News

July 26th 2018

Cadets go on once in a lifetime Australia trip

LNR Cadets at the Australian War Memorial (2)

LNR Cadets at the Australian War Memorial

Earlier this month a group of 11 cadets and two adult volunteers from Leicestershire, Northamptonshire and Rutland Army Cadet Force (LNR ACF) returned from a once in a lifetime trip to Australia.

The group joined Army Cadets from Middlesex and Northwest London to visit Australia and take part in a cadet competition with both the Australian and New Zealand Army Cadets. The visit took place from 28 June to 16 July.

Cadet Staff Sergeant Elby Williamson being presented with the Internationa Trophy by Chief of Army Lieutenant General Rick Burr AO DSC MVO

Cadet Staff Sergeant Elby Williamson being presented with the Internationa Trophy by Chief of Army Lieutenant General Rick Burr AO DSC MVO

Team UK won the International Trophy with Cadet Staff Sergeant Elby Williamson who is from St Georges Detachment in Rutland leading the team as Section Commander.

She explained: “Outback cadet was both mentally and physically challenging it pushed people to their limits and made each and every one of us realise our strengths and weaknesses.

“As the section commander I cannot say it was all down to myself because without the cooperation and effort put in by the rest of the section the win would not have been possible.

“I could not be prouder or happier with what my section have achieved and each and every one of them should immensely proud of themselves.

“I think I can speak for the rest of my section and others who took part when I say it was an amazing experience and one we won’t be forgetting for a very long time.”

During the competition cadets took part in a series of challenges that aimed to test the skills they had developed through their cadet careers such as rifle shooting, first aid, navigation, problem solving and leadership.

The navigation tests allowed the cadets to get a closer look at Australian wildlife in the outback as kangaroos and emus are common on the training area.

Team UK with Chief of Army Lieutenant General Rick Burr AO DSC MVO

Team UK with Chief of Army Lieutenant General Rick Burr AO DSC MVO

As well as participating in this international competition cadets also got to see some of the sights around Australia during the trip these included visits to the Australian War Memorial in Canberra and the military museum in Bandiana.

All the cadets taking part in the competition were welcomed in a traditional ceremony led by a local Aboriginal elder after which the New Zealand team performed a Haka.

Senior Adult Volunteer Captain Janna Brackley from LNR ACF accompanied the cadets to Australia, she explained: “All our cadets grasped the opportunity to get an insight into Australian history and how Australia feels like home, but not quite.”

Cadet Lance Corporal Jake Kinsey from Loughborough Detachment took part in the trip. He said: “It was an honour to represent my detachment, county and country as a whole and I will treasure this experience and think fondly of this memory for the rest of my life.”

The competition was held in the Pucapunyal Area which was first used as a mobilisation and training area for the Australian Army during the First World War, it is now one of the largest Australian military bases.

LNR ACF is currently recruiting both cadets and adult volunteers, if you would like to find out more about joining call 0116 2779701 or register your interest online at: https://armycadets.com/volunteer-with-us/

“I think I can speak for the rest of my section and others who took part when I say it was an amazing experience and one we won’t be forgetting for a very long time.”