3 minute read
Cadets
The Camberwell Grammar School Army Cadet Unit (CGSACU) is proud to announce that the Unit has once again grown over the year despite being in an environment where many units have struggled to keep members. The Unit was also fortunate to enjoy an uninterrupted training program this year after the past two years of lockdowns and cancelations.
Cadets enjoyed our full range of unique and insightful training activities, for example the series of specialist training programs offered to Senior Cadets, consisting of the Reconnaissance Course, Commandos Course, and Image Intelligence (IMINT). The Reconnaissance Course covered the art of observation, teaching how to gather intelligence whilst remaining concealed using the ghillie suits the cadets created over the year. The Commandos Course involved high-intensity training over the year, teaching how to abseil and construct an improvised river crossing. While IMINT focused on gathering intelligence in a field environment utilising new technology; this was done by cadets learning how to fly Maverick Mini Drones and working as a team to provide the Unit with aerial intelligence.
‘The specialist courses highlighted the creativity and ingenuity of the Camberwell Cadets.’
SGT Cooper Carbone, Year 11
Our Recruit Platoons learnt to develop some key cadet skills, such as navigation using a silva compass, radio telecommunication, and camouflage and concealment techniques. These lessons were delivered in a fun and active manner with an emphasis on cadet involvement. The quality and success of this year’s training program is a testament to the hard work of our Junior and Senior leaders over the year and the enthusiastic participation by many in the Unit. ‘It was an epic struggle between man and nature, bugs, spiders, the rain – the only bushes in sight, were ambushes’.
SGT Alan Tian, Year 11
The consensus amongst the Unit was that the highlight of the year was definitely the Annual Camp that took place during the Term 3 break. It was the first Annual Camp since 2019 and, over the course of six days, cadets undertook a variety of activities and learnt many key skills. Some of these activities included navigation across varying terrains and hunting for glowsticks at night. In addition to this, the camp culminated with the ‘48 hour’ capture the flag activity that saw cadets compete against one another for the title of platoon of the year.
SGT Lidong Chen, Year 12
All-in-all this has been a wonderful year for the Camberwell Cadet Unit, and we relished the ability to participate in activities again, learn new skills, enjoy the annual camp and be part of a successful Cadet Unit.
Hamish Campbell-Cowan Senior Cadet Under Officer
Back Row L-R: Cooper Carbone (SGT), Jamie Kohlmann (CPL), Edward Hare (CPL), Finnian Mahaffy (CUO), Marcus Elliott (CPL), Thomas Cooper (CPL), Charles Mills (CPL), Nathan Bosmans (CPL), Henry Baker (CPL), William Lardner (LCPL), Ben Bosmans (CUO), Jasper Lim (LCPL), Jonathan Vais (LCPL). 3rd Row L-R: Jerry Ji (CUO), Aren Dosser (CPL), Justin Mellor (LCPL), Thomas Wong (CPL), Jonathan Pettolino (SGT[CQMS]), Henry Shirrefs (CPL), Sebastian Beck (SGT), Hamish Westcott (CPL), Ashton Lu (SGT), Charles Lewis (CUO), Eugene Goh (CPL), Hieu Tran (CPL). 2nd Row L-R: Lidong Chen (SGT), Allan Wang (LCPL), Vincent Chen (CPL), Brodie Pang (LCPL), Jarrod Leong (CPL), Alan Tian (SGT), Hector Wong (LCPL), Riley Woolfe (SGT), Lucas Chan (CPL), Charlie Leong (SGT), Zaid Imran (LCPL). Seated Row L-R: Mr David Rayner (LT), Mr David Rodgers (LT), Hamish Campbell-Cowan (SCUO), Mr Michael Neal MAJ (AAC), Je-Rard Cheong (RSM), Mr Michael Daniel (CAOT), Mr Matthew Aram (LT), Mr Dr Alastair Berg (LT). Absent: Albert Guan (LCPL), Xander Lee (CPL).
