A Navy Cadet unit in Tasmania is vying for a back-to-back national award, with considerable support from the community.
Located in Break O’Day Council, Navy Cadet Unit TS Argonaut were awarded Most Efficient Training Ship in the country in February this year, with their award presentation held in St Helens on June 18.
The award is the pinnacle achievement for a cadet unit and since 1980 no Navy Cadet unit has won the national title twice in a row.
While being presented with the prestigious award by President of the Navy League of Australia, Graham Harris, the unit was also informed it had won the 2016 state title for the second year running.
“There was a real mix of emotions on hearing the announcement,” said Lieut. ANC Commanding Officer TS Argonaut, Michelle Montgomery.
“They were shocked, crazy delighted, over the moon as well as a bit anxious about having to go through the rigorous assessment all over again.”
If the Navy Cadet Unit are successful in being selected for national title assessment and win again, they will be the first Tasmanian Unit to win back to back titles and the first unit in Australia to achieve two consecutive wins in 35 years.
Lieut. Montgomery said the success of the unit was a real team effort that involved substantial support from the St Helens Community.
“We have so much community support from mums helping with hair, local businesses donating food on the day and just their presence at our ceremonies [which] gives all the cadets a real lift,” she said.
“When it comes down to it, it is all about the kids having a safe and secure place which is stable and consistent.
“Seeing how they grow and develop into confident, team players, we know [this] will set them up for life, and this is what it is all about.”
Break O’Day Mayor Mick Tucker said he was really impressed by the dedication and efforts of the cadets and wished them all the best in their pursuit of back to back national titles.
“The whole community is really proud of what the Cadets have achieved, I think that is evident by the number of people that show up to their assessments and ceremonies,” he said.
“The amount of time, preparation and commitment this group of young people, their leaders and support group go through to achieve these results is a mammoth undertaking and a reflection of what community spirit is all about.”
TS Argonaut will now wait to see if they scored enough points to make the top three in the country and will get to compete for back-to-back national titles.
