Marching Onward

131 ACU Sarina Celebrates 52 Years with Distinction

131 Army Cadet Unit Sarina (131ACU) held their Annual Ceremonial Parade at Sarina State High School last month.

This is the 52nd year that 131ACU has been operating in the Sarina community and this year, 30 Cadets participated in the ceremonial parade. The cadets put on an amazing display of their skills, dress and bearing to over 90 members of the Australian Defence Force Cadets, special guests and the members of the community.

Congratulations to all of the cadets on completing their years’ training and well done to those who received awards:

Drill and Bearing trophy - CDTCPL Sarah Bradford.

Dress and Presentation trophy - CDT Laila Box.

Best Male Recruit CDT Odin Olesen.

Best Female Recruit CDT Baylee Smith.

Best Junior NCO CDTCPL Rolly Lisle.

Best Senior NCO CDTWO2 Olivia Bradford.

Best Male Cadet CDTCPL Rolly Lisle.

Best Female Cadet CDTCPL Sarah Bradford.

Efficiency trophy - CDTWO2 Olivia Bradford.

John Ratter Shield for Excellence in Command - CUO Luke Wakefield.

Regina Gorton Fieldcraft trophy - CDTSGT Maddi Boucher.

Male Fieldcraft trophy - CDT CPL Caleb Harper.

Best Recruit Shot - CDT Gabriel Hjelte

Best Shot trophy - CDTLCPL Logan Gauci.

The cadets celebrated the end of their training year with an Annual Formal Dinner hosted by the Sarina Sporting and Services Club. Special guests in attendance included the RSM North Queensland AAC Brigade WO2 Andrew Dyer and his wife Sharon, Maree Franettovich and Bob North, and representatives of other ADF Cadet units from 122ACU Mackay, 105SQN Mackay and 80 Battalion.

What’s been happening at 131ACU Sarina in 2023? Participating in the local schools’ and community Anzac Day Services, four field bivouacs, Annual Field Exercise at Lavarack Barracks, and five cadets from 131ACU were selected to represent the North Queensland Brigade at national activities this year.

CDTCPL Caleb Harper represented NQLD Brigade at the National Adventure Training Awards held at Tasmania in April, receiving the coveted Golden Boomerang. Also in July, CDT Patrick Blanch, CDTCPL Sarah Bradford, CDTCPL Rolly Lisle and CDTCPL Jazmen Harmon represented NQLD Brigade at Chief of Army Cadet Team Challenge at Canungra. All of our cadets represented themselves and their Brigade very well and made lifelong memories and friendships to look back on. The cadets pushed themselves and overcame many obstacles mentally and physically! These types of courses really cement the cadets’ training and skills. They show themselves what they are capable of, and build their versatility, resilience and mateship.

Final training to be conducted this year will be leadership training. Cadets who will attend the Brigade Leadership Courses at Lavarack Barracks in December will be preparing for their upcoming courses, and cadets who are seeking to become Lance Corporal in 2024 will complete their course at the Unit.

Australian Army Cadets is a leading national youth organisation, focused on supporting the cadets to become responsible, compassionate and driven members of the community. The training provided gives the cadets the confidence to be their best selves and to adapt to whatever situation they may find themselves in. The organisational structure gives the cadets opportunities and training in leadership roles and teamwork. The values that guide us are based on the Australian Defence Force Values of respect, integrity, excellent, service and courage.

The Officer Commanding Captain (AAC) Amy Bradford would like to invite potential new recruits to an information session and open day at the unit on Friday 2nd February 2024, at the Ted Malone Rural Skills Centre, Breen Street Sarina from 1530-1830. Parents are required to attend from 1730hrs. On Saturday 3rd February from 0800-1200 the cadets will hold a sausage sizzle fundraiser next to Goode’s Butchery Sarina. Come along and have a chat to current cadets and staff and join 131 ACU in 2024! To join cadets in 2024 you must be turning 13 years old and no older than 16. We train overnight on Fridays fortnightly throughout the school terms. There is no joining fee.

If you’re ready to sign up now, email oc.131acu@armycadets.gov.au and sign up online https://www.armycadets.gov.au/find-a-unit/unit?ua=131ACU

Contributed by LT (AAC) Sam Trapp Training Officer 131 ACU Sarina

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2023 131 Army Cadet Unit Sarina

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