Peninsula vets program kids into Darwin defence

DRYSDALE RSL will expand a primary school program teaching students about the 1942 bombing of Darwin to schools beyond the region following its local success.
Organiser and veteran Bill Derham said the Defence of Darwin program had been “gradually expanding” on the Bellarine Peninsula since its inception three years ago.
A team of about five veterans presented the program to enthusiastic Clifton Springs Primary School students this week.
“We present these programs to seven schools and we’re looking at adding to our list. We’ll be training people from the other clubs and they’re going to run it around Victoria,” Mr Derham said.
The one-hour program for grade five and six students included an ode to fallen soldiers, a DVD featuring real footage and a visit from a veteran to answer questions.
Mr Derham said many students were completely unaware about the Japanese bombing of Darwin before attending his program.
“The kids don’t know what went on. They haven’t got a clue,” he said.
“They don’t know it was the first time Australia was ever attacked and we had to defend ourselves.
“Most of our troops were in North Africa so we had to get untrained soldiers to New Guinea.”
Students engaged well with the visiting veterans and asked plenty of questions, Mr Derham said.
“We give them an RSL certificate for the best question and the school gets a copy of the film.”
“We don’t shock and horror – we go through and explain what happened and there’s nothing in there that will upset anyone.”