The Police “Polair” helicopter flew to the St Columba’s High School oval on May 1 where it was welcomed by more than 1500 cheering students from St Columba’s, St Thomas Aquinas, Ellison Public, Winmalee Public and Winmalee High.
The 90-minute visit included a ceremony where each school captain or student representative was presented with a Certificate of Appreciation from the emergency services of the Blue Mountains for their role in last October’s bushfire disaster.
The students had an up-close look at the helicopter following the presentation — and a lucky few even got to sit in the cockpit.
Blue Mountains Police Inspector Sonya Tabor said “this visit and presentation is a way the emergency services can recognise your good work and co-operation during the bushfires. The way you as school leaders, staff and students conducted yourselves. The students for their calmness and for looking after your mates.”
Blue Mountains Rural Fire Service (RFS) Inspector Paul McGrath said “one of our mottos at the RFS is ‘one team, many players, one purpose’ and your schools lived up to that by acting and supporting us and all the emergency services personnel greatly.”
Joining police and RFS staff at the presentation were representatives from Fire and Rescue NSW, Ambulance NSW, National Parks and Wildlife Service, State Emergency Services and Department of Education and Communities.