We had an early start this morning as each team had to cover 63km before our school meetings in the early afternoon.
Emily getting in position to capture the best angle.....
The temperature is continuing to rise so we are all happy to get out early and run.
We've been enjoying the colour combination of red dirt and blue skies.
While running from Roeburn to Port Hedland, a curious couple, David and Rita, stopped by the team. The guys gave them a short explanation about the Peace Run and at the end they had the opportunity to hold the torch. As it turned out, Rita's parents came from Latvia and she was able to say a few words in Latvian to Edgars. They wished us light legs for running, while Edgars invited them to visit Latvia someday, for example during the Song Festival.
The faster Todor runs, the more he smiles.
The teams arrived in Port Hedland just in time to split for visits to two schools before they finished the school week. As we approached St Cecilia’s Catholic Primary School we could see the Indian Ocean beyond, just on the other side of the playground fence.
When the school bell sounded each class of students gathered to file into the assembly room, ready for the Peace Run team to run in with the lit torch - to the great excitement of the whole school.
The students managed to guess all the countries – although a teacher earned ten push ups for helping. But with countries like Macedonia and Latvia to guess, a little assistance is probably necessary.
The Peace Torch was passed around the students in the hall as the St Cecilia’s Friday assembly beckoned, so grateful to have been given the time with the Peace Run.
Principal Mandy Sheen welcomed the team to her lovely school.
Meanwhile the other half of the team was visiting Port Hedland Primary School, which was in one word, awesome! The kids were super attentive and incredibly enthusiastic! They thoroughly energised us.
They did a great job guessing our countries, including Mongolia! We sang for them. We sang with them. And we answered a lot of their questions.
We had the teachers come forward to thank them for all they do in shaping the students lives. We've all had at least one teacher who had a big influence on our lives and the people that we have become. We salute you all!
The children soulfully held the torch and several of their student leader came to thank us directly. An exemplary school indeed!!!
In the late afternoon, the whole team visited the JD Hardie Youth and Community Hub, where they met with Tim Turner’s Royal Life Saving Talent Pool crew hosting the regular Friday evening gathering for young people to hang out, shoot hoops and play games of basketball and volley ball. Upon arrival you could feel the cozy, friendly, relaxed atmosphere, where the shouts of competition mingled with the sizzle of sausages on the barbecue.
After the Peace Run team did a fairly relaxed presentation, the friendly match of the century took place between the youth team and the Peace Run team. The youth defeated us on the score board, but we showed honourable resistance.
We don't run so fast on the road as the very agile youth who darted around with speed. It's good that we had a long bench of reserves to keep up with this pace. It was very nice that after the game, the youth were the first to come to the Peace Run team and thank them for the game.
A great, basketball-filled evening for the Peace Run team. At the end of the evening’s fun, we presented the Torch Bearer Award to Tim Turner for his decades of work devoted to providing channels of opportunity for youth, from the opportunity to be in a safe and fun space on a Friday evening to the opportunity to join the RSL Talent Pool and in so doing their first real job. Tim’s efforts extend way beyond Port Hedland to a region spanning Geraldton to Kununarra. The light, love and sincerity that the children, youth and young adults receive from him and his crew is sowing the seeds for the future of both them and the entire society.
All this running needs to be fuelled so our next stop was Woolworths. Port Hedland Woolworths were extremely generous in sponsoring our shopping today. Thank You, your help really makes a difference for us.
The Landing in Port Hedland were also extremely generous in sponsoring our accommodation and meals during our stay. Thank you for making us feel so welcome.
Uddyogini was especially excited to hear that our meals would all be provided.
The Landing was a perfect environment for us to relax and refuel.
