Team A

After leaping so gleefully into the ocean from the pier here in Streaky Bay, our team received a shocking reminder this morning that we are not alone when we enter the water in these parts.

Mounted in a back room at the service station where we pulled in to replenish our petrol supplies, was a life-size replica of the world’s largest-ever Great White Pointer Shark to be caught using a line and rod.

A few miles out to sea from where we were cavorting yesterday, in May 1990, 21-year-old Dion Gilmore struggled for 5 hours to land this 5-metre, 1520 kilogram monster using only a single line and rod. Even in replica form, to behold the sheer size, bulk and power of this phenomenal creature close-up was an experience at once humbling, awesome and frightening. Trust me, you do NOT want to encounter one of these close-up in the flesh!

It was a windy but beautiful morning when we left on foot towards Ceduna. A nice and easy 111 km day split in three.

Our first school ceremony was at Ceduna Area School. As we arrived, 300 children made a corridor from the front gate for us to run through, all high-fived us, clapped and cheered as we ran through.

Then all the children gathered behind the Torch and ran with us from the entrance into a spectacular outdoor amphitheatre where the World-Harmony-Run song was being played on a CD, amplified throughout the area. All the children were smiling and clapping along enthusiastically and singing along with the words, creating a wonderful atmosphere from the very beginning.

The children seemed to know quite a bit about the Run already.

We discussed the meaning of the word 'Harmony', demonstrating that if we could achieve harmony on the Run having so many runners from many different countries then we believed that the world could live in harmony if everyone would work together.

We then passed the Torch to all the children and they made special wishes for peace before running around the schoolyard together.

Thank you very much Jamie Meredith for organising this great ceremony and to all the students and the teachers for a wonderful experience.

Our next meeting was at Ceduna Child Care Centre, where we met with children aged from 2-5 years.

They were so energetic and sweet. We sang a song for them and our Irish runner, Colm Magee explained the Run.

We passed the Torch around and played some games.

The children created a huge wall hanging made up of many different country flags to welcome the run to their centre.

Our gratitude to Erica Bodger and all the teachers and children for responding so well to the Run and its message.

– Runar Gigja (Iceland)

Team B

We awoke in Streaky Bay and ventured outside early to see the glorious sunrise stretching across the sky and expanse of water at the bay.

Walking along the jetty we were looking for dolphins but only found graceful soaring pelicans and other water birds perched on top of the wooden posts surrounding the pier. It was a perfect way to start another adventure-filled day on the Australian World Harmony Run and after a day of running yesterday with no community visits, today our teams had 5 ceremonies between us.

Leapfrogging with Team A, we ran the distance from our accommodation in Streaky Bay to Ceduna. At 12.30, Team A joined us in a meeting at the Council Chambers in Ceduna. This was attended by Mayor Allan Suter,

Deputy Mayor Michael Ross and 3 or 4 other Council members. Thank you to Kathy Meier and Katie O'Shauhnessy (who couldn’t attend) from the District Council of Ceduna for organising today’s reception and some fantastic food for lunch.

After introducing ourselves and all passing the Torch around, we enjoyed some informal discussion with the various councillors, one of whom observed: “There’s only 1900 odd kms left to run across the Nullarbor to Perth from here!” Something to contemplate, when we have our biggest day of running to come soon this week!

As we watched a DVD of the Run, Mayor Suter went to the next door office to invite the editor of their local newspaper, who made time to come over and meet us for a quick photo of the team and council officers.

Upon presenting our Certificate of Appreciation to the Mayor and thanking him for participating, he replied earnestly, “But I haven’t run!”  Running is only part of our journey – the deeper meaning is expressed in the many ways the Torch brings together hearts and hands from around the world.

As we mingled and chatted over lunch, one councillor told us all about the wildlife we will see along the Nullarbor! Wombats, dingoes, whales, camels, eagles, kangaroos and many insects and 'creepies' which he warned the girls about when we’re camping. We can’t wait!

Outside on the foreshore lawns before running to our next school ceremony, Deputy Mayor Michael Ross joined us for a brief run whilst holding the Torch. He commented with a proud smile, “I’m the oldest one here!” Thanks so much for sharing in the joy and taking a few steps with us for harmony!

– Kylie Williams (Australia)

 

Team C

We started the day with a visit to the Streaky Bay Area School were Tim O'Rielly, the co-ordinator of the primary classes had all the students seated in rapt attention to greet the runners. After watching a DVD of the European World Harmony Run the students took great delight in discovering the nationality of all the runners and actively participating in the singing of the World-Harmony-Run song.

After saying goodbye to Streaky Bay we drove westward along the highway to the quiet hamlet of Smoky Bay, to meet students from the Miltaburra Area School.

Teachers from the school had heard about the Run and although their school was off route, the 60 students and teachers made a special 80 km excursion in their bright yellow bus just to meet us, at the Smoky Bay Sports Ground.

Our experience with the students was delightful and completely spontaneous. Within minutes of our arrival the children were running across the grass oval, laughing, jumping and passing the Torch between each other, ensuring that everyone had a chance to pass the flame.

After running the students then sang the World-Harmony-Run song to us, having printed the music from the website.

I think every student must have held and run with the Torch at least 5 times in the hour we were together. As we move further into the remote regions of the country, finding schools and communities like this, is literally like discovering water in the desert.

From Smoky Bay all we had to do was complete our allotted 42 km into the wind and rain to Ceduna, which we divided equally between us. In a land which has been in drought for 8 years, the advent of rain is a cause for real celebration.

Then before we knew it we were in the Ceduna Pizza Shop enjoying our most favourite meal!

– Veeraja Uppal (Australia)

 

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

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

Gallery: See more images!

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