Services – Navy Cadets

SBLT KEN CONNORS ANC

Commanding Officer, (Acting)

Training Ship Southport

It has been a challenging year for the unit with the passing of our Commanding Officer Lieutenant Steve Roberts from cancer. Despite the enormity of this loss to the unit, the Cadets have demonstrated considerable strength and resilience and should be very proud of their efforts this year. TS Southport would not be what it is today without the commitment, dedication and time LEUT Roberts put into the unit. He is irreplaceable and will be sorely missed.

In 2015 Training Ship Southport’s Ship’s Company included 87 cadets, four appointed officers and three unit support volunteer instructors. Thirty recruits began training and most completed requirements that will allowed them to be promoted at the completion of the Tri-Service Parade.

Our Annual Continuous Training camp on South Stradbroke Island provides the cadets the opportunity to focus on developing the necessary skills for water competency as well as a variety of challenging training and team-building exercises. An important aspect of our camp is dedicated to ‘giving back’ to the school and local community. This year the cadets set about repairing the fencing that surrounds the property and assisting the camp caretaker, Mr Steve Johnson, to replace the radiator in the school four-wheel-drive. Again our senior cadets were given the opportunity for more independent sail training aboard the restored sailing vessel Mr Percival. The camp provided a challenge for all cadets and the increased teamwork and self-confidence was obvious by the return leg of camp.

TS Southport’s commitment to community service is unsurpassed as the cadets again took on the task of providing catafalque parties, flagbearers, ushers and support staff to a variety of events around the Gold Coast. This year cadets were involved in Orientation Day at TSS, ANZAC Day Services at TSS and St Hilda’s, four separate Community ANZAC Day Commemorations and marches, Battle of the Coral Sea Commemoration, Korean War Veterans’ Service, the Kokoda Anniversary Service, Victory in the Pacific Service, Gold Coast Navy Week Committee Commemoration Service and Remembrance Day Ceremonies. The unit has definitely lived up to their motto of “Leading through Service”.

Being Australia’s largest Navy Cadet unit, TS Southport enjoyed its 21st year as a recognised unit. It also marked the 100th Anniversary of the Gallipoli landing, coinciding with Navy’s year to lead the Tri-Service Graduation Parade. The parade was led by PO Zac McFarlane and PO Andrew Bridle and all are commended for their tremendous performance.

Greater participation by cadets has resulted in increased numbers of cadets seeking promotion. The interest and participation in additional training sessions for motivated cadets has been pleasing and as such, we hope to have a large number of Leading Seamen attending the promotional course to attain the rank of Petty Officer early next year.

I take this opportunity to thank our staff for their commitment and willingness to give their time to offer an exciting and challenging program for the cadets. If it was not for the experience and patience of our staff the program would not be what it is today. I also wish to thank the Year 12 cadets who chose to remain in cadets and who have really contributed to the success and good name of TS Southport. To PO Zac McFarlane, PO Andrew Bridle, LS Tarrant Cardiff, LS Felix Lester, LS Tim Peterson, AB Greg Gook, AB Austin Holmes, AB Charlie Wells, SMN Tom Ross and SMN Austin Lieder; a huge ‘Bravo Zulu’ to each of you as individuals and to all of you collectively for supporting the unit, passing on skills and modelling positive attitudes. Training Ship Southport is richer for your contributions.

As we look to the future, we are excited about entering our 22nd year as an Australian Navy Cadet unit at The Southport School.