Strong day for cadets
Units in Toowoomba hold final parade to cap off successful year
TOOWOOMBA’S army, air force and navy cadets have demonstrated the skills and values they have learned in 2019 at an annual parade at the weekend.
Seven units from across the three sections of the Defence Forces united at the Toowoomba Grammar School oval on Sunday.
The cadets were addressed and reviewed by Lieutenant Evie Van Hecke, the executive officer of Defence Force School of Signals at Cabarlah, who discussed the importance of the concept in shaping the lives of its participants.
Officer Command of the 13 Army Cadet Unit Philip Pond, based in Harristown, praised the work of all cadets on a positive day.
“The 13ACU had just two practices, and they stood up for the occasion,” he said.
“Kids are very resilient and they did very well. Every unit should be commended for the effort they put in.
“You’ve got to be disciplined, and the movements have to be all the same and in sync with the drum beats and so on.
“Otherwise, it doesn’t look like a parade.”
Capt Pond said the parade was a display of the values and skills the participants had gained through regular meetings, exercises and competitions. “Army values learnt during the year revolve around courage, initiative, teamwork and respect,” he said.
“Lt Van Hecke spoke of the values instilled in young people via their participation in defence force cadets and how these values will be reflected in their personal and professional lives in the years to come.”
Cadet units are now recruiting for 2019, so for more information head to www.defenceyouth.gov.au/ youth-programs/adf-cadets/.