Today our first stop was Raymond Terrace Public School.  The students lined up all the way from the gate to the auditorium, having a great time slapping hands as we ran through:

The students created an honour guard to welcome the runners

Greetings from the mayor

the kids enjoyed the presentation and the song

some kids love to have their picture taken

there is always a sense of wonder in their eyes

our favourite message!

- Prabhakar Street ( Canada )

The day for Team A started with a ceremony at Bulahdelah Central School.

It is a combined Junior Primary, Primary and High School. Firstly we spoke to the Junior and Primary School students and then, after a quick morning tea offered by the staff, we spoke with the senior students. Nestled amongst some of the richest Australian forest we have seen, this was a beautiful place to celebrate the ideals of peace and harmony.

Next we took a remarkably scenic route to a somewhat remote Booral Public School.

Although just two hours from Australia's most bustling city, Sydney, the deep peace of the school and town of Booral energised the whole team. The children were thrilled to receive visitors and loved Nataliya's Ukrainian accent.

A huge thanks to one of the parents, Debra, who prepared us the most lavish lunch imaginable. It was simply delicious and we felt extremely spoilt.

All our gratitude to the super-kind Donna and Darren Pearce from the Forster Motor Inn for sponsoring our stay in Forster on Sunday evening.

- Anubha Baird (Australia)

MAITLAND

Maitland, north of Newcastle, is one of our favourite towns. In the days of the Peace Run, not so long ago, its receptions were always one of the standout events on the route, even in the midst of all the enthusiasm shown us in town after town. Almost a decade later, it is clear that nothing has changed. Maitland is a town that knows how to throw a harmony party!

In perfect weather, we ran to Maitland Park, where the Maitland Public School Band had already started performing.

The Mayor, Clr Peter Blackmore, was MC of the ceremony – and he was a natural, engaging the excited children and the intrigued adults with kind words and good humour.

A few students had made a great mural, using various odds and ends. (The planet Earth was a cleverly disguised Nat King Cole record that they had found at a garage sale.) The theme: the Earth is a machine, requiring several elements to work together smoothly and bring harmony. We couldn't have put it better ourselves. In fact, it is much like the philosophy of the World Harmony Run: each member of the team playing their role, so that together we can achieve our wondrous goal.

After the introduction, the school band (another team – and a very talented one) played several songs. Finally, as a small group of children ran around the park with some of the runners, a lone trumpeter played the World Harmony Run theme song.

Noivedya Juddery, the NSW Co-ordinator, was visiting the team for a day. He was given the honour of cutting the cake, arranged by the Maitland City Council to celebrate peace and harmony. Within minutes, a long queue had formed for the delicious cake. There was almost enough to go around!

The 90-minute ceremony finished with a morning tea, in which the Council provided fine cheeses and gourmet sandwiches.

Thanks to Maitland City Council for the wonderful ceremony. It was tempting to stay, but we still had further to run... 

- Noivedya Judery (Australia)

A million thanks to the kindness and cheerfulness of the Bella Villa Motor Inn, Forster. 

– Prabhakar Street (Canada)

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), Veeraja (Uppal (Australia), Angela Muhs (Germany), Anubha Baird (Australia), Nataliya Lehonkova (Ukraine), Garbitashri Webster (New Zealand), Noivedya Juddery (Australia)

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