Pace Stick Drill winner

By Jonathon Howard

accepted the Toyota Knights award for sales on behalf of the dealership, making it the 30th time Hayes Toyota have managed to win this award.

“Despite a record flood sweeping through the dealership 12 months ago, the Hayes team showed nothing could stop them from delivering their renowned exceptional service to their many valued customers,” he said.

Dealer principal Bert Hayes said he was pleased with the result despite the flood and is proud of his team for pulling together and continuing to provide a great service to the Tweed Shire.

MURWILLUMBAH ARMY Cadet Tomas Bowie has done his battalion and community proud after being named the winner of the Regimental Sergeant Major’s (RSM) Pace Stick Drill Competition.

Tomas attended the Australian Army Cadets (AAC) Brigade Conference at AAC headquarters in Holsworthy Barracks recently, where he competed in the annual event.

Tomas won the competition and received the White Oak Pace Stick as his prize.

He will return the pace stick next year for next year’s winner.

Tomas joined the Army Cadets in Murwillumbah in 2017 and has loved every minute of it according to his father James Bowie.

“This is his last year with cadets as he turns 18 in April,” James said.

“He is currently the 20 Battalion RSM Holding the rank of Cadet Warrant Officer Class One (CDT WO1).”

Tomas and his dad are preparing to walk the Kokoda Trek in April.

“I’m planning to join the Army Reserves at Tweed Heads’ 41st Battalion, Royal New South Wales Regiment, A Company, later this year,” he said.

“I’m currently working hard in year 12 towards applying for Australian Defence Force Academy next year to study civil engineering and becoming an Officer in the Army.”

The pace stick holds a significant place in the Australia Defence Force as Regimental Sergeant Majors carry a pace stick as a symbol of their appointment.

But the pace stick dates back to Roman times when it was used to mark out the distance of straight Roman roads.

However, when it comes to the modern military, the Royal Regiment of Artillery lay claim to be the originator of the pace stick. They say it was used like a pair of callipers to ensure correct distances between their field guns during battle.

The pace stick is also used to measure the correct length of pace, rhythm and uniformity in marching, as well as the drum and metronome. Correct pace length is necessary not only for ceremonial purposes, but also to reduce fatigue on long marches and set the standard of accuracy required of soldiers