BISHOP Druitt College class 5A received a visit from Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development, Senator Bridget McKenzie, NSW Senator Perin Davies and Member for Cowper Mr Pat Conaghan to recognise their achievement in a national competition to name the new aerial firefighting tanker.

Year 5A student Zara Harris penned the winning entry, suggesting the name ‘The Phoenix’ and writing a short explanation of why the name was appropriate as a voluntary homework exercise.

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Senator McKenzie told the class, “When I read the submission, I felt it was totally appropriate, as the Phoenix rises from the ashes and brings happiness, peace and harmony to the world.”

The aircraft, designated the National Large Air Tanker, will be available to augment aerial firefighting throughout the country when needed, and will carry the new name for the next two years.

Students in the class asked a wide range of detailed questions of the Minister, eliciting information such as the tankers capacity of 15,000 litres of water or flame retardant chemicals, which it can dump in 30 seconds, and that the plane has a very quick turn around time when refilling and taking off again.

Class teacher Mrs Christabel Martin told News Of The Area, “The competition entry came about because we have been looking at natural disasters and community involvement and it dovetailed nicely with what the class had been learning.”

Two other class groups, one from Victoria and another from NSW also put forward the name in the competition.

BDC Principal Mr Nick Johnstone said that the studies into natural disaster and community responses had been backed up by visits and talks from parents involved in disaster relief organisations such as the Rural Fire Service (RFS) and the State Emergency Service (SES).

By David TUNE