The city of Wagga Wagga is exemplary in its universality.
We met with Mayor Councillor Dallas Trout, who expressed his joy in welcoming migrants and refugees into the community, sharing his favourite line from the National Anthem ...
... “For those who've come across the seas, we've boundless plains to share.”
While Team A was being entertained by the Mayor, Team B were stretching their legs along some beautiful backroads between Wagga Wagga and The Rock.
Sarankhuu was leaving the Team today, so had to get his share of miles in early.
Still in Wagga, Team A received a tour at the Museum of the Riverina by Samantha Leah, sharing stories from this region. Many of these illustrated points of division in our history, which describes further our longing for oneness, and our triumph in achieving it.
For Team A, after these morning meetings, it was time to let our legs do the talking for a while ...
Running the miles parallel toward The Rock, black cockatoos circled against a deep blue sky and between the leaves of the gumtrees – earth green as if risen from the deep Earth. I stopped to video their song, that abruptly paused, then restarted when I turned off the camera. Like the songs in our heart, who will believe if they sing only for us? The many peace dreamers and builders we met today know that to share peace we must become it, making its silent promise something we can know.
Both teams converged at Yerong Creek, where we were met by the Mayor of Lockhardt Shire Council, Peter Shire. The Mayor and his council hosted a lunch for 14 Peace Runners plus their own staff – Mr Gavin Rhodes, General Manager; Matt Holt, Tourism and Economic Development Officer; Frances Day, Councillor. They shared with us how their community bands together to live and work in this slightly out-of-the-way place, playing essential roles within the nation as a whole.
Our two Mongolians were pleasantly shocked to discover this mural was painted by a Mongolian national.
At this point, there was a change of the guard, with Sarankhuu departing Team B to be replaced by Ashprihanal Aalto or Finland and Ronivon de Oliveira from Brazil; while on Team A, Susan Marshall and Akzhanar Niiazova made way for Stacey Marsh and Rupasi Young (USA).
Three members of our team then ascended The Rock – Kengal Aboriginal Dreaming Place. (467m of elevation gain over 6km)
With our bellies full from a delicious lunch, both team hit the road for the final stretch into Albury.
Racing against the daylight, we rotated three runners at a time to cover the distance efficiently. The journey took us along peaceful country roads, surrounded by beautiful scenery—an absolute joy to run through on this warm autumn afternoon.
As the sun began to set, Preetidutta carried the Peace Torch for the final 4 km into town ...
... where she encountered Daisy and Scarlett. She continued followed the city’s footpaths and arrived just in time at one of this evening's accommodation venues ...
... the Commodore Motor Inn, bathed in the glow of twilight.
The rest of the team stayed at the Albury Showgrounds—a quiet, charming spot away from the bustle of the city. After a team dinner and evening briefing, we settled in for another peaceful night under the stars.
