What an exciting day awaits the peace runners today! They are going to complete the loop around the whole continent of Australia, the only one officially designated as a Sri Chinmoy Peace Continent.
Today the Peace Torch comes back to Canberra, where this most beautiful journey started on April 24th.
Citing “the importance of leaving a valuable legacy for all future generations,” the Government Whip of Australia, Kay Elson, proclaimed Australia the world’s first “Sri Chinmoy Peace-Continent” on April 12th 1999.
While running, we feel the peace in the vastness, in the harmony between flora, fauna and human beings, in each person's smile that we met and meet while completing running 15.500 km around the Peace Continent of Australia.
On our way to Canberra, we meet with the bright and lovely students of St Bede's Primary School in Braidwood.
They are all heart.
They make a wish for peace and feel the power of silence.
Let's run to the next school! Nina from Czech Republic really loves the Peace Run. She runs 6 km and then passes the Peace Torch to...
Akzhanar, from Kyrgystan! She runs 8 km and passes the Peace Torch to...
Susan, from New Zealand, one of our most valuable coordinators! She runs 10 km and passes the Peace Torch to...
Nina! She is ready for another 4 km! And so the relay continues until we arrive at...
St Vincent's Primary School!
The children receive the Peace Torch with incredible enthusiasm and joy!
Thank you deeply dear St Vincent's Primary School for receiving us with such love.
Now Pēteris, from Latvia, is running towards...
The Australian Parliament House, Canberra!
We meet with Hon. Dr Andrew Leigh MP, ACT Patron of the Peace Run, and Mr. David Smith MP at the Federation Mall in front of the Parliament House.
Citing MP Leigh, "You've brought an important message of peace, so thank you for all that each of you do for the cause of peace. Those conversations you had, the child who now thinks about peace when maybe they never did before. You've made a remarkable difference to Australia and we thank you very much for that".
MP Smith added: "I love your activity, and the Sri Chinmoy Peace Run brings together people across communities, across countries, in a sense of togetherness and unity. The more that we can come together the more that we can take from your extraordinary example of perseverance, togetherness and peace. Then we have a great opportunity to resolve some of the great conflicts of our times and bring people together in peace".
Thank you from the depths of our hearts, Hon. Dr Andrew Leigh MP and Hon. David Smith MP for officially receiving the Peace Torch open-heartedly.
The Peace Torch arrives back home, where the bravest dreamer for this project, Stacey Marsh, is all smiles and gratitude. She has been the national coordinator for the whole run around Australia this year and she has done a marvelous job. She's the leader who stays in the background and makes everyone shine.
We enjoy hot delicious drinks at My Rainbow-Dreams café in Dickson. What a lovely place to hang out, with a nice and peaceful vibe, where a peace runner feels certainly at home.
On the way to the accommodation for the night we stop at Hyatt Hotel Canberra - the world's first Sri Chinmoy Peace Hotel. It is the first hotel to join the worldwide family of Sri Chinmoy Peace-Blossoms, significant and inspiring places dedicated to the cause of peace and global friendship.
