Xmas party at Baria hospital DPR/TV/995

Soldiers from Headquarters Company of the 1st Australian Task Force spread a little Christmas cheer among the younger patients of the Baria Hospital this week. Santa Claus (on other days Trooper John Ormiston of Kiperra, Qld) with his soldier helpers moved among the young patients in the hospital giving each a plate of sweets, fruit, ice cream and gifts. Working at the Baria Hospital are members of an Australian Surgical Team who also train the Vietnamese staff in their jobs at the hospital. When the soldiers had made their rounds of the wards, it was time for the outpatients to join in the Christmas party. Their ranks swelled by a number of children who saw Santa Claus and were intrigued, the dozens of children tended to by the hospital staff lined up for their gifts from Santa Claus and the soldiers. Within minutes, toys, shoes, and the usual party fare were spread among the youngsters. For many of the children, Santa Claus was a new sight. After the initial wariness of his red robes and long beard, they flocked to him and clambered over his legs and gripped his arms, fascinated by this man who spread cheer in his wake. To the men of Headquarters Company who were able to attend the hospital, the Christmas party was a welcome break from the more serious activity at Nui Dat where they are based. The toys and shoes which they presented to the children had been sent from Australians to the 1st Australian Civil Affairs Unit for distribution among the people of Phuoc Tuy Province, but the sweets, ice cream and soft drinks the men had bought themselves. The party was typical of many which men from various units at Nui Dat have been giving for the underprivileged children of Phuoc Tuy Province. For many of the men these parties replace the ones with their children at home which they are missing this Christmas. (Also identified: Dr Bob Rayner of Hobart, Tas, light coloured civilian clothes; Dr Peter Maruff of Innisfail, Qld, dark clothes, sunglasses; Barbara Buscombe of Five Dock, NSW, nurse, white uniform; Pat Healey of Croydon, Vic, nurse, light blue uniform, short hair; Sue Quinn of Naracoorte, SA, nurse, light blue uniform, young, short girl; Cpl Les Frazer of Glebe, NSW, short, stocky soldier; Cpl Peter Versluys of Dandenong, Vic, provost, wearing MP armband; Cpl Ray Collins of Bega, NSW; Pte Paul Young of Netley, SA; Cpl Gary Gregory of Scarborough, WA, 21 Sp Tp, RAE at 1ATF).