Defence kids battle it out in the kitchen
TEENAGERS of Australian Defence Force personnel fought it out in a cooking competition held at Geckos, Lavarack Barracks.
The kids received a guiding hand from the Australian Army Catering Corps and had their food judged by the 3rd Brigade Commander Scott Winter, who announced the winners.
Competitor Caitlin Maher moved up to Townsville with her family for a three- year posting.
“I was here at the start of the year and the new kids that came we met some of them and it was really good to meet people that went to the same school,” she said.
Caitlin said having a network of other Defence families helped improve her confidence.
“People say that Defence kids have a higher rate of depression but I think in the long run it really helps them because they’ve had the experience, they can go wherever and be fine,” she said.
“It’s just really fun and if you’re not sure you’ll meet people, just bring a friend along like I did.”
Xavier Migliorini said he was having fun making food with other Defence kids.
“It’s nerve- racking but also exciting meeting other kids, I’m having a lot of fun,” he said.
Commander Winter said the program equipped children with skills to help their families while a parent was deployed.