Inspired by the swans on the canal behind our accommodation here in Caloundra ...
... a few of us started our day with a little paddle to loosen up before our running.
Today is a very special day for our team, for several reasons: the first being ...
... today is Roos' birthday. Happy Birthday Roos!!
Team Campervan (our first boys team) was tasked with the mission of running from Noosa Heads to Maroochydore, on paper a distance of 35km, shared between five runners. An impossible task, you say? Not at all! Our international team, which never refers to itself as the “Peace Powerhouse”, took on the task with gusto (oh wait, no. He wasn't with us!) We had a mapbook, a tourist map, and a GPS. As soon as one of the three started to make sense, we galloped and rolled down the road, Torch ablaze ...
As soon as we hit David Low Way, we got even more seriouser. We put out a second runner ahead, and waited for Ion to arrive. Which he did. “Gentlemates,” he commented in his self-constructed Aussie vernacular, “the road was not straight! God alone knows how I found my way!” His arrival meant we had to stop gazing at the ocean and drive on to pick up Bayarkhuu ...
... I ran past Mt Coolum on my run. And some other things.
Some people waved at me!
As time grew short, the distance grew long. Samalya and Bayarkhuu had to go out for extra stints, after we thought we surely must have reached the end. Eventually we crossed the Maroochy River ...
Samalya did an extra three km. Then I ran again, saying “I'm sure it's only one more km, at the most”, whilst being sure of no such thing. I ran faster, conscious that we were already running late. Where could the finish marker be? Had we gone past it already? Had it been removed? Then I saw it: a Peace Run poster taped by the other team to a light pole. My relief knew no bounds. It was boundless. I pulled down the poster and waited for the van, then we headed for Australia Zoo ...
Our second boys team only had 23km to cover, but as we also had to pick up Sukhajata from the airport – who is rejoining our team again after a week's lay-off for work – and had a curcuitous route through the suburbs of Maroochydore and Mooloolaba and only 2 hours in which to complete it before our big function at the Australia Zoo later in the day, it still proved a considerable challenge. But since the Peace Run thrives on challenges – world peace being one of them – we rejoiced in the prospect.
It proved a beautiful run through Sunshine Coast suburbia, alongside the charming Pacific Ocean coastline.
While the other boys drove to the Sunshine Coast airport to collect Sukhajata, Abhinabha – armed with map, lighter and Torch – set out to run the first 8km of the route ...
Sukhajata then took over for his first run after his ‘holiday’ (well, he was actually working, cooking delicious meals in the Canberra café that employs him) ...
... and he was soon joined by our special guests of today: Jan Edelsten and her son Shaun, sister and nephew of our team captain Amalendu.
Shaun (aged 14) ran just over a mile with the Torch, joined by our own youngster Aion (aged 13).
Our girls team ran the final section into Australia Zoo ...
... and were the first to arrive for today's Main Event ...
Our Queensland Coordinator, Atul Arora, had visited Australia Zoo a few weeks ago to visit the Irwin Family – Bindi, Robert and Terri – who had received the Peace Run Torch-Bearer Award when we had met with them in Adelaide in 2008 and were delighted to renew their association with the Peace Run. Here was the genesis for today's visit by the entire Peace Run team, and a most significant dedication ceremony ...
Australia Zoo is perhaps best known for its late director Steve Irwin, also known as ‘The Crocodile Hunter’. This television show, starring Steve and his wife Terri catching crocodiles the world over, was broadcast in over 130 countries, reaching some 500 million people. Steve tragically died in 2006 being pierced in the chest by a stingray while filming a documentary on ocean wildlife. His legacy is continued by his family, who continue to educate and entertain millions of people about the importance of wildlife through their shows both on television and in the Australia Zoo.
Our whole team had by now gathered at the entrance, and ran in together ...
... many of the staff of Australia Zoo were already gathered for the occasion.
The Sri Chinmoy Oneness-Home Peace Run was introduced with our troupe's rendition of the Peace Run song ...
The Director of the Zoo, Wes Mannion – Steve Irwin's close and longtime friend and collaborator – welcomed us with a heart-warming speech. “People will find inner peace when they rediscover their connection to wildlife,” Wes remarked.
Wes has worked for the Australia Zoo since he was 14. You could see and feel the passion and love he feels for the animals and this most amazing zoo.
He observed that the Irwin family and the whole Australia Zoo are dedicated to peace. They strongly believe that the beauty of nature and wildlife offers something very significant to humanity, and through their work they are trying to bring this closer to us. When we are out in nature or seeing some of these animals up close, Wes said, we are adding to the richness of our life.
Wes accepted the Peace Run's Certificate of Appreciation on behalf of the Irwin family, the Zoo and its many wonderful staff ...
Then came what was for us, not only the highlight of the day, but one of the highlights of this year's Peace Run: the dedication of Australia Zoo as a Sri Chinmoy Peace Zoo.
The Sri Chinmoy Peace-Blossoms Program dedicates prominent landmarks, natural wonders, towns, capitals and nations to the ideals of peace and oneness. The program takes its name from the founder of the Peace Run, Sri Chinmoy. Australia Zoo today became the latest addition to this worldwide Peace-Blossoms family, which includes the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park and the Murray River here in Australia, as well as Niagara Falls in Canada, Mt Fuji in Japan, the Mekong Delta in Vietnam and the border between Russia and Norway, to name but a few of the hundreds of Peace-Blossoms worldwide.
Wes unveiled the beautiful official plaque ...
... the plaque is situated quite close to the entrance of the Zoo, where it will be seen by multitudes of visitors ...
... on the plaque are two of the Zoo's most treasured animals, Siam the elephant and Harriet the Giant Galapagos Land Tortoise. Both passed away at the zoo and were dearly loved by the Irwin Family and all the staff and volunteers at the zoo. Siam was 58 years old and Wes said he had never meet another animal like Siam. Harriet, who was born in 1830 and was brought originally to England by Charles Darwin before later being resettled in Australia, was considered the oldest living animal when she passed away in 2006, aged 176. Terri choose these two to be on the plaque and Wes spoke of how they both were so peaceful and they felt they were together the perfect complement to the Sri Chinmoy Peace-Blossoms message.
Many staff members from the zoo were present at the ceremony. They had brought some of their animal friends as well, including two koalas and some exotic birds, who added much joy and excitement to the proceedings. The presence of so many staff members and animals felt like the whole zoo was celebrating this peaceful and momentous occasion.
We are immensely grateful to Terri, Bindi and Robert Irwin; and to Wes and all the staff of Australia Zoo for becoming a cherished new member of the Sri Chinmoy Peace-Blossoms family and for giving joy and happiness to millions worldwide through their love and concern for the world’s wildlife.
Wes expressed how proud they were to be included in the Sri Chinmoy Peace-Blossoms Program, and that they would strive to ensure the significance of this association will be promoted in their zoo.
It was wonderful and fitting that some of the animals could also attend the ceremony, as it is they who bring us so much joy and inspiration ...
... this was the closest we could get to a koala actually holding the Peace Torch!
Naturally everyone wanted to pat the koalas!
Atul, our Queensland State Coordinator for the Peace Run, who has worked so tirelessly behind the scenes to make our journey through this massive and marvellous State such a fruitful and enjoyable sojourn ...
... here with his mother who is visiting from India, and very happy to be here for such an auspicious event.
It was a joyful occasion for all involved ...
After a yummy lunch the team split up and went to look around the Zoo. You really need a full week to see all of Australia Zoo. There are different shows throughout the day and then as you walk around some animals – like this cheery wombat – will be wondering around with a keeper ...
We dispersed into the magical world of Australia Zoo, revelling in its many delights and wonders and immersing ourselves in the wealth and splendour of Mother Nature’s wonderful creation ...
Nap time ...
Snack time ...
Spot the koala ...
A highlight was of course the crocodile shows, which were both captivating and fascinating ...
On our journey around Australia, whenever something particularly wonderful or auspicious occurs, there is invariably a rainbow to mark the occasion. Today was not a rainy or overcast day by any stretch of the imagination, and yet, on the drive back to our accommodation, somehow a brilliant rainbow contrived to appear :-)
... a day we will long remember and cherish.
