daly (New Zealand), Misha Kulagin (Russia), Dima Lehonkov (Ukraine), Standa Zubaty (Czech Republic), Edi Serban (Romania), Sandro Zincarini (Italy), Runar Gigja (Iceland), Prabhakar Street (Canada), Colm Magee (Ireland), Veeraja Uppal (Australia), Prachar Stegemann (Australia)

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