Community
30 August, 2024
Cadets greet special visitor
SOME of Warrnambool’s youngest defence force cadets recently had the privilege of meeting one of Australia’s most decorated and highly respected Army officers, General Sir Peter Cosgrove.
A retired senior Army officer who also served as the 26th governor-general of Australia, Sir Peter was a special guest of 413 SQN Australian Air Force Cadets for an informal ‘meet and greet’ before joining a large gathering for the annual Vietnam Veterans Day twilight ceremony at Cannon Hill.
Sir Peter inspected over 85 cadets and staff at Tel el Eisa Barracks for a tri-service ceremonial parade consisting of 413 SQN Australian Air Force Cadets, the 314 Army Cadet Unit and training ship Henty Australian naval cadets.
Cadets, staff and cadet families were then treated to a talk by Sir Peter and two cadets from each service were presented with Australian Defence Force Cadets’ Patron coins.
The 413 SQN recipients of the patron coins were CCPL Orlando Lane and LCDT Luca Barclay.
Sir Peter then spoke to cadets, staff and cadet families about his memories and experiences during his term as an Army Cadet, how his cadet service contributed to his development as a young man, good citizenship and strong communities and opportunities available to young people through careers in the defence force.
An informal ‘meet and greet’ allowed guests to chat with, and have their photographs taken with Sir Peter.
The group also went to the Cannon Hill Vietnam Veterans monument where the cadet units manned the flags and participated in the annual Vietnam Veterans Day commemorative service, providing a tri-service static guard.
“Indoors, our cadets participated in tri-service flag bearers slow march and laying of wreaths before a selected cadet from each service was hosted on the tables of Sir Peter and Lady Cosgrove for dinner, which was a great honour,” Flying Officer with 413 Squadron, Jane McDonald said.
“Ben Bolton and Leilah Pretlove from our squadron had the honour of being seated at those tables.
“We’re all very grateful for the opportunity to meet and host Sir Peter and Lady Cosgrove. He was extremely generous with his time and his visit generated a great deal of excitement for all cadets and their families.
“It was truly an honour for 413 SQN to host our Patron’s visit and this memorable experience will forever be in the minds of those who had the opportunity to attend.”
