Operation Andoe: Mother honours son's memory in the Solomon Islands
By Lieutenant Aaron Oldaker
The tragic loss of an Australian soldier in 2005 is now bringing the hope of a better future to the children of a rural village in the Solomon Islands.
Private Clark deployed with Bravo Coy to the Solomon Islands in January 2005. He tragically died after falling down a deep shaft near Mbarana on 10 March, 2005. Private Clark had spent some time working in the village during his deployment, and is remembered by the villagers, as a friend.
Since his death, his mother Avril Clark has kept in contact with the people of Mbarana. With the assistance of Civil-Military Liaison army personnel, she regularly sends school supplies, clothing and other aid to the children of Mbarana.
She also hopes to raise enough funds for a kindergarten in the village.
Warrant Officer Syd Davis deployed to the Solomon Islands as part of the Civil-Military Liaison team, said one of the best parts of his job is delivering aid to communities in need. He especially enjoys delivering aid from personnel previously deployed to the Solomon Islands or – as in the case of Mrs Clark – from someone with a personal connection to the place.
"It's the typical Australian attitude; you help your mates," Warrant Officer Davis said.
"It's not about a sense of responsibility; we get a genuine sense of attachment to the people of the Solomon Islands. Australian Soldiers get an attachment in part because they see their standard of living compared to ours. We have so much and they have so little, yet they are so happy with what they have.”
Warrant Officer Davis said the new Kindergarten, along with the regular donations of school supplies, is making a positive impact on the village and building a lasting legacy to the memory of Private Clark.
"It's a really good way to help these kids," he said.
"By helping their education they get a better understanding of the rest of the world and a better understanding for the rest of their lives on how to be a constructive part of their own community.
Around 60 families live in Mbarana often with two families living in each house. There are around 120 children enrolled in school and another 30 children in need of the new kindergarten.