The Peace Run was warmly welcomed by the Shire of Greater Geraldton on a beautiful morning filled with community spirit.
Mayor Jerry Clune, along with the CEO and Director of Community and Culture, generously took time out of their busy schedules to meet with the team.
The council graciously hosted a breakfast for the team, offering a heartfelt start to the day.
They kindly gave all the team a hat and some sunscreen-Thank You!
They shared their passion for peace and community, expressed pride in their vibrant region, and not only recommended we visit HMAS Sydney 11 Memorial but escorted the team to explain its significance. Each sailor lost is memorialised as a seagull in the metal dome. Its own expression of peace.
Following breakfast, the Peace Run team divided into two groups to visit two wonderful local schools.
The Peace exercise we teach the children is in line with this week's school commitment: "Stop and think before you act!"
Upon arrival at St Francis Xavier Primary School, we were greeted by the school principal Justine Smith. She seated the children so that it would be ergonomically comfortable for the Peace Run team runners to give them a "high five"!
School assistant principal Simon Piace is holding torch, but the teachers don't yet realise that in a moment they will have to run around the children with a torch.
The school had prepared to welcome the team and projected the Australian Peace Run route on a big screen. This helped Edgars name the cities on the route in the correct order, as our round banner with a map was in the second ceremony at Bluff Point Primary School.
And off they go! We can finally run with a Peace torch!
If your hand is injured, a classmate will help hold the torch.
Who has longer arms, Todor or the tree?
Today was a sunny and hot day. Even strong runners Misha and Muggi need a little nap to prepare for the next run.
The team was greeted by Bluff Point with enthusiasm and a beautifully prepared welcome. First the whole school recited their own composition of welcome to country.
Then the School Creed was proudly sung: This is Bluff Point School Let peace be here. Let the rooms be full of happiness. May everyone find friendship And kindness at our school.
The teachers were the first to run with the torch, lead by Principal Celine Bellve. With time to spare, everyone headed out to the field to run with the Peace Torch. This joyful moment gave students a chance to ask questions and hear directly from the team about what peace means to them.
On her run to Bluff Point, Stacey met local children waiting for the bus to take them to school and was warmly greeted by some of the locals out for their morning exercise. She was so engaged she made it to the school with one minute to spare.
Our third school visit today was to Northampton District High School, where we were met by an enthusiastic group of kids, who enjoyed hearing about the Peace Torch's run around Australia.
They all joined in the actions for the World Harmony Run song.
Some of them had prepared some artwork on Peace which they gave the team.
The sky above Australia continues to put on a great show for us!
Many Thanks to Lisa at the Billabong Homestead for our camping pitches for tonight and for the delicious hot chips.
