Geelong and Ocean Grove students were blown away on Monday after a special visit from a Navy helicopter in the lead-up to the Avalon Airshow.
The Royal Australian Navy MH-60R Seahawk helicopter landed on Geelong High School’s oval at 9.30am on March 24.
The aircrew met with students before taking off towards Bellarine Secondary College’s Ocean Grove Campus.
Geelong High School principal Davin Reid said the visit from the aircrew and Navy personnel was a great chance for students to learn more about careers in the defence force.
“For a lot of kids, they need to see things. We can talk about careers, but for the students to see it in real life just gives them that passion and drive, especially for our Year 12s,” he said.
“We’ve got a number of students that are thinking about joining the defence forces, so having the helicopter at the school creates passion, excitement and enthusiasm for the students.”
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Richard Marles said showing off the helicopter in the Geelong and Ocean Grove communities was exciting.
“The looks on the kids’ faces (is great) and they’re not just seeing the helicopter but meeting the people who operate the platform,” he said.
“What it would look like to have a life or career in the ADF is something that they’re seeing for the first time, so that’s fantastic. This is Australia’s defence force and it’s owned by all of us in that sense.”
Jena Carr
