Treat for cadets at Gallipoli Barracks open day

More than 300 Army and Air Force Cadets, accompanied by nearly 50 volunteer cadet staff, recently enjoyed a tour of Gallipoli Barracks for a ‘closed cadet open day viewing’ before it opened to the general public.

CAPTION: Australian Army Cadets from Darling Downs flew in from Toowoomba on an MRH-90 Taipan during the ‘closed cadet open day viewing’ before the Gallipoli Barracks open day. Story by Stacey Doyle. Photo by Lieutenant (AAC) Lauren Trevisani.

Four Army cadets from Darling Downs and one Army cadet staff member began the day with the experience of flying in from Toowoomba on an MRH-90 Taipan, a tactical troop transport helicopter, which was then included in the Army Aviation Corps stand.

The flight was coordinated by a new Specialist Engagement Team – Cadets (SET-C), whose aim is to support cadets who are interested in an Australian Defence Force, Defence industry or Defence public service pathway on leaving the program.

Escorted by representatives from the team, cadets split into three groups to tour the staged event at the barracks, viewing Army equipment and talking with soldiers and officers.

Sergeant Megan Polatos, of Headquarters Australian Army Cadets, said it was a notable benefit to Army.

“The cadets absolutely loved it and got involved by getting on the equipment and asking a lot of questions, so it was great,” she said.

“The cadets can put everything they are learning in the program into perspective, and think about how that would work in the Defence Force or in a different career later in life.”

Major Paula Vetter, Specialist Engagement Team – Cadets manager, said cadets travelled from near and far.

“This is the first ‘closed cadet open day viewing’ of its kind and the team intends to roll this out nationally to afford the opportunity for as many cadets as possible to be involved in Army community events,” she said.

CAPTION: Australian Army Cadets from Darling Downs in an MRH-90 Taipan ahead of the Gallipoli Barracks open day. Photo by Lieutenant (AAC) Lauren Trevisani.

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