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Volunteers
backyard blitz Vietnam school
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ABSTD
Rebecca Kitson and SMNMT Paul Wheeler test out playground
equipment on HMAS Adelaide’s flight deck. Sailors from
the ship were asked to build play equipment to donate to
a Vietnamese kindergarten during their visit there after
Stardex 02.
Photo by APBH Kaye Adam.
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HMAS
Adelaide (CMDR David Johnston) recently made an historic visit to
Vietnam’s Ho Chi Minh City which turned out to be a swinging
success.
Members of the ship’s company went to Tan Nhut 1 Primary School
and built a playground for the students.
The materials for the playground were bought by Maritime Headquarters,
taken to Singapore in HMAS Success and transferred to Adelaide.
The equipment, a swing set, see-saw and climbing castle, were designed
and built by volunteers in the FFG’s hangar.
They used pine logs and fitted in the work when they were not committed
to STARDEX 02 duties.
The sight of the ship’s company taking turns on the swing on
the ship’s flight deck must have been a “first” for
the attacking forces involved in the exercise.
On September 20, 27 volunteers loaded the equipment onto a truck
and made the one-hour trip to the school, located about 30 kilometres
outside the city.
Then in Ground Force or Backyard Blitz fashion the sailors went
into action.
They cleared rocks and raked the playground smooth.
With students watching, the team were soon erecting posts and tightening
bolts.
Another group went on to a roof to make repairs while other sailors
fixed an overhead projector and some computers.
With the playground equipment assembled, the children were initially
tentative about playing on it. The ship’s company showed them
how and soon there was a throng wanting a turn.
The hard work was all made worthwhile by the smiles on the faces
of the children.
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