Cadets enjoy a flying start
y at the reat opa career oud, but s NAIoppord where trait Isis a de- ple, our in par- ditional ek celeet up a t Island YOUTH living in the remote region of Weipa, Far North Queensland, are now able to gain a greater understanding of defence life following the establishment of its own cadet unit.
Cadets from 112 Squadron, set up in January, formally paraded at the 51st Battalion, Far North Queensland Regiment, Weipa Depot, for the first time on April 27.
Consisting of 32 cadets and five staff, members are in Townsville where they are taking part in the junior general service training.
The 112 Squadron was established after strong community interest.
It consists mainly of schoolchildren from Western Cape College, with several of the squadron’s instructors working as teachers there.
Like many cadet squadrons, the Weipa group has a diverse ethnic mix of members.
Weipa, however, is unique in that 50 per cent of cadets are of indigenous heritage.
The Commanding Officer, Pilot Officer Jason Potter, is a Weipa paramedic who has volunteered a large part of his time to see the squadron succeed and continue as a permanent youth group within the community.