Macksville Public School hosted runners from across the globe who brought with them a message of peace and unity.
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The Sri Chinmoy Peace Run is travelling from Brisbane to Adelaide, stopping at towns and schools to inspire people from all walks of life to help foster a better, brighter future for all of humanity.
Grade six student Kyeisha Blair welcomed the participants to Gumbaynggirr country.
Mayor Rhonda Hoban congratulated them on their efforts and applauded their message.
“I think it’s wonderful that they included one of our schools,” Cr Hoban said.
“It’s a message that I wish everyone would receive and heed.
“It would be wonderful if every kid in our school could grow up in a world where peace was the norm, and of course they are our future.”
Runners from Canada, Mongolia, Hungary, Austria, England, New Zealand and Australia took part in the torch relay.
Team captain Amalendu Edelsten said peace is everyone’s responsibility.
“One must achieve inner peace before they can spread peace,” Mr Edelsten said.
“We see the world as one big family and we invite people through the torch to share in that ideal.”
Canadian runner Aion Royden said Australians were friendly, open-minded and interested in the message of peace.
“The countryside here is beautiful,” Mr Royden said.
“People are really receptive in Australia.”
Truthful yarning
The children at Macksville Public School now have their own yarning circle.
The newly created area is an open, free space for both indigenous and non-indigenous students to yarn.
Year six teacher and indigenous coordinator Cathy Yates said yarning was not simply talking, but about listening, learning and teaching each other.
The pupils will be painting a mural in the area with each youngster’s contribution telling a story about their own community.
The yarning circle will also feature the ‘peace tree’ given to the school by the Sri Chinmoy torch relay runners, as well as Australian flora.