BUSSELTON mayor Ian Stubbs has received an honour previously given to Nelson Mandela, Mother Teresa, Muhammad Ali, Desmond Tutu and Cathy Freeman.
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He was a torch bearer when the Sri Chinmoy Oneness-Home Peace Run visited Busselton on Friday, as it makes its way around the country.
A team of runners from 16 countries has been carrying the torch around Australia since April, starting and finishing in Canberra in August.
They have been visiting schools along the way to spread a message of peace.
The run was founded in 1987 by philosopher and athlete Sri Chinmoy.
Receiving the torch in a ceremony on the Busselton Jetty, Mayor Stubbs said the city was honoured to be involved and supported the message of the run.
“The idea of universal peace, hope and promise for a better world is something our city embraces,” he said.
“The torch is symbolic of a yearning and hope for a better world and a brighter future universally.
“I congratulate all involved and wish you well on your journey to make a difference.”
Mayor Stubbs related the experience to visiting the Hiroshima Peace Park as part of last year’s Sugito sister city visit, describing it as a “moving moment in my life.”
As the run left for Bunbury, Mayor Stubbs joked that he was sorry Busselton could not put on a circus like the one the runners would visit on Friday night.
Grahak Cunningham, who won the world’s longest foot race last year, the 3100 Mile Race in New York, also a Sri Chinmoy event, was involved with the organisation of the peace run and presented a certificate of appreciation at Friday’s ceremony.
The Busselton local has taken part in the run since it passed Adelaide, and will conclude his involvement in Perth.
He said he enjoyed being able to showcase his home town to his fellow runners.
“Everyone has loved coming down and seeing everything like the jetty and the ocean,” he said.
