(Clearwisdom.net) On September 18, 2005, the Ryde Aquatic Festival was held in Ryde, Australia. Falun Gong practitioners took part in the activity for the sixth year in a row. Different from previous years, this year, practitioners wearing shirts with the words, "Falun Dafa" took part in a long-distance run. One practitioner whose business is making banners, donated three high-quality truth clarification banners to help festival visitors learn about Falun Dafa more thoroughly.

The host of the activity had an opportunity to get in contact with practitioners, and gained a deeper understanding about Falun Dafa. As a result, he became a supporter of Falun Dafa. In the afternoon, the host spoke to the festival visitors through a microphone, explaining that Falun Gong is a cultivation method that encourages people to guide their lives by the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance, and obtain physical and mental well being. He said that the Falun Gong practitioners he was acquainted with were all righteous and good people, but in China, the Chinese Communist Party is still persecuting Falun Gong. The host urged everyone to please go to the Falun Gong stall to learn the truth of Falun Gong.

Several city councilors made a special point to come to the stall and had a conversation with practitioners, to learn about Falun Gong and the persecution in China. A councilor proposed that practitioners participate in the dragon-boat contest to be held next year.

A former councilor talked with a Falun Gong practitioner for two hours. She proposed that this practitioner run for the post of city councilor, in order to bring the peaceful and harmonious principles of Falun Gong to the people of Ryde.

Children learn to practice the exercises

Before the conclusion of the activity, three children of eight or nine years of age came to learn the Falun Gong exercises. After practicing the exercises, one of the children said he felt very comfortable. When their mother saw her kids peacefully doing the sitting meditation, she also came to the stall to take some informational materials. She told the practitioners that she would bring her children again to learn the exercises.