The parents of one of Australia’s most decorated soldiers, Corporal Cameron Baird, visited Bacchus Marsh last week to share their son’s story with the community.
Corporal Baird was 32 when last year he became the 40th Australian soldier killed in Afghanistan. He was awarded the 100th Victoria Cross, in recognition of his efforts to draw enemy fire away from his team.
Proud parents Doug and Kaye Baird visited Pentland Primary School and Bacchus Marsh RSL, where they spoke with pupils and RSL members about their late son and showed his many medals.
They were accompanied by Corporal Baird’s former school teacher, Andrew Harrison, now principal of Pentland Primary School.
Mr Baird said it was important for his family to engage with the local community and give everyone the chance to view their son’s medals.
“We have taken on a responsibility out of sheer respect to the Victoria Cross being awarded. We want to take the medals and the stories that go with them to the general public,” Mr Baird said.
Grade 5 and 6 pupils at Pentland were in awe of the medals and listened attentively to Mr Baird’s discussion about leadership.
Question time was abuzz with eager hands flying up, the pupils keen to find out more about the Gladstone Park-raised soldier and his mission.
“It goes to show the depth of their under- standing and their willingness to learn and the respect shown, not just to Cameron but to all the fallen soldiers from conflicts going back throughout our history,” Mr Baird said.
One of Pentland’s school captains, Joshua, said he was honoured to meet Mr and Mrs Baird and have them visit. “Rare occasions like this don’t happen to small schools and communities like us, so we feel privileged,” he said.
Mr and Mrs Baird also visited Bacchus Marsh’s Avenue of Honour and stopped at tree 164, which stands in memory of local man Rupert Moon, who also won a VC.
