Australia: School Students Support Toowoomba Sailors

Some primary school students from Western Australia have made a big effort to put smiles on the faces of Royal Australian Navy personnel serving on military operations in the Middle East. Last Thursday, the crew of HMAS Toowoomba (II) received nearly thirty drawings and letters of support from year 2 students at Carey Baptist College.

During the Primary School’s Anzac Day ceremony, the Year 2 students and their teacher, Mrs Sharron Hughes, handed over the letters and drawings to HMAS Stirling personnel, who gave the Anzac Day speech to the school body during the ceremony.

Knowing the students had their hearts set on the letters reaching Toowoomba by Anzac Day, and understanding how morale boosting the letters would be for the deployed sailors, Stirling personnel moved quickly to get copies to the ship.

Toowoomba’s Commanding Officer, Commander Brendan Zilko, RAN, said that the school’s gesture was a very touching one.

“Each letter was an expression of support and thanks to the officers and sailors of HMAS Toowoomba for protecting Australia.”

“It is very moving to receive so many letters from such young children.”

“With Anzac Day knocking at our doorstep, the letters have come at the most fitting time” said CMDR Zilko.

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Naval Today Staff, April 23, 2013; Image: Australian Navy