Darwin – meeting with NT Chief Minister Paul Henderson

Today Paul Henderson, Chief Minister of the Northern Australia, met with World Harmony Run representative Veeraja Uppal and held the Harmony Run Torch at the Darwin Showgrounds.

Veeraja also met with Ryan and Natasha Clayton (aboard Midge), two students from Bees Creek School which we visited the other day.

Team A

We had some spare time yesterday to prepare for the final section of the Run. We tidied up the van, refilled our water containers, dried the tents and even took the opportunity to clean our mascot Flocke’s World Harmony Run T shirt.

Nishima Knowlsey headed off to Auckland, New Zealand late last night. She has been with the team for one month and we wish her a safe journey home.

This morning the five of us headed out of Darwin at 3.45 am and drove to Nitmiluk (Katherine Gorge) to arrive in time for a morning canoeing expedition along the Katherine River. The National Park is administered jointly by the traditional owners – the Jayown people – and the Northern Territory Government.

The Gorge was very beautiful with sparkling blue-green waters. We had fun paddling together in our canoes, swimming, climbing rocks and enjoying the scenery.

We met many well-wishers, including a group of Americans – Allen, Rene and Steve – who were visiting a nearby RAAF (Royal Australian Air Force) base: “The World Harmony Run is a fantastic thing and it is an honour to hold the Torch.” We were thrilled with their total enthusiastic appreciation of the Run.

After lunch we drove to Katherine to commence our team’s 52 km running stint. We came across Greg, Karina, Jarred and Lara from Katherine who held the Torch and wished us well.

Although it is technically winter, it was reasonably hot out on the road. To avoid becoming too dehydrated, we split the running into manageable sections of between 3 and 6 kms each. Having just joined the team from colder locations, Anastasia Aleksejeva (from Latvia) and Bernice Matthews (from Canberra) are still acclimatising, but running more strongly with each passing day.

We encountered a controlled fire on the way into Mataranka, and stopped to take photos of the spectacular sunset through the smoke.

We finished our day by taking a welcome dip in the impressive Mataranka thermal pool – a bath-temperature oasis of crystal-clear water surrounded by a forest of mature palm trees and conveniently located right next to our camping ground.

– Bernice Matthews (Australia)

Team B

As we head further inland, the climate is likely to be less forgiving and more challenging. This afternoon, as we ran south along the Stuart Highway, beyond the relative security of Darwin and Katherine, we had a small taste of what was in store – and happily, it wasn’t at all unpleasant. Though the sun pelted down upon the dry and dusty landscape, we had been blessed with a cool breeze to make the journey less formidable. We can’t always depend on such a breeze, but we will no doubt continue to pray for it.

We ran in short bursts rather than long distances in order to reach our destination, the small town of Mataranka, in plenty of time. We had a meeting with Mataranka School, and didn’t want to be late for a school whose staff and students had converged on a Saturday afternoon simply to meet us.

We arrived in town to see about a dozen schoolchildren waiting excitedly for us on the highway. We offered our presentation, and received an afternoon tea of rainwater and fresh-grown fruit and vegetables (one of the school’s many projects). This was one of the smallest school groups of the World Harmony Run, but also perhaps one of the sweetest. Thanks to Judith McLean, the principal, for arranging this meeting – and to the children, staff, parents and volunteers, who waited so patiently as we were delayed.

After the ceremony, some of the boys played on chariots with the kids. This proved somewhat addictive. As Edi Serban and Noivedya Juddery went on to finish the day’s running, the rest of the team was playing a version of chariot soccer with Judith’s husband, Bill Russell.

Fortunately, this fire was relatively small and contained. Up close, however, it was still a dramatic presence. As the fires razed the bushland, locusts flew away, only to be attacked by the flock of crows that had gathered on the roadside. Even from across the road, it was difficult not to breathe in the thick smoke.

We camped the night at Mataranka Homestead, where several cabins have been built in the style of the original house in which Jeannie Gunn and her husband once lived – the same house she referred to a century ago in her famous memoirs, We of the Never-Never. As a refined Edwardian lady, she had never before experienced the bush lifestyle of Mataranka (hence the term 'Never-Never'). 

The town now proudly describes itself as the 'Entrance to the Never-Never', and though it is no longer such an unusual site for a visitor, Jeannie Gunn’s memoirs are one of the two major things for which this small, friendly town is known.

The other is the 30˚C thermal pool, located behind the homestead, which is both energising and therapeutic. After a day of canoeing through incredible rock formations, running in the heat towards Australia’s centre, witnessing a bushfire in action, and of course, playing on chariots, it seemed like a perfect way to finish the day.

– Noivedya Juddery (Australia)

Team C

I joined the team today in Darwin, around 2 am, at their backyard campsite. We got on the road around 3.30 am and headed for the famous Nitmiluk Gorge for a spot of canoeing. High rock walls towered above us on either side as we paddled upriver, eyes scouring the sandy banks in vain for signs of the local freshwater crocodiles.

Then we drove to Katherine and shopped for food supplies before heading into the 'Never-Never', as this part of the world calls itself. We started running some 40 km from Mataranka. My first experience of running with the Torch in the Northern Territory was interesting. A large amount of torch fuel combined with a stiff breeze resulted in a very lively flame, one that licked hungrily over the edge of the wick guard and headed south, seeking contact with the hand that was gingerly clasping the handle. I tried holding the torch into the wind, away from the wind, and sideways, all with equal lack of success.

Fire seemed to be the theme for the afternoon. A bluish smudge of smoke on the horizon gradually grew closer as we ran down the highway. As Nigel was running his last section, we found ourselves next to a minor bushfire. The wind was blowing it towards the road, where the flames could go no further. A controlled burn, would be my guess.

We finished the day at Mataranka Homestead Tourist Resort, where we got to enjoy the natural hot springs to be found nearby, within Elsey National Park. In the words of the sign, “Fine stands of palms and clear, warm water give this the air of a classic oasis.”

I was fascinated by a lone peacock drinking casually from a campground water tap.

Special thanks to John and Mary Hardy for allowing the team of boys to camp out in their backyard for three nights during our stay in Darwin. So many things were happening in town over the weekend that it was impossible to find even a campsite! Sharon Hardy and her two daughters paid us a visit and held the Torch.

Once again, the World Harmony Run team gets to enjoy camping in the great Australian bush.

– Rathin Boulton (Australia)

Today we bid farewell to two key members of the Australian World Harmony Run. They both had long stays on the Run and are returning home to make way for others who have been working from home to ensure the Run's success.

Prachar Stegemann is the overall co-ordinator of the World Harmony Run in Australia and has been on the Run since Melbourne. His contribution as team captain, report writer and editor has helped shape the team and guide it through the unknown areas of the Australian outback and his humour and vision have been a tremendous help for the team. He will be greatly missed out here on the road as well as in the reports.

Veeraja Uppal also returned home today from Dawrin after meeting with the NT Chief Minister. His capacity to organise and keep straight the huge logistical reality of the World Harmony Run made him an integral member of the team. As well, his constant good cheer and smiles made him a valued team mate. Very often he gave the team presentations at ceremonies and his good nature made him a perfect speaker to the many kids we met at schools.

– Prabhakar Street (Canada)

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Team Members:
Amalendu Edelsten (Australia), Anastasia Aleksejeva (Latvia), Nigel Webber (Australia), Nataliya Lehonkova (Ukraine), Prabhakar Street (Canada), Edi Serban (Romania), Dima Lehonkov (Ukraine), Bernice Matthews (Australia), Nick File (New Zealand), Noivedya Juddery (Australia), Standa Zubaty (Czech Republic), Prabuddha Nicol (Australia), Runar Gigja (Iceland), Elke Lindner (Germany), Sandro Zincarini (Italy), Angela Muhs (Germany), Rathin Boulton (Australia), Misha Kulagin (Russia)

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