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Melbourne
inspires young Bundaberg writers
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Michael
Lovett, Kerrie Icke and Jade Bernie were delighted to receive
letters from sailors in the HMAS Melbourne, currently serving
in The Gulf.
Photo by Tanya Heidke, Bundaberg News Mail.
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A primary
school teacher from Bundaberg in Queensland has had no trouble with
her students putting pen to paper after establishing a penfriend
link with the ship’s company of HMAS Melbourne.
Mrs Judi Kirk, who teaches a Year 5 class at Bundaberg West State
School, had a 100 per cent response when she wrote to the ship’s
company, currently on the latest rotation in The Gulf.
Judi also has a son in HMAS Melbourne and was ecstatic when 28 letters
were received in response to the 28 sent by her students.
“I think it’s great for the sailors to see that people
other than family are interested in what they do,” Judi told
Navy News.
“The kids ask things like what colour are their eyes and if
they have a horse back home.”
In reply, sailors tell about seeing dolphins play near the ship
and how it is the size of a football field, but not quite as wide.
Judi said the students have just sent another package to their penfriends
full of lollypops, chewing gum and vegetable snack packs.
“It all started with a soldier who came to visit after returning
from East Timor and now we’ve turned it into a ‘writing
for a purpose’ exercise.
“It’s definitely given our students a greater appreciation
for the Navy and also with the parents when their kids tell them
all about what they’ve done at school.”
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