20 Years of Cadets at MGC
Australian Air Force Cadets
414 Squadron
Melbourne Girls’ College
2016 celebrates 20 years of Air Force cadets at MGC. All past cadets and staff are invited to our celebration on Tuesday 13 December in the DiPasquale Dining Room at MGC for a formal Dining-In night, including the 2016 Presentation of Awards. More information will be available throughout the year, so keep the date free!
Approximately 400 MGC students have been involved in the Australian Air Force Cadet/Air Training Corps program over its 20 years at MGC. Some lasted a couple of weeks, others were involved for six years as a cadet and several have continued as a staff member within the AAFC. We know of six that have entered the Australian Defence Force in all three branches (Army, Navy and Air Force), but there may be more.
The squadron, originally 14 Flight of the Air Training Corps, was instituted as part of the Victorian Youth Development Program in 1997. The VYDP was implemented by the Government to involve students in Community Service, offer opportunities involving leadership, initiative and teamwork, and to offer accreditation to improve further education/employment opportunities. Now under the Advance Program (different government = different name) we continue to run under their umbrella, along with the support of the RAAF and MGC.
The AAFC is now offered to students as part of their overall education package at Melbourne Girls College, with students from Years 8 to 12 electing to be part of the program. This is the first year that Year 8s have been involved. Cadets are involved in all aspects of the AAFC 4 Wing program, including Powered Flying, General Service Training Camps, Work Experience, Adventure Activities, Promotion Camps and Ceremonial Parades. It was with great joy that in 1999 our Drill team won the WGCDR Crickmore Cup.
The Squadron now parades each Monday after school from 3.10 to 5.30. In the past we have paraded within the school day (Monday, Thursday, Friday – the days vary but the program continues), either within the Enrichment program offered at the school, or overlapping the curriculum – starting at lunchtime and running until the end of the day. Recruits complete their Recruit training through class activities and our Training Camp in March held at RAAF Base Williams – Point Cook. All cadets get the opportunity to fly in a plane – Cessnas in the past, but now the AAFC has its own gliders and Piper Warriors. Other camps offered by the Squadron are a Fieldcraft bivouac at Upper Beaconsfield in July, a Cadet Challenge Rogaine in June and a four-day bivouac in December which was at our school campsite at Eppalock but now at Gilwell Park in Gembrook. Whilst a few tweaks have been made over the years, any ex-cadets would remember the same (or similar) camps – if it ain’t broke…
Many staff have been involved over the years – the initial team of Cheryl DiPasquale, Graham Brain, Trevor Howlett and Donna Mayhew, then Eva Hookey, Carolyn Hall, Jenny Fulford, Aaron Morrison, Pete Gargiulo, Anna Crosswhite and Jenni Hodgman, and past students including Georgia Kerr, Fran Gelmi, Katherine Gill, Shelley Bird, Mia Van Zeyl, Lauren Lee, Sophie Cooper, Sarah Driscoll and Maddie Blaikie. We have had help from other AIRTC/AAFC staff: Daniel Lowe was the dynamic starter of the program, Melissa Rowles, Deb Kelly, Katharine Cugliari, Josh Hablethwaite and Zach Jones.
Cadets has been a place for a variety of students, from College Captains to the lost souls, from “I want to be in the Defence Force” to “I wonder what this is about”. The AAFC may not be for everyone, but its given many students leadership opportunities, followership development, teamwork, fun, learning, excitement, personal challenge, fun, outdoor experiences, career awareness and self-discipline.
Our honour board sits proudly with the other MGC boards now in the main corridor for all to see and we are aiming to purchase our Squadron banner this year. All donations gratefully received!
Trev Howlett – still the Commanding Officer!