Home Training is progressing well, as our new rank settle into their new positions of command. We are grateful to our recruits for their enthusiasm and engagement on Friday afternoons, and encourage them to read the Routine Orders from week to week, to know what to wear and where to be.
Admin Parade
A Company Bonding at Dismissal Parade
A Company Learning the Art of Camouflage
Points are awarded to the best Companies and Platoons from week to week, and the current point score is as follows:
The importance of wearing the Cadet Uniform with pride, particularly when in the public domain to and from school, has been communicated to the Unit. When we wear the Cadet Uniform, we are representing our schools and our Cadet Unit.
Even though we are not wearing the Army Uniform, as members of the Australian Army Cadets, we are also representing the members of the Australian Defence Force who have served our country.
There are certainly lots of ways to express individuality in Cadets, but the uniform is not one of them, and we need to wear it with pride, with respect, and with an understanding of what it means to the Australian Public.
To this end, headdress must be worn at all times when outside the school grounds, and the DPCU shirt must be worn at all times, including at school. The undershirt is not an outer garment, and if it is warm weather, the undershirt may be removed, but not the DPCU shirt.
It was disappointing to have to cancel the Bivouac planned for this coming weekend, but we have now booked an alternative. We will hold a Bivouac in Term 4 from 4pm Saturday, 5 November – 5pm Sunday, 6 November at Holsworthy Barracks. This is a voluntary Bivouac, open to the whole Unit for some field experience and camping Cadet-style in preparation for AFX in 2023. More details will follow in due course, but for those interested, please keep this November weekend free.
For those planning holidays in 2023, the Promotions Courses have now been set for the Winbourne Conference Centre from Monday, 26 June – Saturday, 1 July 2023. Please keep these dates free if your son or daughter is interested leadership training and fulfilling one of the many promotion opportunities in Cadets.
MAJ(AAC) Julie-Ann de Kantzow
Commanding Officer – WCCU
E: jdekantzow@waverley.nsw.edu.au
Our new recruits surpassed all expectations at their first parade on Friday. I was so impressed with their respect for the uniform, with their engagement in the activities, with their first attempts at drill moves and with their respect for each other and their rank. Congratulations and very well done!
Across the afternoon, there were competitions to encourage all to get to know one other in their sections, platoons and companies. Recruits met their rank and staff, and were issued with their Company patches. All performed admirably in the Company War Cry Competition.
Congratulations, also, to our senior rank as they put into practice their leadership training to lead their Companies and the Command Post so smoothly at their first parade, and to our SNCOs and JNCOs for taking such good care of their new platoons and sections.
Points will be awarded for activities and conduct across the term, and the best platoon at the end of each term will scoop the prize. Points also contribute towards the LTCOL Peter Frost Company Cup and the MAJ F D Marzorini Shield for the Most Efficient Platoon, awarded at the Annual Awards Ceremony at the end of the Cadet Year.
MAJ F D Marzorini Shield
To start us off in the point scores were 2 Platoon, B Company and D Company. Watch this space for the tally from week to week.
WCACU Points Tally
MAJ(AAC) Julie-Ann de Kantzow
Commanding Officer – WCCU
E: jdekantzow@waverley.nsw.edu.au
During the school holidays, 106 cadets gave a week of their precious holiday time to attend the Waverley College Cadet Promotions Courses, learning valuable skills in leadership, team development, instruction and field skills, in order to lead the Unit in the 2022/2023 Cadet Year.
Successful candidates have been posted to their new positions of responsibility across the Unit, and on Friday we celebrated the promotion of our successful candidates at a special Graduation Ceremony.
Mr Graham Leddie and Dr Julie Townsend were joined by our 2021 Senior Ranks to present the awards and rank slides in front of parents, carers and friends. In an exciting milestone in the Unit’s 110 year history, we are very proud to announce the first female Senior Cadet Under Officer for the Unit, a mark of the successful integration of the partnership of St Catherine’s and Waverley College, which commenced in 2020.
It gives me great pleasure to announce the leadership team for the 2022-23 Cadet Year.
Regimental Headquarters (RHQ)
Senior Cadet Under Officer (SUO) – CUO Kayla Heng
Adjutant – CUO Alistair Isaac
Training Officer – CUO Kitty Fitzpatrick
Operations Officer – CUO Sarah Teitler
Logistics Officer – CUO Lenny Joseph
Regimental Sergeant Major (RSM) – WO1 Angus Birrell
Company Commanders
A COY COMD – CUO Matteo Paolella
B COY COMD – CUO Kit Armtrong
C COY COMD – CUO Thomas Brenchley
D COY COMD – CUO Tom Gleeson
SPT COY COMD – CUO Mitchell Cahill
Company Sergeants Major
A COY – WO2 Oliver Malzard
B COY – WO2 Luca Patrick-Watkins
C COY – WO2 Meg O’Connor
D COY – WO2 James Birbas
SPT COY – WO2 Hayley Paddock
Duces of Courses
JLC Course – CPL Lachlan Marzol
SLC Course – WO2 Lachlan Miranda
CUO Course – CUO Kayla Heng
Students of Merit
JLC Course – CPL Lachlan Isaac
SLC Course – WO2 Emma Hartwig
CUO Course – CUO Matteo Paolella
The whole Unit will parade for the first time this Friday, 5 August, and we are looking forward to an engaging and dynamic year ahead.
Most recruits have now been issued with their Cadet uniform and gear. For those still without uniform, or needing to exchange sizes, Q Store is open on Wednesday lunch and from 3:30 – 4:30pm after school.
MAJ(AAC) Julie-Ann de Kantzow
Commanding Officer – WCCU
E: jdekantzow@waverley.nsw.edu.au
This week, we are preparing for our Promotions Course Camp to be held in the first week of the school holidays at Winbourne Conference Centre in Mulgoa.
This is always an important week in the Cadet Calendar, as our dedicated and motivated young men and women learn the skills they need to practise and refine their leadership of the Unit over the coming Cadet Year. It also provides the chance to re-establish high standards and expectations to model for our new recruits starting in Term 3.
A big thank you to our Cadet staff for their dedication in developing our new young leaders on Promotions Course Camp.
The new Cadet Year starts Term 3 2022 and concludes Term 2 2023.
Our new rank and staff will parade on Friday, 22 July, to prepare for our new recruits who will parade for the first time on Friday, 29 July.
Parents and students, please make note of the following dates for your calendars in 2022 and 2023:
2022
2023
MAJ(AAC) Julie-Ann de Kantzow
Commanding Officer – WCCU
E: jdekantzow@waverley.nsw.edu.au
Uniform will be available for issue to our new recruits on Saturday 16, Sunday 17, Saturday 23 and Sunday 24 July 2022. An appointment schedule will be emailed to all parents for bookings.
The first parade for Year 8 will be Friday, 29 July 2022.
The first camp for Year 8 will be the bivouac from Friday, 26 August – Sunday, 28 August 2022.
MAJ Julie-Ann de Kantzow
Commanding Officer
E: jdekantzow@waverley.nsw.edu.au
On Sunday, we farewelled our graduating Year 12 Cadets, as they concluded their five years of service to the Unit at the Annual Passing Out Parade and Awards Ceremony. We were blessed with good weather, and many parents and friends came to see the Unit looking resplendent in their DPCU before the Reviewing Officer, LTCOL Delaney of NSW 2nd Brigade.
Ably commanded by the SUO, Zachary Straker, our cadets performed magnificently, demonstrating their respect for tradition, for the Cadet Unit, and for our Senior Ranks and their leadership over the past difficult years of isolation.
One of the benefits of the Cadet program is to develop tenacity and fortitude in times of hardship, but it was still amazing to see CPL Deuchar Dezarnaulds find the strength to receive his award from LTCOL Delaney, having just recovered from surgery on Sunday. Well done, Deuchar!
Congratulations to all our prize winners for their dedication and commitment to the Unit over the past year:
A COY – CDT Kayden Baker
B COY – CDT Lachlan Isaac
C COY – CDT Lara Karlovsky
D COY – CDT Benjamin Webb
SPT COY – CPL Julia Mallam
A COY – CPL Bailey Barker
B COY – CPL Luca Patrick-Watkins
C COY – CPL Oliver Malzard
D COY – CPL Meg O’Connor
SPT COY – CPL Deuchar Dezarnaulds
WO2 Mitchell Cahill
WO2 Alistair Isaac
WO2 Sarah Teitler
WO2 Angus Birrell
SGT Bert Cottell
SGT Catherine Fitzpatrick
SGT Christopher Kallo
SGT Paul Muir
SGT Ruben Stock
SGT Max Van Buuren
CUO Sachiel Bass
CPL Jack Kerves
CUO Daniel Di Francesco
WO2 Angus Birrell
Year 10 Cadet – SGT Matteo Paolella
Year 12 Cadet – CUO Finn Anderson
Year 10 Cadet – SGT Ruben Stock
Year 12 Cadet – CUO Lachlan Muir
SGT Hugh McDonald
SGT Paul Muir
WO2 Matteo Paolella
WO2 Thomas Martin
WO2 Kayla Heng
PNR Platoon
(Received by PNR Platoon Commander – CUO Mack Trustrum)
10 Platoon
(Received by Platoon Commander – CUO Emma Pellegrini)
D Company
(Received by Company Commander – CUO Kai Chavez)
CUO Hugo Pizzol
CUO Brandon Reid
SUO Zachary Straker
We thank the Old Boys’ Union for their generous donation of a further five ceremonial swords to the Unit. This year’s swords were presented by LTCOL Frost and Mr Salvatore Riolo to:
A Company Commander – CUO Darcy Ferguson – in honour of MAJ Sydney Walker DSO
B Company Commander – CUO Jacob Mulberry standing in for CUO Ellie Mallett – in honour of COL Bill Molloy sword
C Company Commander – CUO Hugo Pizzol – in honour of CAPT Thomas Westbrook
D Company Commander – CUO Kai Chavez – in honour of COL Brett Courtenay OAM
Cadet Quartermaster – CUO Brandon Reid – in honour of CAPT(AAC) Anthony Gleeson
The celebrations continued into the evening as our Years 10 and 11 Dining Stewards converted the gymnasium into a formal military mess, enjoyed by special guests from the AAC, St Catherine’s School and Waverley College, joining our Year 12 cadets and their parents.
Always a special evening, this year we were also honoured with the presentation of the Commanding Officer’s Sword by Waverley College Old Boy, MAJGEN Charles New. We thank MAJGEN New for his generosity to, and support of, the Waverley College Cadet Unit.
As we end another Cadet Year, we thank the 30 Year 12 cadets for their leadership, their tenacity and their service to their rank and recruits. They have been outstanding role models and exemplary citizens:
WO1 Charles Alexander
CUO Sachiel Bass
CUO Kai Chavez
CPL Liam Davis
CUO Hugo Defina-Sperando
CUO Daniel Di Francesco
CUO Darcy Ferguson
SGT James Garrop
CUO Harrison Gippel
CUO James Harding
CUO Patrick Healy
SGT Chris Kallo
CUO Vanessa Kimpton
CUO James Kort
CUO Deanna Koumi
CUO Ellie Mallett
WO2 Thomas Martin
CUO Ivy McGrath
CUO Daniel McSweeny
CUO Jacob Mulberry
CUO Emma Pellegrini
CUO Hugo Pizzol
SGT Gemma Proctor
CUO Owen Punch
CUO Brandon Reid
CUO Zachary Straker
CUO Mack Trustrum
CUO Sophia Voigt
CUO Ian Vuk
CUO Alison Zaczek
Thank you, also, to our fantastic Cadet staff for their commitment to the Unit in encouraging our young men and women to become proud and responsible citizens. We now turn our attention to developing our next leaders at the Promotions Courses from Monday, 27 June – Saturday, 2 July at Winbourne Conference Centre, Mulgoa.
A preparation afternoon will be held from 3.30pm – 5pm on Friday, 17 June. All promotions candidates are required to attend this afternoon and form up will be on the Centenary Quad.
For the rest of the Unit, I thank you for your commitment to Cadets over the past year and look forward to seeing you, along with our new recruits, at the Commanding Officer’s Parade on Friday, 29 July.
MAJ(AAC) Julie-Ann de Kantzow
Commanding Officer – WCCU
E: jdekantzow@waverley.nsw.edu.au
Congratulations to our CAS Drill Team for their outstanding performance at the CAS Drill Competition on Wednesday, hosted by Trinity Grammar at the Knox Grammar Great Hall. We congratulate our friends at St Aloysius’ who were victorious on the day.
The CAS Drill Competition is one of the key events in the Cadet Calendar, as 91 Battalion aims to maintain the high standards of drill, dress and bearing, in a collegiate atmosphere of friendly competition. I was so proud of our team who generously donated so much of their time before and after school, to rehearse and become one as a team.
Cadets new to the team, cadets new to drill, cadets continuing from the 2021 team, all came together to reach the high standard we set. For me, the united crack of the boots on the final halt, signified their achievement. It was at that moment that they felt the unity, the success of having given of their best for the good of the team.
WO1 Charles Alexander, WO2 Angus Birrell, WO2 Mitchell Cahill, WO2 Darius Hall, WO2 Alistair Isaac, WO2 Matteo Paolella, SGT Paul Muir, CPL Bailey Barker, CPL James Birbas, CPL Anika Bradford, CPL Matthew Garrop, CPL Emma Hartwig, CPL Mitchell Ho, CPL Julia Mallam, CPL Oliver Malzard, CPL Declan McAuliffe, CPL Robert Muir, CPL Meg O’Connor, CPL Hayley Paddock, CPL Luca Patrick-Watkins, CPL Reuben Seroa, CPL Aodhan Williams, CPL Zara Wiseman, CDT Lachlan Isaac and CDT Lachlan Marzol.
Thank you, also, to LT(AAC) Max Petrov and the CUOs from Year 12 who gave of their time to train the new guard.
We had a full house for the Year 8 Parent Information Evening on Monday, and I thank everyone for their enthusiasm for the Cadet experience commencing for our new recruits next term. For those unable to attend, I will email an information sheet to summarise the key points.
This weekend marks the end of our Year 12 Cadets’ journey with the Waverley College Cadet Unit, and we celebrate our senior ranks’ five years of service with Passing Out Parade, commencing at 11am on Sunday, 5 June in the Centenary Quad.
Parents and friends are most welcome to come and view the parade from the upper levels of the College. This is also the occasion to recognise the fantastic contribution of so many of our talented and selfless young people at the Annual Awards Ceremony. In the evening, we continue the celebrations with a special military dinner for our Year 12 cadets and their parents in the school gymnasium.
As we say good-bye to our Year 12 leaders, we look to preparing our new leaders on the Promotions Courses from Monday, 27 June – Saturday, 2 July at the Winbourne Conference Centre in Mulgoa. Thank you to all cadets who have registered their interest in promotion to Corporal, Sergeant, Warrant Officer or Cadet Under Officer.
MAJ(AAC) Julie-Ann de Kantzow
Commanding Officer – WCCU
E: jdekantzow@waverley.nsw.edu.au
How proud we were of our cadets as they participated in the ANZAC Assembly in front of the whole school on Thursday. With the front of the gym lined with VC Guard, Catafalque Party and Flag Party, and cadets interspersed amongst the school, our Junior School boys were particularly enthralled with the service.
We thank the boys who held vigil with a candle, lit to commemorate the lives of the 65 Waverley Old Boys who lost their lives in World Wars 1 and 2.
It was wonderful to see the school community following the cadets’ lead, and conducting themselves with humility and respect to mark this very special day in the Australian Calendar.
WO2 Angus Birrell (Year 11) Plays ‘The Last Post.’
We were honoured to be invited to St Catherine’s on Tuesday to participate in the St Catherine’s ANZAC Assembly. Ably commanded by the Senior Cadet Under Officer, Zachary Straker, the parade was a fitting addition to this moving event. Congratulations to CUO Alison Zaczek who commanded the Catafalque Party to perfection in front of her school for the first time.
CUO Alison Zaczek commanding the Catafalque Party to perfection in front of St Catherine’s for the first time – photo: courtesy Theo Miller
Photo: courtesy Theo Miller
Photo: courtesy Theo Miller
Congratulations also to CUO Ian Vuk, whose powerful command voice ensured all were aware of his intention.
The occasion marked the success of the partnership between our two schools, with both Dr Townsend and Mr Leddie joining our Liaison Officer, MAJ(AAC) David Clancy in the Official Party.
Dr Townsend at the lectern – photo: courtesy Theo Miller
MAJ(AAC) David Clancy – photo: courtesy Theo Miller
Thank you to Directing Staff 2LT(AAC) Angus McPherson, 2LT(AAC) Eric Cordato and Ella Goldsmith for their assistance, and most especially to 2LT(AAC) Max Petrov for preparing the guard for the day.
Photo: courtesy Theo Miller
MAJ(AAC) Julie-Ann de Kantzow
Commanding Officer – WCCU
E: jdekantzow@waverley.nsw.edu.au
What an amazing week was had at Majura MTA for the 2022 Annual Field Exercise. 300 cadets headed to Canberra full of anticipation, spending the week with their companies in various locations, expertly prepared by the Advance Party.
A week of weapons training, leadership reaction courses, obstacle courses, high ropes, dam exercises, fieldcraft, hiking, night exercises, urban operations, bush movies, camp fires, stars and rainbows – all with the military backdrop of exciting sounds and tactical manoeuvres. Our recruits really embraced the experience and came home stronger, wiser and certainly proud of their achievements. So many personal challenges overcome. So much appreciation for warm beds, running water and electricity!
We were fortunate to welcome many visitors on camp, including the Chief of Army, LTGEN Rick Burr, and the Commander of the AAC, BRIG Ben Slaughter, who dropped in to see how a Cadet Unit develops youth on camp.
Casper Hodgon and the Chief of Army, Lieutenant General Rick Burr, AO, DSC, MVO
The success of AFX is a result of the service that everyone willingly gives for the good of the Unit as a whole. We thank everyone for their contribution but especially:
The LOGSO and OPSO, CUO Sachiel Bass and CUO Sophia Voigt, who managed the logistics and operations with equanimity, maturity and competence, enabling a smoothly run camp; the ADJT, CUO Daniel McSweeny, who had to step in as acting SUO at the very last minute; CUO Mack Trustrum and Pioneer platoon: these cadets put together an engaging and informative day of fieldcraft activities; building shelters, lighting fires and making traps which ignited a passion in many of our recruits; WO2 Tom Martin and X Platoon: their ‘bush gym’, their slow-cooked lamb shoulder, their stealth and infiltration, added to the excitement and anticipation across the week; CUO Ian Vuk and Medics Platoon: the RAP is always a busy place on camp, but the steady stream of patients was cared for and expertly treated by CUO Vuk and his team around the clock, putting into practice the hours of First Aid training in the lead up to camp; the senior rank of the Command Post, who kept communications going with companies in remote locations 24 hours a day, all week; our Company Commanders and Company Sergeants Major, who lead their companies with passion and energy and dwindling voice boxes, as they brought together their personnel into the fold of company spirit, support and loyalty; A Company and C Company, who learnt the hard way how to put up a hutchie so that it actually does what it is designed to do – keep you sheltered and dry!; the amazing Cadet Staff and support staff, who gave of their time, away from family, to care for our cadets, to be on call 24/7, to be without mod cons, and to build fantastic relationships with their platoons and companies.
Principal, Mr Graham Leddie Visits AFX 2022
Oakley Lamb
Thanks for visiting, Mr Leddie!
An important component of any Cadet Unit is the service we can provide to the community on ANZAC Day. It is a responsibility our young people take very seriously and they always represent our Unit with the gravitas and maturity such occasions demand. We are proud of, and thank, the following cadets for their service to local events:
The highest award a cadet can achieve as a member of the NSW Australian Army Cadets, is the Adventure Training Award. The week-long competition assesses skills in navigation, fieldcraft, ratel, first aid and the ability to lead, command and work as a team in challenging circumstances. It has been many years since Waverley College cadets have qualified for this competition, which took place this year, the very next day after AFX at Majura. For SGT Paul Muir and SGT Hugh McDonald to, not only compete, but succeed in achieving this award following a physical and demanding AFX, is an extraordinary achievement and one that will be recognised at Passing Out Parade and in front of the school in Term 3. Congratulations Paul and Hugh.
SGT Paul Muir and SGT Hugh McDonald
On the back of AFX, we are thrilled that so many recruits wish to continue their Cadet journey for another year, that they could see past the interferences COVID-19 imposed on their Cadet experience, and give it a go. The vast majority are keen for promotion and we look forward to welcoming them on Promotions Camp from Monday, 27 June – Saturday, 2 July at Winbourne Conference Centre in Mulgoa. This unique leadership training prepares leaders for the future, not just for Cadets but beyond the school environment, and builds a strong camaraderie in the cohort. Keep an eye on your emails for more details shortly.
Term 2 is a term of pomp and ceremony as we prepare for Passing Out Parade and Dining In Night to farewell our graduating Year 12 cadets. COVID-19 has put a real dent in our drill, dress and bearing, and now is the time to bring this in line with Unit expectations. Interspersed with Cadet and external activities, this short term will set the standard for the new Cadet Year starting in Term 3.
Parents, please take note of the following dates:
MAJ(AAC) Julie-Ann de Kantzow
Commanding Officer – WCCU
E: jdekantzow@waverley.nsw.edu.au
Thank you to our hardworking rank and staff, who are pulling together the final stores required to take 400 people into the field for seven days without electricity or running water or modern conveniences on AFX. The skills in planning and logistics that our seniors gain through AFX are invaluable assets that they will take with them into the adult world.
A reminder to all parents and cadets that Q Store is now closed, and any provisions not already collected for camp can be purchased from camping stores or military disposal stores.
When our recruits return from AFX, they will have completed their co-educational commitment as part of the Waverley College Cadet Unit. As I said to the cadets last Friday, they now join a shared history with every Waverley College student who has come before them, spanning 110 years. This special connection through Cadets they will always have, regardless of whether they continue with Cadets or not, and is a connection that is recognised every year through the Annual Reveille Mess.
An Intention Form on Google will be available in the school holidays for all cadets wanting to continue their youth development experience, particularly if they have leadership in their sights. The Promotions Courses that the Cadet Unit offers, provide exemplary incremental training for leadership roles, and these courses run in the June/July school holidays every year. This year’s courses will be in the first week of the school holidays, at Winbourne Conference Centre, Mulgoa.
Over the weekend, X Platoon completed a training bivouac at Douglas Park, to consolidate their fieldskills in preparation for AFX. In rain and boggy conditions, they honed their skills in navigation, ratel, shelters, fires and survival. An impromptu lesson in 4WD vehicle retrieval was a bonus, and we thank the Pizzol family for their commitment to the Cadet Unit in this regard!
Congratulations to WO2 Tom Martin, SGT Gemma Proctor, SGT Max Van Buuren, SGT Declan Strong for your tenacity and fortitude on the weekend. Thank you to DS Conacher-Smith and DS Martin for pulling together an excellent training program.
X Platoon Exercise Tango Charlie
X Platoon Exercise Tango Charlie
X Platoon Exercise Tango Charlie
X Platoon Exercise Tango Charlie
X Platoon Exercise Tango Charlie
Some of our dedicated Warrant Officers and Sergeants assisted with the collection of vehicles and Army stores on Tuesday in preparation for AFX. A trip to the Logistics Unit is an eye-opening experience in terms of the scale and precision of Army logistics at Holsworthy Barracks. We thank you WO2 Mitchell Cahill, WO2 Darius Hall, WO2 Matteo Paolella, and SGT Paul Muir for their excellent work ethic and service to the Unit.
Joint Logistics Unit Expedition
As we head to Majura, I thank everybody for their commitment to Cadets, and look forward to an enjoyable and exhilarating experience for you all on AFX.
MAJ(AAC) Julie-Ann de Kantzow
Commanding Officer – WCCU
E: jdekantzow@waverley.nsw.edu.au
Today our Year 9 boys parade for the last time with the Waverley College Cadet Unit as recruits. It has been an unusual time for these boys to experience Cadets, and they have had to see past many COVID-19 ramifications and cancellations to see what could have been and what will be possible.
That is a huge demand on young people, but hopefully, in this term of Climbing Walls, Laser Tag, Archery, Swim Testing, Hutchie Lessons, Methods of Movement, Camo and Concealment, Health and Hygiene in the Field and Rations Lessons, they have found something to connect with, and have made new friendships across different social groups.
A Company at Hugh Bamford Reserve, earlier in Term 1
At training today, recruits were given a chance to see what their options are if they choose to stay in Cadets. For some, leadership and service will be a priority, for others becoming a Pioneer on the way to trying out for X Platoon will be key.
There is something for everyone, across Medics, Media, Logistics, Band and Signallers, with more platoons planned for the future. The decision to stay with Cadets is something to consider after camp.
The best, of course, is yet to come with AFX, and our rank have been working hard to prepare the activities, the stores and the logistics, so all our cadets have a fantastic and engaging time on camp.
Please make sure you have all your equipment on the AFX Equipment List and don’t forget your thermals! It will be cold at night in Canberra. And with the current weather trends, your poncho is also essential.
AFX in 2021
Please note, the Q Store is now closed, and any provisions not already collected can be purchased from camping stores or military disposal stores.
AFX is the culmination of skills and training across the Unit, not just for our recruits. Next week, our Senior Rank will be testing their leadership in a Command Post Exercise, and we will meet with Middle Rank, while X Platoon and Pioneers enjoy the final session of Archery.
I thank everyone; recruits, cadets, rank, parents and staff; for their ongoing support of the largest youth development program in Australia, and for your understanding of the context we have been working within over the past two years.
MAJ(AAC) Julie-Ann de Kantzow
Commanding Officer – WCCU
E: jdekantzow@waverley.nsw.edu.au
Readers of last week’s Nurrunga will recall the core tenets of the AAC and the Waverley College Cadet Unit. While Service enables us to demonstrate Excellence, Integrity and Courage, it is Respect which underpins everything we do and fosters an inclusive, collaborative and positive experience in Cadets.
In the leadup to AFX, it is timely to remind all our members of the importance of Respect when interacting with others. In Cadets, we have groups of students coming together in a context vastly different to their experiences throughout the week – from St Catherine’s, from different Year groups, from different friendship groups, from different understandings of the world – and while this interaction is one of the key youth development opportunities for growth and tolerance, it is also one of the program’s biggest challenges.
It is a big demand on young people to check their behaviour, to think twice before acting and speaking, and it is not something the instant, modern world facilitates. I would therefore ask all Cadets to remember that my core tenet, and therefore that of the Cadet Unit, is Respect, and to be mindful of keeping interactions professional and respectful at all times.
In the AFX environment, this can be tricky. We are outside our comfort zone, we are undertaking challenging and demanding roles, and we are with each other 24/7 for a whole week. In the pursuit of tenacity, fortitude and resilience, treating others with respect in this space will strengthen our characters, and make us valuable and productive citizens.
Thank you to all parents and carers for attending to the AFX paperwork in such busy lives. In the leadup to camp, all cadets should now be ensuring they have their uniforms and equipment ready to go. A warning to all, that the Q Store will not be open to students in the two weeks before camp, as we prepare the many stores and supplies to keep 380 people in the field without modern conveniences.
Three weeks to go!
MAJ(AAC) Julie-Ann de Kantzow
Commanding Officer – WCCU
E: jdekantzow@waverley.nsw.edu.au
We would like to acknowledge the Gadigal people of the Eora nation who are the traditional Custodians of the land on which Waverley College is located. We pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging. We are committed to honouring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ unique cultural and spiritual connections to the land, waters, seas and sky and their rich contribution to society.
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