Salute to city's peacemakers

By JUDITH LACY

JONATHAN CAMERON/Tribune

Palmerston North's Merv Hancock holds aloft the World Harmony Run torch in The Square last week. Behind him is the run's New Zealand co-ordinator Sophie Anderson.

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The World Harmony Run made two torch-bearer awards during its stopover in Palmerston North last week, to Merv Hancock and Olivia Burne.

The awards recognise grass- roots leaders who have helped foster harmony and peace.

Mr Hancock was presented with his medal at a ceremony on the cenotaph steps in The Square.

Speaking on behalf of the Rotary Club of Palmerston North, which nominated Mr Hancock, Stu Schwartz described him as a "senior statesman" and a "confidant to many of the politicos in town".

September is Mr Hancock's month. On Tuesday he will receive a Palmerston North City Council civic award.

Mr Schwartz read out the citation for that award, which says Mr Hancock is recognised as a person of vision, conviction and courage, qualities he has exhibited in furthering the interests of the city. A keen history student and an expert in social work, marriage guidance and community affairs, Mr Hancock played a significant role in bringing IPC to the city.

Mr Schwartz said Mr Hancock doesn't like accolades, but is deserving of them all.

A Palmerston North Girls' High School student, Olivia Burne was unable to attend the main harmony run ceremony as she had two exams.

She was part of the winning New Zealand team at the world schools' 3000m cross-country championships, in the Czech Republic in April.

On the back of the torch- bearer award medals is inscribed: "To change the world around you give the world what you have and serve the world with what you are".

Mayor Jono Naylor was presented with a number of gifts for the city, including a beech tree for IPC's peace garden and a print of a jharna kala painting (Bengali for fountain art) by harmony run founder Sri Chinmoy.

His wish was that "every individual each day have a new dream of world harmony".

- © Fairfax NZ News