Operation CATALYST: Image Gallery
22 October 2007
'Australia' Primary School opens at Al Rumaid
Australian soldiers touched the lives of several hundred Iraqi children when they formally opened a new school that was refurbished using Australian and Coalition funding.
The Commanding Officer of the Overwatch Battle Group (West) cut the ribbon to open the 'Australia' primary school at Al Rumaid village in Dhi Qar province.
Commanding Officer of the Overwatch Battle Group (West), Lieutenant Colonel Jake Ellwood said the US$193,000 project provides the children with quality education and a bright future.
The primary school for 500 students was named 'The Australia School' by the town mayor in appreciation of the quality education that Iraqi children will receive thanks to the generosity of the Australian Defence Force.
The soldiers presented the happy children with essential school supplies including text books, writing pads and pens.
The refurbishment work included the replacement of the roof, the re-plastering and painting of all internal walls, and the tiling of the internal floors.
Other work included repairing of the toilets, complete electrical rewiring of the school building, the provision of a generator, installation of air-conditioners, and the supply of furniture including classroom blackboards, as well as desks and chairs for the students.
Soldiers of the OBG(W)-3 also visited the Chabayish Orphanage in the village of Al Chabayish which they are refurbishing at a cost of US$175,000.
| 20071008army8500215_ 013 Australian soldiers in Iraq travel on the road to reconstruction where they formally opened a new school that was refurbished using Australian and Coalition funding. (Date taken: 08 October 2007) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20071008army8500215_ 046 The Commanding Officer of the Overwatch Battle Group (West), Lieutenant Colonel Jake Ellwood, cuts the ribbon to open the 'Australia' Primary School at Al Rumaid village in Dhi Qar province. (Date taken: 08 October 2007) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20071008army8500215_ 066 Lieutenant Colonel Jake Ellwood is surrounded by happy Iraqi children after cutting the ribbon to open the 'Australia' Primary School at Al Rumaid village in Dhi Qar province. (Date taken: 08 October 2007) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20071008army8500215_ 125 Australian soldiers in Iraq travel on the road to reconstruction where they formally opened a new school that was refurbished using Australian and Coalition funding. (Date taken: 08 October 2007) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20071008army8500215_ 129 Australian soldiers in Iraq travel on the road to reconstruction where they formally opened a new school that was refurbished using Australian and Coalition funding. (Date taken: 08 October 2007) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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