Today's report is brought to you by Saranyu, from Geelong.
We started running today along the scenic estuary at Bunbury heading towards our first school. Ben from the Riverside Cabin Park where we gratefully spent the previous two nights as his guests, joined the boys team on the first leg of the day running with his young daughter Lola in her pram.
Geographe Grammar is a small, new and gentle school on the outskirts of Bunbury. The Peace Run was presented to the whole school of 25 children.
These activities included constructing a world map with children linking hands around the globe and many poems written by the children, some of which were read out.
The prep class had painted peace plates that they showed the assembly and some older students had prepared for our visit by thinking about what peace means to them and how they find their personal peace, like listening to music or taking time out to calm themselves when they get overwhelmed.
We were impressed by the care the older students afforded the younger, representative of the culture of peace being engendered in the school community.
Together with the students we planted a Native Grass Tree in the front garden and hope that both the tree and the school grow and flourish over coming years to be a strong part of the local community.
St Michael’s school in Brunswick Junction proudly planted a sapling in the grounds of their school.
The plaque reads: “Let it be the time for us to dream of world peace” – an aphorism by Sri Chinmoy.
This tree adds to the ring of Peace Trees around the south west of the State which has formed a substantial part of the offering of the Peace Run this year.
Peace is integral to the school’s priorities and the children were enthusiastic about sharing their thoughts and wishes for peace in the world.
The children at St Micheal’s sang Happy Birthday to Hastakamala as she celebrated her birthday on the run today. Thank you for helping to make it a memorable occasion.
Also in Brunswick Junction is Brunswick Junction Primary School ...
... where the children had made much effort to prepare for our visit by having each class group announce what they had been doing in the week leading up to the visit of the run.
These activities included constructing a world map with children linking hands around the globe ...
... and many poems written by the children ...
... some of which were read out.
The prep class had painted peace plates that they showed the assembly and some older students had prepared for our visit by thinking about what peace means to them and how they find their personal peace, like listening to music or taking time out to calm themselves when they get overwhelmed.
These brightly coloured yellow shirts worn by the students are a perfect complement to the World Harmony Run song when we sang “… Of Tomorrow’s Sun”.
At Werroona Primary School, Principal Mr Carl Carulli spoke about the school’s virtues in action today as he reinforced the value of peace in the school community.
These students were a bright and enthusiastic group who provided added energy to the team ...
... as they set off to run the remaining kilometres to Pinjarra.
The girls team was very kindly provided accommodation tonight at the spectacular Seashells Mandurah.
We extend our sincere gratitude to Manager Bram Newbold and staff for their generous offer and the time they spent with us to show us around the property.
The boys team were delighted with their accommodation at Lakeside Holiday Apartments in South Yunderup, grciously hosted by Martin and his daughter, Rachel.
