Feb. 28, 2019 Live from the road

Drouin - Melbourne

Reported by Devashishu Torpy, Stacey Marsh 103.0 km

Our penultimate day of running in Australia before the torch is carried to New Zealand, to continue it's journey around the Southern Hemisphere.

Another fresh morning .... but the temperatures will rise as the day goes on.

Natabara carries the torch along a quiet stretch of road from Garfield to Nar Nar Goon. Meanwhile the rest of the men's team are getting coffee at Little Miss Hangry's cafe.

Robert checks the GPS before setting out on his run with Akrura.

Veeraja, a resident of Melbourne, joins us for the run into his home city.

Prabuddha runs along Princes Highway, taking advantage of the soft verge as he has been suffering achilles problems.

We arrive at St Mary's Primary School in Dandenong. The children are eagerly awaiting the arrival of the Peace Torch, which has been lit.

This amazing school have learned all about the Peace Run. They are quick to respond to questions and have their own ideas about creating Peace in our world.

The school has students who represent a wide range of countries, from Sri Lanka to the Philippines. The large artwork behind the children is averitable tapestry of oneness.

The children have a comprehensive programme prepared for us. Heartily, the entire school sings this uplifting song: Hearts on Fire.

Everyone shakes hands with their neighbour and offers the message, "Peace be with you". The 5th and 6th grade children have prepared a message that answers the question "What does peace mean to me?" Their answer: "Being peaceful means to be who you truly are inside. No matter what other people think, God made you the way you are for a reason. Being peaceful also means accepting the change that is happening around you and to go with the change".

"Being peaceful means loving others. This means you put other's needs and wants before yours".

"Spread love everywhere you go. Let no one ever come to you without leaving happier".

The school offered a Peace Pledge: I promise to try to be a peaceful person. I promise to be loving in my home, my school and my community.

The children sang a beautiful song entitled 'I am Children of the World'.

The Principal holds the torch.

The school leaders receive a Certificate of Appreciation and hold the torch together.

Everyone is keen to run a lap with the torch.

Before we leave the school offers a prayer, "Lord, we ask you to bless all the people involved in the Peace Run. Keep them safe on their journey and help us all to spread the message of Peace every day in our homes, our school and our community.

Around the corner we visit Dandenong Primary School.

Again, there are several nationalities represented in this school.

Our American runner poses as the statue of Liberty - a symbol known to children all over the world.

This young lady receives the Torch Bearer Award for her 'Peaceful' behaviour, and for taking time to care for others.

We run from the school to the Council Offices in Dandenong.

There we are greeted by Police Officers.

And the Mayor of Dandenong Councilor Roz Blades

This is the second time the Mayor has received the Peace Torch.

Our final few kilometres into Melbourne.

The last section is along a river, so local coordinator Abhinandan John Willis, guides Robert on his bike.

Well done boys for covering the last 19 kilometres together!

Torch carried by
Abhinandan Willis (Australia), Akrura Bogea (Brazil), Ashadeep Volkhardt (Australia), Devashishu Torpy (Great Britain), Goncalo Rei (Portugal), Katharina Brötzner (Austria), Natabara Rollosson (United States), Nidhruvi Zimmermann (Austria), Nirjharini Brandt (Germany), Prabuddha Nicol (Australia), Robert Benedek (Hungary), Saranyu Pearson (Australia), Stacey Marsh (New Zealand), Uddyogini Hall (Australia), Vananiya Osgon (Mongolia), Veeraja Uppal (Australia).  
Photographers
Goncalo Rei, Stacey Marsh
The torch has travelled 103.0 km from Drouin to Melbourne.

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