Students meet their healthcare heroes

THE Meredith Primary School playground was full of doctors, nurses, paramedics, police officers, vets, and firefighters on Monday morning.

Pupils, and neighbouring kindergarteners, dressed up as first responders as part of the school’s Healthcare Heroes Day to raise funds for the Royal Children’s Hospital Good Friday Appeal, while acknowledging those that keep the town safe.

But those in costume were not the only heroes on site, with emergency services personnel including Meredith’s police officer, CFA volunteers, paramedics, and the Community Emergency Response Team, dropping by to meet the children.

Ten-year-old Bridget, dressed in a CERT outfit, said the first responders showed her class their vehicles and equipment, and told them a bit about their important roles in local community.

“These guys can save people’s lives,” she said.

“We learnt that there is a playlist of songs that help you practice the beat of CPR. If you do it too fast, the patient might die.”

School principal Lachlan Day said the event was not only a fundraising opportunity, but a chance to reconnect with community members, and welcome them back into the school after pandemic lockdowns.

“We want to open our doors, share our learning that’s taking place, and help to break down walls for the children,” he said.

“This is a way we can support them to understand that the police, for example, are safe people in the community they can go to for help, not people to be scared of, or worried about.”

A group of students will visit Melbourne on Good Friday to appear on the Appeal broadcast and present funds they raised on the day.