By
Graham Davis
 |
|
LEUT
Joel Hissink steps into a time warp during his visit to
Tanja Public School in NSW.
|
|
Photo:
LSPH Brad Fullerton
|
The
one teacher, 30 pupil, Tanja Public School on the far south coast
of NSW prepared the brothers Hissink, Joel, Paul and Ben, well
for careers in the Royal Australian Navy.
When the school celebrated its 125th anniversary late in September
and invited all “old” boys and girls, along with present
pupils and parents to attend the activity, the Hissink brothers
were keen to take part.
LEUT Joel Hissink from Maritime Headquarters in Sydney along with
brother ABMT Paul from Darwin made it.
Unfortunately brother Ben was at sea in HMAS Adelaide and could
not attend.
The RAN itself helped the celebrations with CMDR Ken Macaulay-Black,
the commanding officer of 817 Squadron, allowing one of his Sea
King helicopters to alight at the school during a navigational
training exercise.
Royal Navy exchange officer, LCDR Paul Hannigan commanded the
flight.
On landing LCDR Hannigan and his crew were joined by Joel and
Paul and more than 100 people who attended the fun day.
Many of the children wore clothes of an early era including mop
caps, aprons, britches and straw hats.
Joel had some official duties joining another former pupil Elise
Myles in handing out special badges to the pupils who attended
the school.
