Family Fun Day 27 September 2007

On the 23rd September 2007, the families of the soldiers of the 1st Armoured Regiment came together for the Family Fun Day. The purpose of the event was to get together, relax, enjoy a brunch and find out how the Exercise at Cultana was progressing. Meanwhile, the children were entertained with craft activities, play dough, popcorn, a colouring competition, the very popular jumping castle, a kick for goals comp, and a lolly jar count challenge.

The Other Ranks Mess excelled in providing a generous supply of food for the brunch including pancakes, cereals, a cooked breakfast and lots of cold meats and salads. The C Sqn 'Barby' trailor proved its worth, yet again, being used to cook the bacon, sausages and eggs. Nobody went hungry!

The soldiers of the Regiment worked hard, both before and during the Family Fun Day, to make sure everything ran smoothly. There were competitions to also keep the kids busy. Many participated in the colouring competition for which there were age group prizes and encouragement awards.

CPL Mitchell ran a kicking competition, diplomatically providing the opportunity to use either a Rugby or AFL ball. All participants received a 'Freddo' and the winners were awarded a baseball cap, supplied by Defence Force Recruiting, and a Mars Bar!

While the big kids were kicking footballs around the oval, the little kids had a great time looking for lollies and small trinkets on the Treasure Hunt, which was conducted by CPL 'Diz' Dizon.

The play dough proved to be a big hit with the littlies as did the 'foamies' activity where children, and a rather bigger kid (Chloe), were able to make their very own door handle sign.

The Regimental Trust Fund ensured there were funds made available to provide the craft materials on the day.

The Regiment was able to borrow the little tables and chairs from the Chaplains' Community Centre (thanks Chaplains!) to make access to activities alot easier for the young ones.
With support from outside organisations, the Regiment was also able to provide showbags for the families.

The showbags contained useful information and brochures from the Defence Community Information. Defcredit generously supplied over 100 water bottles, pens and balloons, and Frontline exceeded all expectations with the provision of lollies, life savers, balloons, party hats and other party goods (including those very loud whistles and streamer poppers!).

Defence Force Recruiting also helped out with items for the showbags including stickers and mouse pads. Thanks must also be passed to those soldiers who helped hand pack over 100 showbags!
The day concluded with the Admin Commander, Major Drew Shum's, thanks to the families for attending. He also provided a brief account of how the soldiers were performing at Cultana. The prizes were awarded for the colouring competition and the lolly jar challenge (won by the Kerneys!). The raffle prizes were also drawn. Many were impressed with the generosity of local businesses who provided the prizes for the raffle.

Raffle prizes included a number of movie tickets, three tackle gift packs, Play Shack passes, dinner vouchers and a Territory Wildlife Park Super Pass.

The names of supporters for the Family Fun Day are listed below.

More photos taken on the day can also be found below.

Thank You to the Supporters of the Family Fun Day!

Happy Micks

CMAX Cinemas Palmerston

Cazalys Palmertson

The Hogs Breath Cafe

The Play Shack

The Territory Wildlife Park

Total Learning

Defcredit

Frontline

Defence Force Recruiting

The Defence Community Organisation