Australian Air Force Cadet NSW liaison officer, Wing Commander Michael Wallace, said Armidale never had reasonable facilities for cadets, however, the ADF’s repurposing of the old University of NSW Regiment facility at UNE as a cadet only base for the Army, Navy and Air Force would see Armidale become a regional centre for cadet units.
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“Cadets here have been tagged on in other areas, but they haven’t had a home they can call their own,” he said.
The philosophy of the purpose ADF cadets is to provide youth development with military type training in either a maritime, aviation or a ground environment.
- Lt Col (AAC) Michael Wallace
“I think compared to other facilities around the state, and in a couple of major cities, this is more central and easier to get to. In a lot of ways it’s safer because we’re off busy roads, we’ve got ample parking and a secure perimeter, and being in the university precinct it is well-known.
“This is a very positive move. It is seen as a big step forward, both for the cadets in Armidale and indeed, looking ahead, for cadets in the region. So, cadets within two or three hours of this region can come here on weekends for joint activities because this is such a good facility.”
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Chief of Staff NSW Australian Army Cadets Lieutenant Colonel (AAC) David Major said even though there was an Army presence in Armidale for a long time at 12/16 Hunter River Lancers, the facilities there had alsways been very tight.
“There was never really room for expansion or growth,” he said.
“So, when this particular facility became available it was an ideal opportunity, not only for the two existing cadet units, the navy and the air force, to move here, but for us to establish a community based army cadet unit. The timing has just been perfect.
“There has been a revival of the Australian Army Cadets, and it’s from the top down. The Chief Of Army places a great deal of significance on cadets.”
Lieutenant (ANC) Talitha Holzhauser said Navy Cadets were all looking forward to the facility being operational.
“It is really great that it is recognised that we are so far away from the water. We will need the space to do things that don’t involve water,” she said.
“We go to Grafton quite a bit for our sailing weekends, and there are units everywhere so we go as far north as Ballina and as far south as the Hawksbury River.
“I think the main focus for us once we move into this new location is recruiting and getting our faces out into the community a bit more.”
Lt Holzhauser said Navy Cadets represented Armidale at the HMAS Armidale Memorial every year.
All the cadet commanding officers agreed the facilities they were about to move into were absolutely fantastic, and would be the envy of many units throughout the state.
