Team A

On our way out from Bundaberg to Maryborough we had some nice winding uphill and downhill sections to run this morning. With only 40 km to complete, it was relatively quick and easy running.

At lunch time we had one of the most outstanding receptions of the whole trip.

Many primary schoolchildren were lined up in their colourful school uniforms on the staircase to the Town Hall in Maryborough. A man and lady at the top of the stairs were immaculately attired in beautiful early-settler costumes.

Between them a cannon was positioned. The lady, Mary Heritage, announced that it was a "time cannon", once used by cane field workers when knocking off for lunch and also by ship’s captains to reset their time-keeping devices. The man, Ken was the Town Crier and announced the arrival of the World Harmony runners to the gathered townspeople. It was all very exciting.

Angela Muhs, one of our runners from Germany, was invited to light the cannon with the World Harmony Run Torch and was given special earplugs beforehand. The cannon went off with an impressive boom, and we all entered into Maryborough City Hall.

Councillor and Indigenous Elder Les Muckan; the leader of the National Party, the Honourable Warren Truss; and Barbara Hovard (previously the Mayor) – Maryborough Shire Council and other small councils in the region have recently been amalgamated into a much larger Fraser Coast Council – were all effusive in their praise of the World Harmony Run.

The Honourable Warren Truss said: “You’ve seen a lot of Australia up close, met with a lot of Australians along the way, and you would have experienced a great deal of the warmth that there is towards your cause. I compliment you on this venture!”

A World Harmony Run Torch-Bearer Award was presented to Professor Kenneth Stott, provost of the University of Southern Queensland, Fraser Coast Campus.

We sang the World-Harmony-Run Song, the lit Torch was passed between all of the assembled guests and sandwiches and fruit were served to conclude.

We then headed out to Wook-Koo Park, a uniquely charming and meandering landscaped garden with sculptures representing the traditional story of Wook-Koo, an Indigenous man who was speared by a hostile neighbouring tribe and became the spiny echidna. We were fortunate to have some of the artists to guide us through the park.

Runner Profile

Nataliya Lehonkova is from the Ukraine, works as a running coach, and has completed an economics degree. She is a very active person and loves nature. Nataliya is one of the two women who committed to run the whole distance around Australia. Her brother Dima is also on the team, and it’s nice to see how Nataliya and her brother support each other.

Nataliya says of the World Harmony Run: “I’m always happy when I run. In Australia, every day I see something different. There is so much beautiful nature, and so many different animals, and swimming in the ocean here is fantastic! I have loved running around Australia, and have made so many new friends here.”

Nataliya is the fastest of the women runners in our team. When she goes out she uses a GPS wristwatch that accurately measures her running speed and distances. She runs consistently at a very fast pace, even while carrying the Torch. The rest of the team members run approximately 15 km per day each, but Nataliya likes to do additional training, often adding up to 15 km on top of our official running schedule.

When Nataliya talks about her training, she can become very serious. She demands a lot of herself in order to transcend her previous running achievements. Her eyes are bright as she talks about running: “I always keep up the discipline of my running. I never stop training, even if I am tired. I never stop!”

When we are on a tight schedule, we always know who we can send out to make up time if we need to!

We are happy to have Nataliya in our team. Her childlike enthusiasm means that to her, everything is possible. If there is a problem, she just smiles it away. Her unique sense of humour is a source of constant joy to us.

– Bernice Matthews (Australia)

Team B

An easy running day today (for all teams), with only 40 km to travel for each team. The distance might have been short, but it was not lacking in variety, with hills (up and down) and a few towns along the way, including the charming town of Childers.

After running through Childers, we met with Wayne, the editor of the local newspaper. Intrigued and inspired by the torch-bearers, he did an impromptu interview and photo session.

At the dinner ceremony tonight, team leader Amalendu Edelsten said that of all the councils we have met in the past three months, Maryborough has been one of the friendliest and most hospitable.

It’s a bold call, as so many councils around Australia have opened their hearts and made us very welcome on our journey. But our reception in Maryborough has indeed offered something very, very special.

Since we arrived this afternoon, we have been treated to some truly magnificent Queensland warmth and salutations from Fraser Coast Council. As representatives of the World Harmony Run, we have been humbled and honoured by the way that the Council has made us feel like visiting VIPs.

The special dinner was held at the Neighbourhood Centre, and attended by many of the significant local citizens. We were welcomed by the traditional owners of the land.

As we mingled with them, we dined on tasty vegetarian food from a local Thai restaurant, while a musician sang a variety of popular songs, accompanying himself on the guitar.

As with the afternoon function, we were struck by Maryborough’s international community, underscored by the flags from many nations that adorned the walls. It was also noticeable in the recipients of three World Harmony Run Torch-Bearer Awards that were presented.

This presentation was a true awards night, with the nominees arriving at the ceremony, unaware of the honours to be bestowed upon them (or even the fact that they had been nominated).

The MC, Greg McGarvie of the Fraser Coast Council, played a quick slideshow of the Run so far, then announced each Torch-Bearer Award winner with a series of clues, listing their work and achievements on the screen, and inviting the guests to guess who they might be. Before long, most of the locals in the room knew exactly who was being honoured, as these people are all very well-known for their contributions to the community.

The first award went to Chita Bodmer, Executive Director of the Maryborough Neighbourhood Centre, who had been involved in multicultural activities since arriving from the Philippines. As her nomination statement said: “Chita is a tireless advocate for providing new settlers with every opportunity to embrace Australian culture whilst celebrating the best of their home country.”

The second award went to Dutch-born engineer Hans Kronemeyer, who received the award for his support of ethnic groups and workers born overseas. He has also worked with dedication for sporting clubs.

Finally, Greig Bolderrow, General Manager of Macquarie Regional Radioworks, was nominated for an award for his support of the community, especially events that generate harmony and enthusiasm, such as the Imagine Harmony Events and the Fraser Coast Cultural Festival. Though Mr Bolderrow was unaware that he would be honoured, others were in on the secret, including a friend and business associate who had sent an amusing video tribute for the night.

The awards were followed by a slide show, compiled by Prabhakar Street, with scenes of the World Harmony Run. A variety of sights and memorable moments flashed on the screen, showing just how versatile the Run in Australia has been so far. Indeed, the shots were mostly taken in the first few weeks. When Prabhakar has time to compile the highlights from all corners of Australia (perhaps not this week), it will truly be a show of wonders…

– Noivedya Juddery (Australia)

Team C

Again, another clear and warm day with an easy day's running through to Maryborough and a very nice, enthusiastic welcome to finish the day's run.

Some red banks and ploughed fields brought to mind Kipling's immortal poem, which begins:

“They shall come again and again

As long as the red earth rolls.

He never wasted a leaf or a tree –

Do you think He would squander souls?” 

After the Civic reception in Maryborough, we were treated to a guided tour of the Wook-Koo gardens,

and some very nice sculptures showing the sequences from an old Aboriginal tale, of a tribal member who encroached on another tribe’s territory, was speared and God turned him into an echidna to ease the experience.

Evening saw a dinner function and Pizza close a delightful day for team C and the World Harmony Run.

– Nicholas File (New Zealand)

The City Motel in Maryborough very generously accommodated the entire team tonight. Being in a bed in a motel so near the end of the Run makes everything and everyone flow much more smoothly into each day.

– 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:
Aaron Carey (New Zealand), Amalendu Edelsten (Australia), Anastasija 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), Runar Gigja (Iceland), Elke Lindner (Germany), Sandro Zincarini (Italy), Angela Muhs (Germany), Misha Kulagin (Russia)

Harmonemail:
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Gallery: See more images!

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