15 November 2024
A group of school mates at Stuart Park Primary School in the heart of Darwin participated in a memorable drop-off on November 7, courtesy of the 8th/12th Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery (8/12 Regt RAA).
Four lucky students were treated to the ultimate ride in a Bushmaster protected mobility vehicle (PMV), made possible thanks to a generous donation by local parent Nigel Sharp.
Mr Sharp contributed $500 to the Mix104.9 Camp Quality radio auction, earning his son, Archie, and three of his mates the exclusive opportunity to tour Robertson Barracks and then ride in the Bushmaster to school.
Mr Sharp said it would probably be a lasting memory for the boys.
“The kids got to try some gear on, get in the vehicles, and explore the barracks with a real soldier,” he said.
“Then obviously they got the ride here to meet the other kids – it was a great day.”
Barely able to contain their excitement, the boys pulled up to their class at Stuart Park Primary, greeted by their classmates all lined up to salute and cheer their friends as they entered the school.
The four boys climbed out of the vehicle displaying their new 8/12 Regt RAA unit patch on their right shoulders, as well as compacts of cam-cream, which the principal had requested not be opened until everyone was safely home and away from the soft furnishings in the classroom.
After endlessly peppering the winners with questions, the rest of Archie’s class was given the chance to jump into the PMV, stick their heads out of the cupola, and try on body armour and helmets.
For Sergeant Joshua Santaguida, of 8/12 Regt RAA, it was rewarding to explain to such keen minds what he loved to do.
“I was stoked to see the impact that this had on the kids, to see how honestly happy they were,” he said.
“It’s so great to be able to give something back to the community.
“If we’d had something like this come to my school when I was a kid, I’d probably have joined the Army a lot sooner.”
For the rest of 8/12 Regt RAA, it was an opportunity to engage with the local community, share the pride of Army, and inspire the next generation.
For the children of Stuart Park Primary, it was a day they won't forget any time soon.
