// Fun For All
- Bulls and Ohakea Family Street Party
No.3 Sqn’s impressive arrival
By Toni Nicholson, Base Ohakea Welfare Facilitator
Someone had the bright idea of growing Base Ohakea’s neighbourhood community spirit and said, ‘Why not throw a few sausages on the barbeque and invite the local kids along for a few games.
Out of this idea we quickly developed a Street Party theme with the emphasis on fun as well as promoting home and neighbourhood safety. When the day dawned it turned into a bit of a hiccup in the weather department. But Air Force personnel are rarely put out by a small thing like the weather.
Bigger than the garden variety
So, we had great input from the emergency services which turned up to give the families a good look at what they do. The New Zealand Fire Service turned up alongside our own Ohakea Crash Fire Team to give kids a hands-on fire fighting demonstration using foam and water. The New Zealand Police were there with the ‘Booze Bus’. A novelty for people was putting on the booze goggles to simulate the effect of ‘having had a few’ and then trying to walk a straight line. The St. John Ambulance Service was there to answer questions and hand out information and our own Air Force medics were there with their own ambulance, as well as Chaz from Recruiting’s ‘stepping up’.
The near gale force wind failed to dampen our spirits even though erecting the bouncy castle was cancelled for fear of it bouncing away down the tarmac. All the children who turned up had a great time with some good old fashioned games like egg and spoon and sack races.
Inside the Iroquois
Our Air Security team excelled themselves yet again by running these games as well as organising an obstacle course. They are great role models for the little guys and girls.
The day would not have been complete without a little show of air power in the form of an Iroquois helicopter display by FLTLT ‘Aussie’ Smith aided by WGCDR Russell ‘Wax’ Mardon and his No.3 Squadron team.
Oversized DPMs
The day was a success thanks to the co-ordinated efforts of the many behind the scenes personnel. Even our new chaplain, SQNLDR Bill Dewar, who had only been posted in for a couple of weeks, undertook some serious barbeque duty with family roped in for extra assistance. Our leaders added their support, boots and all. Special mention goes to WGCDR Tim Walshe and his wife Shona who were there helping out from start to finish. GPCAPT Sean Clarke, Rangitikei Mayor Chalky Leary and Bulls Councillor Sarah Harris are also commended for getting into the spirit of the event and pitching in whole-heartedly.
Hopefully this is the first of many Family Fun Days aimed at forging a strong community relationship between the wider Bulls community and Base Ohakea personnel.