Lucky Year 6 students from St Pius X College in Chatswood got an unexpected surprise when they were in Canberra last week and were invited to meet not one – but two prime ministers.
The 100-odd boys were in Canberra for a two-day trip and scheduled for a tour of Parliament House. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese just happened to be about to welcome the Prime Minister of Vietnam, Pham Minh Chinh and his wife when the boys arrived. The PM’s staff saw a good photo opportunity, with the boys in their colourful sports uniform, and approached the surprised Pius teachers. Keeping the excited boys quiet was a bit of an effort, but they sat patiently waiting and Mr Albanese had a bit of a chat with them accompanied by his fiancé Jodie Haydon before Mr Chinh arrived.
When the Vietnamese PM addressed the boys, he told them – through an interpreter – that he hoped they would do well in their studies. “And you have to come and visit Vietnam so that you can make new friends,” he added.
The boys were thrilled to meet not one but two PMs on a memorable trip that also included a visit to the Governor General’s residence, Government House, and the Australian War Memorial.