Today started with a visit to the City Hall of Toowoomba where we met with Mayor Geoff McDonald and Councillor Trevor Manteufel.
We took a picture in front of the City Hall, where we saw a commemoration to the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games.
Mayor McDonald and Councillor Manteufel spoke about the 2032 Olympic Games to be held in Australia, noting that Toowoomba will serve as the host city for the equestrian events.
Mayor Geoff McDonald was very enthusiastic to carry the lit Peace Torch and “bring peace to the City Hall”; as he cheerfully exclaimed.
Mayor McDonald spoke highly of the importance of creating peace in the community, recognising the value and service that the Peace Run is offering to the communities around Australia.
The Mayor carried the Peace Torch to various offices in the City Hall giving the opportunity to everyone to hold it and express a wish for peace.
We finally gathered on the ground floor where refreshments were offered to the runners.
We offered our Certificate of Appreciation signed by all the international runners. Mayor McDonald and Cr Manteufel were delighted to learn about the diverse range of countries represented by the team, noting that it reminded them of the United Nations.
We wished our visit could have lasted longer, but the runners had to leave for the next meeting, Harlaxton State School. Just before our departure, we encountered Deputy Mayor Rebecca Vonhoff who took pride in holding the Peace Torch and hearing about its journey around Australia.
We are very grateful for today’s visit at Toowoomba’s City Hall. We were genuinely uplifted by the reception we have received. It was deeply moving to reciprocate our common ideals of peace among all peoples and nations.
After Toowoomba City Hall we went straight to Harlaxton State School, a small school in the northern suburb of Toowoomba. We were welcomed by the school principal Mrs Mandy Norton-McNeill.
The certificate of appreciation and artwork were entrusted to two students, Zavier and David. In addition, Zavier very expressively read Sri Chinmoy's quote.
Teachers inspire students to succeed in life and prepare them to positively participate in society. Therefore we asked the teachers to stand in front of the students and let the children cheer and applaud the teachers with gratitude. Teachers become joyous as children when they do a peace run around their students.
After the school visit, the runners set off on their way to Brisbane.
Thank you Woolworths Plainland for your kind donation to the Peace Run.
Now that we are getting towards the city, there is no more one-way single-road as in the Australian Outback. It therefore took some initial adjustment to the busy traffic with roads going in all directions. We now need to carry phones to make sure we have everyone on count at the end of the day.
Teekhnata reports on Boonah School visit in the afternoon: The principal of Boohna State School was absent during our visit so we were greeted by Tracey at the office. Teacher Gail helped us with set up and organisation.
We did our ceremonial run in with the torch. My legs were feeling the burn of fatigue as we ran up the stairs to the hall.
An exuberant group of children greeted us in the hall.
When asked what they do to feel peaceful, one student said “gymnastics” and later showed her perfect example of the splits. I tried to join in, but my body laughed and said, “as if!”
The teachers accepted our certificate of appreciation and then took a peace lap around a roaring group of their students.
At this point the kids were really bursting at the seams to get outside and run.
They ran a couple of laps and then half the school raced Emily.
They had lots of questions about the run, mostly about the flame and how we keep it lit.
We all had a great time together and we are very grateful to Boonah State School for inviting us!
