Army cadet program reshapes lives of rural teenagers across remote Queensland
Army cadets from remote North Queensland communities have gathered at Lavarack Barracks for intensive leadership training that organisers say is changing young lives.
From Australia’s northernmost tip to central Queensland mining towns, teenage cadets are discovering career paths through an unlikely military program reshaping rural youth.
Phyllis Wilson was one of four Bamaga cadets who joined the cadet program five years ago and said she joined to do something after school.
“It was something that kept me occupied, to interact with other cadets and meet new people,” she said.
She said her biggest takeaway from doing the leadership course this year was passing on her knowledge and skills to the new cadets.
“My biggest thrill was showing the new cadets what we have experienced when we first came down,” she said.
Regional Cadet under officer Dakota Arkey said there were 152 cadets plus 26 adult volunteers at this year’s course which will cumulate with a graduation ceremony at the barracks on Saturday.
“There are cadets all the way from as north as Bamaga, south to Biloela and west to Mt Isa,” she said.
She said apart from the leadership course there were a host of other activates.
“We’ve got a drones elective. We’ve got a PA which is public affairs, where the cadets learn all about social media, what to post, how to take photos and robotics,” she said.
Ms Wilson shared how being part of the cadet program had changed her life.
“Cadets made me realise what I’ve wanted to do with my career, and it’s helped me be set on what I want and not let anyone tell me what I can and can’t do with my life,” she said.
North Queensland Australian Army Cadet Brigade’s Commander, Colonel Luke Hughes said the cadet program was looking to work more closely with schools in the future.
“We’re aiming to merge the community part of the program with schools, not only schools that are part of the program, but new schools to become part of the cadet program,” he said.
“Townsville Grammar is working with us to form a cadet unit so that is has already commenced, and we are exploring opportunities with other schools within the region, but more importantly across the nation.”
Originally published as Army cadet program reshapes lives of rural teenagers across remote Queensland
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