My role here at school is to help kids understand what life is like for Australian soldiers and their families. My job as a Trooper in the ADF helps me to do that.
Trooper Theodore “Teddy” Bourne has been an important part of the DSM program since the project’s launch in 2008. Teddy Bourne is enrolled as a student at Swanbourne and is officially enlisted in the Australian Army. He has accompanied troops from nearby Campbell Barracks on several deployments. The Teddy Bourne project aims to increase awareness and understanding of the challenges that the Australian Defence Force families may experience during times of deployment and family separation.
Teddy Bourne has been welcomed home from deployment and was accompanied by some of his mates from Campbell Barracks who came to talk to students about life in the army. The soldiers were sent messages of support and encouragement from our students who had written to troops whilst on deployment and were received with gratitude.
It can be very difficult for defence students when Mums or Dads go away for their work. At times it can be for long periods and sometimes they have to go without having much notice at all. Sometimes kids feel scared or worried because they don’t know where their parent is or what they are doing. It is very hard to imagine a place you have never seen!
I hope you enjoy reading them!
G’day everyone, I’m Teddy Bourne and I am both a student of Swanbourne Primary School and an enlisted member of the Australian Army. I have been an important part of the school community for many years.
When I am not in class with the students, or on deployment with the ADF, I hang out with Mrs Kemp, the Defence School Mentor, in our friendship room.
My favourite time of the day is when kids come and visit us at lunch and recess to play games, do craft activities or just for a chat. I love a cuddle too, I am a teddy bear after all!
I really love to visit the students in their classrooms. It’s great to see what everyone is up too. Whenever there is a special event or excursion, I join in.
Every now and again I get to go home with one of the kids for the weekend. I have had some of my best adventures on these weekends.