Cadets

Florence Donarelli, Year 12, Ridgeway Campus

When cadets is explained, survival, adventure and leadership are the words that are used to describe it, but it is more than that. It is hard to describe Cadet Camp in full, for its unique experience can't quite be captured in words alone. The part that I believe is most valuable and sometimes overlooked, is the camaraderie that is developed while on camp. 

Friendship isn’t forged on Cadet Camp; unparalleled camaraderie is. It is forged in mile-long hikes through rolling hills, gaping valleys and lakes. Through tree lines denser than the eye can see. Forged in hoochies flapping in the wind in the dead of night, and against the songs of kookaburras in the mystical morning light. Sharing lollies with people you never knew before. A sense of community that is truly something special. 

It was my last camp and there were a lot of mixed emotions, but it was an experience I will never forget. Aside from being able to shoot rifles at the army base and the Year 12 night navigation which created some amazing stories, ultimately it was the quiet moments between the roaring laughter and chaos of the 600-cadet strong unit that were the most special to me. Watching the sun creep over the horizon for the very first time, illuminating the land and faces of the team that created this camp alongside me will be something that will be impossible to forget.  

Between the shouting orders and crazed treks through the bush, camp is where memories are made. Memories that will last generations and are worth their weight in gold.  

Ranjiv Bhar, Year 11, Ridgeway Campus

Annual Camp was great. A 6-day, 5-night experience that was, in my opinion, better than any that came before it. This has been my 3rd Annual Camp, and I’ve found that they are the highlight of the cadet year.  

For me, the most notable activities on annual were the talent show, the no-compass navigation exercise, the MasterChef activity and the bull-run courses. Another high point of this camp was when we were suddenly visited by some members of the Australian Defence Force. They rolled in with their tanks and gave us a smoke grenade demonstration, which was pretty cool.   

But while each provided a diverse range of options in camp and unique challenges to face, the best part about these camps is the time you get with your fellow cadets. I’ve found that cadet camps provide a great opportunity to meet new people, and bond with them as you make new memories together. Getting to know my fellow cadets was lots of fun and helped us work better together as a platoon.  

It definitely helped that the weather wasn’t as cold as previous years, which put everybody in a better mood. The early wake up was worth it due to the beautiful sunrise every morning.  

Experiencing these camps through different ranks (Cadet, Corporal, and now Sergeant) has shown me how much your experience through cadets can evolve. Having to manage 20+ Cadets with the help of another Sergeant and a CUO, provided a tough but rewarding challenge. Additionally, having new responsibilities and insights into how the regiment works showed me that there is a lot more planning and effort that goes on behind the scenes for these camps to become a reality.  

Something I like about Annual Cadet Camp is that there are always moments to step up, take on a leadership role and show initiative. This could be characterised through holding the compass during a navigation exercise, filling in as RSM for the talent show, or volunteering to fill up the water jerry cans for your platoon.  

Overall, the Annual Camp experience was overwhelmingly positive. I was left with a lot to remember, and I look forward to the next one.  

Daphne Loveridge, Year 9, Ridgeway Campus

Reflecting on the 2025 six-day Annual Cadet Camp, calling it fun is an understatement. It was genuinely such a great experience and by far the most adventurous, exciting, hard-working and enjoyable camp I have ever took part in. I was in Platoon 8 and a personal highlight for me during Annual Cadet Camp was the number of new friendship bonds I formed across the camp. Spending an entire six days with my fellow peers made me realise how little I knew of them, and it is beyond crazy to say that after the camp, I could tell you a fact about each of them! Across the six days, I also got the chance to reflect on myself. The thought of sleeping in hootchies, living in the bushes and not seeing my family was scary at first, however, after a while I got used to the routine and it became more enjoyable. (Except for the portable toilets - they were never enjoyable.) But besides that, living that lifestyle gave me time to think about myself and personal improvements I can make. In conclusion, I had an awesome time on this camp and would 100% recommend the program to the Year 8s when they get the option between cadets and IDEALS. This camp made me realise how much cadets has to offer, the opportunity it holds for many and definitely made me want to continue!