Hastings Preschool and LDC welcome Marine Rescue volunteers

The children of Hastings Preschool & Long Daycare Centre were pleased to welcome volunteers from the Marine Rescue service earlier this month, for a hands-on incursion which taught them about water safety. 

The visit coincided with a block of learning about ocean and marine life undertaken by four and five year olds in the service, Director Debra Gulliver explained. 

Marine Rescue Port Macquarie volunteers Brooke Mason and Muriel Bennett spoke to the children about water safety and the importance of wearing life jackets when out on a boat.

“The Port Macquarie community have helped support us and we like to be able to give back by sharing our knowledge and helping people prepare for being out on the water,” Ms Mason told local news source Port Macquarie News.

“A lot of the time we’re either out on the boat or involved in fundraising, so doing this and giving back to the community is something we can do to show our appreciation for their support,” she continued.

Visiting services is a new line of work for the volunteers, with the Hastings visit being the first time Marine Rescue have visited a preschool, and the visit has sparked a desire for more community outreach. 

“The children were very engaged and asked a lot of questions. They were lovely,” Ms Bennett said.

As part of the visit, the children tried on a life jacket, spoke on the two-way radio and were sent home with a special package filled with information for their carers as well as some lollies and a colouring book.

To read the original coverage of this story, please see here.