A SMALL group of Year 3 pupils from Norwest Christian College sent a loving Christmas gift to Australian soldiers serving overseas, in the form of a gift box containing treats from home.
Craig Laffin, Director of Development at the school, said the good deed was the brainchild of student Lillian, following a chat with her mother about the importance of ANZAC services.
“Lillian was a bit annoyed to be polishing her school shoes in the school holiday and going to bed early, the night before participating in an ANZAC service,” said Mr Laffin.
“Her mother explained why it was important to show respect to those who served our country, sacrificing much more than an early morning and that there were many dedicated men and women, sacrificing for Australia today.
“Months later an excited 9-year-old Lillian came home from school and burst out that she wanted ‘to show some love to the troops’! Her mother’s chat had been germinating in Lillian’s mind. What an impact!”
Lillian and her friends Erin and Emma decided to draw pictures and write letters to Australian soldiers in Afghanistan.
Soon their classmates Laura, Jadey, Kaitlin, Jackson and Alyssa joined the three girls, and together they adopted the idea as an ‘Imaginarium – Serving Others’ project.
Lillian said: “At Christmas and New Year, it will be lovely for them to think about home and Australia.”
Emma added: “We want Australian soldiers to feel supported and encouraged.”
The pupils collected items for a ‘care gift box’ to send to the troops along with their pictures and letters.
They included Australian products to remind the soldiers of home, including Vegemite, Smith’s Chips, Tic Tocs and Arnott’s Tim Tams.
Mr Laffin said the pupils imagined an Australian soldier opening the box, reading the letters, enjoying the pictures and munching on a Tim Tam.
Alyssa said, jokingly: “When looking at my picture of a giraffe, the soldier might choke on the Tim Tam.”
Classmate Laura said: “We just want to help!”
Their teacher, Sophie McGrath, acknowledged her students’ thoughtful gift: “I am so impressed by their initiative and their kindness.”