First stop today was Millen Primary which is in East Victoria Park.
As we walked to the undercover area we were reminded of our own school days: bags on hooks and huge, beautiful verandhas with floorboards to match.
Our patron, South Perth Mayor Sue Doherty, attended the school.
East Victoria Park isn't in Sue Doherty's electorate but children in East Victoria Park are just like the kids in South Perth: they want to have fun and they want peace.
The Principal, Isobel Comrie, had inspired the students to spend time making pledges to contribute to peace which were on peace doves and had inspiring art work displayed on the walls for the runners and other students to view.
Some of the students magnificently read out their pledges.
Mayor Doherty gave a really inspiring speech, she talked about meditation and peace and how important it is finding it inside yourself.
We got to run around their school oval and all the children took part.
Next we headed to Doubleview in the City of Stirling. We were greeted by the Stirling Times and their photographer and four schoolchildren who posed for a photo with us. We look forward to reading the article.
Doubleview was perhaps one of the best schools for the whole Peace Run and not just because of the delicious food they prepared for the runners!
Hilary Abadi, their music teacher, taught the kids a beautiful song about harmony which came complete with actions.
They had decorated peace trees with spirals and CDs and cut-out peace doves.
Children recited the prose and pledges for peace and they had learnt our theme song. The principal said the whole message of the peace run was fantastic: "Inner peace can bring world peace, the message is so powerful," he explained.
Ribbon banners directed us to the oval where the children ran a lap lead by their leaders. Other student leaders planted the peace-sapling tree with a plaque.
Gathering together again in a circle after the celebrations, everyone held the torch and joined for the second (and third and fourth) time in chorus to the World Harmony Run song, with Rathin as he played the Ukelele.
Seeing us off with high fives.
Heading back south we made it to North Fremantle Primary.
We were greeted by three kids and a photographer from the Fremantle Gazette.
Busy in preparation for their open day on Sunday, the students were working hard.
The Deputy Mayor of Fremantle, Josh Wilson, came along. He is a true peace lover and talked about visiting areas affected by war in Afghanistan.
He talked about how difficult it would be to live in a country which is affected by conflict and how lucky we are. Josh met the peace run last in June 2013 as we were running around Australia – it was his birthday then and we got cake so we all have fond memories of that meeting.
At the ceremony the students read out their thoughts about peace. Two of the three said meditation was a way of finding peace, so we knew we were in Fremantle!
Many of the children had done peace drawings, so colourful and inspiring!
Thanks to Janine Berson, their special Principal, and their teachers for reinforcing the peace message.
Last stop for Peace Run 2015 was with our dear friend Janine Freeman MLA.
Janine's electorate is one of the most culturally diverse in the nation and she is a great supporter of world peace.
Janine has been part of the Peace Run for many years in Perth. She wanted us to visit nearby Westminster Primary as she had just received a letter from some Year 2's saying we need world peace. Alas, next time!
Janine had organised for us to meet at the Mirrabooka Square Shopping Centre which for many years hosted (and they still support) the Mirrabooka Harmony Day which the Peace Run attended.
Whilst in Mirrabooka, Allistair Pickett walked past. He was one of the WAFL's greatest indigenous football players and won the Sandover medal twice (WA's best and fairest award) and was named in Subiaco's Team of the Century. He played well past the age most players retire and is a great example of age being no barrier. In fact his son started playing for Subiaco, taking to the field the same time as his father, the first time in history this has happened. Retired, he now works as a Stevedore in Fremantle. Thanks to the champion for holding the torch.
They have also hosted Sri Chinmoy's artwork which we hope to do again for Harmony Week because we made some new friends with Leanne Chaproniere, the centre manager and Lucy Neal, who were among some of the staff who embraced the ideals of the Peace Run immediately.
They have already thought of a peace tree place for their centre.
