Span of attention

ECSS contingent members FLTLT Jeff Howard, FLGOFF Deb Kay, WOFF Phil Jones, LAC Pete Madigan, CPL Matt Schiller, CPL Andrew Meally, CPL Mark Robertson and FLTLT Cindy Britten join local school children in inspecting their bridge-building handicraft at Lau Valley in the Solomon Islands.

AIR Force personnel deployed with the ECSS contingents in the Solomon Islands as part of Op Anode have been building bridges with the local community – literally.
They completed the construction of three bridges near the Lau Valley Primary School in Honiara on March 7.

The work follows similar activity established as an ongoing community project by the first contingent during its deployment.

The school was selected because a considerable number of the locals that work at the airfield have children attending the school.

The contingent completed a wide range of work before they departed but tasked the second contingent with building some much-needed bridges and providing vital school equipment.

The second contingent raised $6000 in Solomon Islands money for the bridges and equipment by a combination of social club funds and what Warrant Officer Phil Jones described as “the generosity of the members of the second contingent ECSS”.

Their time ran short and when they realised they would not complete the bridges before they left, they asked the third contingent for assistance.

Under the management of Flying Officer Deborah Kay and WOFF Jones, the contingent prepared the bridges over three weekends then completed construction at Lau Valley.

The day started with a rendezvous at the school at 9.30am with the school community, after which both groups pitched in side by side to build the bridges.

The works started with the moving of all the equipment and timber to the project site, after which people were detailed for the various tasks and the kids were encouraged to go and play so the big people could finish the work.

The day concluded around 5pm with the bridges and other works concluded and lunch and ball games completed.
Headmistress Margaret Aihunu thanked the Australians on behalf of the community and said all families were grateful for their continuing work and liaison. In reply ECSS said quite simply: “It’s good to do something that you know is appreciated, especially when it’s for the kids.”

The ECSS reports that the bridges are standing up well to the traffic and are being used by the local community as well as the school community.

WOFF Jones said that as well as continuing its role in supporting No. 38 Squadron Detachment’s flying operations, ECSS members would continue their support for the school.

“We are building them a pergola so that the children will have a shade area and a lunch area,” he said.

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